Blackbird is the creation and passion of designer Chloe Essery. Although born in Cape Town, Chloe spent her childhood and youth in Zimbabwe before returning to the mother city to train in fine art at Michaelis Art School.
After graduating, London beckoned and a chance to do a course in jewellery design and manufacture was worth the move. But it wasn’t long before Chloe came home to use what she’d learnt in the place that she loved. She worked for a local jewellery manufacturer for a season, and then decided it was time for something fresh and new – and Blackbird was born.
Working with sterling silver, Chloe took inspiration from old coins she’d collected from around the world and incorporated their unique motifs into her first designs. She now uses resins and glass enamels to enhance her pieces and takes inspiration from decorative fabrics, patterned ceramics and the Cape’s beautiful flowers.
She works from a studio in the Cape Town City Bowl, which she shares with other artists.