An Irish designer based in Copenhagen, Leah Butler founded Nvll + Void in 2023. Creating jewellery that serves as both wearable art and conversation starters, each piece is unique and influenced by the beauty of imperfection.
My brand is inspired by the beauty of imperfection and the rawness of the human experience.
Every piece merges brutalist design with traditional craftsmanship. Nvll + Void explores themes of impermanence and societal norms, creating jewellery that serves as both wearable art and conversation starters.
My mission is to create timeless, meaningful pieces that encourage individuals to champion and embrace their own uniqueness.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything I do, from using recycled materials to designing jewellery that’s bold, thoughtful and enduring. Nvll + Void is about challenging conventional binary notions of beauty and finding strength in imperfection.
Surprisingly, I didn’t always know I wanted to be a designer.
While I’ve always had a creative streak, becoming a designer wasn’t a planned path. My time learning about history, folklore and equality studies at UCD deeply shaped my perspective, allowing me to draw inspiration from cultural narratives and societal themes. Jewellery became my way of distilling larger concepts into personal, intimate forms.
Nvll + Void offers a curated collection of rings, necklaces and earrings, all with a bold, sculptural quality.
Each piece is crafted to feel like a small piece of art, something timeless that resonates with the wearer. I also offer bespoke memorial jewellery commissions, transforming sentimental objects or ashes into enduring heirlooms.
Starting a business in a sustainable way comes with its challenges.
I’ve had to be resourceful and patient – it’s all been off my own back. I’ve focused on growing at a pace that feels authentic to me while staying true to my values.
Best business advice I’ve ever gotten? “Done is better than perfect.”
It’s so easy to get caught up in the pursuit of perfection, but sometimes progress is more important. Trust your instincts, stay adaptable and keep showing up.
I draw so much inspiration from accounts that push boundaries in design and craftsmanship.
A few of my favourites include Castro Smith for his intricate and unconventional engraving techniques that blend fine jewellery with storytelling; Scottish jeweller Eilis Mhairi Cameron, whose raw, textured jewellery gives an ancient, heirloom-like quality; Guldhammer Studio’s work for its heavy-hitting design style. In the realm of fashion and design, Melitta Baumeister stands out for her structural, experimental forms that redefine wearable art. I also love Copenhagen’s Studio Soriano’s upcycling of tarpaulin into streetwear-style raincoats and carrier bags and of course, I couldn’t leave out both Robyn Lynch and Simone Rocha as constant inspirations, with their strong Irish ties and ability to balance heritage with innovation. These accounts remind me to keep pushing my own boundaries, embracing imperfection and bold ideas in my work.
My best fashion purchase has to be my Studio Soriano upcycled Valentino bag.
It’s not just the slick utilitarian design but also the concept behind it. I love that it’s made from upcycled materials, turning something discarded into a high-end statement piece. But for me, the total cherry on top is that my dog, Cú, fits perfectly inside, meaning we can go almost everywhere together. It’s a piece that feels uniquely mine while reflecting values I care about.
I’m consistently inspired by other Irish creatives.
To name a few – Emer Roberts, whose sculptural jewellery and art pieces bridge the gap between wearable design and contemporary sculpture. Her work feels like a dialogue between nature and form, which I admire; Dorothy Cross, an incredible visual artist whose exploration of natural elements and themes of transformation align beautifully with my own interest in impermanence; Jesse Jones, whose multidisciplinary practice in visual art and performance inspires me to think about how jewellery can also challenge norms and tell larger societal stories. These creatives showcase the richness of Irish design and art and their work continuously fuels my passion for pushing boundaries in my own craft.
What can feel like hard graft at the time often only reveals its value when you’re looking in the rear-view mirror.
Every step forward—every risk you take—might not lead you exactly where you imagined, but it contributes to the bigger picture. I’ve learned to lean into uncertainty, knowing that even missteps or unexpected outcomes can veer into exciting and unforeseen paths.
2024 was incredibly exciting and full of milestones I’m proud of.
I exhibited in a group show in Sydney, Australia and showcased my work at Romania Jewellery Week, which was a fantastic opportunity to work alongside so many excellent makers. Being published in their book felt like a big step in sharing my story and moving into a shared creative studio in Copenhagen has transformed my work environment and sparked new inspiration. Those were all great experiences that I’m proud to have been a part of but in all honestly, nothing compares to the feeling of my very first sale when I started Nvll+Void in 2023. Knowing that someone connected with something I created on such a personal level was an unforgettable moment – it validated all the hard work and passion. That feeling is a constant reminder of why I do what I do and it continues to drive me forward.
I want Nvll + Void to be remembered for its considered design and enduring quality.
I’m proud to make jewellery that’s outside of trends and is instead meaningful and lasting. My work marries bold, architectural aesthetics with the deeply personal, exploring themes of sentimentality under a broad umbrella that includes memorial jewellery. Through every piece, I aim to create jewellery that not only tells a story but also carries emotional resonance. I want Nvll + Void to stand as a testament to the power of design to merge strength and sensitivity, transforming personal moments into enduring heirlooms.
If I could have anyone wear my designs, it would be Olwen Fouéré.
She’s a phenomenal Irish actress and writer whose work radiates strength, individuality and a raw, unfiltered beauty that deeply resonates with my designs. Her fearless approach to storytelling and her ability to embody transformative characters mirrors the themes I explore in my jewellery—impermanence, societal norms and bold self-expression. She’s a true inspiration for the type of individual I design for: someone who challenges norms and exudes unapologetic individuality.
Photography by Leah Butler.