Fabienne Costa, the founder of YCL Jewels, has built a globally recognised brand known for its intricate craftsmanship and conscious approach to design.
We had the privilege of speaking with Fabienne about her journey and the evolution of her brand. She shared the invaluable lessons she has learned in navigating challenges, her insights for aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs and the philosophies that shape both her life and business.
Q: Please share with us what you do and how it came to be?
I am the founder and creative director of Australian jewellery label YCL Jewels, based on the sunny Gold Coast.
I had been making jewellery since I was 13 and decided one day when I was 21 years old that I would leave behind all that was familiar to me and start a brand with no training, knowledge in business, money and no idea what I was doing!
Q: Was YCL always your vision, or did you explore other paths before starting the brand?
I had been nursing in aged care mental health & dementia since I was 15 and was two subjects out from graduating a bachelor of nursing when quit my degree and job to start YCL. I wouldn’t say it was a ‘dream’, just more what I had been doing for so long and what I knew. I didn’t know I had this wild dream and vision for my life until I started YCL.
Q: What is your biggest pinch-me career moment?
There has been many, but probably when Lorde wore YCL pieces on the stages of Coachella. My partner and I are HUGE Lorde fans, so that was pretty crazy!
Q: Being as busy with YCL as you are, how do you balance work and life?
It’s a non-negotiable priority, simple. Since the day I needed to start hiring a team I ensured my mental and physical health were number one. As I learned pretty early on that if I was not functioning at my optimum, I then intern was not showing up for my team or brand.
Q: There’s obviously a lot of elements involved in YCL, what do you find the most satisfying?
Due to the fact that I am the CEO and Creative Director, my role varies day to day and I love it all! I love developing the business, strategising on marketing campaigns, & leading a team, and in contrast I also love designing the pieces, directing photoshoots and curating sets. I am a multi-passionate person so I thrive having so many different facets as part of my role.
Q: What are you most passionate about?
Living a fulfilling, mindful & purposeful life.
Q: What are your top 3 superpowers?
I love this question!
1. Multi-tasking. I can be cooking, working, and on a conference call and kill it at it all!
2. I am a powerful manifestor.
3. I often have lucid dreams.
Q: What tools have you learnt to get you through the tough times?
I have learnt over the years to remain in a state of steady balance. In business we have huge, life-altering ebb’s & flows, and if we don’t learn how to manage those internally it can become very depleting.
Q: What advice would you offer to aspiring creatives and women in business?
Free yourself from fear, and take that risk! Your vision and dreams are so worth it.
Q: What does happiness look like through the eyes of Fabienne?
Happiness through my lens is sunlight on my skin, a cool breeze in my hair, watching sunsets with my love, kissing my fur children. Happiness is practicing gratitude daily for the life I have created for myself.
Q: Do you have a morning ritual?
I do! In all honesty I am living in a few different houses right now whilst our home on the Gold Coast is in its final stages of being built, so I am feeling a little unsettled. This throws my morning rituals out a bit, which I surrender to and am gentle with. When I can I love to start my day with a beach or forest walk, a meditation and mushroom tonic. This gives me vitality and sets my intention for the day.
Q: Who or what are you listening to or reading right now?
Reading Circe, listing to Casefiles podcast and playing Fortnite (does that count haha!?).
Q: One last thing, share with us a fun fact about yourself, something that others may not know about you?
I swear a lot, have a crude sense of humour and have a very sensitive sense of smell.
A Woman Official Article.
About YCL Jewels
YCL tells a story through thoughtfully designed jewellery, crafted from high-quality materials. Each piece is a reflection of identity, a celebration of creativity and reminder of what matters most. To the brand, jewellery has the power to tell stories, spark moments of connection, and mark cherished memories in a meaningful way.
From gifts that symbolise love and friendship to designs that honour significant milestones, YCL’s intention is always to create jewellery that empowers the wearer and encourages heartfelt exchanges. Every piece begins with their intimate in-house design team, who together bring 18 years of shared experience. They place great value on thoughtful design, believing that the magic lies in the finer details. Each design goes through numerous iterations in close collaboration with their manufacturers, refining everything from settings, lengths and clasps to the finish, functionality and feel.
YCL is also on an evolving journey toward greater environmental and social responsibility. While they recognise there’s still progress to be made, they are deeply committed to learning, improving, and producing jewellery that is more consciously sourced and created. For YCL, sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s a responsibility and a path forward.
