Chyna-Lily Tjauw Rawlinson, the Creative Behind Chills Jewellery

I am sure you’ve seen delicate teardrop-shaped earrings, chunky star rings and spiderweb pendants popping up on your feed. These signature styles by Chills Jewellery adorn many of the fashion enthusiasts in Aotearoa. In November 2024 Chyna Lily Tjauw Rawlinson teamed up with Caitlin Snell on “The Maiden” – an intimate fashion show at Studio One Toi Tu where models walked slowly to the melody of a harp. It was as special as it sounds.

I had the pleasure of having a chat with Chyna-Lily about her introduction to jewellery-making, what inspires her practice today and the recent fashion show.

From left to right: Caitlin Snell and Chyna-Lily Tjauw Rawlinson. Photo by Abigail Dellavo.

Who is Chyna-Lily? 

I am a multidisciplinary artist and independent jeweller from Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Could you tell us more about the name? Why Chills? 

Chills came from my mum’s nickname for me Chily, the associations of the word are fun to play with… give you chills, chill out.

You are a fourth-generation jeweller. Have you always known that you wanted to follow in your family’s footsteps? 

I am grateful to be learning the family trade while my dad and grandad are still practising - using techniques that they have used for decades is pretty special to me. I wasn’t expected to pick it up, but after studying it became a natural progression.

Would you say your designs are similar in style or influenced by what your dad and granddad produce?

We all have our own independent styles. My grandad is more inspired by art nouveau - intricate flora & fauna and my dad typically creates with pounamu, New Zealand coins, old typewriter keys. While my pieces are quite minimal and often resemble nostalgic symbols, rich in history like stars and flowers.

Do you have interesting stories from spending time in the workshop as a kid? 

One moment that comes to mind is when my dad made a custom piece for Kathleen from HI-5. I was seven at the time and she was my favourite - If I remember correctly, it was a Koro Bangle.

What guides your design process? What are the fundamental ideas behind Chills? 

I value feedback from my mum & grandmother throughout my design process. My staples are often inspired by everyday wearability and what I’d been searching for, timeless pieces, minimal earrings with movement and solid organic rings. I’m drawn to organic shapes like stars, sparkles, shells and floral motifs.

Do you have a favourite piece you’ve worked on? Maybe a very special custom order? 

Earlier this year I had a hand in making and designing my sister’s engagement ring, which is an experience I’ll always cherish. I’ve also loved making more unconventional pieces lately, particularly a few waist chains that were fun to style for Caitlin Snell’s recent show ‘The Maiden’.

What has been your experience managing a small business? Are people investing in jewellery in the current climate? 

It was daunting to begin with. I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve been lucky enough to pick up pointers from friends. With a few early supporters and building my community, I’m proud of what Chills has achieved in its first few years. I created the Instagram account to archive my progress in making and it continues to be the best way for me to communicate my craft and form the brand identity.

I would say people are still interested in jewellery. I think those who have sentimental collections often recognise the value in handcrafted pieces.

 What has been the highlight of your career as a jewellery designer so far?

Last year, as well as making, I spent a lot of time photographing my own editorials to promote new pieces and create a clear brand identity. This year I delegated that task to a lot of my photographer friends. As an excuse to work with my friends, I would always suggest they style my jewellery with pieces crafted by other local makers. This way I’m not only supporting a wider range of photographers, models and stylists but more creators too. 

How do you want people to feel while wearing your pieces?

My pieces are designed to last a lifetime, with the value of materials only increasing with time. Your jewels should be worn, cherished and eventually passed on. I would encourage clients to wear what feels comfortable; jewellery is just another form of self-expression. 

If you had to pick one piece from your own collection that makes you sentimental, what would it be?

I would say it’s this ring I’m wearing now, which is a tiny gold spiral on a thin band that my granddad made for me. My mum had the same ring that my dad made for her over twenty years ago, which I used to wear all the time. When she claimed it back, my grandad kindly made me another one.

Have you and Caitlin known each other for a while? How did the idea of a fashion show come up? 

Caitlin and I met during our undergraduate studies, where she studied fashion and I studied fine arts. Once I moved back to Tāmaki Makaurau, we reconnected and began talking about how we wanted our work to grow. I’m incredibly grateful to Caitlin for her authentic advice on establishing a small business. Last year’s bow collection was our first collaboration, which stemmed from us wanting fresh content and an excuse to work together. The fashion show was a goal she’d been theorising for a few years. She mentioned it a while ago to me and I expressed my interest in helping her. Earlier this year we made it official. We managed to complete everything in time and had fun in the process thanks to all the generous sponsors as well as Lola Elle Bellehamy-Hill for their time and PR expertise. 

 Would you say there are parallels between Chills and Caitlin Snell? 

I’m sure there are similarities between our audiences and shared interest in accessibility, from organising events to which stockists each of us align with. But I think what is clear is that our clients are mindful of their consumption. We create for those who understand the value in handmade pieces. Caitlin’s accessory range and Chills jewellery are made using locally sourced materials to be worn and cherished for many years.

 What are your plans for the near future? Any collaborations we can look forward to?

Apart from a few small pop-ups, I don’t have any big collaborations coming up. Over the summer the commissions will close until all the workshops reopen in mid-January, so until then I’ll be finishing off orders for the gifting season and planning what to make next.

Interview: Yana Kulishenko
Imagery: cover photo by Felix Jackson, all other photography by Abigail Dellavo