Who started it? French-born jewellery designer Aurelie Bidermann received a master's degree in art history in France, before relocating to New York, where she worked at auction house Sotheby's. In 1999, she returned to France to pursue her first love, jewellery, by enrolling at a gemology school in Anvers and later at BJO in Paris. In 2003, she visited India and was inspired to create a collection based on lucky charms, mixing stones with talismans from around the world.

She launched her jewellery line in Paris in 2003 and her pieces were immediately picked up by hip boutique Colette. Since then, Bidermann has collaborated with brands such as Trussardi and Jason Wu. She designed all the jewellery for the latter's autumn/winter runway collection, with the pieces available at boutiques such as Dover Street Market in London, Barneys New York and Net-A-Porter.com. Her designs have been worn by style icons including Kate Moss and Lou Doillon.

Why we love it: Bidermann's work is stylish but always quirky and fun, making it stand out among other 'serious' jewellery brands. Some pieces have an arts-and-craft feel, combining contrasting materials and textures such as a red Kabbalah-style bracelet with a jet-black elephant charm or aquamarine with shells. Her latest line draws on collections at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, as seen in the pendants featuring busts of Greek gods on a 1970s-inspired chain. Look for braided bracelets in gold and silver, while other styles feature strands of coloured cotton or gold threads decorated with fun charms. Rings and pendants are shaped like medieval armour or feature intercoiled snakes, while sculpted cuffs resemble lace or spiderwebs.