Interview With Karleigh King Founder: Ms. Karleigh King

Interview With Karleigh King Founder: Ms. Karleigh King. Karleigh King has carved a space defined by craftsmanship, symbolism, and identity. As the founder of Karleigh King, a South African jewellery brand known for its striking wildlife-inspired pieces, she has turned sterling silver and diamond-set creations into stories that celebrate heritage and emotion. From the lion’s fierce elegance to the elephant’s quiet strength, each design captures the essence of Africa. StartUp Mag took some time to have an insightful conversation with Karleigh about her experience with The Jewellery Village and how she built her brand. Read about it below!

What inspired your participation in The Jewellery Village initiative?

The Jewellery Village initiative was a wonderful opportunity to present my products to the market in a way that aligns with my brand, which is unique jewellery made from premium materials.

Your work emphasizes innovation — how do you balance creativity with craftsmanship?

Craftsmanship is one of the most important considerations in my creative process. While designing my jewellery, I am constantly thinking about the construction of the jewellery piece. Technology informs this process, and in some designs I am able to incorporate some of the latest technology used in jewellery production in order to bring these designs to life.

Can you tell us more about your Big Five and Fence collections?

My Big Five collection is a contemporary take of South African wildlife. I wanted to showcase the beauty of the South Africa safari, in a way that hasn’t been done before, that both local and international people could appreciate as art. The motto for this range is “wear your memories”. Seeing these animals in person evokes strong feelings, and a deep sense of connection with mother nature. When my clients wear this range, I want them to feel as though they are empowered by these animals. My Fence collection is inspired by the industrial motif of the diamond/chain link fence. It is the simplicity of this motif that first appealed to me, because it is easily recognisable by most people. It’s a range that I wanted both men and women to be able to wear without having concerns about the masculinity or femininity of the pieces. My Fence range was inspired by the radical simplicity of Cartier and their “Juste Un Clou” iconic nail range, whereby a simple industrial object has become a luxury fashion statement.

How do sustainability and recycling influence your brand’s identity?

The nature of the jewellery industry is that it is not sustainable in the sense that we are making use of materials which are of a finite source from the ground. However, the beauty of silver and gold is the ability for the metal to be melted down and reformed many times. In that sense, jewellery is sustainable, as people can redesign their jewellery pieces to create new designs. Therefore, when a client brings in an old jewellery piece to me that is sentimental, I can help them design something new with the materials they provide, and bring new life and creativity into pieces that would otherwise hardly/if ever be worn- this to me is recycling, taking something, and reusing the materials to create something new.

What materials do you most enjoy working with, and why?

The materials I enjoy working with most are gold and silver, as well as diamonds and precious metals. 18ct yellow gold is my favourite as it forms well, polishes beautifully and is a pleasure to solder. Diamonds are another favourite of mine, as they are highly resistant to scratches and heat, making them heirlooms which survive generations. These materials are also my favourites as they can be mined from South African soil.

How do South African themes and experiences shape your design perspective?

I am a proud South African. I design based on my appreciation of South African experience, culture, and nature. My brand’s mission is to showcase South African themes in a way that gives us the recognition we deserve internationally, as a creative and artistic nation, with high-end luxury products and brands.

As a GDP graduate, how has your training helped you prepare for entrepreneurship?

I didn’t finish my GDP program due to the company I was working at closing down. However, I learned enough manufacturing skills to start working as a goldsmith in the industry. That experience taught me valuable lessons about how I want to run my business as an entrepreneur. Joining the Rand Refinery Enterprise Development Programme gave me the support and mentorship I needed to start a proudly South African jewellery brand.

What advice do you have for young women entering the jewellery sector?

My advice would be to refine the vision you have for yourself. Find people or companies which then align with your goals to support your growth in the industry. Understand what your strengths and weaknesses are, and discover what your opportunities and threats are. The better you can understand yourself, the quicker you can work on achieving your vision.

How does it feel to see your work showcased at Montecasino?

I feel very grateful and proud to be one of the brands showcased at Montecasino. It gave me the confidence I needed to branch out to other markets.

What legacy do you hope to create through your jewellery brand?

The legacy I hope to create around my brand is artistic luxury- a South African designer brand which grows beyond jewellery, into the fashion and art space, that can showcase itself on global runways and in exclusive boutiques.