Anything in your life, is possible.
Xander uses semi-precious stones, elements of wood, rattan and mother of pearl detailing in his work. He finishes his jewellery with either 925 Sterling Silver or 14k gold plated components. All the jewellery he produces is nickel free. (He is also allergic!)
The brand, after his own name, Xander Kostroma®, launched in the Fall of 2018, is stocked in over 250 independent boutiques worldwide and is also exclusively available online from British retailers Freemans.com & Lookagain.co.uk.
Xander firmly believes that: Anything in your life, is possible! ...no matter what your background, you just need to focus on what you want, believe you already have it, work towards it and you will achieve it.
Sounds interesting?!
Follow his work @XanderKostromaLifetsyle
MEET THE CENTRAL TEAM
Lydia
Head of Jewellery Production
Lily
1st Jewellery Production Assistant
Pinna
2nd Jewellery Production Assistant
OPEN POSITION
3rd Production Assistant Submit your CV HERE
Tory
Warehouse Manager
Sam
Order Picker & Packer
Amy
Model & Photographer
Ria
Lifestyle Photographer
HOW WE OPERATE
Xander is based in Lisbon, Portugal and from his home studio, all jewellery samples are initially created. Once a design is finalized, the sample for production is recorded digitally and emailed to his friend Lydia who is Head of Jewellery Production and is based in Handan City, China. It’s from Lydia's studio, with the help of her two, (soon to be three!) assistants; Lily & Pinna that the jewellery production is carried out. The women, led by Lydia’s expertise, hand-make all pieces of jewellery including suncatchers for the brand.
Once production is finished, the goods are shipped to Swansea, Wales where Tory, the manager, along with her assistant Sam, receive the goods into the warehouse. It’s from this location that all orders are picked, lovingly packed and shipped out globally. Xander and Tory are friends since meeting each other at a day festival in Swansea circa 2009.
Last of all, Amy the in-house model shoots from around her home and garden in Northamptonshire, England while Ria, the second photographer captures the lifestyle images at her studio in Norfolk, England. Xander met both women on Instagram shortly after launching.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Xander was born on the 7th April 1987 into a single parent, working class family in Swansea, Wales. After a strained relationship with his mother, he eventually found himself homeless at age 16. Xander “sofa surfed” for some months before finding a night job working as a pot washer in the local restaurant. He moved into a small bedsit along the seafront all the while continuing his studies at secondary school. A year later, aged 17, he successfully secured a weekend job in the coffee shop at M&S bringing stability to his life.
Management soon recognised his potential and promoted him to store Visual Merchandiser. It was here, that his interest in jewellery began. Aged 20, he left M&S to create his first company selling ex High Street clothing on eBay.
His interests continued...
Aged 22, Xander returned to retail as a shop manager for Cancer Research UK. He stayed with the charity for almost 2 years before moving to Manchester, England for a new position at Head Office for JD Sports.
Early 2012 Xander was approached by the recruitment team at VF International based in Switzerland. He passed the interview and emigrated to the Italian speaking, canton Ticino to work for the luxury denimwear brand 7 For All Mankind. Xander also learnt to speak Italian. Although he enjoyed his job, he felt like he could no longer grow so late 2013, he handed in his notice to work Freelance.
Xander returned to work in London for 3 months, during this time he acquired the license to produce for another UK brand, creating and launching their jewellery & accessories division in the UK. The collection was a huge success, selling at House of Fraser, online at ASOS, as well as internationally at Zando in South Africa and Zoot in the Czech Republic.
Early 2015 Xander founded his company Xander Kostroma Fashion Ltd and began regularly exporting his licensed goods. He produced for the brand until early 2018 giving his notice to concentrate on his own name collection; Xander Kostroma®. Originally only consisting of earrings, the collection was launched though his concessions at Freemans & Lookagain. Xander's new role was director and lead designer for his own label and was managing his international team between Switzerland, China & the UK.
During the 2020 global pandemic, Xander left Switzerland for Portugal. The move allowed him to expand his range into necklaces, bracelets and other accessories such as pashmina's, fascinators and crystal suncatchers. Xander is based in Lisbon for the foreseeable future.
