Jewellery designer Stina Richardson, 31, started modelling at 18 and was soon walking the runway for Alexander McQueen - 'I did the most amazing show for him on a Perspex runway. All the top girls were there: Gisele, Kate Moss. I've kept the pictures to show my grandchildren when I am old and wrinkly' - as well as for Vivienne Westwood and Armani.

While killing time on photo shoots, she began to create jewellery as 'it was art that could be made on the road and fitted in a suitcase'. Born and bred in Surrey, her mother is Norwegian and her father is a philatelist with a keen eye for stamp design. Stina lives in South Kensington with her boyfriend, graffiti artist Max Wiedemann.

What was your first piece of jewellery?
A gold heart-charm trinket that my grandmother gave me when I was tiny - it has my teeth marks on it. So I was basically born with a gold bracelet in my mouth.

What inspires you?
I'm inspired by all natural things. My childhood summers were spent in Norway in a red wooden cottage (with an outdoor privy) by the sea. We used to make jellyfish zoos and go crabbing. Lots of my pieces evoke rain and raindrops. I've also used birdsong for inspiration, where each note is a pearl or a bead. I adore anything by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Which are your favourite stones?
Opals - because of the different colours they create - and pearls: they are like tiny stars that have fallen into the sea. My motto is 'illustro am a bacco' which means 'shine like a pearl'. Google translated it for me.

How should jewellery make you feel?
Elegant and happy. When I wear jewellery it brings real happiness to my life. I appreciate its beauty and think it enhances my own.

We hear Mrs Sarkozy is a fan.
I met Carla Bruni in a beauty salon in Paris when she was having her nails done about a year ago. She's bought a lot of simple designs, including a necklace with two conical pearls that look like they are kissing. They are for her private days, not her bling moments.

Stina Richardson jewellery is stocked at Koh Samui, WC2 (020 7240 4280)