Tilly Sveaas
Tilly Sveaas is the London jewellery brand that turned the T-bar into a modern icon. Founded by designer Tilly Sveaas in 2016, the label has built a devoted following for its beautifully crafted chains, links, and pendants — pieces drawn from antique references and reimagined with a contemporary confidence that has earned them a place on the wrists and necks of women across every age and style. At Kiti we stock a curated selection of Tilly Sveaas pieces because they do exactly what the best jewellery should: they feel personal, they layer endlessly, and they last.
If you have been looking for jewellery that feels considered rather than seasonal, collectable rather than disposable, Tilly Sveaas is where to start.
About Tilly Sveaas
Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016, having spent decades working as a jewellery designer — first creating pieces during an extended stay in Bali, where she built long-standing relationships with the local silversmiths and artisans she still works with today. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents and based in London, Tilly brings an international sensibility to a distinctly personal design language: pieces rooted in historic references, executed in modern materials, and made to be worn every day rather than saved for occasions.
The brand's philosophy is simple and worth taking seriously: you should never be a slave to fashion. Every Tilly Sveaas piece is designed with longevity rather than seasonality in mind, drawing on antique watch fobs, Victorian chains, and classic links as starting points before playing with scale, weight, and proportion to bring them into the present. The result is jewellery that feels timeless without being safe — pieces that develop meaning the more they are worn.
Tilly Sveaas is a Fairmined certified brand, using Fairmined gold and silver to plate its handmade linked pieces, earrings, and bangles. All fine chains are made using recycled sterling silver by an Italian manufacturer certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. Packaging is made from sustainably managed, 100% recycled materials. These are not afterthoughts — they are built into the way the brand has always operated.
The Tilly Sveaas T-Bar
The T-bar is the piece the brand is built on, and for good reason. A modern reinterpretation of the antique Albert watch chain — a style Tilly was inspired by her mother's inherited Norwegian piece from 1850 — the T-bar necklace gave a historic design a new confidence by playing with scale and simplicity. Since its introduction in 2016 it has achieved genuine cult status, worn by Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner, Elle Macpherson, and Rita Ora, and featured in the fashion press consistently since launch.
The T-bar runs through the majority of Tilly Sveaas designs, appearing as a clasp, a standalone pendant, and an organising principle for the brand's broader aesthetic. New T-bar designs are introduced on an ongoing basis, and an enamel version has more recently been added — enamelling being a craft with over 3,000 years of history that takes considerable skill by hand. The range also extends to chunky linked oval, curb, and watch chain necklaces and bracelets, all handmade by artisans with whom Tilly has maintained relationships for nearly three decades.
Tilly Sveaas at Kiti
We stock Tilly Sveaas because it fits the Kiti edit in the most precise way: independent, beautifully made, and built to last. These are pieces that reward wearing, layering, and keeping — not replacing. If you would like to know which styles are currently in stock, need guidance on how to layer pieces, or would like to visit us in store on Pontcanna Street in Cardiff, we are always happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tilly Sveaas?
Tilly Sveaas is a London-based jewellery designer who founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, she has been creating jewellery for over 25 years and is best known for the T-bar necklace — a piece that has achieved cult status in the UK fashion press and beyond.
Where can I buy Tilly Sveaas in the UK?
Tilly Sveaas is stocked at Kiti in Cardiff, where you can shop a curated selection online at kiticymru.com or visit us in store on Pontcanna Street. We are an official UK stockist of the brand.
What is the Tilly Sveaas T-bar necklace?
The T-bar necklace is Tilly Sveaas's most iconic design — a modern reinterpretation of the antique Albert watch chain, updated with a contemporary sense of scale and proportion. It is available in a range of sizes and finishes, and has built a cult following since its introduction in 2016. The T-bar clasp and pendant also runs through many of the brand's other pieces, making it a natural starting point for building a Tilly Sveaas collection.
Is Tilly Sveaas jewellery sustainable?
Yes — Tilly Sveaas is a Fairmined certified brand, using Fairmined gold and silver across its handmade linked pieces, earrings, and bangles. Fine chains are made from recycled sterling silver by a Responsible Jewellery Council certified Italian manufacturer. Packaging is made from 100% recycled, sustainably managed materials.
How should I care for Tilly Sveaas jewellery?
Tilly Sveaas pieces are designed to be worn daily and to develop a natural patina over time. To keep them looking their best, avoid contact with perfume, lotions, and water where possible, and store pieces flat or hung rather than bundled together. The brand's pieces are made to last and are not delicate — they are intended to be lived in.
Can Tilly Sveaas pieces be layered?
Absolutely — layering is central to how the brand designs. The mix of chain weights, link sizes, and pendant styles is intentional, allowing pieces to be worn individually or built up into a stack that feels personal rather than prescribed. The brand's philosophy is that the jewellery should be styled by the wearer, not the other way around.
