We are delighted to announce That Mathilda Montheil is our 2026 Diana Porter New Design Award winner.
We choose Mathilda collection; 'What can you take?', for its originality as we were drawn to the strong narrative and depth of meaning within her work. We were hugely impressed by her skilled stone carving and use of Japanese inlay techniques, something that she hopes to utilise he award for developing her craft.
My personal favourite is the 'Off we go' brooch featuring four little characters carrying their own brindle bag between them. A tactile, storytelling and conversation starting piece. The kind of object that draws you in when worn. The piercing blue lace agate adorned with four characters, invites you to interact - Where are they going and what do they carry in their own little bag? Closer inspection reveals each character is intricately hand made with its own personality, an intriguing wearable art object.
This week we interview Mathilda as part of our Meet the maker series and learn about her creative process and jewellery making journey. We had the pleasure of getting to know Mathilda as she spent the day with our creative team and workshop.
When did your jewellery making journey begin?
I’ve always loved making things, but I didn’t consider jewellery for a long time. I had a preconceived notion of what I thought it was, and it didn’t appeal to me. But it was the foundation course that showed me that jewellery could be literally anything, made from any material at any scale, and be full of so much meaning, with the unique quality that it could live on your body. I think that’s what got me hooked! Since then, I’ve been exposed to so many amazing pieces and makers.
Who inspires you the most? (No rules here, other jewellers, artists or even family & friends)
I think one of my first inspirations was storytelling, especially the work of Hayao Miyazaki. I’m fascinated by how much care goes into his work, from the animation and music to the complex themes and smallest details. Nothing feels rushed; you can feel the time and craftsmanship behind it, as well as the thought that goes into the stories he tells. I’ve always loved a good story, and I’m not sure if that made me a huge daydreamer or if I was simply born that way. I think Miyazaki taught me to appreciate the beauty of taking your time to make something and to pay more attention to the little things around you. That’s something I try to bring into my own work.
How do you work - Please can you tell us a little bit about your creative process for the graduate collection?
For me, starting with an idea isn’t the problem, it’s filtering through them. I usually begin by going down a research rabbit hole, asking questions and figuring out what I’m actually trying to accomplish with the work (this takes a long time). I spend a few days researching and allowing myself to follow unexpected directions. I find that broadening my knowledge, even through seemingly random subjects, always feeds back into my work. Once I have a clearer sense of my goals, I start sketching. I sketch a lot, usually on loose sheets of paper, without putting too much pressure on any one idea. I don’t think there are wrong routes at this stage, an idea can always become something else. I love spreading everything out across the floor and looking at it all together. Moving the sketches around, comparing them and physically seeing the different ideas next to each other helps me decide which have the most potential. From there, I narrow them down and move into making and testing.
Sounds of the Studio - what are you listening to? We’d love to hear about podcasts recommendations/ studio playlists/ the sounds that motivate you?
You can’t go wrong with a good two-hour Hamilton soundtrack, hahaha! It really depends on my mood, I mostly listen to music, instrumentals, or work in silence. I can’t focus properly with a podcast playing, or if it’s a new song I tend to stop working every few minutes to listen to it instead! I do love a good comedy or horror-story podcast when I’m doing something repetitive to concentrate. Some artists I love are Eminem, Adele, Earth Wind & Fire, Paris Paloma, MGMT and The Cranberries, among many others.
What’s next for you and your jewellery?
I’ve started working on a few pieces I’ve been really wanting to make. I also have some exhibitions and competitions coming up, and I’m hoping to open an online shop at some point to share more of my pieces. Mostly, I just want to keep learning, developing my skills and pushing myself. There’s a lot I want to accomplish!
Which is your favourite piece either historically or from your current collection?
I would have to say the bindle bag ring from my graduate collection. I’ve made pieces that are technically more
complicated, but this one felt much more daunting because I was relying almost entirely on my gut feeling that I could make it work hahaha. There was no guarantee. I had never inlaid on such a large curved, folded surface before, or worked with so much fine material in one piece. There were plenty of challenges along the way, from casting and texturing to the finishing details, but somehow the vision I had in my head became something I could actually hold in my hands. That feeling is what makes it my favourite. When I look at it, I feel a real sense of pride and, more importantly, that I can make anything if I’m willing to try.
Finally, for fun, what would be your absolute dream piece to make or person to create for?
While researching my graduate collection, I became fascinated by how katanas are made. It takes highly specialised craftspeople, with some spending their entire lives mastering just one part of the process. I love the idea of putting that much of myself into a piece since it will outlive me too. I have a few pieces on the back burner, but my absolute dream piece would be something like a full-body medieval suit of armour for a woman, with a custom blade, all made from scratch using traditional techniques. I’d want to detail the whole thing with inlay, engraving and lacquer, using every surface as an opportunity to add something. I just love the idea of making something from so many small parts that someone, years from now, might discover and still feel inspired by it.
