Published by Annoushka Ducas
Jeweller Annoushka Ducas MBE has been collecting charms for as long as she can remember, here she explores their unique ability to evoke memory and meaning with seven inspiring women, as they reveal their Life In Seven Charms
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 1 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes her dear friend Chrissy Rucker OBE for a moving conversation about beauty, resilience and the small symbols that carry us through life. From a childhood anchored by her beloved Jack Russell, Fleur, to a lucky diamond-set horseshoe and a deeply personal cross charm inspired by her mother’s birthstone, Chrissy reflects on love, family ritual, and the courage it takes to keep striving — even when life feels uncertain. Throughout the episode, key moments from Chrissy’s life are translated into symbolic charm designs. Stay tuned to the end to discover which charm Chrissie chooses to create in 18ct gold, and follow @annoushkajewellery on Instagram for the exclusive reveal of the finished charm, coming soon. Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram - @annoushkajewellery
48 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Thomasina “Tommi” Miers, chef, restaurateur and co-founder of Wahaca. Known for bringing the vibrancy of Mexican food and culture to the UK, Tommi’s work blend creativity, sustainability and activism in equal measure. From food to family, her story is driven by a belief that what we eat and where it comes from, has the power to change the world. Along the way, these defining moments inspire a series of symbolic charm designs. Watch to discover which miniature jewel Tommi chooses to create in 18ct gold and follow us on Instagram for the exclusive reveal of the finished charm, coming soon. Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Join us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
1 hr 2 min
Quite literally changing the way we see the world! In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Marine Tanguy - French entrepreneur, art advocate and founder of MT Art Agency. Through her work, Marine has reshaped how artists are supported and how creativity lives beyond gallery walls. At the heart of her vision is a belief that the images we surround ourselves with shape how we feel, about beauty, confidence and wellbeing. From creativity and entrepreneurship to motherhood and authenticity, Marine’s reflections inspire a series of thoughtful and symbolic charm designs. Stay tuned to discover which charm she chooses to create in 18ct gold and follow us on Instagram for the exclusive reveal of the finished charm, coming soon. Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
56 min
A life rooted in beauty, nature and resilience. In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Willow Crossley - florist, author and creative force. From a nature-filled childhood in Wales to a career rooted in creativity, Willow’s world is one of warmth, honesty and finding beauty even when life isn’t effortless. Alongside flowers and books, she shares the realities of building a business, motherhood and making it all work at once. From treasured childhood memories to pivotal creative turning points, each moment inspires a beautifully symbolic charm design. Stay tuned to the end to discover which charm Willow chooses to create in 18ct gold and follow us on Instagram for the exclusive reveal of the finished charm, coming soon. Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram — @annoushkajewellery
1 hr 3 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Jamie Genevieve - makeup artist, entrepreneur and founder of Vieve. Known for making people feel confident and creative, she has built a global beauty community through warmth, humour and artistry. From a Glasgow beauty counter to launching her brand from her kitchen table, Jamie has redefined makeup as a way of showing up and not hiding. As always, each anecdote is captured in a beautiful charm and Jamie’s personal story inspired a series of deeply meaningful designs, stay tuned to see which charm she chooses to create in 18ct gold and follow us on Instagram for the exclusive reveal of the finished charm, coming soon. Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
59 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes trailblazing jockey Rachael Blackmore: a force of nature on and off the racecourse. With a career defined by grit, humility and quiet determination, Rachael has rewritten what’s possible in one of the toughest sporting arenas in the world. From historic wins to inspiring a new generation, her story is one of resilience, focus and belief. From career-defining victories to the quieter moments that matter most, Rachael’s story inspires a series of deeply personal charm designs. Watch to see which miniature jewel she chooses to create in 18ct gold and follow us on Instagram for the exclusive reveal of the finished charm, coming soon... Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
58 min
Tassels at the ready! In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Dita Von Teese: the queen of burlesque, style icon and modern muse of vintage glamour. Once described as Snow White gone bad, she’s known the world over for her showstopping 1940s style, signature scarlet lip and the art of undress performed like no one else. She’s turned tease into an art form, lingerie into power and vintage glamour into a lifestyle. From reflecting on her journey from quiet childhood in small-town Michigan to becoming a world-famous performer, Dita shares how imagination, discipline and self-expression shaped her career. Throughout the episode, key moments from Dita’s life are translated into symbolic charm designs inspired by her lifelong devotion to performance, costume, and the art of self-creation . By the end, you’ll discover which miniature jewel she chooses to create in 18ct gold - follow @annoushkajewellery on Instagram for the exclusive reveal of the finished charm, coming soon... Discover more about the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
