January 23, 2025
Catching Up With: Bethany Rowntree of Studio B
Bethany Rowntree knows fashion. After working as a fashion buyer she set up her own online store Studio B, curating a selection of independent brands which she ran solo for 5+ years. Whilst working on Studio B, Bethany attracted a large following for her colourful style and eye for beautiful things and in 2023 she decided to pause her online store and launch her Substack- a newsletter where she shares all of her sourcing and styling secrets.
Rarely seen without a pair of Catch Rhys hoops dangling from her ears we thought it was about time we caught up with Bethany to learn all about her life in jewellery.

GOLD, SILVER OR MIXED METALS?
Ooo, I would have always said I was a gold girl but now I’m going to say gold and silver, mixed together. I started wearing more silver about a year ago and always mix my hoops now (I have 4 piercings on each ear).
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL JEWELLERY STYLE IN THREE WORDS?
Eclectic, statement, classic. The last one kind of contradicts the other two but I like a mix! And I like to have pieces to treasure forever.
WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO PIECE OF JEWELLERY THAT YOU WOULD FEEL NAKED WITHOUT?
My grandma’s name necklace I wear daily without fail. It says Beth in hieroglyphic symbols (she was Elizabeth, so works for me as Bethany). My grandad bought it for her on one of their only holidays abroad, to Egypt, obviously!
I don’t actually remember my grandma wearing the necklace, but showing me it in her jewellery box, probably as they didn’t have much money and it was gold, so she saved it for best - clearly not a trait I’ve inherited! But, I’d be devastated if it ever went missing.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELLERY THAT YOU EVER OWNED?
Oh god, some very nondescript gold studs - just a classic round ball - my mum bought me them when I was finally allowed to get my ears pierced (I say finally, I think I was 10). I actually still have them and realised the nondescript gold studs are actually giant, like gold ball bearings! They’re kinda cool now (but would have looked ridiculous age 10).
But the first piece of jewellery I bought myself was probably from Claire’s Accessories and had plastic fruits or hearts on (if that counts 😂).
WHAT'S THE MOST SENTIMENTAL PIECE OF JEWELLERY YOU OWN, AND WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND IT?
I should say my wedding rings, which I love to death, but obviously I didn’t buy them so wasn’t part of the story of the search as such… so I would say a ring I bought myself 2 or so years ago.
I bought it in Formentera, our favourite island (just off Ibiza) we’ve been going to every year for the past 8 years. They have a local jewellery workshop and store on the island called Majoral and every year we’d go and look. This time they had a gold ring with a juicy lime green peridot stone that I adored (I love green! My wedding ring is a dark green sapphire). It was pricey for me, but surprisingly affordable from this maker.
At the time it was the most money I’d ever spent on a single item myself (other than a handbag, which writing this now sounds silly, I’d actually much rather spend that on a bespoke piece of jewellery!).
It means a lot to me as it has such happy connotations with Formentera and also as I bought it at a time when I felt I had really earned it, after working so so hard on Studio B for 5+ years and deciding life had to change…
Not long after this I decided I had to wind up running Studio B as my online store and take some time out. So, the ring kind of marks a moment in time for me.

HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE JEWELLERY INTO YOUR EVERYDAY WARDROBE VS. SPECIAL OCCASIONS?
I would say I throw on more for going out, more is more and all that! I’ve always accessorised and love layering necklaces, mixing metals and wearing beaded colourful pieces (which I do way more in summer).
I wear hoops of all sizes daily (including my gold Catch Rhys extra large twisted chunky ones) but might change for a statement earring for a special occasion, such as my Shrimps diamanté shrimps or big dangly beaded white flowers (also Shrimps but are rather Simone Rocha feeling). I wore both for our weddings (Covid bride, we ended up having two weddings, so two sets of earrings!).
DO YOU SLEEP IN YOUR JEWELLERY OR TAKE IT ALL OFF BEFORE BED?
All off! Every last piece, except my Catch Rhys small silver chunky hoops and gold chunky hoops (I love that you don’t need to take these out in the shower so wear them all the time in my second and third piercings).
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR BIGGEST PAIN POINT/ BUG BEAR WHEN SHOPPING FOR JEWELLERY?
Price! I have sensitive skin and am allergic to certain metals so can’t wear jewellery that’s not real gold (or real gold plated) or sterling silver. I’m not being fancy, I just can’t… unless I want a very un-fancy rash!
HOW DO YOU APPROACH SUSTAINABILITY WHEN CHOOSING FASHION/ JEWELLERY PIECES?
I’ll be honest and say in the past it’s not something I considered as much as I should have. But, actually, by buying Catch Rhys (I think my first order was 2020) it has made me consider materials, sourcing, sustainability and pricing structure more - and I’m not just saying that!
WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU FIND DIFFICULT/ COULD DO BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABILITY?
I would say clarity, I don’t think some brands provide much / if any information on production, sourcing, sustainability (some don’t even include a product description for godsake!) and it’s something I should look into more before buying.
In terms of fashion I do think resale / buying preloved is creating a fantastic circular fashion cycle and that’s something that’s way more mainstream now - thank you Vinted! It's something we need more of… imagine if Vinted had physical stores… beautifully curated, edited sections, fantastic interiors (I’m thinking Holly Golightly Copenhagen) using preloved furniture / lighting / textiles of course. Genius!
Let’s face it brands aren’t going to stop producing, and we’re not going to stop wanting new things from time to time (it doesn’t need to be all the time, but let’s all be honest!)… but by buying ‘new to me’ we’re recycling. Everyone’s happy!

IF YOU COULD DESIGN YOUR DREAM PIECE OF JEWELLERY WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
Wow! I love this question. I’d love a gold cast of my whippet Mabel’s head 😂 I mean an exact replicate with her exact facial expression. In various sizes, for depending on how I’m feeling that day, ranging from tiny and delicate to pretty chunky (for the days you feel more bling!).
Okay, now I actually want to make this happen!
WHAT'S ONE INDEPENDENT FASHION/ ACCESSORIES BRAND NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT BUT SHOULD?
So, sticking with the jewellery theme, this is a shop, so I guess it is a brand as owner Julia makes all her own jewellery… the rings are THE BEST.
My sister-in-law has all her jewellery from there (she started the collection with her stacking wedding rings and it’s continued to grow over the last 12 years).
So, she introduced me to it and it’s one of my best kept secrets… Branch on the Park. It’s in Victoria Park Village, but not many people seem to know about it as it’s not a big ‘Instagram brand’ as such. But Sharon Horgan is a huge fan (she lives nearby).
I have one very small ring my husband bought me from here years ago, but I long to commission Julia to design me a piece (we’re talking £1500+)… which I 💯 will do when I’ve really worked for it / have done something amazing and want to commemorate it / have hit a new goal or a life milestone.
WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN?
I always find this question so hard as my memory is useless. But, over the 7/8 years I worked in fashion buying and merchandising I worked with some fantastic people (most who I’m still friends with. I’ll also add I worked with some very uninspiring people too, who I’m not friends with!).
I guess one thing I can remember is communication is key, as is building relationships, and you never know when things will come full circle and you might need that relationship.
One more is what value you put on your time. Time is money so where is your time best spent? Basically, KNOW YOUR WORTH. Something I have learnt more from from running Studio B, as I definitely did not do this!
IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE ONE WORD OF THE YEAR FOR 2025 WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Hope
YOUR GO-TO CATCH RHYS PIECE?
My gold extra large twisted chunky hoops. They’re classic but a statement. They just make me feel like me! I think I may need the medium size too…