Elisa Solomon is leaving her own quirky mark in high-end couture jewelry, giving her luxurious pieces an evident boho, carefree vibe. A New Jersey native, Solomon grew up learning and loving the craft from her mother – a jewelry designer herself. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a major in Metalsmithing, she spent every summer interning at various jewelry businesses. Before her senior year, Steven Alan saw some of her pieces and offered to sell them at his Tribeca store. This marked a very promising start for the young designer, which was highlighted by having Ashley Olsen wear one of her necklaces. After a few years of working for someone else, she eventually decided to launch her own, eponymous label in New York in 2004.
Inspired by the Sixties attitude and fashions, her collections reflect the untroubled spirit and symbols of the era only with precious metals and stones: “I love the mood of the decade. People were consumed with peace, love, happiness, music, and nature. Also, the free, colorful, fun, flower child hippie style is really inspiring.” The Elisa Soloman woman is a free spirit, much like the designer’s rockstar muse Janis Joplin.
Solomon frequently incorporates motifs from the decade – daisies, feathers, peace signs, hearts and butterflies – into her work. But the 60s are not the only thing that inspire the talented designer; she also holds a certain fascination with Native American culture – see her collection of pendants adorned with turquoise beads and arrow motifs: “Native American culture is a passion of mine because of their belief in spirits, the soul, and the connection to animals. Their use of beads and turquoise is also absolutely beautiful.”
Her current collection includes a variety of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings as well as men’s jewelry. Solomon intends for her pieces to be worn daily and handed down from generation to generation; hence, the silhouettes are delicate and versatile, and retain a faint aura of a departed era. Every item in her collection is completely handcrafted in detail using precious metals – gold and silver – and handpicked, bright-colored gemstones. Solomon carves all the shapes, symbols and rings herself, and hand polishes every piece, a fact that makes them particularly special, or as she likes to call them “soulful:” “I like my pieces to have a special, handmade feel. I never like when anything looks too polished.”
For more information and shopping online, visit www.elisasolomon.com.
Images via Pinterest and Estoria Social
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