Ippolita

Ippolita.

What have you learned since you began that’s shaped you as a designer?

When I started out, I was designing the kind of jewelry I wanted to wear but couldn’t find. No one was crafting truly wearable fine jewelry—jewelry that is meant to be worn—by real women—every day, for every occasion. As I continue to develop my collections, it’s important to me that each piece I design is beautiful, wearable and makes a woman feel special.

Why was Lee Michaels a first choice as a retail partner?

Lee Michaels has a love and integrity for what they do that’s very similar to my own. They know their customer so well and have a true connection to the community. Our partnership has been especially great due to how well Lee Michaels understands the relationship between the seller and consumer and truly understands what people are looking for.

What else encourages your design process?

The world is an endless source of inspiration for me—art, architecture, a walk down a New York street, a poem, a song—I am constantly inspired.

What kind of environment do you like to be in when designing?

I find I am at my most creative late at night—it may be the dark or the quiet solitude—but I keep a sketchbook on my night table as I am often drawing new ideas at odd hours.

How do you choose stones and colors?

I cherish the idea of respecting our natural resources. To me, this translates into using materials for their innate beauty and doing as little as possible to them. I make collections around the mesmerizing sheen of shells or the delicate striations of exotic wood: simple, elegant and cool.

What do you know to be true about creating quality jewelry?

Craftsmanship is essential and noticeably present in every piece I design. It is really what differentiates my collection and something I never compromise on. To create contemporary, timeless pieces that are well designed and well made, is for me the epitome of quality.

Ippolita Personal Appearance and Trunk Show October 20 • 11am-2pmLee Michaels Fine JewelryLakeside Shopping Center