PHYLLIS + ROSIE Jewelry
It all began with the times spent going through her grandmother’s and aunt’s jewelry. Alana Blank, 29, fell in love with vintage jewelry.
Working with Rachel Lavipour, 28, both run PHYLLIS + ROSIE Jewelry as CEO and COO respectively. The two design edgy jewelry that seem more fitting for a fashionable student on campus than my grandmother.
Before starting a business, Blank was a special education teacher but has designed jewelry for the past seven years. One day, she decided to finally show her designs to buyers at a department store called Henri Bendel.
“They ended up loving my designs and gave me the opportunity to do a trunk show,” Blank said.
After several successful trunk shows, Blank said she knew designing jewelry was more than a hobby.
Blank and Lavipour met five years ago through Lavipour’s brother. After hearing Blank was leaving her job to launch a brand, she got in touch.
Searching Instagram, I found Emma Roberts (American Horror Story) in a picture of PHYLLIS + ROSIE jewelry one day. Blank and Lavipour agreed Emma Roberts embodies the type of women they hope to attract. A fashionista who doesn’t take it too seriously.
“Our girl is someone who is classic with edge,” Rachel said.
With some pieces, such as a stackable cuff, it’s hard not to see these pieces appeal to a college demographic. I could easily see the cuffs worn to a PSYCH 100 class or dinner at Hanami.
There’s a gold monogram necklace, for example, that could be worn to class with jeans and a shirt or out at night. Each piece appears to dress the outfit up without appearing you’re wearing too much.
When she went to Binghamton University, Blank said she would peruse the vintage fashion stores. Her fashion trends grew from those trips, where she learned to love layering different sets of jewelry.
Blank also said she only has one hole in each ear, which is uncommon for a jewelry designer, so she likes to wear slider earrings to make it appear as if there were more.
Their advice to designers starting out (which I think is applicable to any of us college students with big dreams) is to be in touch with your passion and follow it.
