In business, at least for Suzanne Vetillart, profit composes only part of a successful bottom line. Equally considered at Boma, the sustainable jewellery company of which she is CEO, is its impact on people and the planet. An architect by training, in 2016 Suzanne assumed responsibility for some two hundred highly skilled silversmiths, artisans and craftspeople, many of whom have worked within the family business for decades. Refreshing the company in her own vision while remaining true to Boma’s heritage, she stepped into a lifelong passion for traditional techniques and processes, in particular the ancient craft of lost wax casting. Striving to positively impact those in Boma’s orbit, in 2016 she founded the Boma Girl Fund and in 2020 established a grant programme for independent jewellery designers of colour.
01 A TECHNIQUE THAT FASCINATES ME
the traditional technique of lost wax casting. Every piece of jewellery that we make starts as a flat 2D drawing which our artisans carve in 3D. Unlike a 3D printer, when a skilled craftsman sculpts and shapes our original wax moulds, there’s a sense of human proportion and balance that comes through in the final design.
02 SOMETHING THAT HAS SURPRISED ME ABOUT THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY IS
how little consumers know about how their jewellery pieces are made.
03 TO ME, SUSTAINABILITY SHOULD BE AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE DO BECAUSE
to do the opposite is too short-sighted and not a joyful way to live.
04 THE ARCHITECT WHO INSPIRED ME TO STUDY ARCHITECTURE WAS
Kazuyo Sejima.
*Pictured here: Kazuyo Sejima's "Small House".
05 A BUILDING I WISH I HAD CREATED
my favourite place, Tamarind Village – a tiny, boutique hotel among the ancient temples of Chiang Mai.
06 THE DESIGN ERA I'M ALWAYS DRAWN TO
International Style architecture from the 1920’s.
07 THE PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT I'M LONGING TO VISIT IS
Colombo, Sri Lanka. I'd love to visit architect, Geoffrey Bawa’s projects there.
*Pictured here: House No.11 by Geoffrey Bawa.
08 THE OBJECT I HAVE TREASURED THE LONGEST IS
my wedding ring. It looks very untraditional and was designed by my husband.
SUZANNE'S FAVOURITE THINGS
01 Lauren Halsey's exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum.
02 "Be water, my friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee". Written by his daughter, Shannon Lee.
03 The "Two metres, Five" necklace in sterling silver.
04 The Cura Co– an ethical fashion and home store in Seattle.
05 The restaurant Saawaan* in Bangkok.
*Estelle & Suzanne recently tasted their superb 11-course menu.