Sea Breeze & Sentiment: A personal journey cast in silver
I was born in Normandie, and I still spend every summer by the sea there — just as I always have. Normandie is where my roots are, and where my imagination first began to take shape.
This summer, I am returning once again — first to the family home in the heart of the Normand countryside, then on to our beach house, right on the shoreline. Such a treat, in both settings.
There, among the sea air and warm light, SEA BREEZE came to life.
This collection isn’t just inspired by the sea and the coast — it belongs to it. It is shaped by the same tides and memories that shaped me. And it carries with it that unmistakeable feeling of a Normandie summer: salt in the air, sand between your toes, and stories in every shell.
I have been hesitant to share this part of myself. SEA BREEZE feels like opening the gate to a secret garden — one filled with deeply personal stories, generational traditions, and childhood treasures. But it also feels like the right time. A way to connect, and to honour where I come from.
And in many ways, this collection also reflects a larger story — the enduring bond between France and the UK, from the Normand coastlines to London’s skyline. After all, it was the Normands who once crossed the Channel, weaving our histories and cultures together. SEA BREEZE is, in its own quiet way, a bridge between my past and present. Between where I am from and where I am now.
Why the name SEA BREEZE?
Because it captures the moment of arrival — that first breath of salty air when you reach the sea. Before you even see the waves or feel the sand, it is the breeze that greets you.
Normandie’s beaches are vast and golden, edged with history, nostalgia, and that indescribable sense of openness. That first breath of sea air when you arrive — crisp, salty, alive — it is the real sign you are back. I wanted that feeling in silver. That texture. That sparkle. That mood.
That memory never fades. It is tied to summers spent with family — a tradition that spans five generations now. It is the promise of adventure, the long sunlit evenings, the sense of freedom. And now, it is also a story told through jewellery.
Who is SEA BREEZE for?
You are a collector at heart. You treasure mementos from the places you have visited, the people you have loved, the memories you have made. Not as trinkets, but as time capsules — talismans of who you are and where you have been.
SEA BREEZE is exactly that. Inspired by the sea, it is jewellery that tells a story — your story — and adds subtle, meaningful depth to your wardrobe.A little escape you can wear. A whisper of summer. It is modern nostalgia — not novelty beach charms, not a costume or a literal interpretation of the past, but a reimagining. A way to add depth and personality to your style without ever feeling artificial or out of place. They are contemporary heirlooms, with a sense of place.
A Victorian nod — but make it now
Coastal foraging and beachcombing have always been part of life in Normandie. Originally practical, they evolved into something richer — scientific, artistic, even poetic. The Victorians elevated shell collecting into an elegant ritual, blending curiosity with romanticism. These mementos were about memory, connection, and emotional resonance.
But there’s more to the story than simple collecting.
There is something about the sea — that deep, almost primal fascination humans have for the ocean. It is a pull we feel in our core. The sea invites contemplation and surrender. Its rhythm reminds us that, no matter how far we advance, we are part of something bigger — something wild, unpredictable, and sacred. The tide comes and goes without our permission, and we, in turn, must adapt, comply, respect. That timeless dance between permanence and change is what makes the coast such a powerful place to revisit. It’s a call to slow down, to breathe, to remember.
This elemental connection — the call of the blue — is one of the emotional undercurrents that runs through the entire SEA BREEZE collection. Each piece holds within it not only a memory of summers past, but also this deeper respect for nature as a force to be reckoned with, admired, and ultimately, surrendered to.
SEA BREEZE is my take on that Victorian quest — but updated. It is not about dressing up or being literal. Instead, I wanted to capture a fleeting moment, a feeling, like the Impressionist painters who were so inspired by the sea and by this region. A breeze, a glint of light, the texture of time.
That’s why I have chosen fragments shaped naturally by the sea — beautifully imperfect. Each shell tells its own story. And I have paired them with softly tumbled gemstones that echo the coastal palette. Take the sparkly yellow tourmaline in the LUCIE pendant. It recalls sunlit sand. Or the purple tourmalines in the JEANNE earrings, evokative of moody, shifting skies.
