2011
In the beginning it was just jewellery, which is definitely a good start to any story. I began making jewellery to sell in a boutique on Portobello Road where I was working at the time. I could see that customers were wanting dainty, modern designs with a playful, whimsical twist and it was hard to find this at the time, especially at an affordable price, so I started making them myself. These were super simple designs which I could make easily as I had no training in jewellery-making, and were made from gold vermeil / sterling silver materials which offer a higher quality option to plated jewellery, yet still being more affordable than solid gold and silver.
2012 - 2017
The designs proved popular and I quickly launched an online shop selling my designs under my name, Lily King. I was free to explore the world of design and creativity whilst still being able to work a day job. I was supplying the jewellery to many independent shops and boutiques across the UK and Europe, bloggers / influencers were picking up on the pieces and I started to get some great press features.
2017
I launched a new Lily King online shop - incorporating my jewellery designs alongside an exciting curated collection of gifts and lifestyle products, handpicked from the best independent brands from the UK & beyond.
2018
I decided the time was right to ditch the day job and I found the perfect bricks and mortar shop which would give me a great high street location, as well as a space to run all online operations from. This shop is still my base today in the heart of Willesden Green, North West London where i'm born & bred - it's lovely having my own shop on the local high street where i've grown up!
2023
This year I decided to expand the business further by creating the Heliotique brand which will be concentrating on the gifts / lifestyle side of the business. The Lily King brand will return to being solely jewellery focused and will expand as a sister brand to Heliotique. I am super excited about the changes & growth of both businesses and I will keep you posted when we have finished tinkering with the new Lily King website!
Lily x