Andrea and Thuy of storybox. jewellery like pretty things including trees, long walks on the beach and designer clothing.  They also like charity work and the good people of Perth.  This month, they are combining all of those things by fundraising for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Western Australia.  

Here, Tammi Ireland sits down with the girls to discover what drives them to design pretty things for good causes.

Who is the storybox. girl?

A & T – The storybox. girl is stylish, quirky and fun.  She is passionate, driven and vivacious.  She is smart, classy and open-minded with her own unique flair.  A tr and people hugger, she cares about the world we live in and the people that live in it.

Why jewellery?

A & T – Jewellery is like no other accessory.  It has the ability to make or break an outfit. It can inject much needed colour into an outfit or balance it out to perfection.  It has the power to make you feel like a million dollars.  A great gift for someone special in your life, jewellery can have great sentimental value; it can also have meaning for the wearer. It is perfect for passing down generations as a vintage heirloom.  Lastly, that it can be personalised so you know it’s one of a kind.

How did you meet?

A – Thuy and I have a lot of mutual friends.  A long-time friend of her cousin, she brought Thuy along on a girl’s night.  Right from the beginning I knew she was a bit of a fiery one!  The definition of a pocket rocket, with an infectious personality that is just unique and quirky, we get along much like a ying to a yang, Burberry to trench, Lindsay to ankle bracelets or a fairy to a floss.  Most of all we have fun together.  It can be tough starting a business with a friend; however we share the same philosophy of working hard, keeping it fun, and most importantly our friendship comes first.

T - Andrea and I met through my cousin four years ago and since then she has become one of my closest friends.  Andrea has such an amazing personality and is the funniest person I know, she can make me laugh like no one else can - which is why I knew we would be able to be in business together.  I also admire her sense of style; even though it differs to my own I can always draw inspiration from her look and try something that I don't usually do.  It's such a privilege to create storybox. with her and to go on this journey and see where it takes us.

Whose celebrity style do you admire?           

A – Alexa Chung!  Her look seems so effortlessly thrown together and has hints of glam, grunge and classic all rolled into one.  Her looks are definitely an inspiration to mix anything and everything.  She shows that you don’t have to show a lot of skin in order to make an impact.

T - I absolutely adore Rachel Bilson’s style and the way she accessories her outfits.  She can wear a really simple outfit, but by throwing on a scarf or carrying a statement bag it can transforms her look to effortless chic, which is why I admire her personal style – both on and off duty.  Plus who wouldn’t want to be the next Mrs Skywalker?

What is your favourite material to work with?             

A – I’m a fan of silver; it goes with everything and compliments any skin colour.  I have quite sensitive skin, so I prefer to work with sterling silver.  It keeps its shine and you don’t have to worry about it looking ‘rustic’.  I find it a bit of a hassle to take jewellery off, so it’s nice not having to worry about keeping it away from water. 

T – Pearls are my favourite to work with, they are elegant, classy and can be worn with nearly any outfit, either casually or dressed up.  Pearls are also timeless and will last you a lifetime.

What inspires you?

A – I try to draw inspiration from everywhere - fashion, arts, music, celebrities and even other jewellery designers.  You can generate an idea from anywhere, but mostly I try to design jewellery that I have been looking for or would like to wear myself.  I think in our case it is definitely reflective of our personalities. 

T – Designers inspire me, such as Alexander McQueen and his use of skulls and the way in which he incorporated them into his designs.  Along with Alexander, I think Chanel has always been one to watch.  A high end classic brand with broad appeal, they still manage to stay relevant and on trend with the latest colours and accessories.  At a more local level the people in Perth also inspire me; their fashion sense is the epitome of eclectic and cool at the same time. 

Where do you see the storybox. journey going?

A & T – I think our story is just beginning.  We hope that we can continue to make more and more pieces and build ourselves into a reputable Perth brand.  I think the community offers fantastic support to up-and-coming local designers and we hope we can reach them so that they can see what we are all about.  Through our promotions we also try to give back to the community so that it has a flow-on effect. Sure, we are in the business of fashion; however that doesn’t mean we can’t contribute to the more important issues relevant to our society.  Taking inspiration from great organisations such as People Tree, we on a smaller scale hope to make a positive difference.  In the future, we hope our story extends outside our humble Perth beginnings.

What do you love about Perth?

A – The reason I will always call Perth home is because of the people.  Growing up in Perth, the lifestyle here is one I’ve grown to love.  Travelling around the world has been an eye-opening experience, but for me nothing can compare to the charming allure of our laidback lifestyle.  The beautiful beaches, clear foreshore, quaint and bustling alleyways that are becoming the essence of our trendy city – definitely makes this one of the most beautiful places to live.

T – For me, I love Perth because it has a unique and surprising factor about it.  We may not be big with our skyscrapers or multiplex shopping centers but it’s filled with talented individuals who have made us proud – such as Gemma Ward who has gone on to make her mark in the world and inspire other Perth people to do the same.

Where are your favourite places in Perth?

A – You’ll find me on the weekends walking down to Leederville for coffee and a morning shop, sitting inside Greens & Co with friends taking in the scenery and people watching.  Beaufort Street has wonderful cafes and boutiques with beautiful finds.  When hitting the town, I can’t go past Helvetica for a cheeky drink or two.  It’s nice and cosy and perfect for a night out on the town.

T – Perth has some of the best cafes shopping areas in my opinion.  There are many hidden boutiques where you can find some amazing things.  For food you’ll usually find me at Sayer’s in Leederville they have the best breakfast in Perth and for coffee it has to be Milk’d in North Perth.

From now until June 18, every storybox. Pearl Key Bracelet, shown below, sold will see 100% of the profits donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation’s ‘Purple Bra Day’ fundraising initiative.  The Pearl Key Bracelet is only $35 and available on the storybox. website: http://storyboxjewellery.wordpress.com

storybox. would love to get involved in any local community events or charities, please email  storybox.info@gmail.com with anything that is close to your heart or that you feel is worth some TLC.

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