45 min
Royalty, rockstars, Hollywood legends and more than a few secrets that never made it to the papers... Claridge’s has seen it all. In honour of our Claridges x Life in Charms collaboration, Annoushka sits down with Claridge’s archivist, Kate Hudson, to explore the icons behind each exquisite charm in the collection, reveal some of the hotel’s most unforgettable stories and learn more about those extra special touches that make Claridges, well, Claridges! From Winston Churchill taking up residence in the penthouse post-war to the lavish parties that drunk the hotel dry of champagne (!) and the best concierge team in the business - every detail becomes a story, and every story becomes a charm. Stay tuned to explore each 18ct gold charm in the Claridge’s x Life in Charms collection, exclusively available at Clardige’s. A closer look at the collection: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/claridges-icons-captured-in-gold.html Listen to more from Life in Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
43 min
What do fresh fish , the Links of London Sweetie Bracelet, The Beatles’ “ Yellow Submarine” and our latest collection all have in common? Tune in to find out... In this special episode of Life in Charms, it's Annoushka's turn on the sofa! Together, with host Susie Lau, they delve into the unlikely beginnings of a career in jewellery that went on to span 35 years, alongside her most cherished memories all captured in 18ct gold, with a few twists and turns along the way - tune in to hear the stories that inspired Annoushka’s very own Life in Charms ! Their conversation reveals the stories behind her seven charms, from her mother’s fish business which kickstarted a career no-one saw coming, to a ‘sex on legs’ charm with a seriously tongue and cheek backstory. Along the way, she reflects on launching Links of London and her eponymous brand, concluding on a particularly special full-circle moment. A unique look into how playfulness and personal storytelling remain at the heart of everything she designs. Discover the Life in Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery Life in Charms - Annoushka UK
45 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes publishing powerhouse and Google executive, Vanessa Kingori. From her early childhood in St. Kitts to becoming the first woman and first person of colour to lead British Vogue commercially, Vanessa’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and fearless ambition. Their conversation covers everything from family roots and first ventures to leading through change—at Condé Nast, and now at Google, where she’s helping shape the future of creativity through technology. As always, each milestone is captured in a beautifully crafted charm. Tune in to see which piece Vanessa chooses to bring to life in 18ct gold—and how a humble childhood tin can still reflects the future she’s building today. Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
45 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Clare Smyth, the trailblazing chef who made history as the first female to hold three Michelin stars and three hats from the Good Food Guide, simultaneously. Her story begins on a family farm in Northern Ireland, where she grew up during the Troubles, and as the conversation unfolds, she reflects on pivotal moments in her career - including the time a chef dismissed her potential purely because of her gender. Rather than discourage her, it sparked a fierce determination to prove herself. Each treasured milestone, as well as all the trials and tribulations along the way, inspires a beautiful bespoke charm design - stay tuned to the end to find out which charm she loves the most and watch to see us bring her chosen jewel to life! Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram - @annoushkajewellery
46 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka sits down with the incredibly talented Nicola Clarke, London’s renowned hairstylist and colour director, celebrated for her work with icons like Madonna, Kate Moss, and Cate Blanchett. Delving into her journey, from growing up in Essex to what happens when dramatic colour transformations don’t quite go to plan, and the deeply personal conversations that often unfold in the salon chair, they explore her most meaningful milestones and memories and design an exquisite Annoushka charms to represent each one. Watch till the end to find out which charming miniature jewel Nicola chooses to create in 18ct gold and watch to see how we bring her charm to life! Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Join us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
57 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Clare Hornby, founder of ME+EM, a brand that has quickly become of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies by mastering a unique niche of blending modern luxury with intelligent style. From discussing the evolution of her career and the instrumental mentorship that has guided her to navigating life’s more difficult chapters, this episode becomes a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of meaningful connections. Each moving anecdote and significant milestone is captured in an exquisite charm - watch to see which charm Clare chooses to create in 18ct gold, plus a special-edition charm reveal taking place in sunnier climes! Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
