Catching Up with Sophie Quy of Suzanne Kalan

What are you most excited about in your new role at Suzanne Kalan?

Well, the jewelry is just the most exquisite jewelry around, hands down. The cuffs, bracelets, tennis necklaces, earrings, rings…all of it — so that’s exciting. Our Selfridges pop-up this summer [in London] will also be a high. But I think the most exciting part of my new role is the chance to work with Suzanne, who is so inspiring and incredible.

How did you join the jewelry industry?

It was sort of by accident. I always thought I wanted to go into women’s wear as a buyer. However, when I got my first role as a personal shopper at Harrods, I was able to see and sell some of the most amazing jewelry to my clients. I fell in love with jewelry — the history, the way the pieces make your heart beat a little faster, hearing the brands talk about the inspiration, the meaning of the stones, how to style it. It was the opposite of transactional. I was then given the opportunity to move to the jewelry-buying team and never looked back — moving on to [luxury e-tailer] Net-a-Porter to launch their fine-jewelry business, and then to [online shopping platform] Threads Styling.

What’s your most memorable professional moment to date?

Winning a Gem Award for Retail Excellence in my last role at Threads Styling [in 2019] was pretty spectacular. It was so amazing to be recognized in retail, and in jewelry specifically, and so fun to celebrate with the rest of the industry, who were supporting what we were doing.

What is your most cherished piece of jewelry?

My Suzanne Kalan Fireworks bracelet, and the signet ring my grandmother gave me for my 21st birthday with our family crest. I never take either off.

Suzanne Kalan Fireworks bracelet.

Where do you like to travel?

I love skiing, and I love going to a hotel in the middle of nowhere with just the beach and the sea, but my favorite place is Cornwall in the UK, where we have a beach house — and I will say, with three children, it is really the perfect place to go for holidays: sun (sometimes), sea, sand and fresh air, with a side of lobster and oysters!

Which book do you read again and again?

The Count of Monte Cristo I could pick up anytime and read any part of it. But I have a weirdly eclectic reading list and also love a business book. I first read The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz about five years ago and find I always come back to it.

What is the biggest lesson life or work has taught you?

Always have integrity and be nice to people. It’s a small world, so always make time for people. You never know when your paths will cross again or who you’re going to need to get back in touch with.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

You are building your own brand and are the only person representing you, so always try your hardest. If you’re doing something, then it’s got your name on it, and surely you want to make sure you do it to the highest.

This article is from the May-June 2023 issue of Rapaport Magazine. View other articles here.

Main image: Sophie Quy. (Suzanne Kalan)