Natalie Fitch is the director and designer of bespoke and sustainable jewellery brand, Natalie Marie Jewellery. Originally from London, Natalie started working on her eponymous brand straight out of university. Today, her delicate fine jewellery remains handmade in her Sydney studio, shaped by sustainability, transparency and storytelling.
Tell us about your journey into jewellery.
Jewellery was a somewhat unexpected career trajectory for me. I originally enrolled in a Marine Science degree at university in England; a path I had chosen as a young and ambitious student. After school I took a year out to travel and I found myself truly connecting to myself outside an educational setting. I chose to set down new roots in Australia and embarked on an exploration of my true passions and skills. I went onto study Visual Arts at Sydney University, majoring in Jewellery and Object; a journey which culminated in establishing Natalie Marie Jewellery.
Natalie wears the Andy Tie Neck Top at the Natalie Marie Jewellery Store.
Your personal philosophy is that everything and everyone is connected by love. Tell us more about that and how it manifests in your jewellery.
We have always viewed ourselves as stewards of love and conduits for connection. Through our work, we have carved a space within some of life’s most intimate exchanges. In nervous questions, asked on bended knee. In memorials. In birthdays. In milestones. In moments of ‘just because’. Each time, from first encounter to final form, we have been the grateful recipients of our client’s trust, distilling their love, elation, heartbreak, and sense memory into physical landmarks and modern heirlooms. It’s an immense privilege to be invited into our clients' stories, and it’s with this in mind that we approach the design and creation of our pieces.
Natalie wears the Andy Tie Neck Top & Andy Skirt.
At NMJ, you make each piece to order – why is it important to you to uphold such a commitment to craftsmanship?
A commitment to craftsmanship is really the cornerstone of our brand. Our pieces are all made in Australia, with the vast majority handmade in our studio in Avalon. This approach has certainly impacted our growth, as it’s not compatible with the traditional wholesale model which we tried during the early years. We now choose to be solely direct-to-consumer, and almost entirely made to order. This decision not only allows us complete control over materials (supply chain, quality and waste management), but also ensures that each piece is crafted with intention for the wearer. The made to order model means we can accommodate personalisation for clients, ensuring their piece is laced with sentiment and connection. In creating pieces which are intended to transcend a single lifetime, quality is always our focus and crafting them by hand in our studio gives us the best possible opportunity to guarantee this.
If you could describe your approach to jewellery in three words, what would they be?
Intentional. Considered. Responsible.
Sustainability is integral to your practice. How do you pursue this endeavour?
I consider it our responsibility as a manufacturing jeweller to ensure that the environmental and humanitarian impact of our creations is minimised and carefully managed. We operate within a complex industry, laced with nuance and history; awareness of this and continued education is paramount. We approach sustainability as a journey, rather than a destination, and we ensure that every action we take is value aligned and carefully considered. Our sustainability journey is rooted in a commitment to achieving measurable goals, and remaining accountable to these. Our journey so far is documented in our annual Impact Report.
Natalie wears the Hana Dress at Sammy's Cafe.
Where do you find inspiration for your collections?
I’m continually inspired by life; by stories of love and loss, celebration and hardship. Our clients and their stories act as ongoing motivation to explore and create. I seek out creative sparks in nature, in material and in process.
Natalie wears the Maddy Dress in Lee Mathews Avalon.
You value your team deeply. As a business owner, what are your top tips for a happy team and workplace?
Our team is the beating heart of our business, and they are deeply valued by my partner, Dan, and myself. As a small, family run business, we are working closely with our team all day every day. I think the foundations of a happy team lie in hiring the right people; those who are value aligned and who will work together cohesively. Encouraging collaboration, respect and open dialogue is vital, alongside flexibility, support and empathy.
It's also important to take the time to celebrate the beauty in what we do as a team, bringing us all back to our purpose, and reminding us of the value that we are bringing to those we are able to touch through our work.
You’re an Avalon local – what do you love about where you live?
