COLLECTED
The inspiration and why behind a series of drops that have been selling out in minutes.
I’m not sure there has been a collection in my 20+ years of designing jewelry that has captured my heart quite like this one has. And it seems it’s not just me. Our first two drops sold out in under an hour.
Collected came about while I was in Hong Kong for work. I try to get there every year for at least one of their two big jewelry shows. Vendors, manufacturers and artisans from all over the world gather at this show. It’s a fantastic way to connect with your suppliers, source new ones and honestly just take in all the new happenings in the jewelry industry. I’ve always loved stones, but I especially love stones with interesting veining, colours and patterns. My house is full of them. I find them artful and interesting in a way that a diamond will never be. Don’t get me wrong, a diamond definitely has its own charisma, but it’s all beauty, no personality :) Ok, I’m veering off course. I decided that since we were there we should head out to the Gem Show, it’s housed in a totally different part of town and concentrates on only loose gemstones.
Once there, I felt like I had stumbled into my own personal heaven. All the colours and varieties of stones that you could ever imagine were on display. Immediately I started wracking my brain for ways I could incorporate these beautiful little mini works of art into my jewelry.
Before I start to explain how the Collected concept came about, I think I need to have you understand how my brain works when it comes to style and aesthetics. I am not fond of the obvious. What does that mean? Well I don’t like for a home, an object, or even an outfit to be uniform. I want visual interest and I find that in the tension between polished and rough, elegant and casual, refined and organic. The polished and refined side brings an aspect of tailoring and intention, the casual/organic side feels effortless and interesting. It’s the tension between these two elements that I believe make art and fashion truly interesting.
I started by collecting all the semi-precious stones that spoke to me. That show was the beginning of what I think will be a huge shift in how MAJ evolves over the next few years. It feels easier to admit it now that I know where I am headed, but I was becoming disenchanted with the jewelry space. There is so much noise, big brands that churn out minimalist pieces that feel so interchangeable. You start to feel like that’s the look you need to design into, because it must be what people want. If you’re not careful you start to lose your true vision, the point of view that makes you unique and interesting and different. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve released many collections that I am absolutely in love with, but if I’m being honest, we have also released some that I wasn’t nearly as excited about.
Collected feels like the perfect blend of all my greatest loves. Interesting, artful and personal, yet design forward and current. My vision was to take a beautiful stone and make it a wearable piece of art that can be used in a multitude of ways. I wanted to take that organic, raw beauty and highlight it through beautifully designed and elevated metal work. Here is that tension again, the way the organic stone interacts with my designed bail or earrings make it truly unique and beautiful. You can then take that pendant and totally change up the feel of it based on what you are pairing it with. A long cord necklace makes it feel instantly effortless and put together, a chunky metal Keane chain gives it a more luxe/special vibe, a delicate chain adds a level of femininity, the options are really endless.
What excites me the most is that I truly believe we are giving our customer something completely unique. Something, hopefully, they have been craving. I haven’t seen anything like this, anywhere, ever (and I look at trends and images for a living). I love that our customer can connect with a stone and know she is getting that exact one-of-a-kind piece, a special item that no one else will ever have. Jewelry is personal, it should feel special and unique to you. I love that we can deliver that on so many levels. These stones give that sentimental feeling of collecting rocks as a kid, only slightly more polished and infinitely more stylish :) I love what they add to my daily outfits, interest, a point of view and honestly, a conversation starter. I can’t tell you how many people have approached me to ask where I found the stone pendant I am wearing and that inevitably leads to a whole other conversation
Our next drop is scheduled for April 7th and I am VERY excited for it. It’s the first release of the bails that I custom designed specifically for Collected. I have more in the sampling stages and of course so many new and fun stones I need to get to drilling. I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and excitement everyone has shown this collection and it makes my heart so happy to know that I am bringing beauty and happiness (even if small) to your world.
Until next time,
X Mel
s