In New York with FoundRae
Sit down with Leith Clark and jewellery founder Beth Hutchens for a trip into a world of symbols and archetypes
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In New York with FoundRae
Sit down with Leith Clark and jewellery founder Beth Hutchens for a trip into a world of symbols and archetypes
Delve into Liberty’s 150-year legacy as stylist and editor Leith Clark curates a selection of 150 pieces from Liberty’s past and present, each with their own unique story to tell.
As part of this milestone collaboration, Leith visited a selection of Liberty’s creative founders – old and new – at their studios and workshops across the globe, to discover the stories and craft that makes each unique.
In the midst of New York’s brazen, concrete tangle of dizzying skyscrapers, yellow taxis and brownstone facades is an oasis of elegance. While fine jewellery brand FoundRae’s headquarters may be surrounded most urban form of chaos, the contrast only adds to the exquisitely creations crafted within.
Founded by former fashion CEO Beth Hutchens in 2015, FoundRae focuses on crafting heirlooms, treasures and timeless pieces of jewellery, inspired by mythology and classical symbolism. To discover more about Beth’s jewellery journey, Leith travelled to New York, for a conversation discussing her mystical and the magical approach to the craft.
As Liberty celebrates its 150th anniversary, you’re also celebrating ten years with FoundRae.
Yes, I started in January 2015, and that was really just the beginning of a discovery process. I co-founded it when I was 23 and was CEO there for many years.
How did you decide to transition from clothing to jewellery?
For me, it was about symbolism. At 42, I felt compartmentalised – work, family, worship, creativity – and I didn’t feel whole. I needed a change, and I felt symbols could help align my unconscious with my conscious. I needed them around me to be braver and more inspired.
Then I realised I wasn’t alone – many of my friends were also going through big life changes and looking for meaning. I created a lexicon of symbols and needed a way to apply them. Jewellery felt like the right medium because it was such a hallmark of my personal style and because of its permanence. Gold can live on for generations, which influenced my aesthetic. I wanted the symbolism and personal stories in my jewellery to last, so I designed classic and timeless silhouettes.
So designing jewellery felt different from designing clothes?
Yes, absolutely. When I was in fashion, I was not involved in the creative side. With jewellery, it was a completely different experience.
That’s a big leap – from maths to jewellery!
Yes! I’ve always been creative, but at 23, when I started my clothing brand with my business partner Rebecca Taylor, she had a more developed design sense. I was good at maths and studied economics, so we divided responsibilities. Over time, I grew into the role of CEO.
How did your personal style evolve over time?
In my early 20s, I was experimenting – one day sophisticated, the next bohemian. It took until my mid-30s to develop a true aesthetic. I see myself as a collector, curating pieces – a mix of vintage, new, and handcrafted elements. Jewellery was always central to my style. Even in high school, I wore rings on every finger. Jewellery was my constant.
How did you learn the process of making jewellery?
That’s the beauty of working with craftspeople. I don’t physically make the jewellery myself – it’s a collective effort. At least ten hands touch every piece. There are diamond setters, casters, polishers: each step is highly specialised. Watching the process is incredible, especially in New York, where it remains a traditional craft.
Your jewellery has such intricate detail. How do you ensure that level of craftsmanship?
We cast each tiny detail separately and solder them on. Each star, for example, is individually cast, polished, and set. Our polishing process is particularly meticulous – we want a high shine but not over-polished to retain detail. A brushed gold aesthetic would be easier, but it’s not our vision.
Symbols are integral to your designs. Have symbols always been important to you personally? Did your family practice a religion when you were growing up? Have you always been spiritual?
Yes, and they still are, but they’re also universal. Symbols have meanings that transcend cultures and time periods. Like letters forming words, symbols create messages when combined. Our unique approach at FoundRae is how we layer symbols together to tell a story.
Can you give an example of a specific symbol that means something to you, or tells a story?
The snake represents renewal and rejuvenation. Before modern science, people observed snakes shedding their skin, seemingly dying and being reborn. That imagery led to its symbolic meaning. When the snake forms an orb, it represents wholeness – shedding to grow and evolve. We often pair the snake with a crescent moon, which comes from the Latin root crescere, meaning “to grow,” emphasising the depth of our identities.
The infinity symbol is part of our karma tenet, representing the cyclical nature of energy. People sometimes use karma as a weapon – “He’ll get his karma” – but I see it differently. We all contribute to a shared energy pool. It’s about being constructive and truthful, not just positive. That’s why I chose blue for karma, it symbolises truth and clarity.
Speaking of colours, you assign specific ones to different tenets. Can you explain?
Yes, for wholeness, I chose white because it represents balance. I base our colours on the primary colours of light – red, blue, and green. When those colours are in balance, they create white light. I see it as a metaphor for inner balance.
Have you always been drawn to spirituality?
Yes. I see myself as a mystic. It’s about having a direct dialogue with the divine, which I believe we all have inside us. Some call it intuition, but I view it as the divine speaking. I’m Quaker – my family have been for 14 generations, and they moved to America in the 1650s for religious freedom. Quakers consider themselves mystics, believing in a direct connection to the divine.
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