4 minute read
Reagan Charleston Thomas
Reagan Charleston Thomas
Like her beloved city, Reagan Charleston Thomas, Esq. is the perfect mix of heritage, literature, beauty, creativity, and art. I have deemed her New Orleans’ Sweetheart since she shares these commonalities with New Orleans AND is a Cocktail and Cooking Enthusiast! Thomas is the owner and designer of Reagan Charleston Jewelry, a collection of original statement pieces designed and handcrafted in her New Orleans area jewelry studio and sold to clients in over a dozen countries internationally. She is also an attorney, currently practicing real estate law and conducting closings at Thomas Abstracting & Champion Title with her husband, Reece.
Advertisement
Reagan Charleston Jewelry is in its eighth year, and its first brick and mortar location in Canal Place will be celebrating its third anniversary this Fall. Each original piece of jewelry is designed by Reagan and inspired by something unique that is part of her own life, loves, and travels. Her pieces are handcrafted using ethically sourced materials and local artisans.
She is passionate about what she does, and it shows in each collection that she creates. Her designs are worn by those drawn to the sophisticated, bold, and timeless aesthetics found in them.
Reagan opened her business in 2013 after her second trip to Florence, Italy, where, five years before at 19 years old, she developed a profound attachment to the city, as she says there was a quality that reminded her of home. The beautiful lion head door knockers throughout the city reminded her of the stone lions atop the gates at her Grandparents’ art gallery at the Court of Two Lions on Toulouse Street in the French Quarter. To commemorate her time in Florence, she designed The Leone, her signature piece that launched her business! In 2015 Reagan’s collections were picked up by Luisa Via Roma, a luxury retailer located on the famous Via Roma in Florence. It was then that she recognized her success. Of the moment, she says,
Her business is a family business - her mother, a metalsmith, does her model making, and her younger sister, Reina, is also a metalsmith, manages their French Quarter store, and has recently begun designing. . As a child, Reagan watched her mother and grandparents sculpt copper in their art studios. Reginald V. and Amelia Coghlan held the world-famous Coghlan Art Gallery in the French quarter. There is a lot that I’d like to tell you about her grandparents, but go and research them! They accomplished so many inspiring things!
Reagan’s bloodline can be traced back to the 1700s, when the city was new. Her ancestor, Antoine Peychaud, an apothecary, invented what is now known as the world’s first cocktail, which is the official cocktail of Louisiana, the Sazerac! How cool is that?! I loved speaking with Reagan and learning of her family’s history and how everything in her life has made her into the incredible mix of grace and talent that she is! Not only did she start a successful business at such a young age, but she also finished law school and graduated magna cum laude while running it. With the success she has earned, we asked her for advice for women wanting to start a business. “Happy to help,” she replied and gave us three key differentials:
1. JUST DO IT! The biggest downfall is becoming overwhelmed and being too afraid to begin. Start small, but by all means start! Just do it and share it with the world.
2. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! There is a hardship that comes with being a woman in business; don’t be afraid to use your voice and be the biggest advocate for yourself and your work.
3. DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT! Reagan started her business during an economic downturn when the price of metal was very high, resulting in a market full of very small, dainty pieces, but she chose to stay true to herself and her bold, statement sized aesthetic. “Find your niche- it allows you to compete and stand out.”
Reagan is wonderful, such an inspiration, and she is as sweet as she is intelligent and talented.
Look for her Jardin Collection that will be released this month! And later in 2021, look for Baby #2! That’s right! Reagan and her husband, Reece’s beautiful family, is growing. Congratulations to you two! I can’t wait to hear about what this next generation will conquer and create!
