Aussie designer Samantha Wills talks living in New York, Hugh Jackman and her jewellery line

HER accessories have been worn by some of the world’s most stylish women — Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Eva Mendes, Kate Bosworth, and Drew Barrymore.

New York-based Australian designer Samantha Wills started her eponymous jewellery line in 2004 when she was 21.

Now, the Sydney native is one of the industry’s most successful exports, based in the fashion mecca of New York.

“New York officially is home so I usually do six weeks in New York and 10 days in Sydney consistently,” Wills told News Corp Australia.

SAMANTHA WILLS

“I’ve been doing it for four years now so I feel like I’ve got it down to a bit of an art.

“It’s just managing the jet-lag. I know when to sleep and when to watch movies on the plane.”

In the Big Apple, Wills’ designs — which have recently expanded from statement accessories to fine jewellery — are stocked in Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Revolve and on Shopbop.

The new face (and creative director) of Yellowglen lives in the trendy Meatpacking neighbourhood, her office is in Manhattan’s gritty garment district (it’s just below Midtown and above Chelsea).

NEW YORK STYLE

“It’s quite gritty, as all of New York is,” Wills said.

“There’s an entry doorway that looks like it leads into a dark hole and it opens up into bright white offices.

“It’s a real melting pot — you could be next to a Chinese importer or a high-end diamond brand.”

 “When Australians get together in New York, there’s a real energy around it that is really quite electric.

“I was lucky enough to spend Australia Day at an event Hugh Jackman was at ... he’s the nicest human being on the planet.”