I grew up in the jewelry industry my entire life and am fourth generation jeweler in my family.”
Mara’s collection offers delicate feminine pieces that compliment the wearer’s own personality. Mara explains: “My inspirations are uniquely fashionable young women, my close friends as well as how I would imagine Hollywood in the 70’s would have been. Designing my pieces is a very organic process. I don’t have an ideal in my mind when I begin to create. I go out and see what feels good and what new and vintage pieces would look great together in order to make a sexy, individual look that someone wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. I really think about a woman’s body and the best way to display it without an overwhelming effect that would take away from her best features. The purpose of my necklaces is to show off a woman’s neckline and collarbone, and the long shoulder duster earrings to show off a beautiful neck and jawline. I am designing for young women and it is important that they are my inspirations.”
Who do you envision wearing this collection?
When I think about my customer I picture a beautiful, confident, eclectic person that has a very interesting and unique sense of style. She has the ability to wear whatever she wants, old or new and make it look like a million dollars even if it’s not. She doesn’t care if she looks perfect all the time and can rock an old tee shirt and jeans, throw on a sexy pair of earrings or necklace and be out of the door.
What do you think will be the biggest trends for 2008?
I think that yellow gold is making a comeback, peace signs, long shoulder duster earrings, bangle bracelets, self-confidence, natural beauty, as well as understated sexiness.
What trends are you seriously tired of?
I am tired of obnoxious, loud, plastic costume jewelry. I think that people should wear things that are durable, authentic and will last. Jewelry doesn’t have to be expensive to be amazing, but it also doesn’t have to look cheap either. I think that sometimes the jewelry wears the person when it is really meant to enhance beauty not take away from it.
What’s next for M.A.R.A. Jewelry?
Next I will be starting on my fall/winter2008 line and marketing campaign, which will feature more mature, and innovative looks. I hope to start incorporating more one of a kind rings in sterling with various precious gemstones and black diamonds. I think for now I am going to focus solely on the jewelry, but who knows what the future will hold.
Words of wisdom from Mara:
My advice to someone in my industry is to really do your research. Though I think that creating something and being artistic comes naturally, there is nothing more important than having the knowledge and understanding of your industry. Even though I grew up in jewelry, I still needed to work around it on my own to fully comprehend what would work and what wouldn’t. I think it’s important to explore all aspects of it as well from the bottom up.
For me, it was to work in a fine retail store where I could design expensive pieces that I didn’t have the capability to create quite yet with my own resources, and to deal with the customers one on one to understand what they wanted as the first part of my learning. Next, to work at PR/Marketing/Advertising agency in order to learn how to market myself as well as others in the industry, and get the proper education on how to start a business. People also must realize the amount of sacrifice, talent, dedication and passion that goes into starting your own company. If you have all of those things then you will most likely be destined for success.
All pieces can be purchased online at www.marajewelry.com - - every piece is extremely affordable with a price point of $20-$120.
