Shine bright
THELMA WEST • Thelma West Diamonds & Casina Cinquepozzi
WORK • Wednesday Routine
THELMA WEST • jewellery designer • Thelma West Diamonds & Casina Cinquepozzi
Neighbourhood you live in: Highgate
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
It’s a whirlwind of brilliance, creativity and just the right amount of chaos. I’m sitting at my desk, which is covered in loose diamonds, sketches of designs pinned to the walls and the faint hum of Afrobeats in the background. My team and I are debating the perfect shade of gold for a custom ring featuring a three-carat diamond from Botswana. Then I’m fielding calls about Casina Cinquepozzi – the 18th-century villa in Puglia I’m restoring with my partner, Stefano Liotta, ensuring the villa’s interiors are as luxurious as the nature that surrounds it. I’ll also be going live on FaceTime to see our olive oil being packed.
My team is a mix of artisans, dreamers and perfectionists who share my obsession with detail. We laugh, argue (passionately, I might add) and sometimes spend an unreasonable amount of time deciding if a diamond catches the light just right. It’s intense, it’s fun, and there’s always great style.
What’s on the agenda for today?
In the diamond world, we’re working to fulfil orders. We have four jewels to complete and deliver. I’ll spend the morning at the studio in Soho, where my assistant will be waiting, hot chocolate in hand. Then I’m meeting my artist friend, Adjani Okpu-Egbe, for an early lunch to discuss objects and paintings for Casina Cinquepozzi. Afterwards, I’ll head to the workshop to oversee production of some fabulous pieces of jewellery.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Tonight, it’s Berenjak for date night with Stefano. I’m craving their stews with rice. That flatbread? A revelation. The whole place feels like a vibrant feast for the senses, like stepping into someone’s Persian home where the only rule is to eat until you can’t move. If you need me tonight, I’ll be elbow-deep in mezze, basking in the glow of a charcoal grill, and we’ll be plotting our first event at the Casina between bites. That’s multitasking at its finest.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’ve just seen one of my favourites: Dave Chappelle at the Apollo. I love comedy. I’m also a huge Arsenal fan, so I go to the home games at the Emirates Stadium. It’s a safe space to scream and shout with either joy or disappointment.
Any weekend getaways?
Tenerife or Portugal to catch some waves. I’m not a pro. I fall a lot. But the handful of times I successfully ride a wave makes the freezing cold water worth it.
What was your last great vacation?
Puglia. We go every year, but the region has this magic of never feeling repetitive. Maybe it’s the way the Adriatic sparkles differently depending on your mood, or how the olives seem to whisper, “Welcome back!”
Last summer, it was all about lazy afternoons under the pergola with great local wines and those sun-soaked explorations of villages where everyone acts like you’ve been friends for decades. Don’t get me started on the food… it’s like the land itself is showing off. I love that it still surprises me, whether I’m hosting friends who suddenly become like family, or finding the perfect quiet corner to daydream about diamonds. It’s not just a vacation; it’s a soul reset.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Colibri, a boutique on Upper Street in Islington run by my dear friend Cristina Bruzzolo. She’s got an incredible eye for style and I enjoy playing dress up in there.