We recently sat down for a chat with Zoë Porter, Wellington-based jewellery designer. We discussed the jewellery-making process and how to style ZPJ with your favourite hej hej outfits. 

Introduce yourself in one sentence: 

Hi, I’m Zoë, I’m a very happy mum to our almost one-year-old daughter Freddie (and our lively springer spaniel Tiggy), and I spend any spare moment working on my little business which I love! 

We LOVE ZPJ collections at our Wellington store—shameless plug. Tell us about these hand-crafted stunners and your inspo behind this collection.

When I design and make each piece I always assume they will be worn all the time. I want my jewellery to be timeless, elegant and easy to wear but with a little spark, like a fun coloured stone, or an alternative setting. The pieces you will find in the store are all exactly that, effortlessly cool rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets that I’ve made to be worn every day, for any occasion. 

We’re all about quality materials. Usually more of the linen, cashmere and silk variety, but tell us - what are the ZPJ pieces made of?

The pieces in store are either solid silver, or solid 9ct yellow gold with a mix of white diamonds and coloured sapphires. I like to use recycled metals wherever possible and buy gemstones from reputable sources that assure they are all conflict-free. Diamonds and sapphires are the hardiest of stones, as well as being the sparkliest (diamonds) and coming in such a fun array of colours (sapphires). Using solid metals and durable stones means your jewellery will withstand your day-to-day adventures and be with you for life.

Tell us a random fact about the jewellery-making process that we would never know otherwise.

Hmm there are probably a few but the first that comes to mind, and often surprises people, is that we keep our vacuum bags and have them melted down to save any silver, gold or platinum dust that has been sucked up. When I say I like to use recycled metals, I mean every last dust particle! 

Jewellery really finishes off an outfit. What are your top tips for styling jewellery with your perfect hej hej fit.

My top tip would have to be, always choose pieces you love and want to wear every day. I have been living in my Knitty Gritty knit, it is just so easy and comfortable and I believe jewellery should be like that too - something you love, that you don’t want to take off. If I had to choose a ZPJ piece that will pair perfectly with any hej hej item,  it’s hard to go past the Starry Night Sleepers. These star set diamonds and colourful sapphires go so well with the funky colours of hej hej pieces past and present! 

What type of pieces should customers expect at the current hej hej x ZPJ pop-up?

Oh, you’re going to see a bunch of everyone's favourites! The signature Daisy pieces, the world-famous Baroque Pearl earrings, and of course, the fun Starry Night collection.

Zoe is wearing the Knitty Gritty and Side Eye Pants

Zoë will be hosting an event at our flagship store this Wednesday 2nd August. Join us in-store and have a drink and say hej to our new friend Zoë. We are also offering 10% on all the hej hej collections for the event only! See you there.

Date: Wednesday 2nd August

Time: 5-6pm

Address: 95 Victoria St, Te Aro

Instagram: @zoeporterjewellery

Website: https://www.zoeporter.co.nz/

Photo credit: Tamsin Hooper 😛