Equestrian Jeweler,
K
arina Brez,
on the LUV and inspira�on behind her Collec�ons.
Bit of LUV®™ necklace in 18K white gold
Photography by Kate Benson
Gemologist, appraiser and advocate for the healing power of horses, Karina Brez has created a niche as one of top international equestrian fine jewelers. In this interview, Elite Equestrian sits down with Karina to learn more about the story behind the designer and her designs. Can you tell us a bit about how you started your business? The influence to start came from two places. First and foremost, from my father, who immigrated to the US from the Ukraine and was a jeweler. As a child, I watched him work at the bench, meticulously paying attention to every detail. Because of him, I grew up to appreciate fine workmanship and learned to value designing with high quality gemstones in my own jewels. My mother has an amazing work ethic, and showed me the importance of steadiness and diligence, which has been key to helping me building my business. Secondly, I earned the title of Miss Florida USA in 2012, and was inspired to design a jewelry collection after fellow contestants were impressed by the designs I created for my pageant dress.
What has your personal connec�on to horses been? I didn’t grow up riding, but I grew up admiring horses. When I was in my early 20s, I started volunteering at a charity called Horses Healing Hearts and helped them grow exponentially.
Where do you get your inspira�on from, for your designs?
EQUINE Fashion
My jewelry collections are a byproduct of my happiness and passion of equestrian sport. The beautiful horses I’m surrounded by every day at the showgrounds inspire my designs. With powerful jumps and eloquent landings, they give so much unconditional love to their rider, and the bond between the two is what I try to infuse into my jewelry, which is made with love.
Bit of LUV®™ bracelet in 18K yellow gold 28
Tell us about your signature collec�ons—their design and the inspira�on behind them.
My trademarked and signature fine jewelry collections are Huggable Hooves®™, Horse LUV®™, and Bit of LUV™. Huggable Hooves®™ is all about letting the horse hug you back. The bracelets and rings in the collection are shaped as wraparound horse hooves. The Horse LUV®™ collection combines the form of two horses into a heart, a symbol for those who love horses, and the pieces are an heirloom for connecting those who have a shared endearment for horses. Bit of LUV™ is inspired by the bit, which helps facilitate the communication between horse and rider. The art of horseback riding is a skill, and an ever-evolving partnership between human and horse. For me, Huggable Hooves®™, Horse LUV®™ and Bit of LUV™. uniquely capture the bond between human and horse, within one’s everyday style.
You recently opened your first store in Palm Beach, FL. What made you decide to open a physical retail loca�on?
It has always been my dream to open a Palm Beach store. My first and earliest memories are of my parents taking me to walk the streets here, and I admired the windows in amazement, aspiring to one day create something special and worthy enough of being sold here. Decades later, I promised myself that if after ten years business was successful, I would fulfill that dream.
For years, you have exhibited at Wellington, and recently you exhibited at Cowboy Christmas in Las Vegas. What is the experience like for you when you meet clients who are riders at the shows, and why has this become an important part of your business? Horse people are the best people! My clients are either riders, owners or enthusiasts, and we all ultimately share the same passion for equestrian sport. I enjoy traveling to different venues and feeling the community atmosphere. Many clients have become lifelong friends.
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