Danielle Mondo, winner of Fairfax and Roberts’ jewellery design contest
Jeweller backed by renowned retailer
Posted July 30, 2013 | By Emily Mobbs • Former Editor
The owner of a small jewellery business will soon have her design idea
for a silver pendant manufactured and sold by a prominent Australian
jewellery retailer.
As the winner of a Fairfax and Roberts’ jewellery design contest, Danielle Mondo’s spinning wheel pendant will now be created by the Sydney-based jeweller and form part of its diffusion line, Portrait.
The piece will be available for purchase at the Fairfax and Roberts Sydney-based showroom as well as the retailer’s online store.
Mondo – who established her Melbourne-based business, Mondo Jewellery Design, in 2003 – said she entered the competition because of the challenges it presented.
“I only found out about the competition five days before entries closed, so I didn’t have much time to get onto it. I work well under pressure so it suited me fine,” Mondo told Jeweller.
Following the competition brief to design pieces using only sterling silver, the jeweller submitted sketch designs of two pendants and one ring.
Fairfax and Roberts senior marketing executive Penelope McGufficke said Mondo’s spinning wheel pendant design was chosen as the winner because its geometric shape and functionality complemented the Portrait design philosophy.
“It had the balance of positive and negative space. The pendant creates volume, but is light and comfortable to wear,” she explained.
Mondo added that winning the award would encourage her to experiment with designs and materials in the future.
“I don’t normally work with precious metals, so possibly down the track I could consider precious metals as part of my range, as currently it is all costume jewellery.
“I hope that winning the award helps get me the recognition I need as a designer to continue to grow my business and take it to the next level.”
The 34-year-old, who decided to take up jewellery-making as a career while studying industrial design at Melbourne’s Monash University, sells her pieces through wholesale orders as well as the business’ website and Facebook account.
The pendant, part of the Portrait spring summer collection, will be available in October. Fairfax and Roberts will reportedly produce a small quantity of the winning piece initially and evaluate the response from customers.
Fairfax and Roberts was founded in 1858 and specialises in couture jewellery pieces, design and redesign consultation, diamond and gemstone advice and sourcing, valuation, restoration and repair.