Spend a day with womenswear and jewellery designer, Kirsty Ward, and you’ll never look at an ordinary household object in the same way again: Hinges, hooks and handles are just a few items that Ward has previously incorporated into her jewellery collections alongside striking Swarovski crystals and intricately structured wire shapes, transforming the mundane into the masterful.

These bold, statement necklaces, earrings and bracelets create the perfect paradox amid the clean minimalistic aesthetic of her garments; something that has notably become the signature of Ward’s work.

Now in her fifth season, Twin visited Kirsty in her North London studio to discuss tabards, tea ladies and Star Trek…

Describe your signature design style in three words…
Contradictive minimal embellishment.

Do you have a muse?
It’s not anyone specific, just a mash up of girls in my mind.

Tell us a bit about the ‘Kirsty Ward’ girl.
She loves fashion and loves to stand out with fun statement jewellery, she appreciates a fun/clever/interesting detail, and will always make a ‘look’ her own. She buys pieces that make her heart beat a little faster with excitement rather than the fact that its deemed ‘cool’ that season! She doesn’t follow the crowd. 

You’re currently working on your SS ’13 collection – any hints as to what we can expect?
Tea ladies and tabards with a modern sci-fi edge.

What has been inspiring you lately?
My new delivery of Swarovski crystals and the many ways certain garments can be merged with a shirt.

Every season you collaborate with fellow womenswear designer, David Longshaw – are there any other designers whom you would like to one day collaborate with?
It’s always great collaborating with fellow young designers; I would also love to collaborate with Nicolas Ghesquiere or Raf Simons. But on another note it would also be great to collaborate with some menswear designers in the future too.

 What music have you been listening to in your studio lately?
Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx, Slow Club, Talking Heads, Jake Bugg, Kindness, Grimes, M.I.A.

If you weren’t a fashion & jewellery designer what would you do?
Perhaps I’d open a sweet shop, with cool artisan sweeties sourced from all over the world, with amazing packaging and service.

What’s next for the label?
Concentrating on the business side of things, working on building press and stockists in various parts of the world.

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