At Thai Design, representation of women is not a modern initiative or a marketing narrative – it’s woven into the very fabric of who we are. As a woman-founded and woman-owned jewellery manufacturing company, our story begins with a vision of honouring Thai’s craft heritage and cultivating long-lasting relationships. This mission remains upheld today by the expertise, dedication and creativity of the women who form the backbone of our team.

In an industry that has historically been defined by tradition and skills passed down through generations, women have long played a vital - if often understated - role. At Thai Design, we're taking a moment to celebrate that contribution. From leadership to planning and production, women are present at every stage of our process, ensuring that both quality and tradition are upheld with care and precision.

Our story is inseparable from the vision, resilience and leadership of two key figures: Lilia and Kim.

Our Co-Founders, Lilia & Bill

As Co-Founder, Lilia laid the foundations of Thai Design back in 1975 at a time when building an internationally facing company required both courage and conviction. It was a process of patience, trial and error that gave rise to the business we know today – a jewellery manufacturing and distribution company bridging the needs of global clients with the craft capabilities of Thailand. It was Lilia’s deep respect for Thai craftsmanship, her unwavering commitment to quality, and her appreciation of customers and team members alike that established the framework which continues to underpin Thai Design.

As it transpires, Lilia’s role was not simply to found a company, but to create an enduring legacy. Her groundwork has allowed Thai Design to grow with integrity, maintaining high standards whilst navigating the evolving complexities of the global jewellery industry 51 years on.

Our Owner & Managing Director, Kim

That legacy now continues through Lilia’s daughter Kim, who has taken the business forwards as Owner and Managing Director. Stepping into this role was not just a professional transition, but a continuation of a story shaped by family, responsibility and deep-rooted understanding of the industry. Kim has guided Thai Design through a new chapter defined by growth, modernisation and an increasingly international outlook - whilst remaining firmly anchored in the quality- and people-centric values her mother established.

“I’m so proud to be working in an environment full of strong and independent women, not only within our working teams, but in partnering directly with customers around the world who are mostly women too. I’m grateful to my mum who always reminded me to believe in myself and my inner strength. Without this reminder I may have struggled growing up in a very male oriented industry!

I love that we live in an age within the jewellery industry where women are fully able to show their creative talents; whether that’s through their silversmithing skills at the bench or through the creation and development of jewellery designs. The possibilities, outcomes and successes that I have seen in my 22 years of working at Thai Design have been rewarding and inspiring. I’m looking forward to the future and working with more talented and creative women.”  ​ ​ ​ ​      

Continually, Kim is adapting our offering to the evolving needs of our clients, strengthening and streamlining operations with sustainability at the fore, and ensuring that Thai Design remains competitive in a fast-moving global market. A balance between heritage and progress.

Women as Guardians of Craft: A Culture of Care

Our Head of Production & her Planning Team

Thai Design’s culture is defined by a strong sense of care in how work is approached; a respect for the detail and discipline required in jewellery manufacturing; and a shared understanding that quality is achieved through communication and collaboration. Here, people are just as important as product.

UNESCO cultural heritage studies have previously highlighted that women are largely the primary transmitters of artisanal skills across generations, particularly in craft-based industries.

The role of women in preserving cultural heritage cannot be overstated. Across societies, women have long been the custodians of tradition - passing down skills, stories and values from one generation to the next. In the context of jewellery manufacturing, this legacy is particularly significant because traditional techniques are often learned through hands-on experience and mentorship. The continuity of these skills depends on a willingness to teach, to guide and to nurture future generations.

Our Head of Filing & Assembly and Head of Polishing

Jewellery manufacturing is, at its core, a deeply human process. It requires not only technical ability, but sensitivity, patience and attention to detail. These nurturing qualities are essential strengths that play a significant role in sustaining high-quality craftsmanship.

Being woman-led has helped to cultivate a nourishing environment where knowledge is shared openly and where support and accountability go hand in hand. It has created space for individuals to grow into their roles, to develop specialised skills, and take pride in knowing that they contribute meaningfully to the bigger picture. Our inclusive workplace welcomes a variety of perspectives, and strong leadership is not defined simply by direction but by championing others.

Just as Thai Design is a family-owned business, we’re very proud to employ multiple generations of craftspeople, with some highly experienced women now even joined by their own children at the workbench. These relationships symbolise more than just family, but a sustained cultural tradition of teaching, learning and ensuring that traditional skills can continue to be shared and preserved.

