Fans attending one of Taylor Swift’s Sydney shows are being encouraged to wear special friendship bracelets in honour of a fellow-Swiftie who died on the way to her Melbourne concert. Yes there is the potential for this to be life threatening, BUT there is also the potential for miracles and recovery! Mieka’s younger sister Freya, 10, was seriously injured in the crash on Dunedoo Road, at Ballimore. She was airlifted to Westmead Hospital where she remains in a coma with brain injuries, a damaged pelvis and a broken leg. Their mum, Kim Litchfield, was also injured and taken to Dubbo Hospital, and has since travelled to Sydney to be by her youngest daughter’s bedside. ‘To honour them the family is asking everyone to wear a friendship bracelet with her name so its like she’s still there. The family had been driving to Melbourne from the Gold Coast on the ‘trip of a lifetime’ to see Swift perform the Australian leg of her Eras tour. Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, swap self-made bracelets with each other during concerts. Both sisters were enrolled in the Gold Coast Youth Theatre Academy. Ms Fox paid tribute to Mieka describing her as ‘smart and creative’ whose life was cut short too soon. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Mieka Pokarier, 16, was killed when the SUV she was traveling in with her mother and sister collided with a semi-trailer near Dubbo, in central-west NSW at about 6pm on Thursday. On Monday the children’s godmother Karleigh Fox, who organised a GoFundMe appeal, said Freya remains in a critical yet stable condition. NSW Police said in a statement that the crash is under investigation. Her husband and another one of Mieka’s siblings are currently keeping a vigil. In a post made to Taylor Swift Eras Tour Facebook page a fan called on Swifties to wear a friendship bracelet with Mieka’s name. They are being urged to make and share them in honour of Mieka, with her name on them. She’s been a Taylor Swift fan for over 10 years, and she loved maths, she loved pottery, she was always making people things with pottery and going to classes,’ she wrote.
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings (top article) are as practical as they are elegant. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style.
Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins.
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. So she decided to make her own. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
Tableware Sterling Silver
It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams.