Why Brooches Are the Must-Have Jewellery Trend This Winter
As winter sets in and layers become essential, so does the opportunity to accessorise in bold and creative ways. One timeless piece making a major comeback this season? The brooch.
Once seen as a vintage classic, brooches are back in fashion – reimagined by contemporary designers and adored by stylists for their versatility, charm, and ability to add personality to even the most minimal outfit. Whether you’re pinning one to a wool coat, scarf, beret, or chunky knit, a well-placed brooch can instantly elevate your winter look.
Why Brooches Are Trending in 2025
Brooches are no longer reserved for formal occasions. This winter, they’re being styled in fresh, unexpected ways – worn in clusters, on beanies or bags, or even to secure oversized scarves. As the fashion world embraces individuality and sustainability, brooches offer a perfect way to restyle what you already own while supporting slow, handmade design.
Handmade Brooches by Olivia Dryden
At Olivia Dryden Jewellery, our brooches are handmade in Adelaide, South Australia, blending traditional craftsmanship with organic, nature-inspired forms. Each piece is cast in sterling silver and designed to be worn as both a statement and a story.
Featured Brooches This Winter:
Scorpion Brooch: Capturing the intricate details of a scorpion, this piece is moulded and cast in sterling silver, offering a bold statement for any ensemble.
Seahorse with Pearl Brooch: Inspired by a seahorse found on a South Australian beach, this brooch combines the delicate form of the seahorse with a freshwater pearl drop, exuding coastal elegance.
Large Bee Brooch: Celebrating nature's pollinators, this brooch showcases the detailed anatomy of a bee, crafted in sterling silver for a timeless accessory.
Wishbone Brooch: Symbolizing hope and good fortune, the wishbone design adds a touch of whimsy to your winter attire.
Momento Mori Cross Brooch: A minimalist yet profound piece, this brooch serves as a subtle nod to life's impermanence.
Skull & Cross Bone Brooch: Embodying the essence of Memento Mori, this sterling silver brooch features a hand-carved skull and crossbones, serving as a poignant reminder of life's fleeting nature.
Styling Tips for Brooches This Winter
On Outerwear: Pin a brooch to the lapel of your coat or jacket to add a focal point to your ensemble.
Accessorize Accessories: Attach a brooch to your scarf or beanie for an unexpected touch of elegance.
Layered Looks: Combine multiple brooches on a single garment to create a curated and personalized style.
Functional Fashion: Use a brooch to secure a wrap or shawl, blending practicality with sophistication.
Discover the full range of our handmade brooches by visiting our online store or exploring the available pieces at the following stockist .
Art Images Gallery
Tart’s Collective
Naomi Schwartz
The Large Bee Brooch is a handcrafted sterling silver brooch made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, curiosity cabinets and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with an original bee specimen, which was carefully moulded so its small form, wings and surface detail could be preserved. That mould was then used to cast the bee in sterling silver, creating a sculptural keepsake connected to pollination, fragility and the quiet complexity of the natural world.
Worn on clothing, a scarf or a hat, this brooch brings a subtle specimen-like presence to the body while remaining refined and quietly unusual.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each brooch is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: 2.5 cm x 4 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collectionor browse more brooches.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Large Bee Brooch part of the Curios Collection?
A: Yes. The Large Bee Brooch belongs to the Curios Collection, a series of jewellery inspired by natural history, curiosity cabinets, memento mori traditions and carefully preserved natural forms.
Q2: How can I wear the Large Bee Brooch?
A: The brooch can be worn on jackets, coats, scarves, hats or heavier fabrics where the pin can sit securely. Its sculptural bee form makes it suitable as both wearable jewellery and a small collectible object.
Q3: Is the Large Bee Brooch suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors, nature lovers and those who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Large Cross Bone Brooch is a handcrafted sterling silver brooch made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The brooch is formed from bird femur shapes arranged into a cross, creating a bold symbol of memory, mortality and reflection. Cast in sterling silver, the bone forms become a sculptural wearable object with a refined, slightly gothic presence.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each brooch is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The bird femur forms were originally moulded, then wax versions were arranged into the cross shape before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, finish and pearl character should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: 3 cm x 2 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more brooches.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Large Cross Bone Brooch made from real bone?
A: The finished brooch is made from sterling silver, not bone. The design began with real bird femur forms, which were carefully moulded so their natural structure and surface detail could be preserved. Wax forms were then created from those moulds and arranged into the cross shape before being cast in sterling silver.
Q2: What does the cross bone design symbolise?
A: The cross bone form connects to memento mori traditions, which reflect on memory, mortality and the fleeting nature of life. In this brooch, the bird femur shapes are transformed into a quiet symbol of remembrance and natural beauty.
Q3: How can I wear the Large Cross Bone Brooch?
A: The brooch can be worn on jackets, coats, scarves, hats or heavier fabrics where the pin can sit securely. Its sculptural form makes it suitable as both wearable jewellery and a small collectible object.
The Scorpion Brooch is a handcrafted sterling silver brooch made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with a real scorpion, chosen for its segmented body, curved tail and striking natural form. Through the moulding and casting process, these details have been recreated in sterling silver, transforming the original specimen into a lasting piece of contemporary jewellery.
Worn as a brooch, the scorpion becomes a small sculptural object for the body: protective, symbolic and quietly gothic. The result is a distinctive piece for collectors drawn to natural history, curiosity cabinets and jewellery with a sense of story.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each brooch is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: 5 cm x 3 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more brooches.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Scorpion Brooch made from a real scorpion?
A: The finished brooch is made from sterling silver, not organic material. The design began with a real scorpion, which was carefully moulded so its segmented body, curved tail, legs and surface detail could be preserved. That mould was then used to cast the brooch in sterling silver, creating a durable metal version of the original specimen.
Q2: How should I wear the Scorpion Brooch?
A: The Scorpion Brooch can be worn on jackets, coats, scarves, hats or heavier fabrics where the pin can sit securely. Its sculptural form makes it suitable as both wearable jewellery and a small collectible object.
Q3: How do I clean the Scorpion Brooch?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the brooch has intricate, hard-to-reach details, a silver dip may be used occasionally if needed. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
