Polly Weinstein, head designer of The Jeweler’s Daughter, attended Sarah Lawrence to be a writer and ended up enrolling in a sculpture class that changed her life.  The company’s name is autobiographical. Born and raised in Las Vegas, her family operates a jewelry store and manufactures fine jewelry.  A recent graduate, Ms. Weinstein is currently introducing her Second Season: Bridges collection at Unicahome.

I recently had a chance to sit down with the designer at the Lady Silvia in beautiful Downtown Las Vegas and discuss her design process.

“The education at Sarah Lawrence was amazing.  You only took 3 classes so you got to spend a third of your time on sculpture.  I spent much more time on sculpture than required.  My professor gave a lot of space and encouraged us.  At the time my classmates influenced me a lot.

I also worked as a fashion intern and took a sewing class. Being able to have a pattern inside out and flip them and say oh my god that’s a thing.  Having an idea on paper and making it really gets me going. Once I realized I could combine my sculpture education and the family business- I could make jewelry, make art, and make my family happy.”

The move into jewelry design was a natural progression.  Her father has been in the business for 60 years. “My father had a bit of reverse psychology involved.  When I was growing up I was taught to be independent and do what I want.  All of the family is involved in the business. Even in the beginning after the launch, my father said that it wasn’t really his style. Then one night he had an epiphany and wanted them in the store.  He’s not my market. I’m a boutique market- this is a fine jewelry store.  But it is selling in the floor.”

“The Second Season: Bridges collection was inspired by the drive from Bronxville to Brooklyn over the Triborough Bridge.  I became obsessed with the repetition and industrial look of the girders. Mobility and Transition were important influences on the collection, and from a fashion viewpoint I also incorporated Art Deco architectural elements.  I took pictures of door frames; once again repetitive shapes and forms.”

Made using sterling silver that is then oxidized, the collection is oozing Art Deco and Machine Age influence.  Strong repetitive elements- welded girders, train tracks, and the Chrysler Building are used to make a bold statement on the wearer.  Rather than being deliberately soft and feminine, the jewelry of Second Season: Bridges is for women who choose to stand out from the crowd; opinionated, unique and daring.

According to Polly, “I am not inspired by nature at all. I like nature but as an aesthetic it doesn’t do much for me.  I am a site miner- people and relationships.  I’m not very much involved with organic forms, however. That might have to do with growing up in Las Vegas.”

“I’ve always been into fashion, however.  My mother would let me dress myself.  I would look like a little magpie, sparkly and glittery with little funny layers.  I was a magazine junkie as a kid- Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar. Growing up, Las Vegas was not a fashion-forward place.  I had all of these things I wanted in my head that I was looking for that I couldn’t find.”

“I think of my collection as a twist on tradition. I could see my collection on Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine); dark lips, red hair, Bohemian aesthetic.  Everything is layer-able. There isn’t one big statement piece.  Jewelry is supposed to tell a story; there should be an emotional connection with the wearer. “

One thing that is notable about the collection is the impact of the pieces are not necessarily reflected in the pricing.  This was a deliberate choice.

“There are a lot of boutique designers that have significantly high prices for the quality of materials used.  I feel the best way to build my brand is to introduce something that is reasonable priced and well-designed for the marketplace.”

As for the next season’s goods?

“I’m not currently on carving for the new collection, but I am working on new designs.  I’m still heavily influenced by my environment and have been living primarily in Las Vegas, where my family is located. While Brooklyn and New York have this urban and industrial design that I find fascinating, Las Vegas has an element of design that I can’t find in NYC.  Las Vegas has a special kind of magic that is missing in New York.  The next collection is inspired by downtown Las Vegas. It will have very subtle shapes.  It is all about 1960s form- the curves of the neon.  People should have a bit of that beauty around them to augment their world. “

 

Unicahome will be having a Trunk Show with Ms. Weinstein on December 3^rd from 12pm-5pm at their showroom. The show will benefit the SPCA of Nevada through sales of The Jeweler’s Daughter’s Charms of Protection.

The influence on this design was St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer for Pets, and is based upon protecting our companions and those we love.  The obverse of the charms (also in oxidized sterling) feature profiles of our pets, while the reverse simply states, “Safe from Harm.” Charms are available for purchase HERE.

Good St. Francis, you loved all of God’s creatures. 
To you they were your brothers and sisters. 
Help us to follow your example 
of treating every living thing with kindness. 
St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, watch over my pet 
and keep my companion safe and healthy. 
Amen.

More details on The Jeweler’s Daughter Trunk Show will be forthcoming. We’re arranging a food truck, wine, and (with a bit of luck) some pets.

Here’s our Nevada SPCA acquisition:

The entire collection may be found HERE.

Related Posts

• An Interview with Designer Kenneth Cobonpue
• The Jeweler’s Daughter
• Designer Kenneth Cobonpue to Appear at Unicahome May 18th for H & D Show
• Jeweler’s Daughter Trunk Show Dec. 10 12-4 at Unicahome
• Ore Containers Designer Shane Larson Introduces New Product at Unicahome for H & D Show