A love of classic glamour and transformation is at the core of the brand, founder and designer says.
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But that’s exactly what the Vancouver-based entrepreneur has become. Her eponymous line, which offers demi-fine and, more recently, some fine jewelry options too, is rooted in classic glamour — with a bit of a self-described “misfit” twist.
Working out of a studio located a few blocks from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the brand also donates five per cent of profits to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. We caught up with Yard to learn more.
Q: For those who aren’t familiar, what is Leah Yard Designs?
A: Leah Yard Designs is a demi-fine jewelry brand in Vancouver. A love of classic glamour and transformation is at the core of the brand. Removable charms, multi-way necklaces, and adjustable lengths can be found throughout the collection.
Our filigree style has become a signature element. The curvature of the frames adds a timeless touch to each piece. The materials we work with are recycled 14-karat gold plated over sterling silver, 14-karat gold fill, solid silver, and we’ve just introduced a few designs in solid 10-karat gold.
Each piece of jewelry is designed from start to finish in Vancouver, and half of the collection is made right here in our studio. For more specialized designs, we are proud to work with RJC-certified production partners that are aligned with the LYD company ethics and vision.
Q: What makes it unique?
A: From living on a lighthouse island as a child, to dropping out of high school and working entry-level jobs for over a decade, to accidentally becoming an entrepreneur, my story is far from glamorous. But it is this “unglamorous” story that makes LYD unique.
Because of my unusual upbringing, I always struggled to fit in. I was the weird island kid with uncut hair who didn’t know who the Spice Girls were or how to cross a street. I always joke that I am the least likely person to have ended up in the fashion industry.
Now, when I look back, I can connect the dots. I always found comfort in being creative. And fashion played an important role for me. Even at a young age I saw the power it had to transform how you feel, and the influence it has on how we are perceived in the world. This is the core of LYD. I design versatile jewelry that celebrates the wearer’s unique point of view. My goal is to make you feel your most elevated when you put on your LYD jewelry.
Being a “misfit” in an industry that values prestige and glamour hasn’t been easy and I’ve often felt like an impostor. But because of this, I now proudly share my story on the Voted Least Likely Podcast in hopes that it inspires someone else. As cliché as it sounds: If I can do it, so can someone else.
Q: Who is the target customer?
A: I always say Leah Yard Designs isn’t a “trendy” brand. We are classic. Our customers are jewelry enthusiasts who are looking to invest in staple pieces they will love for years, not just a season.
Q: Is there a “hero” design from the company?
A: Our Diana Ring in Black Onyx is our top seller. It is a 14-karat gold-plated over sterling silver ring with synthetic diamond details on either side of a square-cut black onyx gemstone. This ring originally launched in 2021 and it’s been our favourite ever since. We even launched a solid gold version of it last year. We named this piece after Princess Diana and we chose Black Onyx to celebrate her rebellious side. My favourite feedback we’ve received about our Diana Ring is that it has an heirloom look with a modern twist, which is exactly what I strive for when designing!
Q: What’s new for 2025?
A: We have two new collections launching in 2025, plus we’re expanding the wholesale side of our business. We love having our customers come and shop directly from us at our studio in Chinatown, but we would like to team up with more local shops here in Vancouver to give our customers more places to find LYD.
Q: What’s the price range of your pieces?
A: Our range is $45 for a gold-plated ear cuff up to $840 for our new solid gold pieces.
We’ve been very intentional when adding new items to the collection. We’re growing with our customers and many of them are ready to invest in a forever piece in solid gold. I’m excited to expand on our fine jewelry collection this year.
Q: And where can people learn more?