45 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka welcomes Georgie Coleridge-Cole, the founder of SheerLuxe, who has made waves in the world of digital publishing and fashion. What starts with Georgie's unexpected journey from army cadets and aspirations of working in the prison service leads to launching SheerLuxe, the UK's first directory of online businesses from her kitchen table in 2007. Their discussions of everything from her experience of raising her neurodiverse child to facing media critique and what’s next for Sheerluxe in the Middle East, of course, make for some exquisitely unique charm designs - stay tuned to see which charm she chooses as her favourite and watch via the link below to see us bring her jewel to life in 18ct gold! Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
47 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, we welcome the wonderful Clodagh McKenna, chef, TV presenter, cookery book author, and farmer. We hear more about her early days in the culinary world, from her time at Ballymaloe Cookery School to becoming a household name, as well as some of her most cherished memories and milestones from her personal life. As always, each chapter is captured in a beautiful charm design and by the end of the episode, you’ll find out which miniature jewel she chooses to create in 18ct gold - watch along to see her charm come to life! Discover more about the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
49 min
In this episode of Life in Charms, Annoushka sits down with the brilliant stylist and tastemaker, Lucinda Chambers. Lucinda’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary, beginning with an unconventional childhood in London to starting her 36-year career at Vogue alongside the legendary Alexandra Shulman and finally her latest venture, Collagerie. As always, each anecdote is captured in a beautiful charm and Lucinda’s extraordinary creative journey certainly inspired some beautifully playful designs - stay tuned to see which charm she chooses to create in 18ct gold and watch to see us bring her jewel to life! Discover the Life In Charms Podcast: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/blog/the-podcast.html Feeling inspired? Design your own bespoke charm: https://www.annoushka.com/uk/bespoke-charms Follow us on Instagram: @annoushkajewellery
45 min
Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Sadie Frost. From her first TV ad aged three years old to directing the acclaimed Mary Quant biopic, Sadie Frost has successfully juggled her multi-talented career both in front of and behind a camera, alongside motherhood of four children and designing gorgeous knickers with her best friend in the 90s to sustainable yoga wear today. Sadie shares her story of a Bohemian upbringing and life since as an actor, mother, fashion designer and director. As a vocal ambassador for wellness, vegetarianism and meditation, Sadie tells me why we should all be focusing on what makes us happy!
1 hr 3 min
Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Michelle Kennedy, co-founder and CEO of Peanut: the social networking app for women focused on fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. Starting her career in law, Michelle rose to become Deputy CEO of the dating appBadoo and she then served as a board member at Bumble, another leading dating apps. Feeling lonely after the giving birth, and frustrated at the lack of connection and resources for new mothers, Michelle drew on her extensive tech background to co-found Peanut as a space for mothers to meet and build relationships. In 2022, PEANUT was named one of Time Magazine’S Top 100 most influential companies, and I'm fascinated to find out more about the person behind the app and what mistakes and sacrifices she has made along the way in a typically male-dominated tech world. Welcome Michelle Kennedy to My Life in Seven Charms.
52 min
“Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Amanda Wakeley OBE, the renowned British fashion designer, creative director and podcast host. Amanda Wakeley founded her eponymous brand in 1990 following a modelling career in New York in the 1980s. From her boutique and studio in Chelsea, Amanda built a global brand renowned for its elegant signature style. Over 31 years, Amanda Wakeley designs became beloved wardrobe staples for iconic women including Diana, Princess of Wales and Angelina Jolie. In 2021 she had to make the truly difficult decision to close her doors and put her beloved business into administration. Amanda has since become a popular writer, commentator and creative director and host of the Amanda Wakeley: Style DNA podcast, where she hears from famous faces sharing their best and worst fashion moments. Join me as I explore Amanda’s inspiring career and understand the challenges she has encountered along the way. Welcome Amanda Wakeley to My Life in Seven Charms.
52 min
“Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Margie Nomura - chef, food writer and host of the brilliant Desert Island Dishes podcast. After graduating from the world-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School in 2010, Margie has enjoyed a fascinating and varied culinary career, from teaching Zulu women to cook in South Africa to cooking for the late Queen Elizabeth. Margie launched Desert Island Dishes in 2017 and has been joined by incredible figures including Michel Roux, Marcus Wareing and Stanley Tucci. Having explored the seven dishes that have shaped her numerous guests’ lives, I am delighted to turn the tables today and speak with Margie about her life, as told through her seven charms. Welcome Margie Nomura to My Life in Seven Charms.