The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and thus Auree was born.
Now five years old, the designs at Auree have been created for women who want jewellery that will ‘live alongside them and will deal with the everyday hustle of our lives’.
“The name Auree was one of my grandmother’s middle names and also means ‘golden one’ in Italian,” says Bainbridge.
“I hope the next five years will be as exciting as the last. We have ambitious plans and we are pursuing some exciting international wholesale opportunities and I feel strongly that we need to focus our sustainability efforts. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and we are soon to instil new practices in this vein.”
To celebrate Auree’s new Birthstone collection, we chatted to Bainbridge about her favourite travel destinations .
All-time favourite holiday…
“Our honeymoon was a carefree holiday wrapped in the happiness of newly minted marriage, but whatever stage you are at, Sicily is wonderful. So much so, that we based our first collection at Auree on the places we visited there. Roman, Greek, Spanish (and, of course, Italian) influence means that it has a richness of history, art, architecture and culture you will struggle to find elsewhere.
“Whether you’re into Doric Columns, exploring the Spanish Architecture of Noto, tasting the chocolate in Modica, finding mouth-watering food or wandering the streets of Ortigia, it has it all. We especially loved visiting the Aeolian Islands which are a boat ride north east of the island are beautiful.”
Favourite country to visit…
“Greece for island hopping. Aquamarine water, fresh fish cooked simply, walks, swimming, views across the sea, small churches, sunrises and sunsets from the cliff tops – every time I go I feel I’ve escaped everything.
“Italian food is my weak spot and I had some of the happiest times of my childhood in Italy. From north to south, it’s a country bursting with architecture, different tastes and landscapes that I love returning to again and again.
“I also loved visiting Vietnam. With its extreme landscapes from the mountains to the steep rice terraces of Sapa to the beach around Hoi An, the majesty of the Mekong Delta and the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh. Whenever I visit Asia I always feel buoyed by a sense that this is a place of opportunity, ambition and positivity for the future.”
Favourite city…
“Waking up to the call to prayer in the morning whilst staying in Istanbul is one of the most magical experiences I’ve had. After wandering its streets, visiting the Mosque and Palace with its beautiful Iznik tiles and discovering small workshops to work with you return home full of ideas.
“I also love Barcelona, rammed full of colourful inspiration and home to titans such as Picasso and Gaudi. It’s the inspiration for our new Birthstone Collection.”
Favourite beach…
“There is a beach called Agios Nikolaos on the Greek island of Folegandros that you access by boat or by foot if you walk around the cliff tops. You can lie in the shade of olive trees and wander up past a small white washed church to have lunch on the terrace of a little taverna on the hill.”
Favourite restaurant…
“Issaya Siamese Club is Ian Kittichai’s flagship restaurant in Bangkok. Housed in a 1920s Thai home with lush tropical gardens, arrive here at night with the light blazing out from the terrace. Hip, delicious Thai food and cocktails that will cool you down from the Bangkok heat. You will remember the flavours forever.”
Packing essentials…
“My stalwarts always include a good selection of Auree pieces. I am also a huge advocate of supporting other independent businesses. Air and Grace trainers are my go-to when you are pounding pavements in search of new ideas. I have a weak spot for Anthropologie dresses and for chilly evenings a Wyse Jumper (or two). My maxim is travel light, take a large suitcase and make sure it’s full by the time you get back.”
Carry-on beauty essentials…
“I’m a less is more sort of a girl. Liz Earle is my business superhero and I always have her Superskin Lip Balm and Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer in my bag and close to hand.”
Amelia’s top picks from Auree
Olivera Gold Medium Hoops, £75. Shop it here.
Bainbridge says: “These tactile beauties are the ultimate jewellery classic. I always reach for these each morning and have to force myself to wear something different.”
Walton Russian Wedding Ring, £450. Shop it here.
“Made by our wonderful Italian workshop based in England, I have the inside of each band engraved with the names of my husband, two sons and (I hesitate to admit) our dog – she is essentially a third child.”
Bali Birthstone Necklace, £395. Shop it here.
“I have my son’s initial engraved on one side and his date of birth engraved on the reverse.”
The Montmartre Watch, £145. Shop it here.
“I like to get to the airport hours in advance (my husband teases me that I would be happier going the day before) so for me, a good watch is essential. I have the almond and powder blue with Rose Gold case, I never take it off.”
