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For Suai designer and founder Whitney Hinshaw, jewelry is meant to last generations. As such, her pieces are truly timeless in design and informed by the changeable beauty of the natural world. She makes each bauble by hand in her California studio using ethically sourced materials, including metals that meet a rigorous recycled metal standard. We asked Whitney about what her love of jewelry and what inspires her ethereal line. Read on and find your own perfect Suai piece, below.
How did you get into jewelry design?
Whitney Hinshaw: Before I started making jewelry I was bouncing around various retail jobs, but always working with and among some amazing designers. In 2015, wanting a creative outlet, I took a metalsmithing class and fell in love with it. I found working with my hands and coming away with a beautiful finished product to be so satisfying, so with my love of jewelry and design, it seemed like a natural progression into creating a brand.
What inspires your collectsions?
I launched Suai in 2019. I still make everything by hand. My designs are informed by the natural world, its elements and shapes—irregular yet balanced, sometimes surprising. I make pieces that will last through seasons and trends. That's the beauty of metal—its eternal nature, the ability of its forms to endure through generations as a meaningful marker of its time, and in the case of jewelry, its wearer.
How do you incorporate sustainability and ethical production practices into your brand?
From the beginning, the cornerstones of the brand have been environmental and social responsibility. I wanted Suai to be an example of a company doing business the right way—by giving back to our community, producing thoughtfully with minimal waste and environmental impact, and supporting other ethical manufacturers. All Suai pieces are made using recycled metals, and we only use beads and stones sourced from ethical suppliers. Almost 100% of our packaging is recycled/recyclable. Additionally, most Suai jewelry is made to order, reducing much of the waste and excess material often generated by mass production.
The brand in three words:
Striking, fluid, timeless
