While the makers (and sisters) behind jewellery brand Otiumberg might be experts at accessorising — crafting elegant name necklaces, tough-yet-delicate chains and ‘huggie’ hoop earrings studded with pearls or gems — their achievements need no embellishment. We talk to sisters and co-founders Rosanna and Christie Wollenberg about how they built their cult jewellery brand, responsible business practices and where in the world inspires them the most.
What led you to launching Otiumberg together, and did you face any challenges working with your sibling along the way?
Otiumberg began as a personal project while we were living together in London , working in full-time jobs in the creative industries. At the time, Rosanna was in branding and Christie was in luxury fashion at Burberry. We always sought out jewellery as a means of self-expression and — as sisters do — shared pieces day to day.
Christie had made diamond ‘huggie’ earrings and Arabic name necklaces in the Middle East when she was working out there with Louis Vuitton, and gifted them to our family. They were so beautiful and precious that our friends began to ask about them, so we started with a collection of small solid-gold ‘huggies’. The brand really grew from there, with retail partners approaching us by DM and the word spreading organically. We’ve grown instinctively and have always held on to the idea of jewellery as a means of connection — it’s at the heart of what we do and the decisions we make.
There have been countless challenges along the way. It’s not been easy for Christie having three children during the early stages of growing the brand. Trying to find a sense of balance between work and family is tough, but it’s at these challenging times that our bond as sisters and co-founders grows. Our deep connection and understanding of each other has allowed us to be truly honest and open when working through these challenges, and supported each other to evolve and mature.
Describe Otiumberg in five words
Intimate, warm, connection, timeless, responsible [Otiumberg is B Corp-certified].
What about the brand makes you most proud?
We are a female-owned and managed team and have continued to grow Otiumberg without any external investment. This means we have been able to stay true to ourselves and our vision, growing gradually in a responsible and considered manner. We’ve always focused on profit and longevity over quick promotional wins and seasonal sales. There have been several milestones lately that we’ve been proud of, including our B Corp certification and the opening of our flagship store in London‘s Holland Park this autumn.
The brand’s name is derived from its surname and the Latin ‘otium’, meaning ‘leisure time devoted to artistic endeavours and enjoyment’. Aside from jewellery designing, which artistic pursuits are you engaged in?
Immersing ourselves in creative pursuits is so important to us, we love to learn new skills and crafts and express ourselves creatively outside of working on our brand. Rosanna is currently studying photography, while Christie is taking ceramics classes and recently qualified as a yoga practitioner. We also think it’s important to spend time away from work to recharge, reset and explore the world. Rosanna recently spent a few months working in Mexico City , immersed in the inspiring culture, and Christie took time to connect with the natural world in Menorca, which led to the creation of our latest Elements collection.
As a fellow B Corp company, what steps do you take to ensure Otiumberg runs sustainably?
We don’t use the word ‘sustainable’ as [we don’t believe that any] fashion brand can be truly sustainable. With that said, we try to be as responsible as possible in everything we do and that’s why we decided to join the B Corp community. The in-depth analysis of our entire business has given us a responsible framework in which to grow and evolve, going beyond the obvious, and encompasses the entire business, from the materials we source to the way we operate as a team.
Some of our favourite initiatives have been our repair and restoration service, and our charity partnerships through the Otiumberg Giving Fund, which supports the advancement and empowerment of women and girls. You can read more about it on our website’s responsibility page .
In what ways could the wider industry be more eco-friendly?
We sometimes find that we are a small voice in a large industry and come across hurdles that are too big for us to take on [by ourselves]. For example, gemstones often have complex supply chains where there isn’t always full transparency. With that said, we recently introduced a capsule collection of Single Mine Origin gold and Above Earth diamonds, which both support a new approach to transparency in the industry. We’re always on the lookout for innovative programs that support positive changes.
Which ring from your collection is the most popular for proposals?
We are finding that the concept of promise rings — a more affordable ring to propose with before choosing the engagement ring together — is becoming increasingly popular with our customers.
Our thread rings and bamboo rings are especially popular for this — these delicate designs are crafted from solid 9-karat gold, so you can wear them for a lifetime, and they stack beautifully, so you can wear them on a different finger once you’ve chosen your engagement band.
What tips do you have for partners looking to buy their beloved a piece of jewellery?
Our personalised collection is loved by many and it’s perfect for gifting. Whether that’s our solid-gold diamond initial tags or made-to-order name pendants, we feel these pieces best express love and connection.
In your opinion, what’s the best way to propose?
There is no best way! Do whatever feels natural and right for you.
What’s your must-pack piece of jewellery when traveling?
A pair of our classic gold hoop earrings is a must: they’re versatile and effortlessly integrate into a changing wardrobe. Current favourites include our Roscida hoops and Spiralis hoops.
Do you have any tips for keeping your pieces safe and securely packed while traveling?
All of our pieces include a small fabric pouch in the box, which is handy to keep and pop into a larger purse for travel. It is difficult to find a good jewellery travel pouch, and it’s something we’re looking to add to our accessory collection in the future.
Is there a city or hotel that best embodies or resonates with Otiumberg?
Otiumberg is very much a London brand, and the city really informs our aesthetic. It’s exposed us to so many vibrant styles, cultures and ways of expression. We have so much inspiration to draw from this amazing city.
Who or what else inspires you?
We are always inspired by the world around us — the style of our friends and the interesting people we see out and about in London; the art, culture and incredible architecture we’re so lucky to have on our doorstep. We also search for archival and antique references.
How do your travels inform your designs?
The Spanish Island of Menorca is very much a home from home for us. We spent our childhood summers there and visited our family home there every summer to recharge and reset. It’s often in these moments when we switch off that we come up with creative ideas and business strategies. Our latest Elements and upcoming Wave collections are inspired by the island, with their organic, undulating look, inspired by nature and the sea’s waves. When we wear them, it reminds us so much of this island that means so much to us.
What’s next for your brand?
We are so excited to open our flagship Holland Park store this year, which will give us a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community, hold events and offer a personalised shopping experience. It’s really been a dream to have a store and we can’t believe that we’re finally there. We’re also looking into new markets as the brand continues to gain global recognition. We recently opened over eight retail doors in Japan and we’re seeing much more traffic from the US. Global expansion is most definitely an exciting prospect and a future focus for us.
And where’s next for a much-deserved break?
We’ll both be taking time off in Menorca with family and friends, which we’re very much looking forward to ahead of what will be an exciting end to the year for the brand.
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