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Designer spotlight

Designer spotlight

August 25, 2016

We can’t get enough of our newest designer Carolyn Colby’s signature ear pieces. Offering a modernized feminine aesthetic, each of Carolyn Colby’s designs offer a fresh take on polished structural elements. Featuring a select collection of the designer’s favorite pieces, our collaboration is an exciting venture and we can’t to share a bit more about this amazing up-and-coming designer.  We recently asked the designer to share a few details about what inspires her. Read below for more:

CARLY+LEACH+CAROLYN+COLBY

Carly Leach // Designer & Owner of Carolyn Colby

 

What inspires you when working on a new collection?

Living in NYC I find inspiration around me constantly; architecture, art and fashion all influence me. I’m constantly snapping pictures, roughly sketching ideas, collecting stone and crystal samples for color references. At the beginning of each season I sort through everything and see what remains most intriguing to me and go from there.

 

What is your favorite new jewelry trend, and what trend are you over?

I’m obsessed with earrings so I’m loving the trend of embellishing the entire ear; crawlers, cuffs, jackets, big statement earrings, I love it all. Bibs – I think bib necklaces can take a pause.

 

What materials do you love working with?

I love stones and crystals – anything that will catch light and shine!

 

What is your favorite piece you’ve designed?

Right now favorite piece is the palm leaf inspired ear crawlers. I wear them all the time. I love the soft curvature and the sharp lines of the leaflets.

carolyn colby palm ear crawlers

Carolyn Colby // Palm Ear Crawlers // $165

 

What was the first piece you designed?

The first piece I designed was the triple shield necklace. I actually made the very first one many years ago before I moved to NYC when jewelry was just a hobby. I’ve just always loved the necklace so when I launched Carolyn Colby I knew I had to include the piece in my first collection and it’s remained a classic ever since.

 

What do you consider a must have piece that every girl should own?

I think every girl should own a great pair of studs. They can be your every day staple or add a polished touch to a sophisticated evening look. You can’t go wrong.

 

Most meaningful piece in your jewelry box?

Every day I wear a combo of 2 rings; 1 is a delicate gold signet ring that my dad gave my mom as a first anniversary gift (they’ve been married for 42 years!) and a few years ago I swiped it from my mom’s jewelry box and it’s never left my finger since. I wear that with my Carolyn Colby shooting star ring which has 2 diamonds pointing towards each other with a small amount of negative space in between. It was one of the first pieces I designed for my fine jewelry collection and it sits right next to my moms ring and just makes me happy.

 

Which piece is an investment piece worth splurging on?

Statement earrings! Just do it!

 

Check out the entire ear collection here.

 

Designer spotlight

Meet Rachael Ryen Jewelry

August 1, 2016

 


Introducing our newest love…. Rachael Ryen Jewelry

Inspired by a lifelong love of jewelry, Boston designer Rachael Byers created Rachael Ryen Jewelry in 2011.  While searching for pieces to fill her own jewelry box, Rachael discovered there were very few options in between expensive fine jewelry and costume jewelry.  To fill that void, Rachael began designing her own pieces, creating what she calls “colorful, modern jewelry with a dainty, delicate feel”. Her collection of gorgeous gems has quickly become one of our favorites, with a mix of unique modern pieces and fresh new staples.

Find out more about Rachael, what inspires her, and what are must haves for every girl.

What inspires you when working on a new collection?
I look at my line as a story and each collection a chapter. In other words, all my designs are created deliberately, wrapping in shapes and looks from past seasons. I want my customers to be able to build on what they already have. My husband and I also get to travel quite a bit due to his job, so I’m always keeping my eyes open for new shapes, textures and elements from overseas travels that I can incorporate.

What was the first piece you designed?
The first piece I designed was a necklace for a friend. I was out searching for a birthday gift for her and didn’t really find anything that was quite right. On my way home I passed a bead store, went in and picked out a few materials. The necklace was a long beaded piece that she still has and loves.
What is your favorite piece you’ve designed?
The Duchess Earrings have a special place in my heart since I wore them for my own wedding this past fall. The petal ear jackets and 3 stone bar necklace are two basics that not only do my customers love, but also go with me everywhere. When you create a versatile, classic piece that stands out, it’s a great feeling.
What materials do you love working with?

