Kiki McDonough: A Life of Colour - (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This title looks back upon and celebrates 40 years of Kiki's business, her life, and her remarkable story. From her very first concession in a friend's jewellery stand in 1985, to building her brand into the global success that it is today, Kiki's story is as colourful and joyful as her jewellery.

"The eternal challenge for a designer is to make pieces which are relevant and modern as well as timeless ... The fact that Kiki McDonough has achieved this in countless collections over forty years is nothing short of a triumph" - Carol Woolton, jewellery historian and British Vogue Jewellery Editor

On the eve of her jewellery business's 40th anniversary, Kiki McDonough opens the vault to share the remarkable journey behind one of Britain's most beloved jewellery designers. What began in 1985 with a single concession in a friend's store has since blossomed into a globally celebrated brand, known for its vibrant use of coloured gemstones, timeless elegance, and deep connection with the women who wear it.

With over 200 stunning photographs, this beautifully curated book is both a visual feast and an inspiring portrait of a female-founded and female-led company that changed the face of modern jewellery. From the delicate shimmer of amethysts to the radiant sparkle of citrines and peridots, Kiki's signature pieces have graced the ears and necks of style icons across generations - including HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Diana.

Through rich imagery and candid storytelling, Kiki reflects on four decades of creativity, determination, and evolution. She takes us behind the scenes of her design process, shares memories from the early, chaotic days of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and explores how her work continues to resonate with modern women around the world. Her mission has always been simple yet revolutionary: jewellery should be bought by women, for women, pieces that speak to their style, their confidence, their joy. More than a retrospective, it's a celebration of a legacy still in the making - a story as colourful and joyful as Kiki's exquisite jewellery.

Review Quotes

"Of course, Kiki is more than just a jeweller to royals, my son has a pair of exquisite enamel and gold cufflinks that were given to him by his godmother. She is also a brilliant businesswoman - who inspires new generations of jewellers every day."-- "Daily Mail"

"With no signs of slowing down, Kiki designs for real women and is as relevant today as she ever was."-- "Country Life"

"...she has set them down in a memoir, A Life of Colour, which will be published to coincide with the exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery."-- "Luxx Magazine"

About the Author

Kiki McDonough is a fifth-generation jeweler and leading female British designer, whose eponymous fine jewelry brand is renowned for showcasing vibrant gemstones in timeless and wearable designs. Her jewelry is on show at the V&A, has been auctioned by Bonhams, and is frequently worn by members of the British royal family. Kiki's brand started as a concession in a friend's antique jewelry shop in 1985 when he asked her if she would design some modern jewelry, the result of which (a pair of heart crystal earrings with a diamond bow on top) are now in the modern jewelry collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Kiki has designed jewelry ever since, and the brand has grown significantly over the past forty years. Much admired, and with a rightful place on the global luxury stage, Kiki McDonough is known for creating vibrant, colorful, fine jewelry that appeals to the stylish modern woman.