Porter is an Australian brand making big waves in the world of everyday wearable jewellery.
Founded in late 2019 in Bondi Beach, Porter Jewellery is crafted from high quality 18k anti-tarnish and water resistant gold vermeil goodness and built off inspiration taken from traditional jewellery designs passed down through family.
Designed and curated by Creative Director, Shelley Tzeegankoff, here at THREADS we admire her can-do attitude and the spirit she brings back into the industry. Everything Shelley has leant to date about retail and design is all from physically working in the industry for over 12 years. With her fingers on the pulse of what her customer likes/dislikes and how she uses all feedback accordingly in her designs is what really gives Porter the edge.
THREADS had the pleasure of chatting with Shelley over the recent COVID-19 lockdown and hearing a bit of what goes on 'Behind the Brand'.
Three words that define the Porter brand?
Strong - Masculine - Feminine
Where did the idea for Porter Jewellery come from?
I’ve always been a lover of gold jewellery and over the years really struggled to find beautiful quality pieces at an affordable price point which wouldn’t turn green after a couple of wears. After a lot of research, back and forth with my production factories with hundreds of factories and tested samples later I felt I perfected the most beautiful range of high-quality traditional jewels which I could continually wear and wear both in the water and shower and hold onto its beauty and shine; Porter was officially birthed in Aug 2019 with our first concept boutique opening just over a year after the online launch of Oct 2020.
At 10am I am usually:
Popping out of the office for a second coffee while catching up on emails.
Daily necessity:
Coffee - I couldn’t go a day without it!
How would you describe your personal style:
Balanced - masculine yet feminine. I love an oversized blazer with some boyfriend denim yet also love floaty dresses chucked on with a pair of my favourite sneakers.
Favorite Porter piece currently:
So hard to just choose one but my favourites would currently be the 90’s Hoops in 40mm, Hailey Snake Necklace in 3mm and I absolutely adore our Heirloom Bangles.
Winter or Summer:
100% Summer - we live here by the beach in Bondi, Australia and there’s nothing quite like an Aussie summer.
Best part of my job:
Working with so many incredible women - my porter girls, wholesale agents and suppliers. They’re all such hard workers and so honoured to be on this journey with them. Also being my own boss and being able to set my own schedule. There’s an incredible amount of hard work and responsibility but it’s so rewarding.
Worst part of my job:
At the moment I would have to say COVID-19, it’s thrown a real spanner in the works but we’re ever evolving and adapting, we’re stronger and more nimble then we’ve ever been before.
How I stay motivated:
A great playlist! Never underestimate how a new soundtrack can really get you into the flow and smash your to do lists.
My top distraction is:
Social media! I’m on it daily for work so it’s hard to pop the phone down when we have deadlines that require my attention elsewhere but I’m learning to be better and setting boundaries with myself as well as using the iphone app timer/down time setting.
Soundtrack in the office:
Drake - Certified Lover Boy
Snacks on hand:
‘Healthy’ twix bars - in lockdown I’ve had a bit of spare time to play around in the kitchen and have made the most delicious healthy twix bars with no refined sugars. The perfect 3pm pick me up without the guilt - recipe via @thefitfeast
When I’m not in the office, I am:
Spending time with my partner as well as our puppy, Marley. We’re also massive foodies so we love trying new restaurants and bars across Sydney. We’re just come out of lockdown here in Sydney so we’ve booked up quite the list of restaurants to go to. Bring on sunset vinos!
Advice I would give my younger self:
That nothing good comes comfortably and to continue to keep taking leaps and risks despite the fear, because hard work, grit and determination pays off.
Designers I admire:
Pip Edwards, PE Nation // Emily Oberg, Sporty & Rich // Lana Johnson, Orseund Iris - New York.
What I admire most about these designers is that they’re all women founders who launched brands that quickly turned into cult brands. I love their grit and determination that turned passion projects into successful international brands. Truly inspiring!!!
