Women’s Empowerment Article for The Jeweller
I was incredibly flattered (with a huge amount of imposter syndrome!) to be invited to share my experiences and thoughts on female empowerment for an article with The Jeweller, alongside some incredible women in the industry. My contribution to the article is below, with the full article in the link at the end. Happy Women’s day everyone!
LIZ CROW, JEWELLERY DESIGNER
Describe your jewellery journey up to this point in your career.
I started Liz Crow London in 2022 after completing a part-time diploma course in Hatton Garden at the Vannetta Seecharran School of Jewellery. The style of the work incorporates my background as a fine artist, using molten metal in an expressive way and drawing on my passion for mindfulness and self-care. The aim was to create a brand that fuses aesthetically stunning design with mindful intention, creating beautiful tools that help women to be present in the moment.
The meaning behind the work came from a personal experience: I was diagnosed with genetic hair loss at the beginning of last year, and I wanted wearable reminders of my own strength in getting through change and not being lost in worry. The work has been a form of therapy, channelling any negative energy into creating and a determination to make something positive out of the situation. Positive for myself, by creating a jewellery business I could be proud of, and positive for others, by helping other women to be mindful and present. While exhibiting at New Designers, my first collection was chosen by the Diana Porter gallery as part of their exhibiting designers. Winning the NAJ New Jewels Award offers an amazing opportunity, and I'm so excited for the next year!
Would you say that being a woman has had an impact on your career? Do you think women have had to work harder to be more 'visible'?
Many of the jewellery designers I look up to are women, so in my experience, the jewellery industry is one that welcomes and celebrates female talent. Having these role models has always made the path as a female designer and business owner seem achievable with enough hard work and determination. In a world where women often have to work so much harder to get noticed, I feel lucky to be in an industry where there are already so many brilliant women leaders!
What does 'female empowerment' mean to you? Does it allow the promotion of self-worth and/or the ability to influence change?
To me, it's about connecting with our own inner power and encouraging all women to do the same. Our incredible potential can be drowned out by self-doubt and societal pressures. By believing in ourselves, having confidence in our own decisions, and not being swayed by others' priorities, we're building a path that is true for us. For me, it is centred on compassion for ourselves and others, with a mindset that sees mistakes as something to learn from and focuses on progress, not perfection.
Connecting with my inner power has given me a steadfast belief in my work and my goals, even on my self-critical days or when not getting the external validation I feel I need. It's given me the resilience to continue through difficult times and a focus that has shaped all my decisions, allowing me to prioritise the key elements of building my business while having a full-time job and trying to live a normal, fulfilled, social life! I think women can be aware of being perceived as too ambitious or confident – characteristics that would be admired in a man. However, I don't feel this – if the world isn't ready for us, it's our job to make it ready! I believe we're simply living up to our true potential and, by doing so, hopefully helping every woman feel that they, too, can do the same.
