Gillian donates a portion of profits from certain collections to charities
A NI woman has opened up on running her own jewellery brand while ‘starting conversations on what matters and raising voices’.
Gillian Magee founded ‘Dainty Thrills’ over three years ago. The 29-year-old from Moira, who is also an events co-ordinator full time, has recently launched a new handmade collection that’s about “strength, honesty and doing what matters in our community”.
She said: “This collection is for anyone who believes in guts, glamour, and giving back. I pledge 5% of every Ruby Drop sale to Menstruation Matters Belfast, supporting education and empowering women and girls facing poverty. Your period shouldn’t be a barrier or a topic that feels unaffordable or taboo.
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“If you remember our Diddie Collection, you’ll know I never shy away from the big stuff. Diddie was all about breast cancer: awareness, hope and helping women, especially those terminally ill to navigate the hardest mental and physical battles.
“Ruby Drop picks up the same torch, shining a light where too many stay silent and are afraid to talk about these stigmatised topics, it’s around us everyday so lets talk about IT, put your uncomfy attitude aside…
“This is what Dainty Thrills really is: not just pretty things to wear like a boss, but voices raised. Conversations started. Donations given. Lives touched. Jewellery with a backbone.”
Speaking to Be on when and why she decided to start her own business: Gillian explained: “It was about three and a half years ago, and I launched it after I had finished in London. I was working [doing] social media for an underwear brand, and obviously working for a brand on social media is very difficult because you’re there all hours, so I wanted to make my own platform.
“I talk about important conversations, and a lot of my collections are charity-based as well. I talk about important issues with women, and then I wanted to create something that put my designs in. I was always into fashion, but I wanted something that I could post easily, so that’s why I came up with jewellery.”
When asked if she was nervous to take the leap to create her own brand, the Moira woman said: “I didn’t really think about it too much, I just took the plunge.
“I’m kind of an impulsive person. I just thought, ‘well I’ve nothing to lose here’.”
The 29-year-old also told how her brand is “about stories”. Gillian said: “I’ve done custom designs for a few people. There’s a girl [wanted] a signet ring and she had this drawing that her little girl drew, it wasn’t a perfect drawing, but she wanted it on a ring. It has that sentimental value to it, you know, every jewellery piece sort of tells a story.
And on the new Ruby Drop collection which is now available, Gillian said: “5% going to Menstruation Matters. I only launched it last Sunday. I’ve sold a few of the pieces. [Menstruation Matters] have been really good in supporting that and they’re such a good charity. It’s local as well, so it’s very close to my heart.”
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