Penchant?
It’s a French word, pronounced ‘ponshon’ (the French are like that), and is defined as:´a definite liking, a strong inclination...´
This is exactly what we hope for from our customers - a definite liking, and a strong inclination towards Penchant Design jewellery.
Our Brand
Since Penchant started, we’ve spent considerable time and effort sourcing reliable suppliers for raw materials and top-quality findings. We use natural materials, from South Sea, Akoya and freshwater pearls, remarkable gemstones, gold and sterling silver. Penchant Design is really big on quality and creating a signature style, so we put a lot of energy into finding raw materials that fulfill these requirements.We’ve divided our range into three vague collections:
Daisy - primarily our gift range, petite designs for daily wear (from R250)
Arum - signature pieces at competitive prices - everyday wear but bolder and distinctive.
Orchid - once-off designs according to special gemstones that we lay our hands on. Exclusive pieces
The website showcases designs across this spectrum.
The TEAM: roles and idiosyncrasies…
Cathy Clayton:Founder, director, design and manufacture, buyer, strategy, marketing, quality fanatic, BSc. Med (Hons), nurse and midwife, captivated by all things fine and feminine, vegetarian, chocoholic, a bit blonde.
Vivien Botha:
Director, brand manager, photographer, dtp, copywriter, handyman, Dip. Graphic Design, voice of reason, Penchant motivational speaker, driver, furniture designer, artist, clock enthusiast, giant globe maker.
Penny Marriott:
International business manager, marketing, sales, publicity, distribution co-ordinator, BSc. Consumer Science, fashion devotee, jet-setter, vegetarian, cheese addict. Styling entrepreneur: have a glance at www.definitelythose.co.za
Maria Farmer:
Studio manager, design and manufacture, shop sales, pricing policewoman, gemstone and colour boffin, workaholic.
Claudia Keating:
Part-time shop manager, unflappable and methodical saleslady, exquisite sartorial taste, Bijoux Square comedienne.
Philip Beeslaar:
McGuyver Goldsmith! Irrespressably optimistic and willing to try almost anything.
Penchant People
The Penchant person is an elegant and independent woman who is looking for signature accessories, but not high fashion trinkets and certainly not loud and garish pieces. We have spent considerable time studying our customer - and we now have a non-exhaustive tongue-in-cheek list which endeavours to capture the essence of the woman who wears Penchant jewellery.We would describe them as follows: Penchant People are...
… are very, very nice
• find joy in a wide variety of beauty
• have very good taste (obviously)
• are enchanting
• avoid plastic where possible
• dress really well
• can’t decide what to wear
• accept horrible gifts graciously
• wear sunscreen
• enjoy gentle exercise and are kind to their knees
• have intentions of drinking 8 glasses of water per day
• meet for cappuchinos and share grand ideas
• read the label with interest
• are kind to animals
• have excellent table manners
• know where timbuktu is (!)
• go on adventures
• love pandas and dolphins and puppies and lattés
• are very well spoken
• watch art movies
• dance
• read interesting books
• think and have opinions
• enthuse about national geographic productions & go on safaris
• buy beautiful paintings
• order dessert
• stop and smell the roses
• laugh often and much
• are patient and tolerant and content and determined and strong
• are tactful
• enjoy entertaining and use the good cutlery
• are generous and support worthy causes
• watch TV news and voice objections to the newsreader
• grow old gracefully and colourfully.
These are the people who love our jewellery - Penchant People.
The world needs a lot more Penchant People!
