“We wanted to step away from the frantic dash for newness that surrounded us, and be renowned for creating a discreet and simple beauty for the everyday that holds its relevance and style.”
~ Co-founder and creative director, Christie Wollenberg

This series is a dedication to the things that are most important to us. To the heirlooms (and memories they hold) that we wear on repeat; that we’ll cherish forever; that become part of us.

In homage to the fine jewellery designers whose pieces bring us so much joy, we’re taking a closer look at their lives through an intimate lens, gaining a sentimental snapshot of their personal stories and what’s most important to them.

Sister duo, Rosanna and Christie Wollenberg transform daily mundanities into beautiful moments by way of their timeless heirlooms to be passed down for generations to come. In celebration of our enduring love for their namesake family-run label - which leaves lasting impact on jewellery boxes worldwide - we wanted to learn more about the things that are of significance to each of them.  

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What was your route into design and how did you begin the brand?
Christie: When we first created Otiumberg, we were living together in London. I was working in luxury fashion at Burberry and Rosanna in the arts - both creative, demanding roles. Creative expression has always been our way of seeing the world and this gave us an outlet for that. We had multiple piercings and wanted to invest in pieces we could live in from season to season, but we couldn’t find the quality or aesthetic we were after. Everything was either high street or very expensive fine jewellery, there was no in-between. 

It’s really a personal desire and idea that led us to this journey that our peers responded to. We started designing pieces for ourselves, then our friends, and soon the brand evolved organically. We began with huggies and the collection has since evolved across categories. Our pieces are created to be seasonless, with a focus on uncompromising quality, craftsmanship and impeccable details. A timeless perspective and simplistic shapes complement, rather than dominate, our customer’s personal style. 

Who or what inspires you? What drives your creativity?
Christie: When I design our pieces, I’m inspired by the world around me. The tubular elements of 1970s architecture inspired our recent Chaos collection, for example. But ultimately I design what we, our friends, family and community want to wear, and this drives my creativity. 

Rosanna: Both Christie and I have both lived abroad for long periods of time - from the Middle East and Buenos Aires, to Barcelona and New York. I think these periods really informed our perspective and built our confidence to go at it alone. Travel is definitely the way we discover new inspirations from culture to art and architecture. I recently spent a few weeks in Japan which was so inspiring. 

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Christie: I always knew I wanted to start my own business (like our dad) which allowed me to be creative but also use my business acumen. I found the business of fashion very appealing and went in-house at Burberry as soon as I left university. From there I worked at Louis Vuitton which taught me a lot about how to build a luxury brand.

Rosanna: I’ve always been drawn to the creative industries, working in multiple roles across arts and branding. Quickly it became evident that creating my own brand would be an exciting and challenging way to harness these skills for my own self-expression and ideas.

One thing you can’t live without?
Christie: Aside from my bath, my ear cuff. If I'm running around after the kids and have no time to attempt to look chic, I put an ear cuff on and feel good. It’s a subtle statement piece!

Rosanna: Meditation. It’s a new habit I've adopted this year, and it really is as amazing as everyone says.

What piece of clothing/accessory/jewellery makes you feel most like yourself?
Christie: My Otiumberg name bracelets - I have three kids and I made them when I first became a mother. These have now become our most popular pieces and I never take mine off. I would always recommend the solid gold ones as they can be handed down to the next generation. 

Rosanna: It’s in our jewellery that we feel the most ourselves. I’ve worn our signature Locked Necklace since the day it launched and I don’t feel right without it on. 

What is your greatest piece of treasure?
Christie: A piece of art by the artist Joshua Perkin which gives me total joy and is very much a piece of treasure to me.

Rosanna: My grandmother's gold ring - that is probably the most important thing I own and love. I miss her a lot. 

Which piece of jewellery do you wear the most?
Christie: My solid gold stacking rings which I never take off. A lot of customers are now buying these as proposal rings, but I wear them daily on almost every finger. 

Rosanna: I wear cuffs a lot as they are easy to slip on in the morning, yet still give a really elevated and impactful look.

Favourite book?
Christie: I have many, but I recently read The Great Alone and loved it!

Rosanna: This year I’ve treasured reading Patagonia’s Let My People Go Surfing. It’s really inspiring and has helped us with our own responsibility measures.

Favourite film?
Christie: I love The Untouchables - this film gives me total joy and always does so everytime I watch it. Sad, funny and genius!

Rosanna: I really love anything that A24 put out there. They are imaginative, challenging and so engaging.

Which three albums would you take on a desert island?
Christie: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. I listened to both albums relentlessly growing up and they’re very nostalgic for me. And, not an album, but my husband's Discover Weekly on Spotify (if that’s allowed!) he’s always keeping me updated on new music.

Rosanna: Khruangbin would be lovely and relaxing to listen to. Raquel Martins as she played at our wedding and has such a great Brazilian inspired jazz vibe. Then Eryka Badhu - she needs no explanation!

If you could live in any era, what would it be?
Both: We’re happy to be living in the current era where women are in a position to be able to achieve their dreams.

Do you have any hobbies?
Christie: I do pottery and also love researching emerging contemporary artists. I can lose hours to interior design accounts on Instagram having recently done up my house. It’s a never-ending project.

Rosanna: Personally, I love my analogue camera and collect contemporary photography. It gives me a lot of joy. 

Where's your favourite place in the world?
Christie: Menorca - I spent a lot of time there growing up, got married, and found out I was having baby number three there! We’ve had a family house there since we were kids so it’s a place where I can really relax, and spend time with my family and friends. 

Rosanna: Ditto! I just got married there this year and it’s our second home and happy place.

What makes you laugh?
Christie: My crazy children, Raff, Marni and Leo Rei.

Rosanna: Christie’s crazy kids!

What makes you cry?
Christie: Sad films - I get very emotionally involved and very often cry for hours after it ends. I even cried in Everything Everywhere All at Once which is essentially a sci-fi movie!

Rosanna: Gosh, I cry all the time. Happy and sad. Music really sets me off emotionally. 

Do you have any phobias?
Christie: Not that I know of!

Rosanna: Crocodiles (however this tends to not be too much of an issue living in London!).

If you could ask anyone a question, who would you ask, and what would you ask?
Christie: I'd ask Louis Theroux to tell me about the most interesting interview or person he has ever met and what he really thought of them.

Rosanna: We never met our grandad on my father’s side. I’d love to sit down and ask him about his life. 

What do you need more time for?
Christie: My kids and myself!

Rosanna: Friends. You can never really have enough. 

An event you wish you'd witnessed?
Christie: Woodstock.

Rosanna: My grandparents' wedding. They both lived in Kenya at the time and it would be so amazing to see their love, what they danced to and the friends they celebrated with. 

What's your idea of happiness?
Christie: A sense of balance and calm.

Rosanna: Feeling content within my skin and a strong sense of love from my close relationships.

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Interview by Sophy Davis Russell

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