Meet our Founder
Relying on ingrained concepts and methods from years of studying and practicing architecture and woodworking, Kathryn designs modern genderless jewelry for discerning collectors drawn to unexpected details. Her approach to jewelry design envisions each piece as a building in miniature, part of a personal landscape constructed by the individual to his or her exacting specifications.
Materiality is an equally important facet of Kathryn’s work, with recycled sterling silver and gold, reclaimed ebony and bone and specially selected gemstones forming the building blocks of her pieces. Her jewelry is atypical in form, minimal in silhouette and informed by a design logic rooted in architectural history.
Origins of “the Younger” – Throughout history this term has been used as a means of distinguishing between and celebrating generations of artists, architects and philosophers (think of the Roman author, Pliny the Younger as compared to his uncle, Pliny the Elder). Yet this moniker has never been granted to generations of women whose achievements have gone largely unrecorded. Kathryn’s use of the Younger is at once an homage to her father who preceded her as an architect and a revival of the terminology which is inherently non-gendered.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Central Saint Martins – MA Design (Jewelry) 2019
Project Title: Proximity – A jewelry collection which references architectural language and methods from furniture making to create precious wearable artifacts. Pieces are designed to be worn individually or in combination, nesting within their own modular containers when not in use, thus creating architectural environments which invite the user to construct personal landscapes.
City Lit London – Jewelry making 2018
The Clay Studio – Wheel thrown ceramics 2011-17
Fleisher Art Memorial – Ceramics, screen printing, book making 2003-15
The Pennsylvania State University – BA Architecture 2000
Sede di Roma – Semester in Rome 1998
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
New York City Jewelry Week 2023– Reciprocity 3.0– in support of Peruvian female artisanal gold miners utilizing mercury-free extraction methods
Paz Lifestyle Pop-up – Reciprocity 2.0 2023
New York City Jewelry Week 2022– Reciprocity 1.0
SOLO SHOWS
Dina Wind Art Foundation – Intimate Architecture: Jewelry for Personal Landscapes 2023
Fleisher Art Memorial – Social Activism Through Art: Jewelry Settings 2021
AWARDS + GRANTS
Women’s Jewelry Association – Member Grant 2023
Women’s Jewelry Association – Jewelry Loupe Program 2022
Northeast PA Alliance – Get Connected Program 2021
Marie Zimmermann Legacy Metals Scholarship -Peters Valley School of Craft 2020
PUBLICATIONS
Jewellery World Magazine – Men’s Jewellery- Making a Statement 2023
Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting Trendbook+ 2019
Kommersant Russia 2019
Jewellery Outlook London 2017
Philadelphia Magazine The Wedding Issue 2011 Two page spread of wedding invitation suite
Philadelphia Magazine The Valentine’s Issue 2011
Philadelphia Magazine Holiday Gift Guide 2007
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
Kathryn the Younger founder/designer 2019 – Present
Iron Studio LTD designer/project manager/office manager 2013-16
Kathryn Kelly Workshop designer/owner of stationery brand 2010-17
BDDW Studio apprentice furniture maker 2008-10
Cecil Baker + Partners project architect, project manager 2006-08
Design Philosophy
As the 19th century American polymath, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., once said, “For the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn’t give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have.”
We think it’s apparent when a design is well considered vs. just plain simple and believe that there is great value in an object which has been designed deliberately, with the end user in mind. For this reason, we’re always looking to achieve that simplicity on the far side of complexity, creating timeless essentials for everyday wear.
Ambitions
We strive not just to do no harm but also to support the often fragile and under-compensated communities which mine precious materials from our earth. With a mission to eventually use 100% fair-mined, traceable materials, we as a small company are not there yet. While our pieces are made with recycled sterling silver, and a small selection from mercury-free 14k and 18k gold, we’re looking to improve as we grow. So please join us on that journey, because frankly, it’s an exciting challenge.
