Chelsy Davy, today. Her AYA jewelry line is set for success in 2017
Less than three years ago, Chelsy Davy was working as an attorney at top City law firm Allen & Overy. Today she is the Creative Director and Founder of AYA, an African-inspired jewellery brand.
Right now, Chelsy is better known as Prince Harry’s ex. If my experience with her, and what she has achieved so far, are anything to go by, that won’t define her for long. 2017 is set to be a year to remember.
Chelsy Davy & Beverley Davy at Sky Lounge, The Upper House, Hong Kong, China
Aya jewelry Ruby and 18K yellow gold earrings.
The AYA Jewelry launch
This week, one year ago, Chelsy Davy marked AYA‘s Hong Kong launch by hosting an intimate “fireside” chat with the inimitable Joanne Ooi of luxury jewellery retailer, Plukka and Veronica Favoroso of Gemfields, the producer of AYA jewelry‘s gemstones.
Chelsea’s journey from lawyer to entrepreneur
Chelsy spoke of her passion for gemstones and her drive to pursue a solo career which would “take her home to Africa” (Chelsy was born and raised in Zimbabwe). Her admiration for Italian jeweller Marco Bicego‘s designs coupled with a determination to chart her own career path, saw Chelsy enrol in a Diploma in Gemology at the Gemological Institute of American before embarking on a research and development tour of the Gemfields mines in southern Africa. The product of her personal odyssey is AYA.
Aya jewelry Tanzanite and 18K yellow gold necklace.
Chelsy Davy is building schools in Zambia
Not only is she intelligent and creative, Chelsy is also giving back. “With the philosophy that the only way a nation can progress is through education, AYA is dedicated to building and growing schools in the local communities surrounding the gemstone mines in Africa,” she says.
The Kapila Community School in Zambia opened in 2002. It has 400 pupils between the ages of six and 16 and four teachers. Currently a community school with no governmental funding, it has to meet a number of requirements to receive the grant it needs. “One of these requirements is an additional block of three classrooms, which AYA is building. And with Gemfields building a strongroom to keep examination papers, the Kapila Community School is far closer to getting their funding.” AYA
Environmentally conscious gemstones and jewelry
Veronica Favoroso explained that Gemfields sets environmental, social and safety best practice benchmarks in the coloured gemstone sector. In line with these principles, AYA jewelry and Gemfields are working together with communities in the vicinity of each mine, helping to finance the building of schools. AYA jewelry is also committed to producing and sourcing all materials exclusively from across the African continent.
AYA jewelry‘s modern and contemporary pieces appeal to my own style — each is luxuriously simple, elegant and easily wearable. They have a whisper of African imagery without over-doing the tribal look.
Aya jewelry Emerald and 18K yellow gold open ring
But, how do I wear these little gems to work?!
These pieces are the perfect addition to your workwear wardrobe. The gemstones and yellow gold contrast beautifully against a light grey silk camisole, blank silk tank or white linen dress. Mash it up like Isabel Marant and wear a different earring in each ear. Or double up in one. Stack the cuff and bangles over sleeves à la J.W. Anderson.
I can’t wait to see what beautiful creations Chelsy’s has in store for 2017.
You might also enjoy our interview with Rosie Fortescue, jewelry designer and star of reality TV show, Made In Chelsea and our London Fashion Week update.
Originally published at irislillian.com on June 18, 2016.
