That’s Pure Dead Brilliant

Pure. Dead. Brilliant. Three little words known more widely as the colloquial Scottish phrase but most importantly as the fantastic jewellery brand. It would, after all, be absurd to describe the collection in any other way.

The fashion rules of ‘Pure Dead Brilliant’ are simple.

Take a precious metal, add some inspiration from your worldwide travels and voila, culminating in a collection that features beautiful silver, gold and brass pieces derived from the designers’
experiences around the globe.

Twenty-five-year-old designer Nora Logan has lived a colourful life. Born in New York, she has lived in Hong Kong, Bali, Paris and London along the way. With a background in fashion styling, Logan worked with Henry Holland after her studies at St Andrews University.

And it was her work in production on the Indonesian island of Bali where her desire for creating her own jewellery collection was born.

Logan conveys her fun side through the choice of brand name and explains to The Journal how it all in fact started off as a bit of a joke. 

“A few years ago my friends from university started using the expression because they thought it was hilarious and it became a sort of on-going joke between us,” she said. 

“Gillian, my business partner, is Scottish so she would be naturally inclined to use the expression.

“We felt it perfectly encapsulated the idea behind the brand and the message we want to get across to people. It’s exactly how we want the customer to feel when wearing our pieces.”

Scotland plays a part in the PDB brand in more ways than one, with Scot born Alexander McQueen featuring amongst their main inspiration. 

Logan added: “I spent three years living in Scotland – the country has definitely had a big influence on me.

“Alexander McQueen was a massive inspiration. As far as jewellery designers go Pamela Love, Vena Cava and
Alexander Wang are the top three.”

Vintage fashion is a constant on the PDB mood board and Logan explained: “Vintage jewellery and clothing are a huge inspiration. The history of fashion also plays a part, having collected pieces from a young age.”

Lending the famous Scottish phrase, PDB is produced at the other side of the world in Bali where she lives.

“Everything is produced in our own workshop in Bali,” she said. “I split my time between New York and Bali. When I’m in New York I liaise with buyers and when I’m in Bali I manage the production.

“I have full control over the quality of the pieces and during production. I’m at the workshop every day to oversee everything.”

The first PDB collection featured gold and silver pieces including rings, necklaces and earrings. PDB use sterling silver, 22ct gold vermeil and brass – ensuring that only the best materials are behind each of their pieces.

The new collection is a progression from the first as PDB have decided to continue on their ‘kind diamonds’ theme and boast a gorgeous Princess Leia-esque headpiece.

And Logan has a solution for the age-old gold/silver dilemma: “I like to mix and match a lot, wearing both gold and silver at the same time. 

“Sometimes silver looks better with certain stones in a design and when you’re accessorising it can look better depending on the vibe you’re going for.

“Generally gold has the reputation for being more bling but I think sometimes wearing both together can balance each other out.”

And what about the five-year plan? 

“In five years, if all goes according to plan, we see PDB with a loyal following of global customers and fans. 

“Our brand will be stocked in boutiques across the continents of the world.”