A Curated Online Jewelry Boutique

Our Ellie Vail Interview 

Featured Designer of the Month of June

This month we sit with one of our new and best selling designers Ellie Vail to discuss her jewelry line. Where she gets her inspiration, what she sees coming to the jewelry industry, and her favorite Instagrammers.  

Your Jewelry Line is named after yourself, can you give us some background on yourself and how you started designing your own jewelry line?

I'm 24 years old originally from Los Angeles, California. I'm one of 3 (2 brothers) raised by a single mother. She taught me how important it is to be independent and work hard. I've had a full time job and made my own money since I was 16. I LOVE to work. I also LOVE fashion. All my of jobs have involved fashion (celebrity styling, merchandising, and sales). I'm very creative and love arts & crafts. One day I decided to make a piece of jewelry that I envisioned, but couldn't find anywhere for a decent price. I took a local jewelry class and actually made a pretty cool necklace. People started asking me about the piece I made, so I decided to start creating and run with it - it felt right.

What has been the most exciting part of the design process so far?

The most exciting part of designing is having an idea and seeing it come to life. I hope that my customers react positively to what I created.

What designers do you love or look to for design inspiration?

I don't look up to designers, or look to them for inspiration. However, I totally respect them! But, I've never been a real 'label girl'. Majority of my clothes and accessories are vintage, or thrifted and most of my favorite pieces don't even have labels!! My inspiration comes from people like The Olsen Twins, Nicole Richie, Kylie Jenner, Olivia Palermo, and myself. I try and combine what I see my style icons wear with my personal taste.

Describe your customer in 3 words?

Classic, edgy, carefree

What do you see as the hottest jewelry trend at the moment?

This could spark a major debate.... I'm loving the clip on septum ring. For the most part, jewelry is designed to make you look pretty, or feminine. Septum rings really push the envelope - there is something about not trying to look pretty, or sticking to the norm that makes me think someone is more striking. At the end of the day, they are fun and temporary, so why not? Spoiler alert - this style may be making an apperance in our Holiday '15 collection ;).

This is not Ellie Vails septum ring but we thought we would show you what she is talking about.

What do you love to do when you are not working?

When I'm not working I love to chill. I'm a major homebody. I could honestly get take out and watch reruns of Sex and The City for hours at a time in my pjs.

Who are your 3 favorite Instagrammers?

My top 3 favorite instagrammers are 1) Sincerely Jules 2) The Fat Jewish 3) You Did Not Eat That

Last, what is your favorite piece of jewelry you own and why?

My favorite piece of jewelry that I own is this tri colored cartier pinky ring that my Mother gave me. There was a point when my Mother never let me borrow anything of hers because she was afraid I wasn't careful, or mature enough to borrow her things. No hard feelings - she was probably right. Over the years I must have proven her wrong because she ended up giving it to me. It's special because it's not something I would ever buy for myself, but most importantly it reminds me that I've done a pretty good job of growing up.