The origins of the Jan Logan brand can be traced back to the founders early years in Narrabri, in north-western NSW. Jan spent most of her childhood, she says, living in her imagination, playing with her mother’s jewellery box, “but I never thought I’d make a life of it. I loved movies, especially musicals, and always thought I’d be a performer.“
Married at an early age, Jan had three sons before venturing back into the workforce with the Narrabri Chamber of Commerce. It was this role that saw her forge a partnership with the local town jeweller, who recognised Jan’s eye for design and a natural talent for identifying her customer’s needs.
Learning quickly on the job, Jan was soon exhibiting her jewellery around the country. The momentum and fan-base that followed convinced her to relocate to Sydney, and in 1989 she opened her first flagship store in Double Bay in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
The Jan Logan name soon became synonymous with quality craftsmanship, timeless design and the seamless fusion of both historic and modern sensibilities. Jan effortlessly blended her creative influences from the Art Deco and Etruscan periods with her own innovative designs to create pieces in the finest quality precious and semi-precious stones, diamonds and lustrous South Sea pearls.
“I am very much a hands on designer,” says Logan, who works closely with her team of master jewellers, setters and polishers in her Sydney workshop. “We are lucky to have a dedicated team of creative people working here in a concerted endeavour to produce things of beauty. I travel a great deal, soaking up inspiration and sourcing vintage pieces from all around the world.”
Jan’s son, Angus Logan joined the company in 1999 and together they grew the business to include store locations in Melbourne, Perth, Hong Kong and a concession boutique within leading Australian department store, David Jones.
Jan Logan has evolved over the last twenty four years into an international brand. Her designs regularly grace the catwalk of leading fashion designers and the red carpet at events. Internationally recognised faces such as Naomi Watts, Jennifer Lopez, Elle Macpherson, Russell Crowe, Rose Byrne, Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman and Joan Chen are all known to wear Logan’s unique designs. Jan’s passionate support of fashion has seen her collaborate with some of Australia’s finest designers, including Collette Dinnigan, Akira Isogawa, Easton Pearson and Leona Edmiston.
Part of her appeal, she believes, is that “I design for myself. If I’m not comfortable in something, how could I expect anyone else to be?” Designer Akira Isogawa loved his collaboration with Jan, saying “I admire her versatility. She always comes up with the goods, she never disappoints.”
Logan attributes the company longevity to their family orientated approach “We are a family business and that is very important to us, but we have a decidedly global outlook.”
With further expansion planned for the brand, Jan shows no signs of slowing down as she continues on her quest to create jewellery that goes beyond simply being a daily accessory and soon becomes a style necessity.
