Inside the Studio with Sophie and ‘Harley’s Angels’
At the heart of Sophie Harley London lies a belief that jewellery is so much more than adornment. Each piece carries heartfelt emotion, memories, and meanings - treasures to be cherished for generations.
“For me, a piece of jewellery is a secret history… an imprint of a memory, a precious portal made with cosmic ingredients, a gift in the present but also a journey into the past and the future. A physical manifestation of our deepest human emotions, involving so much more than just the beautiful, precious stones, gold and silver; the heavenly natural materials which will outlive us all.” – Sophie Harley, Founder & Designer
Each jewel tells a story of love, of life’s turning points, above all of human connection. Sophie’s designs, rich in ancient symbols and timeless craftsmanship, are lovingly brought to life by her small, all-female team, affectionately known as Harley’s Angels. Together, they infuse every creation with passion, artistry, and care.
Meet the remarkable women behind the bench, the sketches, and the sparkle.
Sophie Harley – Founder & Designer
Sophie began to develop her jewellery collections and launched her bespoke design service following her training at the Royal College of Art, where she gained her MA in Jewellery design & Goldsmithing. Over 30 years on, she continues to create unique, contemporary pieces that blend artistry, symbolism, and storytelling.
“For me, a piece of jewellery is a secret history… an imprint of a memory, a precious portal made with cosmic ingredients, a gift in the present but also a journey into the past and the future. A physical manifestation of our deepest human emotions, involving so much more than just beautiful precious stones, gold and silver; the heavenly materials which will outlive us all! Hopefully, my jewellery will pass through many generations to come… miniature treasures and conduits of joy, emotion, desire and promise. Bearing witness in physical form to stories of love and human connection.
Creating jewellery for me is a complex mix of history, culture and time… and is most importantly, deeply human. My relationships with my clients, often formed over decades, are so special and meaningful to me. I treasure these connections as much as the jewellery itself.
My wonderful team — lovingly nicknamed ‘Harley’s Angels’ — create our collections with so much skill and care. We all work closely together but they also each bring their individual talents to the table, and I cannot thank or praise them enough for all that they do to contribute to our beautiful unique business .”
Kate – Studio & Operations Manager
Part of the studio since 2006, Kate is the backbone of the business, managing everything from logistics and accounts to bespoke packaging and client care.
“Already being a huge fan of Sophie’s beautiful jewellery when I joined the team, I’ve loved being immersed in so many aspects of the business, from developing collections to liaising with customers and supporting them through every step.”
Her attention to detail ensures every piece and process reflects Sophie Harley London’s exceptional standard of care.
Natasha – Production Manager & Enameller
Natasha has been part of the Sophie Harley team since 2008, bringing a wealth of skill and creativity to the studio. Over the years, she has worked across almost every station — from glass brushing, masking off for gold plating and bench work, to packaging, dispatch, and sales — even co-designing the Bonne Chance collection with Sophie.
Today, Natasha manages many aspects of production, both in-house and with our external partners, ensuring every piece upholds the brand’s commitment to exceptional British craftsmanship. Aside from Sophie, she is the only other kiln-fired enameller in the studio, a role that demands exceptional precision and artistry.
“There’s such variety in my day - glass brushing, packaging, production, and design. I even co-designed one of our collections, Bonne Chance, with Sophie. Knocking on the door of Sophie Harley’s studio all those years ago and asking for the job has been one of the best things I’ve ever done!”
Millie – Designer & Brand Development
Sophie’s daughter, Millie, grew up in the studio and now helps carry the legacy forward. She designs, sources stones, manages social media and e-commerce, and assists clients in creating bespoke and demi-bespoke pieces.
“Seeing clients’ reactions to their finished bespoke pieces, or how much they enjoy building their own designs with myself or Sophie, is so rewarding. Our jewellery holds generations of sentimentality — a rare thing in today’s world of fast fashion… Working with an all-female team is such a pleasure and I feel very blessed to get to work in such a nurturing, hardworking and inspiring environment. I’m so proud of what Sophie has built, and it’s so special to work alongside her. The authenticity of her designs shines through with its human imprint and unique design.”
Coco – Maker
A multi-talented artist, Coco has spent five years perfecting glass brushing, assembling, and finishing details.
“Sophie has hand-crafted not only an inspiring business from her deeply creative soul but also hand-picked a team of talented women I admire and feel lucky to work alongside. The business runs with a love ethic at its core, it’s reflected in every piece, and deeply felt in our team.”
Rosita – Bench Jeweller
Rosita has been the primary studio bench jeweller at Sophie Harley for six years, playing an essential role in bringing Sophie’s intricate designs to life. Working closely with the studio team, she crafts many of the silver and gold stock pieces, carefully constructing each jewel from raw castings — sawing, filing, polishing, and soldering every component by hand.
Her work ranges from delicate details, such as soldering an earring post on a winged heart stud, to building magnificent statement pieces like the Enchanted Necklace, composed of multiple charms and intricate chains. Rosita also carries out client repairs and bespoke alterations, taking great pride in restoring treasured pieces and seeing the joy they bring back to their owners.
“What I love about working at Sophie Harley is getting to make such beautifully designed pieces. Sophie’s creations are so unique and distinctive. I feel lucky to work with such wonderful colleagues in such a fabulous team.”
Karolina – Bench Jeweller
For the past five years, Karolina has handcrafted Sophie’s collections and special requests with care and passion.
“Jewellery is my passion and Sophie has created a lovely environment that feels like one big family.”
Emerald – Finishing Specialist
Emerald is responsible for creating Sophie Harley’s signature gold and silver look, meticulously applying lacomite to the areas that remain silver before the piece is sent for gold plating.
“It’s inspiring to be surrounded by such a creative team of women, all working together to craft unique, meaningful jewellery.”
Sophie Harley’s West London Studio
Every piece of Sophie Harley jewellery is touched by many hands, each one adding care, creativity, and love. Together, the team at Sophie Harley London create jewels that transcend time: miniature treasures, brimming with symbolism, meaning, and human connection.
Explore our world of jewellery and sparkle, handcrafted in London, designed to last a lifetime: Shop New Arrivals.
