A Thirroul business has once again gotten behind the creative pursuits of the Crinis sisters. Photo: In Like Finn.
Illawarra-born and bred sisters Sian and Tahlia Crinis have had a full circle moment with their jewellery brand In Like Finn landing at Lea Munro Boutique in Thirroul.
In their teens they handmade pieces for their first jewellery brand Si-Lea, and their stockist was also a Thirroul store – Sole Obsession.
Then, like now, the idea of starting a jewellery brand sprang from wanting particular styles they couldn’t ever find.
“Back then we were after beaded, sparkly, dangly earrings and decided to create our own. This time around with the creation of In Like Finn, we wanted to create a jewellery label that was affordable, long-lasting and waterproof,” Tahlia says.
“Most of our pieces back then were one-off designs – it was rare for us to recreate the same style because we wanted to keep it unique and fun. Sometimes we would upcycle pieces that we found, using the charms and beads from other jewellery items to recreate designs we liked. Our branding was very basic – we would make black backing cards for the earrings and write our ‘logo’ in a silver pen.
“The aesthetic was a little bit attention-grabbing – think sparkles, gold and silver charms or turquoise features. We were drawn to bright and colourful styles but also loved the silver and gold aesthetic for the shine.”
Though perhaps a touch more sophisticated than their previous “kitchen bench operation”, In Like Finn collections continue to reflect a love of silver and gold glam. All pieces are made with sterling silver and 18K gold-plated wares, punctuated with gems like freshwater pearls or zircon stones.
The brand’s latest collection, Drugstore Cowboy, taps into “the essence of 80s and 90s fashion icons who were walking embodiments of glamour”, and takes wearers from day to night.
Tahlia says it’s a modern take on the jewellery label they created together as teens.
“My sister and I share a love for the finer things – minus the hefty price tags – and believe any outfit can be elevated with the right pair of earrings,” she says.
“We both grew up in the 80s and 90s and always look back fondly on some of the fashion, which sadly you can’t really get anymore … tapping into those eras made perfect sense for us.”
New Drugstore Cowboy styles drop in July, but two designs are currently available – the Narnia and Into the Night studs.
“The Narnia Studs are my favourite – they were inspired by a pair of clip-on lion head earrings I found in a Brooklyn flea market,” Tahlia says.
“It took a lot of sampling to get the size right and to find the right pearl to complement the gold lion heads. I particularly love them as they’re a nod to my star sign, Leo.”
In Like Finn is fast gaining traction locally but also internationally, with customers as far as Canada. The brand has been featured in The Urban List, Popsugar and WHO Magazine.
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