Cover A model wears Orchidea earrings by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
A model wears Orchidea earrings by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
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Singapore-based designer Veronique Manchharam brings ethical jewellery to life with her global brand, Bohème SG
Jewellery was never really part of Veronique Manchharam’s original plan. Based in Singapore and with no formal training, the French founder of Bohéme SG spent years teaching language classes to professionals in the finance sector. But a creative impulse led her to experiment with making statement brass jewellery. Inspired by dangling earrings worn at Indian weddings, she sought to make pieces that reflected her own personal style.
Friends began asking for their own pieces, and soon, she found herself selling in local shops. In 2019, she left her teaching job to focus on jewellery full-time. The onset of COVID-19 presented challenges for the burgeoning designer, but it unexpectedly helped her grow. “The ladies in Singapore were stuck at home, doing video calls,” she recalls. “They still wanted to wear something beautiful so they would come, each buying 10 earrings at a time.”
Now, just a few years later, her designs are stocked in over 40 retail spaces across the world, including Eastern Europe, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, and of course, Singapore. “Maybe the Philippines, too,” she adds.
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Above Veronique Manchharam and Aurelia Cury Silva (Photo: courtesy of Shauna Jay Popple)
Veronique Manchharam and Aurelia Cury Silva (Photo: courtesy of Shauna Jay Popple)
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The pieces are as bold as they are coveted—seemingly heavy, baroque and decked out in kaleidoscopic jewels. Flora and fauna are a clear recurring theme, owing to Manchharam’s home base of Singapore, and complement the wearer without overpowering them.
The brand continues to grow, and her designs often reflect the places she’s visited. For Manchharam, each collection begins with a stamp on her passport. “Tropical pieces always come back because I sell a lot in Singapore,” she explains. “Even in countries with grey weather, people are drawn to the colourful designs.” One of her most celebrated collections is Maasai Mara, inspired by Kenya and created in collaboration with the Enkopiro camp.
For a designer who trades in glamour, sustainability and ethics are at the heart of her work. She prioritises recycled brass as her primary material, commenting how “It’s just as beautiful and durable as traditional brass, but with a much lighter impact on the environment.” She admits to the jewellery and fashion world’s general superficiality and endeavours to carve out her own path in the industry. Her gemstones are ethically sourced through trusted partners who adhere to responsible mining practices. “Jewellery is a luxury, yes,” she says. “But I believe we can use it for good socially and environmentally.”
Above Dragon Xanadu earrings and Naga ring by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
Above Silver Star Sea earrings by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
Dragon Xanadu earrings and Naga ring by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
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Her choice of stones is equally thoughtful. “I use a lot of onyx because they’re easy to source locally in India, and they come in so many beautiful colours. They’re smooth and deep—you can almost see your reflection in them,” she says. Another favourite is labradorite, which is steeped in meaning.
“The Inuk in Canada say there’s a spirit living inside the stone. When you move it, the yellow light shifts—it feels alive.” These stones, she explains, allow for a range of design applications, from natural motifs like flowers and snakes to more abstract pieces. Though recently, she’s been leaning into simpler, more organic shapes, in response to clients looking for minimalist, wearable designs.
See also: How sustainable pearl farming is quietly saving our oceans and transforming communities
Above A cuff bracelet by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
Above Bracelets and earrings by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
A cuff bracelet by Bohème SG (Photo: Bohème SG)
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Beyond the product, the brand also supports various charitable causes. In addition to the Kenya project, she donates to the Permata Hati orphanage in Bali and recently worked alongside The Earthshot Prize, a sustainability initiative founded by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Her production team, based in India, has decades of experience, and she continues to make regular visits to oversee the process.
“They’ve been in the business for over 30 years. I used to live in India, so I’m very comfortable there. It’s not always easy, but we make it work.” With plans to expand into new markets and explore uncharted inspirations, there’s no sign of slowing down for Manchharam and Bohème SG.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
