Self-taught jeweler, known for creating her whimsical namesake jewelry brand, Lauren Harwell Godfrey has a deep love of brand building, creating with intention and giving back to the world around her. She is inspired by stories and believes in the importance of building a foundation with intention.
From getting her start in the world of advertising — a 15-year career that included masterminding campaigns for brands including Adidas, Levi’s and Ray-Ban — Godfrey’s journey has made her an expert in brand building, which she has used to create jewelry she is passionate about. Inspired by a trip to the Tucson Gem Fair, Godfrey’s self-taught technique created one-of-a-kind pieces that became her fine jewelry line first seen at Paris Fashion Week in 2018.
Now celebrating the one-year anniversary of her first Harwell Godfrey brick-and-mortar store, Godfrey talks to WWD about her advice for young professionals, finding balance and her ideal shopping experience.
WWD: What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Lauren Harwell Godfrey: If I’m home, the very first thing I do is wake up my son for cozy morning cuddles before the school routine kicks in. I travel a lot, so every day looks a little different depending on where I am in the world. When I’m home in California, I love to start the day with a hike — there are trailheads right on my street.
My favorite morning caffeine fix is a spicy, hot chai. I buy it fresh in big containers from my local farmers market every week and try to make it last — I rarely succeed. However, when I’m traveling, I usually avoid chai because it’s often too sweet — so I go for matcha or black tea instead.
Harwell Godfrey
kelly puleio photo
WWD: What is a wellness routine must for you?
L.H.G.: For me, wellness is all about being intentional across every part of life — the physical, the mental and the spiritual. It’s not about perfection or routine for routine’s sake — it’s about tuning in and making space for what I need at the moment.
Physically, I feel my best when I’m nourishing my body with good food and moving regularly. But because I travel often, staying consistent is a constant dance. I do my best to anchor myself with rituals, even if they’re small — like a hike when I’m home or a grounding tea in the morning.
Mentally, sleep is everything. I’m more creative, more present, and just a better version of myself when I’ve had a full night’s rest. Making time to laugh and connect with my friends and family is also huge for me — joy is a wellness practice too.
Spiritually, I’m always seeking. I’m not religious, but I do crave meaning and connection to something bigger. For me, that comes through creating — whether it’s sketching a new piece or making a meal from scratch. Being in nature also brings me back to center. There’s something about standing in a redwood forest or cooking with my hands that reminds me I’m part of a larger rhythm. That’s the kind of wellness that fills me up from the inside out.
WWD: What is the best advice you would give someone starting out in their career today?
L.H.G.: Build your foundation with intention, not urgency. In a world that glorifies speed — quick launches, fast growth, viral moments — it’s easy to feel like you need to sprint right out of the gate. But fine jewelry isn’t built for speed. It’s built for longevity, for legacy.
Take the time to really understand your aesthetic, hone your craft and define what your work stands for. Get clear on your values. Ask yourself not just what you want to make, but why. That kind of clarity becomes your compass — and it’s what allows your work to feel authentic, even as trends come and go.
It’s tempting to mimic what’s working for others, but the brands that truly resonate — the ones that last — are the ones that stay rooted in their own truth. When you build from that place, your work will speak for itself. It might take a little longer, but it will be worth it. Depth always outlasts momentum.
WWD: What does having a work/life balance mean to you?
L.H.G.: I’m a self-professed extroverted introvert, which basically means I love being around people — until I don’t. Powering down usually looks like sleeping in, solo hikes or extra-long showers. I travel a lot, so I’ve learned how to find solitude in motion — whether that’s quiet time in flight or wandering a new city on my own. My best ideas come when no one’s asking me questions or expecting a reply — so hiking trails and shower tiles have seen the birth of a lot of creative concepts.
Looking throughout your career, what is a project/launch/product that you are most proud of?
L.H.G.: One of the projects I’m most proud of is my collaboration with Muzo — the legendary Colombian emerald mine known for its exceptional gemstones and its deep commitment to ethical, sustainable practices. When I was invited to design with their emeralds, I knew immediately that this collection needed to carry more than beauty. It needed to carry weight — culturally, spiritually and symbolically.
I called the collection “Cleopatra’s Vault” — an ode to what Cleopatra might wear if she were alive today. I imagined her as the powerful, modern woman she was — regal, strategic, magnetic — and reinterpreted that essence through my lens. The designs are bold, symbolic and rich with geometry and color, meant to feel like contemporary relics: timeless, talismanic and full of meaning.
This was the first time I worked with stones of such rarity and significance, and it pushed me creatively.
WWD: What inspires you?
L.H.G.: I’m inspired by anything that blends beauty with meaning — ancient symbolism, global rituals, architecture and textiles. I’m endlessly drawn to the way shapes and stories have been used across cultures to communicate protection, power and identity. That thread runs through all of my work: I’m not just designing jewelry to be decorative — I’m creating pieces that are deeply intentional, talismanic and rich with story.
Travel has been one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Visiting places like Egypt, Morocco and India opened me up to the power of design as a cultural language. The geometry of Moroccan tilework, the spiritual carvings in Egyptian temples, the explosion of color and intricate patterns found everywhere in India — all of it left a lasting imprint on my creative lens. These experiences continue to shape how I think about form, symbolism and storytelling through jewelry.
Food and cooking are also essential to my creative life. I come from a culinary background, and that love for layering, balance and storytelling through ingredients has never left me. Just like in jewelry, the materials matter. I’m obsessed with quality — whether it’s a perfectly ripe tomato or a responsibly sourced gemstone. It’s all about honoring where things come from and allowing each element to shine in its own right. That kind of reverence — whether for a spice, a stone or a symbol — is what inspires me every single day.
What is your ideal shopping retail experience?
L.H.G.: For me, nothing beats an in-store experience with a great salesperson or stylist — someone you’ve built a relationship with over time. There’s something so special about that personal connection: someone who truly gets your style, knows your taste and thinks of you when the exact right piece arrives.
That kind of intuition and trust just can’t be replicated by AI. It’s one of the reasons I opened my store in Marin County [California] — to create a space where that personal connection and thoughtful, human-centered service could truly thrive. It’s been an incredible journey and I’m so grateful for the community that’s made it possible.
I do shop online, of course — especially when I’m on the go — but it’s never quite the same. There’s a tactile joy in seeing things up close, trying them on and having a real conversation about what works for you. I haven’t seen a virtual try-on or AI-powered suggestion that can compete with a seasoned, thoughtful human eye. Shopping, for me, is about feeling seen — and that’s a very human experience.
When was the last time you treated yourself and what was it?
L.H.G.: I had a nice credit that was about to expire at Bergdorf Goodman, so I splurged on a Bottega Veneta mini Jodie bag. I knew I wanted metallic but couldn’t decide between gold or silver — classic dilemma. I’m a devoted yellow-gold lover, but I’ve been mixing in white gold and platinum lately, so I went with silver. It hasn’t arrived yet, but I can’t wait to style it.