Female Jewelry Designers
10 Jewelry Brands Run by Total Boss Ladies
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Now more than ever, women are stepping up to encourage one another. Support your global girl gang and the boss lady movement by shopping from female-fueled jewelry businesses. From dainty feminine metals to bold and modern statement makers, these 10 jewelry designers will inspire you to shop and feel good about it. Their stories will make you believe in your entrepreneurial self, because it's 2018 and it's the year of the kickass woman. Who said feminism can't be pretty?
1 Cuchara
What started out as a hobby of making jewelry from vintage spoons turned into a badass jewelry business of sexy but sophisticated designs. "Edgy and playful with a dash of elegance" is how designer and founder Edilou Canedo describes her jewelry line, Cuchara. Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia, she was inspired by her native land and continues to be drawn to the bohemian grunge of the island. Now based in Toronto, she incorporates city life into her designs along with the hip-hop influence of the '90s, like this cool update on classic street-chic earrings, Cuchara's Sunset Hoops ($71).
2 Uncommon James
After her MTV days, Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari dipped her toes into the shoe business, collaborating with Chinese Laundry, and later decided to launch her own jewelry line. Uncommon James is modern, elevated, polished, and a little bit fancy — perfect for her lifestyle of being a fashion-forward, business-savvy woman on the go (and on a budget, because nothing is over $72!). With three kids and a newly released cookbook, Kristin plans to open an Uncommon James store in Nashville and expand the line into home goods. If it's anything like her jewelry, I will be the first in line at her store opening. I'm currently obsessing over (and wearing) the Boulevard Ring ($52).
3 Tai Jewelry
Tai Rittichai's goal as an entrepreneur is to keep the beauty of handcrafted jewelry alive at a reasonable price. Her intricate and feminine designs are sweet, delicate, and special; you can't help but swoon over her celestial stones and famous miniature symbols. Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, her artistic interests and upbringing inspired her to turn her passion into a business. She saw the lack of high-quality, detail-oriented fashion jewelry as an opportunity to create it. She moved to LA and began selling her designs at the Santa Monica flea market. Her attention to detail was quickly discovered by boutique owners. Tai continues to employ local artisans from her native land and create beautiful pieces like this Double Circle Sparkle Necklace ($70).
4 Laura Lombardi
Bold and sculptural meets classic design is Laura Lombardi's aesthetic. You probably recognize her name from tapping on your favorite influencer's #OOTD jewelry. Her thick, yet lightweight, gold curve earrings became an editor and blogger sensation over the last couple of seasons. What started out as creating jewelry solely for herself turned into an online business for all. Her brand gained attention mainly because of the connective artistic spirit she expresses through her designs. She taught herself mostly everything about the jewelry business and continues to learn as she grows.
The designer spent her childhood between NYC and a small town outside of Florence, Italy, and is heavily influenced by the cross of industrial architectural design and classicality of these places. She uses new and recycled materials and makes everything in her studio in Brooklyn, NY. These chain-link shoulder duster Fede Earrings ($152) are at the top of my want list.
5 Jules Smith
Gina Nigrelli-Smith started her own jewelry line after leaving the corporate fashion world to be with family and pursue a life of travel together. She wanted to have it all. With the support of her female friends, she created Jules Smith, an affordable, trend-driven jewelry line for the California girl at heart. In the beginning, Gina worked out of her basement and used the connections and relationships she made at every step in her career to foster her business. She is an example of how good things come from girl-on-girl support. So in honor of female empowerment, I've added these shiny Geometric Double Drop Earrings ($78) to my shopping cart (you should too).
6 Justine Clenquet
There is a certain je ne sais quoi to Justine Clenquet's punk-driven, basement-party, androgynous jewelry. And I'm not just saying that because she's French. She has this bad-girl aesthetic that is sexy and seemingly unfinished, making her pieces all the more addicting. Each collection feels like an oversize button-down dress shirt with mismatched buttoning that falls off one shoulder and somehow looks effortlessly chic. After studying under renowned Parisian designers, Justine launched her business at only 18. As an entrepreneurial artist, she is focused on finding commerce houses that truly parallel her forward, edgy style. Asymmetrical chains are her MO, like this mixed-metal Jane Necklace ($88).
7 Stella and Bow
Stella and Bow is a jewelry line I am currently crushing on. Lauren Brokaw is the founder of this LA-based company, which is named after two precious pups! Early in her career, Lauren worked with stylists in Hollywood and spent way too much time repairing expensive jewelry. She noticed it was made of brass and would fall apart easily. After too many hours on the mending table, she decided to start her own business to create quality jewelry from stronger materials that won't break.
As an LA native, she has always been surrounded by pop culture working in and around the spotlight. She took that as inspiration for her collections — Puppy Love, Ballywood, and Nasty, to name a few. Her themed collections are products of what's happening in the world. From politics to pop culture and charities dear to her heart, Lauren uses her jewelry as a platform to express her voice. "As an entrepreneur, it is important to be around people that understand the voice and vision of your brand," she said. Her vision is conveyed through fun and fancy jewels like this Runyon Bracelet ($80).
8 Luv AJ
You have probably seen Amanda Thomas's designs all over Instagram. Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner, Romee Strijd, and Emily Ratajkowski are just a few fans of Luv AJ. She mixes metal spikes and layered chains with feminine gems in body jewelry, handpieces, chokers, and more, creating an edgy yet feminine sex appeal. It's no wonder these It girls are obsessed!
It all started after a random run-in with a Fred Segal buyer inquiring about the necklace she was wearing. Amanda was only 16. Her designs remain fresh, relevant, and a Coachella favorite. As an entrepreneur, she has found growth and success in collaboration. Amanda has created exclusive collections for LF stores and continues to work with fashion brands and influencers to create editorial lookbooks that go viral on Instagram. Her hustle landed her a spot on Forbes's 30 Under 30 in 2015. From the perfect layering ear party to these art deco day-to-night drops, Luv AJ is a brand you should be wearing. Start with these Pave Kite Disc Earrings ($68, originally $97).
9 VLM Jewelry
After working for big-name designers in the fashion industry, Vanessa Marie Louise Arthur decided to start a line of her own, VLM Jewelry. She was once a violinist and singer and remains heavily influenced quite literally by music, along with midcentury modern design. Her pieces are modern and minimal but also soft and romantic — two styles that normally do not come together. The slight hammered details throughout make each piece feel like one of a kind. Vanessa's designs represent her goal as an entrepreneur of the arts: to unite people. Harmony and togetherness are huge themes in her life, and she so eloquently expresses that in the way she molds shapes and metals together. This Parallel Ring ($98) tells that story.
10 The 2 Bandits
After selling patchwork in high school, Tamar Wilder realized she could start her own business. So that's exactly what she did. Inspired by the sun, stars, and wildness of the West, the Texas native launched costume jewelry line The 2 Bandits. Since her launch, Tamar has gained a cult following of free-spirited hippie types who love the Southwestern, rustic, rock 'n' roll aura she creates. Tamar lives her brand out loud and is the epitome of The 2 Bandits' girl. As an entrepreneur, it's crucial to wholeheartedly believe in your product. Tamar embodies her designs and found success in staying true to a super niche throughout all of her collections. Everything she designs feels natural and is a part of who she is, like this bestselling Athena Cuff ($68) I already own.
