You can find brooches online for £10 or less — mass-produced, shipped in bulk, and styled to follow trends. And then there are handmade pieces that cost £80, £150, sometimes over £200.

So what’s behind that difference? This article isn’t here to overexplain or justify. It’s simply a clear look at what goes into the price of a handmade brooch — and what you’re actually getting when you choose one made by a professional, with fashion in mind.

Design Value: More Than Decoration

Lower-cost brooches often use generic templates — shapes copied over and over, usually produced without a named designer. They’re decorative, but not built for styling with clothes.

Mine are different. I work with current fashion references — colours, silhouettes, and themes that are relevant right now — but each brooch is designed from scratch. I focus on composition, texture, and how the piece will actually look when worn. Whether the inspiration comes from runway styling or street fashion, the result is original and built for wear.

What this gives you:

• A piece you’ll actually wear — not just admire and store away
• A recognisable design voice, not a generic accessory
• A brooch that makes sense with modern outfits

Materials Make a Difference

Many low-cost accessories rely on plastic bases, glued rhinestones, and thin synthetic fabrics. The priority is price — not how the piece wears or lasts.

I use materials sourced mainly from European manufacturers: sequins, beads, silk, velvet, and durable fastenings. The textures are rich, the colours photograph beautifully, and the structure holds over time.

What this gives you:

• A brooch that feels substantial and refined in your hand
• Colours and textures that catch light without looking shiny or cheap
• A secure finish that holds up with regular wear — not something disposable

Construction: It’s Not Just What You See — It’s How It’s Built

Fast fashion brooches are usually glued or machine-punched. That’s quick and cheap, but the result is often flat, fragile, or poorly balanced.

Each of my brooches is constructed by hand. I layer embroidery, sequins, and beading with care — balancing texture and form so the piece has shape and presence. The back is fully finished. The fastening is stitched in, not glued on.

What this gives you:

• A brooch that sits properly on clothing without twisting or sagging
• A dimensional look — not a flat badge or patch
• Solid, wearable structure you don’t have to adjust mid-day

Process, Not Branding

Big brands often charge more for image than substance. You pay for logos, packaging, campaigns. That’s not the case here.

I design and make each brooch myself. There’s no team, no factory. The cost reflects the work — not markups.

What this gives you:

• Quality and consistency — every detail handled with care
• No middle steps or outsourcing
• A product priced for what it is — not for what it pretends to be

This isn’t about comparing good and bad. It’s about comparing purpose.

A £10 brooch is meant to be decorative, replaceable, and low-risk. But if you want a brooch that looks like it belongs with your wardrobe — not just with a costume — that price point doesn’t cover what it takes.

My brooches are designed to be worn — not just once, not just on special occasions, but as part of how you express your style. They’re shaped to hold well on fabric, styled to add impact without looking overdone, and built to last across seasons. You’re not buying a one-off look — you’re buying something that fits into your style and stays there. 

That’s what makes it worth it. Not just the hours, but the outcome. Not just the technique, but the way it works.

Now you know what goes into the price — see what that looks like in practice.
View the brooches currently available in my shop