My Interview with Jewelry Designer Freida Rothman of Belargo Jewelry

If you follow MPJ then you know that Belargo Jewelry is one of my favorites. So, when I was approached to see if I would like to do an interview with the Freida, the designer of Belargo Jewelry, I was really flattered and jumped at the chance.

I’m such a big fan of hers! I love the vintage styles in her collections yet each piece also so unique and sophisticated. Freida designs jewelry that appeals to every women. I like that I can wear her jewelry anytime, a pair of earrings for a classic look during the day and then layer a few necklaces to feel elegant for a night out.

Freida, designer for Belargo Jewelry

Hope you enjoy the interview!

1. 1. Who or what inspired you to start designing your own line of jewelry?

I am fortunate to be a second generation jeweler as my father has been a predominate figure in the jewelry business for over 35 years.  I have had the privilege of learning from watching him and finding my inspiration in being able to create pieces for women that genuinely make them feel special and beautiful.

1. 2. What do you think about when designing a collection?

Living in New York has been a huge inspiration to me.  Walking the streets of Fifth Avenue, shopping in Soho, riding on the subway, you really get an understanding of what women are wearing, who they are, and their sense of style.  This is where people from all of the world come.  From every part of the world, and they all have their own unique sense of style and self.  My goal is to be able to create and design pieces that are appropriate for every one of those women and for every aspect of her lifestyle.

1. 3. What do you love about being a designer?

I love jewelry.  It’s that simple.  I love the idea of being able to take an idea such as jewelry and add it to an existing piece of a wardrobe and creating a sense of new to it.  Jewelry is bought as a gift for celebration, it is bought to say “I love you”, it is bought for a reason to feel pretty, and it is bought “just because”.  The great thing about jewelry is it is not a necessary, it is something that is bought because of a feeling, and I absolutely love that.

1. 4. I’ve seen that celebrities have been photographed wearing your pieces, which is very exciting!  Any celebs that you would love to see wearing something from your collection?

It is always very cool to see celebrities wearing your pieces and loving it.  It is a great reflection in that we are doing the right thing from a trend and a style perspective and that they love the pieces enough to be photographed in them!  I have always been a big fan of women that have a timeless and classic elegance to them.  Their confidence is exuded in everything that they do and how they wear their clothes and their jewelry.  Woman and celebrities who are proud to own who they are and what they wear.  That is my ideal.

 
1. 5. What trends in jewelry do you see for this fall or winter?

There is a lot going on with mixed metals and platings, which we have become very recognized for as a unique design trend.  There is much to be said with rich texturing within jewelry.  Layering pieces continues to be a very strong trend including stacking.  Lots of stacking.  Rings, Bracelets, multi length necklaces.  These are all trends that we filter into our line.  The key is allowing women to have amazing trend right pieces that can also work with existing pieces in her jewelry collection.

1. 6. Do you have any extra special favorite pieces?

Of course, the piece that I wear every day is my wedding ring, but aside from that, I must admit, that I genuinely love everything that I design, and that is not being said just to be said.  I am very privileged to be able to do what I do, and as I create, they all hold a special place for me.

 
1. 7. What can we expect to see from Belargo Jewelry in the future?

I do not want to give too much away, there are some really special design concepts and fresh ideas that are unlike things that we have done in the past, but still will have the Belargo design aesthetic.  I am proud that we have a “look” that is truly distinctive to any other designer in the industry.  It is my ongoing challenge to continue to bring fresh and new, and I look forward to being able to satisfy the Belargo “collectors” with all of that.

1. 8. Tell us so we can shop… what stores or websites carry your jewelry and what stores do you hope to be in, in the future?

We are very lucky that we are continuing our growth, but in a way that allows us to maintain our integrity as a bridge / designer brand.  Some of the stores that have had amazing success and still are growing with us are store like Tootsie’s and Julian Gold in the South.  We have stores on the East Coast such as Gale Grant.  Our web penetration is growing rapidly as well.  Max & Chloe, Gallery Atlantic, Jill’s Boutique are great websites with great products that lend to some of the success that we have been so fortunate to have.  As to the future, it is exciting! And we are looking forward to having the chance to continue on this journey with many stores and web businesses!  The opportunities for us are limitless!

I want to say a very big thank you to Freida for the amazing interview and I wish you great continued success. Also, to Alisa for connecting me and keeping me up to date with all the great Belargo Jewelry news. xo

Make sure you follow Belargo Jewerlry on Twitter and Facebook and shop the websites mentioned above if you can’t get to a boutique to shop. Also follow Alisa’s blog for up to date news on Belargo Jewelry.

A little something extra…

Belargo Jewerly is teaming up this month to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Twenty percent of proceeds from this gorgeous ring will go towards breast cancer research.

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