Kerri Watson, the founder of Vancouver’s Maison de Camille, has been on a long creative journey that’s seen her organically grow into a jewelry designer. Starting with the single creative act of designing her wedding rings to be custom-made by a local goldsmith 37 years ago, it planted a seed that would blossom decades later thanks to the COVID lockdowns.
In our conversation, Kerri shares her deeply personal approach to design, her belief in jewelry as a vessel for memory, and the joy of re-imagining cherished heirlooms. We also get a look at her glamorous new collection of cocktail rings and find out how a key collaboration with stylist Annika Caplan took her Vancouver-based designs to exclusive fashion circles in New York and Paris.
“Creating jewelry that is meaningful, personal and designed to be treasured across generations is literally a dream job!”
Part 1: The Foundation & The Founder
LuxuryBC: I’d love to start at the very beginning. I was fascinated to learn that you designed your own wedding rings 37 years ago. Could you tell me the story behind these pieces and what sparked your passion for jewelry design so early on?
Kerri Watson: Designing my own wedding rings all those years ago was really the beginning of my love affair with fine jewelry. While looking at rings, I noticed that most of my friends had chosen similar styles. I wanted something different and striking, yet still classic and enduring. Working with a skilled goldsmith to bring that vision to life revealed how deeply personal jewelry can be. It tells a story, marks a moment, and becomes part of one’s identity. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that creative collaboration planted the seed for what would later become my own jewelry journey. Even though I have the perfect opportunity to recreate my wedding rings, they’ve stood the test of time, and I still love them every day.
“Our long relationship is built on trust, shared standards, and a deep respect for quality… That continuity gives my collections individuality and authenticity.”
The fact that you still work with the very same goldsmith who crafted these rings is incredible. How does that long relationship and shared history contribute to the quality and the soul of Maison de Camille today?
Kerri: When I started my jewelry design business five years ago, there was no question about who I would turn to for craftsmanship, as I’d continued to have the same goldsmith create my own designs over the years. Our long relationship is built on trust, shared standards, and a deep respect for quality. We understand each other’s approach, which exemplifies precision, integrity, and attention to detail. That continuity gives my collections individuality and authenticity that clients recognize and appreciate.
How does your background as an interior designer (working with space, texture, and aesthetics on a large scale, etc) influence how you approach the intricate details of creating jewelry?
Kerri: Good design principles transcend scale. Whether shaping a room or refining a ring, the fundamentals remain the same: balance, harmony, rhythm, proportion, emphasis, and unity. My background as an interior designer trained my eye to see form and detail interact to create beauty and coherence. In jewelry, I apply those same principles on a more intimate scale, where every curve, angle and texture must feel intentional. It’s a shift from the architecture of a room to the architecture of metal and gems, but the pursuit of timeless, balanced design remains unchanged.
Part 2: The Spark & The Craft
“It’s a shift from the architecture of a room to the architecture of metal and gems, but the pursuit of timeless, balanced design remains unchanged.”
You have a great origin story. Can you share more about that moment during the pandemic when you decided to launch a business and make jewelry “instead of sourdough bread”? What was the final push that turned this passion into a profession?
Kerri: During the early months of the pandemic, like so many, I found myself reassessing how I wanted to spend my time. While baking sourdough bread was an option, I was drawn to something I had loved for decades: designing jewelry. To extend and complement my design knowledge, as soon as things opened up, I took a silversmithing course and quickly fell in love with the ancient craft of hammering, heating and forging metal into something beautiful. The final push to turn this passion into a profession came from realizing that I could combine this hands-on craftsmanship with my design vision, creating pieces that are both meaningful and meticulously made. With a trusted goldsmith by my side, it felt natural to bring artistry, individuality and enduring beauty into people’s lives at a moment when connection and meaning felt especially important.
From silversmithing your own prototypes to working closely with your local goldsmith in West Vancouver, how hands-on are you in the journey of each piece, from a simple idea to a finished creation?
Kerri: I am completely hands-on throughout the entire journey of every piece, from silversmithing my own prototypes to collaborating closely with my goldsmith. Most of my clients are young people purchasing engagement rings, often the most important piece of jewelry they’ll ever buy. Every detail has to be perfect. I begin by meeting each client where they are knowledge-wise, interpreting their vision, and providing as much information as possible about materials and the process to “pull back the curtain” and make them part of the creative journey. All of this is done while respecting their budget, yet striving to achieve everything they dream of. Beyond the technical and aesthetic aspects, I am deeply aware that each piece carries emotional significance and is a lasting symbol of love, commitment and memory. Because of this, I approach every creation with that same sense of care and responsibility.
“Its power lies in its ability to connect us to what matters most, transforming metal and stone into objects that carry memory and delight simultaneously.”
What is it about jewelry, specifically, that you love? What power or emotions does it hold for the person who wears it?