I just started using doublets which is a technique where stones are layered onto one another to create these beautiful, rich colors. The abalone pieces this season are a doublet and I love the blue hues that come through. Moonstone and Labradorite are also favorites. All our pieces are sterling silver based which means the quality is higher, but because it’s softer than brass or gold, it can be tricky at times.
What is your favorite new jewelry trend, and what trend are you over?

Ear jackets and climbers. I’m obsessed with these looks and hope these stick around for quite some time. I have a fairly petite frame, so statement necklaces have and always will be a bit of a challenge for me. Shifting away from the chunkier pieces back to basics is refreshing.

What do you consider a must have piece that every girl should own?
A simple, dainty every day necklace like our 3 stone mini bar or petal bar necklace. Something you can wear alone or stack, and it goes with anything. I’m also a huge fan of studs, so a great pair of basics with a splash of color is a must. I love our Caitlin studs for this.

Rachael Ryen 3 Mini Stone Bar Necklace

 

 

Rachael Ryen Petal Bar Necklace

 

Rachel Ryen Caitlin Studs

Most meaningful piece in your jewelry box?
An opal necklace from my great grandmother
Which piece is an investment piece worth splurging on?

Definitely a beautiful, classic watch.

It was a pleasure getting to hang with our girl Rachael, now head on over here to check out the rest of her collection.

Designer spotlight

Interview with Style Maven Melanie Auld

August 1, 2016
Melanie Auld Jewelry has quickly become a hot commodity among our customers ever since we introduced her line to The Loupe in late November. With her focus on basic, classic pieces that are well-tailored, luxurious and stylish, it’s no wonder she’s quickly becoming one of our favorite jewelry lines. We absolutely love her Spring ’14 collection and are so excited to be one of the few online retailers to carry it this early into the spring season.
Melanie was born in Thunder Bay, a small town in Northwestern Ontario. At 19 she left home to study fashion and was quickly drawn to creating jewelry. As her husband was living his dream of playing hockey professionally she easily embraced all the amazing cities they were so fortunate to live in: Vancouver, South Florida, Boston, Ottawa, Dallas, Montreal and Salzburg. Melanie and her husband now call Vancouver home along with their children Ella and Sam.
Now that she’s back in Vancouver, Melanie Auld is out to set the designer jewelry world ablaze–and we have no doubt she is well on her way. Read on to find out more about this amazing designer.
TL: What inspires your jewelry line?
MA: I am inspired by travel, fashion, everything. Sometimes its even just a feeling you get from being in a certain place at a certain time. Life is inspiring!
TL: What materials are you most drawn to?
MA: I am very drawn to stones as I am sure is quite apparent in my collections. I am always looking for interesting ways to pair stones together or different color combinations.
TL: Tell us a bit about your Spring ’14 collection–what was your inspiration?
MA: Spring was definitely inspired by travel to far off exotic locations. The colors are so saturated and the perfect addition to a tan and a smile! I just brought the whole collection to Mexico with me and had the most impossible time choosing with pieces to wear.
TL: What are some of your favorite Melanie Auld pieces on The Loupe?
MA: The Double Stone earrings in Cream Druzy are one of my absolute favorite pieces from the collection. They were a last minute addition that I am so glad popped into my head. Also the 3 tier triangle necklace in labradorite. It’s so versatile and is easily worn now or in the middle of summer.
TL: You were recently named one of Elle Canada’s “One to Watch” designers–can you tell us a little more about that distinction?
MA: I was so honored to be named as “one to watch” by Elle Canada. It’s so nice to have the reassurance that people are starting to notice my line and really appreciate the kind of jewelry I am making.
TL: What’s your favorite accessory–what can’t you live without?
MA: I can’t pick just one! My Chanel bags and all my jewels, haha.
TL: What are some other things you are passionate about, beside your jewelry?
MA: My children and husband are the most important things in my life, when I am not working I am doing my best to spend as much time with them as possible. To really be present. In this day and age it’s almost impossible to just shut off everything, but relationships are so so important. A human connection. I am passionate about people not forgetting that!
TL: What can we look forward to from Melanie Auld in the rest of 2014?
MA: Fall samples are already being made! I am super excited to try out some new cuff ideas that you haven’t seen from me before. Lots of Malachite, Lapis, Labradorite and my favorite White Howlite! Also introducing a little more silver!
Thank you Melanie! We can’t wait to see what’s in store for Melanie Auld in 2014!