Women in Leadership

 Our Head of Wax and Head of Casting

It’s important that we recognise the impact of women in specific steering roles.

Our Head of Finance, for example, shoulders the crucial task of ensuring the economic stability, strategic planning and sustainable growth of our entire company. Meanwhile, our Head of Stock-Keeping and our Purchasing Team maintain the careful balance of materials and resources required to support feasible, scalable and high-quality production. In a world that revolves around continuity, quality and evolution, the value brought to the table by these women is indispensable.

Women are highly represented in the leadership of our production departments, too – driving with both technical expertise and collaborative spirit. Our Head of Production and her Planning Team, who coordinate the flow of work across departments, ensure that each stage of the manufacturing process is aligned and efficient. Their ability to anticipate challenges and streamline operations is key to delivering consistent quality and timeliness.

Our Purchasing Officer, Head of Stock-Keeping and Head of Finance

Meanwhile, our Head of Wax and Head of Casting work in close partnership every day, their departments joining forces to transform designs into tangible forms with remarkable accuracy. This collaboration is a testament to the strength of communication and teamwork that defines our culture at Thai Design.

Working harmoniously, our Head of Filing & Assembly and our Head of Polishing too symbolise strength in coordination, overseeing the transformation of raw metal pieces into refined, structurally sound and polished pieces ready for setting and final finishing.

Women Shaping the Future of Jewellery

Bliss Lau, jewellery designer and Thai Design partner

Historically, the jewellery industry has functioned as a male-dominated "man's world," characterised by significant gender inequality. Women have been frequently confined to ‘soft-skill’ positions such as retail or sales, facing systemic barriers to the core knowledge of the ‘upstream’ supply chain – including diamond cutting, gem trading and executive leadership.

Whilst it has been common throughout history for women to work as apprentices or artisans in family businesses, it was not uncommon for their contributions to be overshadowed by their male counterparts or anonymised completely.

Even in modern times, the jewellery trade has remained deeply rooted in tradition, with old-fashioned networking practices and ‘homo-social behaviour’ tending to prioritise male bonds and opportunities whilst disadvantaging women.

In spite of this skewed representation, women have long driven spending, trends and sustainability expectations in the jewellery sector…

• Women remain the dominant consumer group in jewellery purchasing, accounting for an estimated 80–85% of global jewellery sales, including self-purchasing and gifting influence (McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company)
  
  
• In bridal, women are increasingly involved in decision-making, with over 75% of engagement ring purchases involving joint decision-making to reflect a shift away from traditionally male-led purchasing (The Knot)
  
  
• Female consumers are the primary adopters of new jewellery categories, including everyday fine jewellery, stackable pieces and personalised designs. Social media behaviour reinforces this influence - data from Meta and Pinterest shows that women account for the majority of jewellery-related searches, saves and purchase inspiration activity
  
  
• Women consistently demonstrate higher expectations around sustainability and ethics, with 66% of women willing to pay more for sustainable products, compared to lower percentages among male consumers (NielsenIQ)
  
  
• Younger female consumers are significantly more likely to research supply chains, including origin of materials and labour practices, before making a purchase – driving demand for transparency (McKinsey & Company)
  
  
• Female consumers are more open to lab-grown diamonds than male consumers, citing environmental and ethical benefits as key motivators (Statista)

Whilst our approach to confidentiality means we rarely name our partners publicly, we’re constantly inspired by them - the independent designers, founders and entrepreneurs influencing the future of jewellery.

This combination of design influence, production expertise and consumer demand places women in a uniquely powerful position: shaping how jewellery looks, how it’s worn, and how it’s made.

Representation of women is not simply about reflecting the reality of the present – it’s about shaping the future. By providing opportunities for women to lead, to specialise and to grow within the jewellery industry, we contribute to a more balanced and dynamic sector as a whole.

For our clients and partners, this representation offers reassurance. It reflects a company that values diversity of perspective and understands the importance of human connection in the manufacturing process.

As we look ahead, Thai Design will continue to support and celebrate the women who drive our business forward, whilst recognising the broader role that women play in sustaining the traditions that define our industry.

At Thai Design, every piece of jewellery we create is the result of many hands working together. Among those hands are women whose leadership, skill and care ensure that each design is brought to life with integrity and precision.

Their contribution is not just part of our story, but central to it.