Scottish Jewellery Designer's Sweet Tribute to Kate Middleton on Her Birthday

In this interview, Ms. McGown discusses her new design and its heartfelt tribute to the Princess of Wales.

How did you end up doing what you do?

I ended up doing what I do now because of a lifelong passion for creativity and design that started when I was a child. Growing up in Scotland, my parents owned a beautiful boutique hotel, where my dad was the chef. I spent countless hours in the kitchen with him, playing with food, making dishes look beautiful, and experimenting with colors and presentation. As I got older, I helped redesign the hotel’s bedrooms, which I loved, and it sparked a deeper interest in design.

Sophie McGown, a Scottish fashion and jewellery entrepreneur wearing the 'Catherine' earrings

I went on to study fashion design, and soon after, I began styling in fashion, food, and interiors. One pivotal moment was assisting Isabella Blow at a Philip Treacy hat show in London. Isabella’s unique approach to fashion and accessories had a profound impact on me, and I left that experience with a renewed sense of creative direction.

During lockdown, I decided it was finally time to channel my love for big, bold jewelry into something of my own. I’ve always adored earrings and wanted to create pieces that would bring joy, color, and happiness to those who wore them. Starting a business was a natural next step, and it’s been such a fulfilling way to merge my passions for creativity, fashion, and design into something I truly love.

I also feel my own style played a huge part in me doing what I do now. I’ve always had a colorful, eclectic wardrobe full of amazing vintage statement pieces I’d find in charity shops and boutiques while on shopping trips or holidays. Those treasures really shaped my love for bold, unique fashion. This love for color and individuality was the driving force behind my decision to start creating statement earrings.

At first, I tried making the earrings myself, experimenting with different types of resin, but most of my “smash” tests ended up in pieces. I quickly realized I needed to figure out how to make the parts strong and durable if I wanted to create a product that would last, and that people would want to buy. So, I set out to find a company that could bring my designs to life, and after a lot of searching, I finally found a company in India that was willing to work with me. I was over the moon!

I sent them my designs, and when my first parcel arrived with all the different parts, I was overwhelmed but incredibly excited. I dove straight into constructing and assembling my creations, and that’s when it really hit me: this was what I was meant to do. Each piece became a reflection of my journey, my creativity, and my passion for bold, joyful fashion.

I also reached out to some lovely friends of mine who ran a marketing and website agency to help design a website for my business. I asked if they could recommend an e-commerce platform we could integrate into the site. When they asked me about my color palette, I immediately knew - I wanted only one color: pink, my absolute favorite. As they worked on the site, I set up Instagram and Facebook pages and quickly realized I needed a name. I called my sister and said, “I’ve got a name!” She asked what it was, and I said, “EAR SASS.” She instantly replied, “Yes, yes, yes - it’s perfect, it’s so you!”

Next, I needed a logo, so I created a Canva account and quickly started brainstorming design ideas - something simple, bold, and recognizable. With the website, social media pages, the name, and the logo all coming together, the only thing left was some good photos. My flatmate at the time had an amazing camera and a passion for photography, so we set up a lightbox with some props and did a mini shoot. The photos turned out beautifully, and I was able to upload them to the site.

Once everything was ready, I hit the live button, announced what I was doing, and started selling, selling, selling! The excitement of seeing everything come together was incredible, and it felt like the beginning of something truly special.

Who or what inspires you?

I am constantly inspired by fascinating people and experiences I encounter, It’s not just one person but the continuous flow of conversations, experiences, and moments that spark my creativity. Each week, I meet someone new or encounter something amazing that pushes me to expand my knowledge and skills. I know it might sound cliché, but I truly feel inspired in the moment. Recently, I’ve been exploring platforms like Masterclass and BBC Maestro, where I’ve been exposed to brilliant minds in business and personal development. Learning from others’ insights has been mind-blowing and invigorating - it’s an ongoing fabulous journey that keeps me excited to grow and discover.

Tell us what inspired you to create 'The Catherine'?

The Catherine has always been in my mind, but when I saw her wearing the ISSY, I knew I had to create something special in her honour. She exudes such a beautiful, relaxed, and compassionate vibe, and I wanted to design earrings that were as elegant and effortless as she is - something we could all wear every day to remind us of the magic she brings into the world.

I chose to launch The Catherine on her birthday because it marks the day a powerful, inspiring woman brought her into this world. Birthdays are monumental - it’s the day our incredible, strong, and brave mothers give us life, and I believe they deserve to be celebrated. Additionally, this is a meaningful tribute to a woman who played a significant role in raising funds for an extraordinary girl who is no longer with us. It felt right to honor her and the women who shape the world in such impactful ways.

Why did you chose Brave Mind and can you talk about how mental health is a core theme for your brand?

Supporting a mental health charity has always been deeply personal to me. Having faced my own mental health challenges and seeing so many friends and family members struggle, it’s a cause that resonates deeply. In 2023, we experienced a devastating loss when my cousin Issy, an incredibly talented rugby player, tragically took her own life. Her rugby club supported Brave Mind, and we knew it was the perfect charity for us to align with, especially given the sports connection.

Brave Mind provides a vital support network for members of the rugby community of all ages, backgrounds, orientations, and at every level of the game. Their mission to create an active Brave Mind community - supporting rugby clubs in partnership with leading mental health charities - and their vision of having mental health champions in every club in the UK and Ireland, is something we deeply believe in. They also collaborate with rugby governing bodies, such as the RFU and SRU, to integrate mental health modules into coaching certification programs, which is an incredible step toward fostering a culture of care and understanding within the sport.

The charity also has amazing ambassadors, including the Women’s England Rugby Captain, Marlie Packer, who is a powerful advocate for mental health in sport. Her involvement is a testament to the vital work Brave Mind is doing within the rugby community.

On World Mental Health Day 2023, the Princess of Wales wore a pair of earrings I had designed and dedicated to Issy’s memory. This incredible moment inspired us to donate £5 from every pair sold to Brave Mind. The exposure from the Princess wearing them brought massive attention, and sales soared, allowing us to raise over £17,000 for the charity since October 2023.

It’s been a bittersweet journey, but seeing my dream to support a mental health charity come to life in such a meaningful way, while also honouring Issy’s memory, has been profoundly fulfilling.

What is so magical about living Scotland?

What I love most about living in Scotland is simply being here with my mum, dad, and sister but also surrounded by the most incredible people who always support me. Every morning, I can walk by a river with my gorgeous dog, Cello, and even swim in it during the summer. I also love the convenience of being able to hop on a train to Edinburgh in just an hour to see my sister and friends. Plus, the direct train from Pitlochry to London in only 6 hours makes it easy to stay connected with the wider world, do some major vintage and charity shop shopping , eat my body weight in food and wine and all while enjoying the peace and beauty of living in Scotland.

What is new this year for you?

In 2025, we’re beyond excited to launch the Issy Star bracelet and necklace this spring. These pieces carry deep meaning, and we can’t wait to share them with you. Just like with our earrings, £5 from every bracelet and necklace sold will be donated to Brave Mind to support their essential work in mental health within the rugby community. We are incredibly proud of this partnership and eager to see the impact it will make.

We’re also taking things back to the roots of EAR SASS. Think beads and bold statement pieces - no more dainty metals at the forefront. We’re returning to our roots and focusing on giving bold statements the attention they deserve, staying true to the spirit of EAR SASS.

A portion of the proceeds, £5 from every pair sold, will be donated to the charity Brave Mind.

For more information visit: www.earsass.com