INTERVIEW WITH JEWELRY DESIGNER MAMI LIM OF MELMOMILK DESIGN

When it comes to jewelry, l've always been drawn to pieces that carry both beauty and meaning. Recently, I had the honor of being the face of a campaign with Mami Lim, the visionary Singapore-based designer behind Melmomilk Design.

Each piece Mami creates feels like wearable poetry - thoughtful, handcrafted, and timeless. After experiencing her work firsthand, I knew I wanted to dive deeper into her creative world.

In this interview, I chatted with Mami about her journey as a designer, the inspirations behind her brand Melmomilk Design, and how she turns everyday moments into extraordinary jewelry.

Let's get into it.

NG: Mami, can you share the story behind Melmomilk Design? What inspired you to start your own sustainable jewelry brand?

ML: l've always loved creating things since I was young, and my biggest dream has always been to have my own brand. I kept noticing all the plastic packaging we throw away in daily life, and I began to wonder - could I turn this "trash" into something beautiful? So l started experimenting, cutting and shaping discarded plastics into delicate, petal-like forms. Each piece became a little work of art - light to wear, but carrying a story and a past. That's how I started Melmomilk Design - from a small corner of my house, turning everyday waste into jewelry with meaning.

NG: How did your background in fashion design studies in Kumamoto influence your approach to jewelry design and craftsmanship?

ML: Studying fashion design in Kumamoto taught me so much - not just how to design and sew clothes, but also deeper lessons about the creative process. I learned that creating something truly beautiful and well-made can take time, and that it's important not to give up along the way. That patience, persistence, and commitment to what you believe in still guide me today in my jewelry-making. Every petal I shape by hand comes from that same mindset I cultivated in fashion school.

NG: What is the story behind the name Melmomilk? Does it hold any symbolic meaning or personal significance?

ML: Melmomilk comes from the names of my beloved dogs, Melmo and Milk, who were with me when I was younger. The name itself has nothing to do with upcycling, but those two loves were such an important part of my life. From them, I learned so much - especially about unconditional love. Naming my brand after them is my way of keeping that reminder of love and care at the heart of everything I create.

NG: Sustainability is key to Melmomilk's philosophy. Why is sustainability in the jewelry industry so important to you personally?

ML: l used to make jewelry using parts I bought, and many of them were plastic. One day, I thought - if I can make these parts myself from upcycled materials, I wouldn't be adding more new plastic into the world. It's the same idea as upcycling fabrics or clothing: instead of creating more waste, you give existing materials a second life. That shift in thinking became a big part of my design philosophy today.

NG: Your designs incorporate upcycled materials. What drew you to this approach and how do you select the materials you work with?

ML: What drew me to upcycling was a simple realization: beauty doesn't have to come from something new. When choosing materials, I look for everyday plastics that people usually throw away - PET bottles, food containers, packaging, and sometimes even plastic bottles I find discarded on the street or at the beach. I bring them back to my studio, clean them carefully, and start shaping. For me, every piece begins with seeing potential where others might only see waste.

NG: How do you balance artistry and sustainability in your pieces without compromising on beauty or quality?

ML: For me, artistry and sustainability go hand in hand. I never want the fact that something is upcycled to feel like a compromise - it should feel like an advantage. I start with the same standard I would have for any fine piece of jewelry: it has to be beautiful, comfortable to wear, and made to last. The sustainability comes naturally through the materials I choose and the way I work - shaping each piece by hand, paying attention to detail, and making sure it's something the wearer will treasure for years. In the end, my goal is for people to fall in love with a piece because it's beautiful... and then feel even better knowing it's sustainable.

NG: Melmomilk Design won the Silver Award from the Sustainability Awards 2025, congratulations! What does that recognition mean to you and the mission of your brand?

ML: Thank you! Winning the Silver Award at the Sustainability Awards 2025 means so much to me. For a small, independent brand like Melmomilk Design, this recognition is more than just an award - it's a reminder that even from a small corner of your home studio, you can create something that matters. It tells me that the mission I started with - giving discarded materials a second life through jewelry - is resonating beyond my own circle. It also gives me hope that more people will see sustainability not as a trend, but as a part of beauty and design. For my brand, it's encouragement to keep creating pieces that carry both artistry and purpose.

Wearing Melmomilk Design's Eternal Orchid Earrings in Pearl White

NG: How do you ensure ethical practices in your sourcing, production, and packaging?