Kerri: What I love most about jewelry is its intimacy and permanence. Fine jewelry is the most personal and lasting item we wear on our bodies. It holds stories, emotions and meaning in a way nothing else can. A wedding band can be a vow, a pendant can be an amulet for courage and an heirloom can be reimagined to carry new life and significance. Jewelry marks milestones, celebrates special days and serves as a daily reminder of family, children or deeply cherished moments. Its power lies in its ability to connect us to what matters most, transforming metal and stone into objects that carry memory and delight simultaneously.
Part 3: Memories & Heirlooms
“The ability to honour memories, tell personal stories and transform precious materials into jewelry that is both profoundly personal and beautifully realized is a daily pleasure.”
So much of jewelry is about marking special moments. Could you share a favourite memory of a client’s reaction to a piece, or the story behind a custom creation that was particularly meaningful to you?
Kerri: Some of my most cherished memories as a jeweller come from re-imagining existing pieces and helping clients breathe new life into their jewelry. One client brought me her 35-year-old wedding rings, worn alongside an eternity band and her mother’s wedding band.
She wanted to increase the size of the centre diamond, re-use all the diamonds and modernize the setting, all while preserving the feeling of the original pieces. It required hours of thoughtful design and re-design, careful consultations, and meticulous craftsmanship with my goldsmith. Presenting the finished ring to her was one of the most rewarding days of my jewelry career.
Another client entrusted me with a collection of old jewelry from her parents, and grandparents. She envisioned asymmetrical earrings inspired by the moon and stars, a symbol intimately tied to her mother. We repurposed all of her gold and diamonds to create a modern set of earrings that helps her connect with her mom every day.
These experiences are why I love this work. The ability to honour memories, tell personal stories and transform precious materials into jewelry that is both profoundly personal and beautifully realized is a daily pleasure.
Looking back at all the pieces you’ve designed, is there one that you are most proud of? Perhaps a design that was a creative breakthrough or features materials you especially love working with? Or with extra sentimental value?
Kerri: Every piece I design holds its own significance but the most sentimental has been my daughter-in-law’s wedding set. As a mother, it was deeply emotional to work closely with my son, helping him interpret her wishes and transform them into spectacular rings that reflect her style and story. Being entrusted to play a part in such a personal and meaningful moment, while creating lifetime pieces, was an immense honour. I love that I get to blend artistry with lasting beauty.
When someone puts on a piece of your jewelry for the first time, what do you hope they feel?
Kerri: When someone puts on a piece of my jewelry for the first time, I hope they feel as moved and thrilled as I am. I get just as excited as my clients do when delivering a piece. Every design carries my heart and attention to detail so my greatest hope is that it resonates emotionally, sparks joy, and becomes a cherished part of their story.
Part 4: Momentum & The Future
Let’s talk about your latest collection of stunning cocktail rings and the prohibition-era photoshoot. What was the specific inspiration behind this collection and its unique aesthetic?
Kerri: The latest collection of cocktail rings was inspired by current fashion trends, with bold colours and oversized shapes leading the design. I wanted each piece to make a strong statement while remaining wearable, with carefully considered proportions, textures and coloured gemstone choices.
I featured them in a Prohibition-era photoshoot by photographer Michelle Molinga to provide the mood and cinematic backdrop, capturing the glamour, intrigue and refined elegance of the period. The combination of modern, fashion-forward design with a dramatic, over-the-top aesthetic highlights how jewelry can embody personality, style and a story all at once.
Your collaboration with style consultant Annika Caplan, who recently took your collection to New York and Paris Fashion Week, is a major milestone. What does having your designs showcased on that global stage mean for a Vancouver-based brand like Maison de Camille?
Kerri: Having my designs showcased on a global stage through my collaboration with personal stylist, Annika Caplan, has been incredibly meaningful for my small, Vancouver-based brand. While Maison de Camille pieces weren’t walking the runway, Annika (also Vancouver-based) graciously wore them herself, shared my brand with her colleagues, and included my work in her Fall 2025 Look Book. This exposure allows my designs to reach a broader, international audience while remaining true to the personal, handcrafted quality that defines my brand. It’s a milestone that underscores the universal appeal of thoughtful, well-crafted jewelry and reinforces my commitment to creating pieces that resonate with both emotion and style.
Looking ahead, what plans do you have for Maison de Camille?
Kerri: Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand my collections in ways that celebrate connection and personal expression. One line that I’m particularly excited about is a children’s line, inspired by my two little nephews. The collection will include ID bracelets, signet rings and mini dog tags for boys and necklaces, rings and ID bracelets for girls. Each piece is modelled after a full-sized version, allowing children to coordinate with their parents while maintaining the same thoughtful design and craftsmanship that defines my brand. Creating jewelry that is meaningful, personal and designed to be treasured across generations is literally a dream job!
Thanks so much for sharing your designs and story, can’t wait to see what you come up with next! For info and inquiries, please visit Kerri at maisondecamille.com and follow her on Instagram at @by_maison_de_camille.
