Coffee With Kirsten Goss
of Kirsten Goss

Kirsten Goss founded her jewellery label in 2002 and it has since gone from strength to strength. She lives in South Africa with her husband and daughter and comutes to London for fives day a month. She has another baby on the way.

We had a coffee with Kirsten to find out what inspired her to set up her own business, dig deep about all about her shopping habits and discover where she likes to shop online.

What inspired you to create Kirsten Goss?
Having done a degree in fine art I wanted to create a brand that would fuse art and jewellery and be utterly unique. It was also important to me to create a brand that customers had a real relationship with.

What makes your product unique?
We don’t mass produce so every piece is totally unique. We used to wholesale to department stores but we've recently decided to withdraw from them so the brand remains desirable and not overly accessible.

In time we’re hoping to have just a few galleries around the world. To some the idea breaks every rule of business but I'd hate to lose the exclusiveness that we've worked so hard to create.

How do you get a good work/life balance?
I always act on instinct so as soon as something comes up I deal with it. Spending as much time with my daughter in the evening is a priority so if a task is done there's no need to waste quality time worrying about it.

I also work from home which is great and I encourage my daughter to be part of it. She comes and sits with me and loves sticking some of the stones on paper!

What’s your best selling product / label?
Because we don’t mass produce that's a difficult one but I suppose the Minx style necklace is the best seller for us. Although none are identical, the idea is sort of becoming our signature style.

How would you characterise your fashion style?
Classic with a twist! I don’t do high fashion but I do like to add a bit of an edge to an outfit; I love avant garde statement pieces. I tend to mix simple trousers with a cashmere wrap and some statement shoes or a big bag.

Who is your style icon?
There's no one person that springs to mind inparticular but I do admire Uma Therman for intelligent, chic and rather independent style.

Where do you buy your denim and why?
I like to see and feel denim before I buy it so I usually go to the Harrods denim department and pick out a load to try on.

There's no one brand that works for me in every style so it’s important that I try them. Fit is essential and I have a real thing about pockets, they have to be just right.

Where do you buy your knitwear and why?
I love Brora's cashmere. They have beautiful high quality simple pieces which I use as a sort of blank canvas / back drop for all my jewels!

Heels or flats and where do you buy them?
I’m definitely a flats girl; I love my pumps and mules. All Saints do some great punky pumps and I love Stuart Weitzman's jelly types.

If I am wearing heels it has to be a pair of Rupert Sanderson’s. We used to share a studio so he’s a great friend and I can’t rate his shoes highly enough.

Where do you shop for your maternity wear?
I actually try to avoid maternity wear at all costs.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I managed to just wear low trousers and some beautiful Hoss Intropia maxi dresses. I lived in them before and I’m hoping I’ll be able to again this time round!

Where do you shop for your children’s clothes?
I'm obsessed with Oilily, their stuff is just amazing!

Do you eat organic and live an eco conscious lifestyle?
I’m very conscious and aware of it but I'd be lying if I said I did it all the time. With the amount we all have to get done each day I think it’s impossible to live a completely eco lifestyle.

I do my bit with recycling and I’m crazy about saving electricity but I don’t always shop organic so there’s definitely room for improvement!

What beauty products are currently in your bathroom cabinet?
Dermalogica, Laura Mercier and Elemis.

Now I’m pregnant again I’ve gone off the smell of very expensive face cream. I can’t decide whether it’s a tragedy or a blessing (for my bank balance).

What’s your signature fragrance?
I’m a Miller Harris girl through and through and have quite a few of her scents.

I like intense, smouldery, amber tones and love seeking out little perfumeries and finding something original like the new Le Labo fragrances.

What are your three must-have make up products?
Foundation primer, tinted moisturiser and deep brown mascara. All from Laura Mercier.

How would you describe the style of your home?
It sounds mad but we actually live in an English Victorian House - in South Africa! It’s a huge stately home that was originally built for the one of the governors.

We’ve completely turned the tables though and made it very beach chic. I like my home to be casual, comfortable and not too showy so we have lots of bright colours and stone floors. When I did my degree I collected lots of sculptures, prints and paintings which are all over the house; each room has its own character.

Where do you buy your furniture and home accessories?
I love scouting markets when I travel and finding quirky little pieces.

There’s an amazing shop in South Africa that restores furniture and puts in cheeky little inlays which I’ve spent a fortune on. And Willer in Kensington is always tempting as it’s just up the road from our shop. Other than that I spend quite a lot of time on the Conran site finding all the essentials.

What did you last put on your credit card (bar loo roll and bin bags)?
Yesterday I bought a very cool baby grow from Organics For Kids to treat my little one on the way.

And finally, where else do you love to indulge?
Net-A-Porter.com (because their delivery is fantastic and a life saviour when I'm travelling), Yoox.com and any online lingerie boutique I can find.

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