The world is full of magic things” – WB Yeats. This was the beautiful quote written in golden sprawl that Irish Country Living received from Chupi to celebrate the launch of her recent jewellery collection. And really, it sums up the ethos of the company – and the girl. Because Chupi is the girl and Chupi is the company. But where did such an unusual name come from?

“Before I was born, my parents had quite the adventure. Dad was an economist working with the World Bank and Mum was a journalist working for Oxfam and Concern. They travelled the world together and while in Central America they learned to speak Spanish where the word chupi is a term of endearment for a child – my darling, my little one, bouncing a little baby on your knee saying: ‘My chupi, my chupi.’ Mum says I was their Chupi.

Country Living

Such an interesting name has led to an interesting life. Despite years of travel, Chupi’s parents settled in remote Wicklow.

“My grandfather was from Glendalough and my mother always had this romantic idea of coming home, so I grew up in Hollywood, about six miles from the nearest shop and a mile from our nearest neighbour. We were halfway up a mountain and that was my back garden.”

Although Chupi now lives and works in Dublin city centre, with a beautiful showroom in Powerscourt Townhouse, she has a real attachment to home.

“As a child, I had a compromised immune system so myself and my brother Luke were home-schooled. It was a fantastic experience. I had read all of Dickens, Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen by the time I was 12. It’s amazing how many hours there are in the day without distractions.”

Shining Lights

In fact, Chupi and Luke had a cookbook published by Gill & Macmillan by the time she was 18. She might have been in rural Hollywood but this girl had shining lights in her future. The young entrepreneur also had another side business on the go.

“There was the Designer Mart in Cow’s Lane in Temple Bar and every Saturday I put my little stall into two rucksacks and made my way to Dublin to sell a few pieces. I had my little label, was having a great time with my friends Maria and Emer and then word got out that Topshop were scouting for young designers.

“I went through an interview process but when the call came to say I got it, I couldn’t believe it. I was 21, the youngest designer Topshop ever took on. I was terrified. Shy, unsure of myself, utterly terrified and so excited. My collection launched on 5 September 2005, a day I will never forget. We sold out on launch day. I remember looking at girls trying on my designs, buying my dresses, having that moment, that turn of the head where you know you look great and this dress was just made for you.

Topshop

“Looking back, I had no idea – I was so green but I put my head down and worked hard. The way it worked was that I was a women’s label contracted exclusively to Topshop. I ran an independent company and built it from selling four dresses a week in a market to selling 1,000 dresses a week in a high-end retail store. I had to source the manufacturers, develop a team. We had three-week contracts and if you didn’t hit your targets, you were out. I did that for six years, 300 weeks, 100 contract renewals. I didn’t breathe for the first two years. There were some great moments. The fact that every one of the 60,000 dresses we sold were designed and made in Ireland is something I am very proud of.”

The magic started to fade over time though.

“Brian, my boyfriend, who is now my husband, told me to get a hobby and I started making jewellery in my spare time and I loved it – really loved it. A friend had a tiny space in The Loft in Powerscourt Townhouse, so I made a few pieces and they sold and then I made another few and they sold. I’m a person who gives everything my all though. So I decided to give myself a year to finish up Topshop, save every penny I had and then I wound down my business. I went and trained with a goldsmith called Cormac Cuffe for 18 months. People might say I was mad but I figured 27 was as good a year as any to take a risk in life.

Nature Inspires

What a risk that has completely paid off. Chupi jewellery is now one of the most beautiful and unique collections you could have the pleasure of wearing, and the inspiration behind all of Chupi’s pieces comes back to her childhood in rural Ireland – everything inspired by the beauty of nature.

“When I was learning how to be a goldsmith, I was trying to make this swan feather ring. I knew what I wanted in my head but I just couldn’t get it right. So I asked what I was trying to make? What was I chasing? And I realised it wasn’t a perfect feather. The beauty of a feather is its imperfections, the tiny indents and fragility, its flaws are its true beauty. So I took a mould of a real feather, cast it, opened the mould and poured the gold in. I remember the first one coming back and just thinking, this is it, this is exactly what I wanted to create. Nature has already figured out how to make the most perfect design. I just cast it in gold.

“This feather ring has real sentimentality for me and ladies love it. A lot of women buy it for themselves, I think it’s something to do with feathers and the ugly duckling developing into a beautiful swan – it has an element of empowerment about it.

Fallen Trees

“Then came the whole design of the twigs. When I was getting married, I was trying to design my own wedding ring. There is something about hawthorn trees that I love. I don’t believe in fairies but there is a bit of magic about them. Brian and I were out for a walk when I came across a fallen hawthorn tree. You can’t take a piece from a living tree but this one had a big branch detached with all its little buds still on it. I cast it and it became the band of my wedding ring and all the engagement rings I have created. It’s so amazing to think that rings all over the world have come from that one branch.

“Our newest collection is focused on sea shells. We used to go on holidays to Inishbofin and as a kid it was like paradise. I went back with friends recently, camping on the East Beach, and I found these tiny seashells – a perfect little closing and opening mechanism. I cast the whole shell and now it’s a magical locket with a pearl inside. I’ve called it ‘There is magic within’. I’m giving it to one of my besties who is expecting her baby, I think it’s aptly named for such a gift.

Growing Organically

While Chupi has been busy creating beautiful pieces, her team has grown to 22 people.

“We grew organically. It was a case of we would sell a season of pieces and be able to take on someone new, sell another for pieces and be like, yes we can get a printer now.”

While the team has grown, so have the buyers. Arnotts were on board with their very first collection. A year later, Chupi exhibited at Showcase in the RDS and that was where Kilkenny, Aer Lingus and Weirs found her. Looking forward, it’s London and New York next while Japan is on her 2020 plan. Via her website, she now sells into 64 countries.

No matter how far she travels though, what won’t change is Chupi’s determination to keep it Irish and her love for it all.

“It’s the moments that take my breath away, like when a guy comes into the shop shyly looking for an engagement ring – so full of hope and love and excitement – and I get to be a part of that. I get to design that gift. How amazing is that?”

www.chupi.com