Inspired by the structures and passageways at the iconic Neolithic village of Skara Brae, Zoe Davidson is launching her new Skara Brae Collection at the Royal Highland Show on 23^rd June 2022. The collection has been a cumulation of work researched, designed and hand crafted through the pandemic..

Zoe graduated in Jewellery & Metal Design from Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in 2013. She then undertook internships with Amsterdam fashion designer, Iris Van Herpen, and Plockton-based jeweller, Gilly Langton, before working with two Orkney based jewellery companies.

After launching her own business in 2016, back home in Stromness, Zoe was selected to show works alongside fashion-guru, Gok Wan. More recently, Zoe was asked to design a special collection to commemorate 150 years of the RNLI in Orkney, with 10 per cent of the proceeds from the sales of this Saltaire range donated to the charity.

Speaking of this latest collection Zoe Davidson said:

“2022 is undoubtedly a year of celebration, reflection, joining together and renewal. That is why I wanted to finally bring to life a project I’ve had in mind for a long time.

“I have long been fascinated by the shape of the houses at Skara Brae and the people who occupied them. Being onsite it is easy to imagine them walking through the passages of their village, sleeping in the beds, cooking by the fire, using the grinding stones.

“There is a familiarity to the order of the houses at Skara Brae. But there are unknowns too. No one really knows what the roofing materials were made from for instance.

“As we endured lockdown, the physical layout and structure of our homes took on a whole new meaning for each and every one of us. In Orkney, the architecture of Skara Brae is a blueprint of our shared story, and a wider story of connection across millennia and geography.”

As is almost universally true in homes across the globe, the hearth is central. This is where stories are told and constants in communities are passed on, restored, revived, emboldened, and repeated. Zoe uses this as a theme within the work, using gemstones such as Citrine to symbolise the hearth and heart of the building.

The design process included sketches, studying aerial maps and reflecting on how people lived there. Paper maquette (models) were created and taken apart to refine the designs.

Most pieces will be available in two different finishes – matt and polished. The collection will be added to over the coming weeks with more releases based upon this incredible archeological site.

Zoe Davidson draws much of the inspiration for her designer jewellery from Orkney’s seas, coastlines and rich history. She designs and makes all her pieces, mixing traditional silversmithing techniques with more unusual processes, including fold-forming and anti-clastic raising.

In 2018, Zoe’s jewellery was chosen for sale within Edinburgh Castle, reflecting the quality and intricacy of her work, and is now, as of January 2019, on display in Skara Brae’s visitor centre, Orkney.

As well as working on the development of her innovative core collections, Zoe also creates bespoke jewellery, including engagement and wedding rings, and stunning one-off pieces.

To see the full range click on this link to the website: Zoe Davidson Jewellery