I feel so fortunate to live in Avalon, a perspective which is heightened by my English heritage and having lived the first half of my life in the UK. There are the obvious things to love; the beautiful coastline, persistent sunshine and proximity to Sydney, but my love for this area has only grown with time as I have discovered and become part of a rich community of creatives. Raising children in this uniquely beautiful corner of the world feels like an immense privilege.
Natalie wears the Lennox Dress at Bar Elvina.
What does your average day look like for you?
As a working mother of two young daughters, my day begins and ends in their orbit. Balancing work and motherhood is a fine balance, and one I am grateful to have the freedom to navigate. I usually arrive at the office right after school drop off, having started the day at sunrise. My time at work is carefully structured to ensure I am accountable to what is required of me day to day. Carving out time for creativity among logistical tasks is vital, as it requires a completely different headspace. Each day is different, as I work with different departments and team members, from design to marketing, production and retail.
If someone was visiting Avalon for the first time, what must-see places and things to do, see and eat would you recommend?
So often we have clients visiting us from distant locations, and I embrace the opportunity to immerse them in what Avalon has to offer.
A swim at North Avalon would be my first suggestion, followed by a walk along the beach and a coffee on the headland at Classic Coffee, Avalon’s resident coffee van. A wander through the village would be next on my list, exploring our unique retail offering. Composition for eclectic treasures and aspirational artworks, MamaPapa for french fashion and homewares, Lee Mathews for a curated wardrobe, and of course Natalie Marie Jewellery!
A casual lunch at Sammy’s on Careel Bay Wharf to watch the boats, followed by an afternoon glass of wine at Randy’s wine bar. One of our favourite spots for dinner is Bar Elvina, with local fresh produce on the menu and my favourite cocktail in Sydney!
What’s one insider tip for getting the most out of Avalon?
To truly embrace what Avalon has to offer, you need to embrace a slower pace. Take your time to explore the area, as it has so much to offer.
Natalie wears the Andy Tee Dress at Composition Studio.
What’s next, what are you working on at the moment?
We have just finished our final shoot for the year and are building our first two campaigns for next year. I am so excited for what we have in store, which is largely focused around the evolution and regeneration of some of our most loved styles.
Natalie Fitch is the director and designer of bespoke and sustainable jewellery brand, Natalie Marie Jewellery. Originally from London, Natalie started working on her eponymous brand straight out of university. Today, her delicate fine jewellery remains handmade in her Sydney studio, shaped by sustainability, transparency and storytelling.
Tell us about your journey into jewellery.
Jewellery was a somewhat unexpected career trajectory for me. I originally enrolled in a Marine Science degree at university in England; a path I had chosen as a young and ambitious student. After school I took a year out to travel and I found myself truly connecting to myself outside an educational setting. I chose to set down new roots in Australia and embarked on an exploration of my true passions and skills. I went onto study Visual Arts at Sydney University, majoring in Jewellery and Object; a journey which culminated in establishing Natalie Marie Jewellery.
Natalie wears the Andy Tie Neck Top at the Natalie Marie Jewellery Store.
Your personal philosophy is that everything and everyone is connected by love. Tell us more about that and how it manifests in your jewellery.
We have always viewed ourselves as stewards of love and conduits for connection. Through our work, we have carved a space within some of life’s most intimate exchanges. In nervous questions, asked on bended knee. In memorials. In birthdays. In milestones. In moments of ‘just because’. Each time, from first encounter to final form, we have been the grateful recipients of our client’s trust, distilling their love, elation, heartbreak, and sense memory into physical landmarks and modern heirlooms. It’s an immense privilege to be invited into our clients' stories, and it’s with this in mind that we approach the design and creation of our pieces.
Natalie wears the Andy Tie Neck Top & Andy Skirt.
At NMJ, you make each piece to order – why is it important to you to uphold such a commitment to craftsmanship?
A commitment to craftsmanship is really the cornerstone of our brand. Our pieces are all made in Australia, with the vast majority handmade in our studio in Avalon. This approach has certainly impacted our growth, as it’s not compatible with the traditional wholesale model which we tried during the early years. We now choose to be solely direct-to-consumer, and almost entirely made to order. This decision not only allows us complete control over materials (supply chain, quality and waste management), but also ensures that each piece is crafted with intention for the wearer. The made to order model means we can accommodate personalisation for clients, ensuring their piece is laced with sentiment and connection. In creating pieces which are intended to transcend a single lifetime, quality is always our focus and crafting them by hand in our studio gives us the best possible opportunity to guarantee this.
