Anna Lou of London was founded by Anna Scaife. Best known for handmade lucite and personalised jewellery which has been sought after since their discovery in 2004 by the jewellery buyer of Harvey Nichols.
Anna was so excited about her first handmade bracelets not not even knowing that it would lead to the production of a 500 piece collection season after season.
3 months later Anna Lou of London jewellery was being sold in Harrods, Liberty, Topshop, ASOS and Selfridges in UK. Over the next couple of years the brand was being stocked in international department stores such as Isetan, United Arrows, Hankyu, Takashimaya ( Tokyo), Henri Bendel, W Hotels ( New York), Sauce ( Dubai) Le Bon Marche and Printemps ( Paris).
2007- Collaboration with the high street store Reiss nationwide.
2008 - The first Anna Lou shop opened in Newburgh Street off Carnaby Street.
The Anna Lou of London concession opens in Selfridges
2009 - Collaboration with Reiss and Anna does her QVC shopping channel show in the UK
2010 - Annas first child Wilbur was born so she decided to only sell online via the Anna lou website and Not on the High Street website. She wanted a piece of jewellery that had her sons initials to keep with her at all times. She started to create more personalised jewellery pieces when her two other children Buzz and Esme were born.
'My children are one of my main influences but London and the island where HQ Anna Lou is based has a huge impact on my jewellery. I moved to London 23 years ago and the people and vibe inspire me, there is nothing quite like it after all these years. The jewellery designs I come up with are pieces people want to wear and they help to make them feel happy and confident.
When jewellery is personalised it takes on a whole new meaning and importance in a person's life. It's a keepsake piece that can be handed down to your children. You can customise your jewellery with names, dates, initials and birthstones making Anna Lou of London the go to brand for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas presents and other sentimental gifts. Because of this I want to make sure the quality meets the standards the customer is expecting.'Anna, Founder
Brief History:
Born in 1977 and moving to London at 17 she was an early entrepreneur. At the age of 10 she sold ice creams from a cart to the passengers of her families hot air balloon business. She then sold jewellery on Portobello Market known for it's quirky shops, street traders and lots of tourists ( aka customers!) and the original studio located at Westbourne Park nr Notting Hill Gate was where the styles were created and hand crafted on site. The care that goes into creating every necklace, bracelet, earring and ring reflects our belief that the pieces are to be collectables, modern heirlooms that will stand the test of time.
"I never went to fashion school and never learned the traditional ways of building a business. I never even had a real full time job before I went from selling on the street to opening my own company. There have been alot of challenges along the way!
It's taken years of perfecting my skills and working with other very skilled jewellers to do what I do today. I now work from my studio on the beautiful Taggs Island in Hampton Court, where I live with my 3 children and our Wippet called Chase. I also have the help of skilled craftsmen who work at the Anna Lou Design Lab www.annaloudesignlab.com today so all pieces are made in-house.
I imagine you’ve worked out that as well as the Britcentric jewellery and accessories my collection includes scarves, candles, hair slides, and handbags. I work with the best materials to ensure products last the test of time and even if it takes a little longer while we solder everything which adds even more longevity but I feel that it’s essential. Please do have a browse, come by the studio, or pick up the phone and have a chat with me anytime you want, and if I can’t answer it’s only because I’m busy with my children, but I will get back to you quickly."
How do we use recycled materials to make our jewellery? Click to watch full video.
We take our duty of looking after the planet very seriously and as such we aim to cut our carbon footprint wherever possible by choosing eco-friendly and sustainable means of bringing our jewellery to you.
All of Anna Lou of London's designs are created in London, UK and brought to life in Anna’s studio on Taggs Island. We also work with skilled craftsmen in Hatton Garden, and we are assisted by a wonderful family-run factory in Turkey. All of whom are as committed as Anna to using sustainable resources and materials to create our products.
We regularly meet with our manufacturing team to make sure that the highest standards are being upheld with regards to the way our jewellery is made, this includes ensuring standards are met from a health and safety perspective too.
We want to make sure that we are leaving the planet in a better place for the children growing up behind us. It is, therefore, a commitment by Anna Lou of London to continually check our processes and to make them reflective of the world we have to live in.
If you have any questions about our creation processes please do get in touch with us by email to hello@annalouoflondon.com
certification:
Hi everyone,
I want to tell you all about what we aspire to be as a brand and what we practice. Anna Lou of London jewellery strive to not only be the best in the world, but to be the best for the world. I want my business to be a force of goodness! I’m looking at everything I need to look at, both internally and externally
Sustainable manufacturing is the heart and soul of Anna Lou of London, all of my jewellery collections are designed by me in my studio on Taggs Island and we manufacture the jewellery in the Anna Lou Design Lab and ensure we offer the most transparent production possible. I employ extraordinary artisans employing centuries old heritage and skilled craftsman. My company which has been around for over two decades, strives to provide quality products, redefine originality, and inspire people. We guarantee that every element of your jewellery is totally traceable and ethically produced.
I focus on the people. I also have a strong partnership with the family of artisans we work with. We are committed to treating people, communities and the environment as they should be treated: respectfully, sustainably and ethically. Ethical sourcing means protecting the environment and human rights, which is why we hold independent audits on our workers and their environment.
There’s an African proverb I love: If you want to go fast you go alone, if you want to go far you go together.
From the starting material to the end product, making sure we don’t dig anymore holes in the ground and using recycled and Fairmined silver and gold all the way through to the packaging and recycling.
Almost all jewellers claim to offer ethically sourced jewellery, but dig a little deeper and it’s almost never the case. Anna Lou of London guarantees every element of your jewellery is totally traceable and ethically produced. Sadly Greenwashing is still happening .How Can You Tell If a Fashion Brand is Greenwashing? The cheap fast fashion and jewellery brands that encourage throwaway culture with clothing and jewellery can never be truly sustainable. When brands like these talk about reducing waste, without changing their business models, then the greenwashing alarm bells should be ringing.
Anna Lou of London have no luxury mark ups. The prices are fair and we produce exceptional quality pieces. I would like to remind people that apart from the craftsmanship there’s a lot of others costs such as researching, developing, designing, planning details, choosing materials, testing materials, taking product photos , calculating pricing, writing website listings, promoting product, compiling inspiration, postage costs, answering customer service questions, vat 20%, profit to keep us going! I also do small batch, made to order or one of a kind designs which is kind to the Earth.
Brands should be addressing their supply chain, production facilities, transport and shipping methods and the environmental impact of source materials as a priority if they want to be truly sustainable.
There a difference between ‘corporate social responsibility and ‘responsible social corporations’. What I think what needs to be done is a different type of communication. It’s not about telling you what will be done, it’s about a mindset. I truly believe in an honest sustainable journey.
Customer Service:
Please do feel free to reach out to me if you have any order queries or if you want some advice on a new jewellery making project you may have whilst staying at home! It’s always lovely to chat.
Our future:
Running a teeny tiny business, I am so grateful for your continued support during this difficult time. We all really must come together and support each other now more than ever before. Please take care of yourselves and others, especially those who may be older and more vulnerable.
Final Thank You!
We can do this. We are in this together. There is hope and thank you for all your support. Don’t forget that wearing a piece of jewellery is always comforting. Do it for yourself even if you aren’t leaving the house!
Thank you for your orders!
You’re all amazing and thank you so so much!
I hope that’s helpful and answered some of your questions.
Anna x
Founder and Creative Director