ML: Because Melmomilk Design is a small, independent brand, I'm deeply involved in every stage - from sourcing to production to packaging - and that makes it easier to keep things ethical and transparent. For sourcing, most of my materials are collected locally from everyday life - things like PET bottles, food containers, and packaging - so l'm not creating new demand for virgin plastics. When I need other components like metal findings, I choose reputable suppliers who can ensure quality and safety. In production, every piece is handcrafted by me in my home studio, which means I know exactly how it's made and that no one is working in unsafe or unfair conditions. know that what I do may not be perfectly sustainable in every aspect, but I'm committed to staying informed and open to change. As new, better practices and materials become available, I'm always ready to adapt and improve. Sustainability is a journey, and I believe the most important thing is to keep moving toward better choices every day.

NG: Your pieces are known for being inspired by nature. What natural elements or environments most influence your designs?

ML: My inspirations often come from everyday life. In Singapore, there's beauty everywhere - flowers blooming by the roadside, lush greenery along the streets. Sometimes, on my way to pick up my kids from school, I'll notice a tiny but beautiful flower growing in an unexpected place. I'm also deeply inspired by my hometown, Kagoshima in Japan.

Surrounded by a beautiful mountain and changing seasons, different flowers bloom throughout the year. It's these moments - whether in the tropics of Singapore or the seasonal beauty of Kagoshima - that spark my work and remind me that beauty can be both fleeting and timeless.

NG: How do you see the intersection between traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainability trends in your work?

ML: For me, traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainability aren't separate - they complement each other. The way I make jewelry is rooted in slow, hands-on techniques: shaping each petal by hand, paying attention to detail, and valuing quality over quantity. These are traditional values that naturally align with sustainability, because they focus on making something to last rather than to be quickly replaced. Modern sustainability trends add another layer - using upcycled materials, reducing waste, and being mindful about sourcing. By combining the patience and artistry of traditional craft with the innovation of sustainable practices, I can create pieces that not only look beautiful, but also carry a deeper sense of purpose and responsibility.

NG: What role does creative vision play in the jewelry you create?

ML: For me, jewelry isn't just an accessory. It's an expression of personality, a small work of art that reflects both the wearer and the maker. Creative vision is what makes each Melmomilk Design piece unique, and what ensures it always carries both beauty and meaning. Creative vision is at the heart of everything I make.

NG: How would you like to see the jewelry industry evolve over the next decade when it comes to sustainability and transparency?

ML: I would love to see the jewelry industry shift toward true transparency - not just in marketing, but in every step of the process. That means being open about where materials come from, how pieces are made, and who is making them. I hope sustainability becomes the standard, not the exception - where upcycled or responsibly sourced materials are as valued as gemstones, and where durability is prioritized over fast, disposable trends. I also think it's important to help customers understand the story and impact behind what they buy, so they can make choices they feel good about wearing for years.

NG: What advice would you give to emerging jewelry designers who want to create sustainably and with intention?

ML: I still have many things to learn myself, but I would say - start small, and start with purpose. You don't need to be perfectly sustainable from the beginning. What matters most is being mindful of your choices and staying open to improving as you go.

Work with what you already have around you. Look for materials that already exist, ones others might overlook, and see how you can transform them into something beautiful.

And most importantly, stay true to your values. Trends will come and go, but if your work reflects what you believe in, it will always have meaning and that meaning is what people will remember.

NG: How do you hope individuals feel when wearing Melmomilk pieces?

ML: I hope they feel confidence - the kind that comes from knowing they're wearing something meaningful, not just beautiful. I want them to feel connected to the story behind the piece - to know it once had a past life and has been carefully transformed by hand into something unique. I hope it becomes more than just an accessory - that it brings a small spark of joy, a reminder to slow down, choose with intention, and wear something that truly reflects who they are. And I'd love for my creations to be a bridge between people - sparking conversations like, "These actually used to be plastic bottles!" and sharing the story that makes them even more special.

NG: What is next for Melmomilk Design? Any new collections, materials, or collaborations we can look forward to?

ML: I release new designs at least once a month - just like the seasons, there's always something fresh to look forward to. Right now, I'm working on a range of hair accessories for both adults and kids, so they can enjoy twinning styles together. I'm also exploring more statement pieces, especially for bridal, so couples who want a sustainable wedding can choose something beautiful with meaning.

Connect with Melmomilk Design

Instagram: @melmomilkdesign

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melmomilk/

Website: https://melmomilk.com/?srsltid=AfmBOortkUCdAmugl4xz_gd6qrwU1DtdKJk4LAmtC3-oxiMed7U3LNVD

Xo

Nikki

Author: NIKKI GAL