Founding principles with Cecilia Fein-Hughes of Cece Jewellery

Brands of Tomorrow is Walpole's business mentoring programme for emerging luxury brands. Over the course of a year, we take up to 12 carefully selected, early-stage brands through a twelve-month programme of workshops and professional mentoring that will help develop their business skills and set them on a path to growth. Discover all of our Brands of Tomorrow 2025 here

Walpole: What is your career background and how did that lead to launching your company? 

Cecilia Fein-Hughes: My background is in jewellery making, however, early on, I realised my strength really was in the designing aspect of jewellery. I've always been drawn to the storytelling element of fine jewellery; how a single piece can hold deep personal meaning and be passed down for generations. I trained in traditional techniques, but I was particularly captivated by the art of enamel, an ancient craft that has been somewhat forgotten in contemporary jewellery. When I couldn’t find pieces that celebrated the beauty and history of enamel in a modern, wearable way, I knew there was an opportunity to bring something fresh to the luxury market. That’s how Cece Jewellery was born: a brand that blends storytelling, craftsmanship, and timeless design. 

Tell us more about your company… 

Cece Jewellery is a fine jewellery brand that celebrates the art of Champlevé enamel, bringing it into the modern world through intricate, hand-crafted pieces that tell a story. Every design has meaning, whether it’s a bespoke commission infused with personal symbolism or our ready-to-wear pieces drawing on motifs of nature and imagination. We believe jewellery should be more than just beautiful, it should feel personal, evoke emotion, and spark conversation. We also place a strong emphasis on education and craftsmanship. We’re committed to training the next generation of enamelers and ensuring that this ancient skill continues to evolve and thrive. 

Why was launching this company important to you? 

It was important to me because I didn’t want to see enamel become a lost art. I wanted to create a brand that values craftsmanship, celebrates artistry, and gives people jewellery that means something to them. Fine jewellery is often focused on stones and metals, but enamel allows us to bring in colour, depth, and storytelling in a way that’s entirely unique. Launching Cece Jewellery was about creating something lasting, not just in terms of the pieces we make, but in preserving and advancing a craft that deserves a place in the future of luxury. 

How does your company represent the future of British luxury? 

British luxury has always been rooted in craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation, and Cece Jewellery embodies all of these. We’re reviving an age-old technique, but we’re doing it with a fresh, modern perspective, creating pieces that are highly collectible but also wearable every day. We’re also investing in the future, training enamellers, and ensuring that fine jewellery continues to be an art form, not just a product. Sustainability and authenticity are becoming more important in the luxury space, and we stand for both, creating pieces with meaning, using responsible practices, and working with artisans to ensure longevity in both our jewellery and our craft.

What’s an important value for you that you’ve ensured is part of your business? 

Integrity. From the way we design our pieces to how we treat our customers, our team, and our artisans, everything is done with a deep respect for the craft, the people, and the process. We don’t cut corners. We take the time to create something truly special, whether it’s a bespoke commission or a ready-to-wear design. And we believe in transparency, about our materials and our techniques, so that our customers feel confident in the value of what they’re investing in. 

Tell us about an obstacle you’ve experienced in establishing your business, and how you overcame it? 

One of the biggest challenges has been finding and training enamellers. It’s a highly skilled craft that takes years to perfect, and there are very few artisans left who truly specialise in it. Rather than seeing this as a roadblock, we turned it into an opportunity. We’ve invested in training, set up an internal apprenticeship system. It’s a long-term commitment, but it’s one that will help secure the future of the craft. 

What is your ultimate goal for your business? What’s the dream? 

The dream is to make Cece Jewellery synonymous with enamel artistry on a global scale. We want to be the go-to name for fine jewellery that tells a story, where craftsmanship, creativity, and heritage all come together in a way that feels fresh, modern, and utterly unique. We also want to build a lasting legacy, training enamellers, expanding our workshop, and continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this craft.

What’s a key piece of advice you’d share with another entrepreneur that you’ve learned or been given on your journey?

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is to play the long game. It’s easy to get caught up in short-term wins (or setbacks), but true success comes from thinking long-term, building relationships, staying committed to your craft, and making decisions that will still make sense years down the line. This perspective has helped me stay focused on the bigger picture, even when challenges arise, and it’s why we continue to invest in things like training, craftsmanship, and building a community around our brand. 

Learn more about Cece Jewellery at cecejewellery.com