If you could describe your approach to jewellery in three words, what would they be?
Intentional. Considered. Responsible.
Sustainability is integral to your practice. How do you pursue this endeavour?
I consider it our responsibility as a manufacturing jeweller to ensure that the environmental and humanitarian impact of our creations is minimised and carefully managed. We operate within a complex industry, laced with nuance and history; awareness of this and continued education is paramount. We approach sustainability as a journey, rather than a destination, and we ensure that every action we take is value aligned and carefully considered. Our sustainability journey is rooted in a commitment to achieving measurable goals, and remaining accountable to these. Our journey so far is documented in our annual Impact Report.
Natalie wears the Hana Dress at Sammy's Cafe.
Where do you find inspiration for your collections?
I’m continually inspired by life; by stories of love and loss, celebration and hardship. Our clients and their stories act as ongoing motivation to explore and create. I seek out creative sparks in nature, in material and in process.
Natalie wears the Maddy Dress in Lee Mathews Avalon.
You value your team deeply. As a business owner, what are your top tips for a happy team and workplace?
Our team is the beating heart of our business, and they are deeply valued by my partner, Dan, and myself. As a small, family run business, we are working closely with our team all day every day. I think the foundations of a happy team lie in hiring the right people; those who are value aligned and who will work together cohesively. Encouraging collaboration, respect and open dialogue is vital, alongside flexibility, support and empathy.
It's also important to take the time to celebrate the beauty in what we do as a team, bringing us all back to our purpose, and reminding us of the value that we are bringing to those we are able to touch through our work.
You’re an Avalon local – what do you love about where you live?
I feel so fortunate to live in Avalon, a perspective which is heightened by my English heritage and having lived the first half of my life in the UK. There are the obvious things to love; the beautiful coastline, persistent sunshine and proximity to Sydney, but my love for this area has only grown with time as I have discovered and become part of a rich community of creatives. Raising children in this uniquely beautiful corner of the world feels like an immense privilege.
Natalie wears the Lennox Dress at Bar Elvina.
What does your average day look like for you?
As a working mother of two young daughters, my day begins and ends in their orbit. Balancing work and motherhood is a fine balance, and one I am grateful to have the freedom to navigate. I usually arrive at the office right after school drop off, having started the day at sunrise. My time at work is carefully structured to ensure I am accountable to what is required of me day to day. Carving out time for creativity among logistical tasks is vital, as it requires a completely different headspace. Each day is different, as I work with different departments and team members, from design to marketing, production and retail.
If someone was visiting Avalon for the first time, what must-see places and things to do, see and eat would you recommend?
So often we have clients visiting us from distant locations, and I embrace the opportunity to immerse them in what Avalon has to offer.
A swim at North Avalon would be my first suggestion, followed by a walk along the beach and a coffee on the headland at Classic Coffee, Avalon’s resident coffee van. A wander through the village would be next on my list, exploring our unique retail offering. Composition for eclectic treasures and aspirational artworks, MamaPapa for french fashion and homewares, Lee Mathews for a curated wardrobe, and of course Natalie Marie Jewellery!
A casual lunch at Sammy’s on Careel Bay Wharf to watch the boats, followed by an afternoon glass of wine at Randy’s wine bar. One of our favourite spots for dinner is Bar Elvina, with local fresh produce on the menu and my favourite cocktail in Sydney!
What’s one insider tip for getting the most out of Avalon?
To truly embrace what Avalon has to offer, you need to embrace a slower pace. Take your time to explore the area, as it has so much to offer.
Natalie wears the Andy Tee Dress at Composition Studio.
What’s next, what are you working on at the moment?
We have just finished our final shoot for the year and are building our first two campaigns for next year. I am so excited for what we have in store, which is largely focused around the evolution and regeneration of some of our most loved styles.