More than just another shell collection
What makes SEA BREEZE especially wearable is its modularity. These are not pieces to be saved for “best” — they are designed to move with you.
I have designed every detail to add ease, elegance, and expression to your day. Every piece of that collection is made to be lived in. Easy to wear, easy to transform — and never mass-produced. Whether you are adding interest to a weekday outfit or wearing it barefoot on a beach, you will feel the difference.
That’s the Essemgé signature. It is what I call ‘jewellery for real life’: transformable, versatile, beautiful, in other words uniquely you.
The JEANNE Adjustable Pendant Necklace – L to R: fastening finished with a pearl, worn long with detachable gemstone drop, worn short without the detachable gemstone drop. A total of four styling options in one.
For example:
- The JEANNE Pendant Necklace offers four looks in one. Choose from two chain lengths, with or without the gemstone.
- The JEANNE Earrings shift from studs to dangles or cocktail styles in seconds.
- The T-bar clasp on the necklace is finished with a delicate pearl — pretty and practical, ensuring your pendant stays securely in place.
These are the details that matter. Quiet luxury that adapts to your life — not the other way round.
The making process
SEA BREEZE has been a long time in the making. For years, I hesitated to share it — it felt too personal. But commissioned pieces using silver, seaglass and real shells gave me the push I needed.
It started with selecting the right shell fragments — ones that carried texture, memory, soul. I then created detailed silicone moulds of each, and sculpted delicate wax masters to cast using the ancient technique of lost wax casting. Each silver shell is meticulously finished — beautifully smooth on the back for a contrast in texture with the front and a complete tactile experience.
From soldering and filing to pickling and polishing, the process is slow and considered. Each detail has intention — including a special finishing touch.
The most eagle-eyed may have spotted it already: the Graphic Rose, my signature Essemgé motif, discreetly integrated into every piece of SEA BREEZE.
SEA BREEZE in the making – L to R: from the actual shells to wax carvings , to the various stages of soldering and finishing
Remaining pieces available
Many pieces from SEA BREEZE are completely one-off. They will not be remade. A few are available in very limited small batches.
Why? Because your memories are unique — and I want these pieces to be just as special.
Some SEA BREEZE designs are already with their new collectors. Here’s what is still available:
One-of-a-Kind Treasures:
- MADEMOISELLE Cocktail Ring – Sculptural, feminine, utterly distinctive
- JEANNE Statement Wrap Ring – A bold, adjustable silver swirl, shaped by the sea
- JEANNE Adjustable Pendant Necklace – Wear it long or short, with or without the gemstone drop
- JEANNE Cocktail Earrings (2-in-1) – Remove the gemstones for a day-to-night transformation
Small-Batch Collectibles:
- SEA BREEZE Stud Earrings – Understated texture with timeless appeal
- SEA BREEZE Cocktail Earrings – Bold and breezy, like a walk on the shore
The MARGARET 2in1 Long Earrings, elegant with a hint of drama, were originally created as one-offs but upon popular demand, I have decided to make them available as small batch collectibles. They are a beautiful option for modern bridal wear.
Each piece is handcrafted with care in my South East London atelier — and made to last.
Your Moment to Collect — Before It’s Gone
Just like the tide and the sea it’s inspired from, SEA BREEZE is constantly moving. Some pieces have already sold. If one speaks to you, I encourage you to trust that instinct — once they are gone, they won’t return.
If you are someone who values meaning, quality, craftsmanship — and who wants jewellery that speaks for you before you say a word — this collection is for you.
Let SEA BREEZE carry you back to the shore, to that moment of stillness, salt air, and sunlight.
👉 Discover the Last Pieces of the Sea Breeze Collection
Looking for something even more personal? I also offer bespoke jewellery design — including heirloom reworks and custom commissions. Learn more here.
In closing…
I have taken so much pleasure in bringing this collection to life — and even more in finally sharing it with you. I hope you feel the breeze, the light, the memory behind each piece.
May it become a part of your own story now.
A summer escape, inspired by the sea and cast in silver.
Happy Sea Breeze.
— Sophie
