Morgan Barfield X Mikaela Lyons Jewellery
Be Constant
Words by Morgan
Being constant is to be firm and steadfast in resolution, you might describe an old friend as a constant if they’ve always been there for you.
Running can feel like an old friend, a constant in the way it lets you carve out space for your mind and body to feel alive or to put physical distance between you and any trials from that day, month, year. A constant way to make sure you sit with the elements each season, embracing discomfort, dark evenings and solitude.
Anything can be a constant, gardening, hiking, crafting things. Wear this jewellery on your wrist or footwear and with every step show up for whatever that thing is that makes you feel alive and connected to the world around you - be constant.
At the Intersection of Jewellery and Running
Throughout history, jewellery and sports have been deeply connected—not just as symbols of status or victory, but as personal tokens of passion, perseverance, and identity. From the earliest civilizations to the modern era, athletes have worn and cherished jewellery, not only as adornments but as tangible reminders of their journey.
In ancient Greece, Olympians were crowned with olive wreaths, a simple yet powerful emblem of triumph and honour. Roman gladiators carried amulets into battle, believing these small intricacies held the power to protect them from harm. In medieval Europe, knights wore engraved rings and medals, not just for prestige, but as symbols of loyalty and personal glory.
Over time, jewellery in sports has evolved from ceremonial awards to an integral part of an athlete’s personal style. Today, athletes are encouraged to express themselves, bringing individuality to their performance and pushing the boundaries of self-expression in competition. This year alone, both professional and amateur runners have embraced their achievements through bold race-day outfits and sentimental jewellery worn for the occasion. For many, a simple chain, a lucky bracelet, or a cherished pendant isn’t just an accessory—it’s a powerful reminder of where they’ve come from, who they are, and the ambitions they carry forward.
AN INTERVIEW WITH MORGAN
Morgan, can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about you?
Of course, I’m Morgan, I live in Stockport and I’m a freelance
photographer, creative producer and runner these days often blending all
of the above in my work. I am happiest when creating or moving and am
still trying to find a work-life balance that seamlessly combines the two.
I’ll get there!
How did you got into running and what sort of running do you do?
I used to love running cross country when I was at school, and my Dad
would sometimes take me running with him on the fields behind our
house. It wasn’t a huge part of my life when I was younger but the
appetite for it was there. Then I rediscovered it during the pandemic like
every other person on the planet. It was that position of not being able to
do the other facility based sports I did like gym or climbing and kind of
resorting back to the beautiful simplicity of being able to chuck on a pair
of trainers and just set off from the front door.
That’s still my favourite part of running, the simplicity - now I run as many
days of the week as I can, mainly for headspace and general fitness
maintenance so that if I do want to take on a longer trail run at the
weekend the base stamina is always there.
How does the way you dress & accessorise contribute to your sense of identity as a runner?
I’ve always worked in and around retail or apparel in some way so I care
a lot about design and functionality and I think for me getting dressed is
usually kind of a catalyst in getting fired up about something new. I
definitely feel most myself when I’m in running gear and there’s something really exciting about the fabrics and shapes of performance
wear, all the mesh and streamlined shapes. Lots of room for interesting
colour combinations too which I’m always here for. I also need to feel in
touch with my feminine side on my runs too. I always keep my jewellery
on to run in (sorry to every P.E teacher ever) and I know a lot of other
women who do the same. Many of the pieces I’ve collected over time represent the parts of me that aren’t connected to my work or my physical performance and I kind of like to carry those parts along on the journey too. Whether it’s a piece
my partner gave to me or the earring stack I feel naked without. I also
cannot run without lipgloss, something I got rinsed for when I ran an
ultramarathon across the lake district last year and still applied my Nars Afterglow at every aid station.
Over time we have seen the boundary between activewear and fashion become intrinsically linked. Within your running community have you seen a rise in this when it comes to accessories too, specifically jewellery?
Yes I’ve noticed it in every area where there is room for self-expression
and I think it’s a really beautiful thing. I think the culture of socialising
post-run, having a drink or food or the run being part of a wider event
means that people want to look their best and bring in elements of their
personal style that they wouldn’t have thought to before. I think on
race-days people wear the jewellery that’s really important to them for
luck and mementos of encouragement. Generally there have been more
synergies and crossovers between the outdoor sector and the jewellery
world than ever before and I’m excited to see what other products could
emerge in this space.
What gave you the idea to design a lace plaque and why do you want to wear it?
We discussed the idea of a lace lock really early on as something that is
familiar and works well across all kinds of footwear but could be made to
look really unique and opulent when given the signature ML treatment.
We took inspiration from posey rings, hidden inscriptions, baroque
architectural details and old english - lots of Mikaela’s signature design
language and I just loved the idea of contrasting all that against a sporty
modern trainer.
How has it made you feel when you have worn the lace plaque during training or a race?
It’s made me feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to work on
a project like this and it’s been amazing to actually be able to look down
and see the design whilst running. Most jewellery we wear isn’t really in
our sight line so it’s fun to have a word of encouragement on your literal
feet and it’s felt like a warm reminder of friendship and
self-empowerment. It’s so inspiring working with Mikaela because she
draws heavily on the past for inspiration but have this openness and
awareness of current trends and the end results always feel so fresh.
Who would you love to see wearing the lace plaque?
I don’t have anyone specific in mind but I’d love to see an athlete
wearing it whilst completing something really adventurous like an ultra
across the desert. I’d also love to see it worn and interpreted by people
outside of the running world. Styled on everyday footwear and worn by
people who are into customisation and have really individual personal style.
See more of Morgans work
Shop Be Constant