How a husband-and-wife duo created Spinelli Kilcollin
Based in Los Angeles, Yves Spinelli and Dwyer Kilcollin’s jewellery brand draws inspiration from sculpture, art and the city around them
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How a husband-and-wife duo created Spinelli Kilcollin
Based in Los Angeles, Yves Spinelli and Dwyer Kilcollin’s jewellery brand draws inspiration from sculpture, art and the city around them
Known for their clean, conceptual and innovative designs, husband and wife duo Yves Spinelli and Dwyer Kilcollin founded their eponymous brand in 2010, having met the renowned Maxfield store in Los Angeles.
With a shared love of art and a passion to work for themselves, they launched the brand with the innovative Galaxy Rings, which have become an iconic piece for the brand. These interconnected rings are worn across multiple fingers or stacked on one finger and represent Spinelli Kilcollin’s wider approach that each piece of jewellery should be a wearable work of art.
As the brand launches into the Jewellery Hall, the duo sat down with Liberty to share their journey from Los Angeles to London.
The Story of Spinelli Kilcollin
What’s the story behind the brand – how would you describe your ethos?
Yves Spinelli: I was a salesperson at Maxfield in Los Angeles for many years, selling innovative clothing, so it was through osmosis.
One day, I had an idea for a connected ring I could wear across three fingers. My father made it for me, and I started wearing it to work. A client asked if she could buy one, so my father made a few more.
I met Dwyer when they were shopping in the store. We started dating shortly after. I made them a ring, and they started getting orders while wearing it at the art gallery they worked for. We both wanted to be self-employed, and we both wanted to work with each other. We recognised the potential of this ring concept and began building our brand.
Describe the brand in an elevator pitch…
YS: We’re known for our linked rings, which can be worn on one finger or across multiple fingers. We call them the Galaxy Rings. The designs possible within this concept are limitless. We combine silver, different colours of 18k gold, and platinum, we vary the thickness or thinness of the bands, and add diamonds and gemstones to make each ring unique.
What initially drew you to jewellery as a creative medium?
Dwyer Kilcollin: Coming from the art world, I understood that the power of a great work of art comes from forces that are unseen as much as they are by what is visually in front of you. For example, looking at highly conceptual, or very abstract art, we might not have very much visual information in front of us, so we rely more on the elements we do not see.
This type of thinking, making, and looking was fascinating to me, but also very encoded into what felt like a very small bubble of the art world. I was curious what this might look like outside of that bubble.
Seeing the first ring that Yves made with his dad was a huge inspiration to me, as it felt like it had a ton of complexity beyond the simple circles that I saw in front of me. I work with the rings and wear them every day, and have yet to encounter a day where I do not learn something from them.
How do you differ as founders? Do you each have separate strengths and focuses?
YS: When we started, I worked in retail and wholesale, and Dwyer was an established sculptor. As an artist, Dwyer brings strong creative strengths to our partnership over design, branding, and brand positioning. I work on the external relationships with our clients, stores, and press. We love to work together on all aspects of our company, and we’re stronger as a team with our different ideas and areas of expertise.
How would you describe the brand’s signature aesthetic?
Modular, structural, and universal.
How does working in LA influence your creations?
DK: LA is the perfect place to cultivate new ideas! We are blessed to have an incredible community of creative friends working across art, technology, music, and design. Their perspective and positive energy have been an immense asset to us as individuals and as a brand.
This vibrant environment fosters inspiration from invisible references such as ideas, philosophy, energy, and abstract concepts. These elements influence our designs, embodying the belief that love grows more love and that everything is interconnected.
Also, winter does not get in my way!
It is important to us that every piece we release is incredible: incredible design and incredible craftsmanship. And that takes time.
Alongside your jewellery, you also create other items such as furniture and magazines: why were these areas you wanted to explore?
We are constantly designing, sampling, and revising new ideas. It is important to us that every piece we release is incredible: incredible design and incredible craftsmanship. And that takes time. We are excited to see where the future takes us and cannot wait to share what we have on the horizon.
What does success look like to you?
Creating timeless jewellery that people wear daily and keep in their collections as they grow is a significant success. Our jewellery is versatile, with a wide range of designs and prices.
Each piece has a different personality, and I believe everyone can find something they love wearing.
When are you at your most creative?
YS: Music inspires me. I have an extensive record collection, and I love to sit and listen to the arrangements and productions; it relaxes my mind.
DK: I’m a thinker, I ask many questions, and I wonder a lot. Sometimes disparate pieces of information line up in my mind in a way that forms some kind of connection I have to pursue.
What are your best tips for creativity?
DK:
1. Don’t worry about what other people will think. They don’t know anything about the idea in your head.
2. Don’t force yourself to be creative if you’re not in the mood for it. Conversely, if you find yourself in the mood, make time!
YS: Stay open-minded, move away from life’s daily distractions, tune in to your instincts, and have fun creating something that’s meaningful to you.
