MANIFESTO
The heritage, beauty and taste of Southern France, meets the touch and passion of Catalonia.
Identifying first as Mediterranéenne, I am acutely conscious of drawing creative inspiration from every aspect of all my worlds:
From listening to my great-grandmother’s stories of thrilling times with Picasso, both political and artistic; to avidly consuming the work of the great Catalan modernist artists such as Dalí and Joan Miró so prevalent on family walls.
From being surrounded by generations of beautiful, strong, independent women within my family, to the pioneering women of design.
From discovering the artists, craftsmen, architects, and designers who made the Riviera their home, creating the vibrant communities I grew up in: characterised by optimism, openness and kindness; to the freedom of my beloved sun-kissed Mediterranée.
Times, people, places, qualities, values, feelings, and treasured memories, that, together with my own, very personal philosophy of “in my head, it’s permanently summer,” have served to create the distinctive design pillars that sit at the heart of the Dévé brand promise and product offering.
OUR DESIGNS
Dévé launched with its signature offering: jewellery crafted from sterling silver and gold vermeil, with a view of offering additional accessories and luxury objects in the following years. Preserving a seasonless and timeless appeal, our range is a recurring dialogue between our signature ridged pieces inspired by Modernist design and softer, organic pieces reminiscent of nature.
PORTRAIT
Inspired by a myriad of influences, from architecture, sculpture, and photography, to modernist furniture and history, Estelle Dévé has cultivated an eclectic inner world; a testament to a life lived nomadically. Raised in the French Occitanie region near Montpellier, to French and Catalan parents, she developed a worldly curiosity that would see her migrate to Australia. It was in Sydney, captivated by the artistry, skill and dedication of local jewellery designers, that Estelle discovered what has since been her vocation.
Respecting tradition and artisanship, while free from the constraints of formal training, Estelle has since brought a personal and inimitable approach to jewellery design. Honing a distinctive yet refined style, she has gained creative recognition and professional esteem within the industry.
Her successful debut and eponymous brand garnered support from the likes of Browns and Harvey Nichols and was featured in leading fashion titles such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Interview Magazine and RUSSH. Since relocating to London, she has designed for numerous British brands first in-house and, most recently, through her own consultancy business; Estelle Dévé Studio.
Estelle has developed a strong perspective, distinguished taste and a passion for the craftsmanship of quality, timeless and exquisite objects. She is as uncompromising about design that is resolutely sustainable, ethical and kind as she is dedicated to honouring the individuality of the discerning woman.
VALUES CREATE VALUE
A belief that sits at the heart of achieving Dévé’s commercial ambitions being evidenced in how we behave as a business. A belief that increasingly sits at the heart of the majority of our customers’ brand discovery and selection process.
EQUITY, FAIRNESS & OPENESS
Qualities that are intrinsic to all of Dévé’s business and brand actions, reflected through creative and commercial decisions. Sustainability and ethics are not seen as an added bonus but as an integral foundation of both the business and brand.
THE CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY
Dévé: more than just a place to buy products: a place where people share stories, ideas, and experiences.
DELIVERING SOCIAL IMPACT
We only work with ethical & sustainable suppliers and partners. With all pre-requirements in place, our very own B-Corp certification will soon follow.
OUR MAKERS – BOMA
Boma employs some 200 craftspeople, many of whom have worked with the family-owned business for decades. Dedicated to fair and ethical employment, Boma pays its workers Thailand’s living wage as the very minimum. Beyond this, its long-term career opportunities support individuals to become highly skilled, in addition to offering varied wellness initiatives, maternity leave and education scholarships. Emphasising traditional techniques and processes, particularly the ancient craft of lost wax casting, individual pieces are worked on by over 21 artisans, each a master of their handicraft.
Owning its full supply chain allows Boma to repair, reuse and recycle materials, while being transparent about its sustainability achievements and goals. As members of The American Sustainable Business Council, The Sustainable Fashion Alliance and The Forbes Business Council, Boma prioritises the use of recycled silver, is working to make its factory exclusively reliant on solar energy by the end of 2022 and is aiding communities in Southeast Asia to plant forests of mangroves, which absorb CO2 at exponential rates.
As a Social Purpose corporation, Boma emphasises such environmental, as well as social goals in balance with the interests of its shareholders. In addition to its Boma Girl Fund, which supports initiatives geared towards the families and communities of their employees, in 2020 it launched a grant program for black jewellery designers. Counting Dévé’s founder, Estelle among its mentors, the initiative offers valuable guidance and resources for independent jewellery designers of colour.