5th & Jane: Designer Interview: Jennifer Miller

The right accessories can make or break an outfit. With all the choices out there these days it's daunting to choose the right pieces. That's why we are so enamoured by Jennifer Miller. Her boutique is exquisitely curated and has the perfect blend of fine and faux jewelry. The pieces she selects are on trend yet versatile enough to carry you many seasons. Jennifer graciously answered a few questions for us so our readers could get to know her and the brand more intimately. Read on lovely ladies and check out her website at www.jennifermillerjewelry.com! xxj

How did you get started?

I started selling jewelry privately in upscale beauty salons where the Grand Dames of NYC were coiffed and polished. After getting my feet wet in the business, about 20 years ago, I packed up the jewels and started a series of trunk shows, traveling with a fashion house out of Paris. I traveled to Aspen, Los Angeles, Palm Beach, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Chicago… It all started with a $1,500 loan from my excentric Aunt Harriet from Beverly Hills… who never let me repay the loan!

Where do you get your inspiration?

Mark (my husband and business partner) and I collect and study jewelry auction books both new and old for inspiration. We love jewelry by JAR and the women of Jaipur dripping in diamonds and rubies. We are crazy about jewelry and as new pieces come into the store daily we actually get excited ! Everyone on the Jennifer Miller team thoroughly enjoys helping clients and friends build their 'jewelry wardrobes'!

Describe the woman who wears Jennifer Miller.

She is a groovy girl or classic girl… a diamond lil dripping in jewels or a stud girl.. she can be 8 to 80, we try to have something for everyone, even if they only want to try a new style for the night with something from our faux collection.

How do you manage to balance the business with your family life?

You mean Free Time? HA! What is that?? We have no children but do have an adorable yummy chocolate brown cocker spaniel named Goobers.. We love entertaining friends at home, followed by a song or two on the guitar, and some great desserts! The cookies from LeVain are the BEST!

How do you decide which emerging designers to showcase in your store?

In addition to the jewelry we design and make, we work with over 400 designers from around the world. Supporting new and emerging designers and supporting their efforts is a passion; everyone needs a little love and support ! But we will only carry items in our stores that we absolutely love.. The designs have to be something that either Mark or I would wear ourselves, it has to be something that people can effortlessly wear with their other Jennifer Miller jewels.

What jewelry trends do you see being big for fall?

We are LOVING emeralds mixed with diamonds and other semi precious stones… we are living for pink gold laced with diamonds. Long and layered never goes out of style… STICK with stylish pieces and not trends to build your jewelry wardrobe you will have for years !