Ever Wonder What It’s Like To Design a Jewelry Line? We Ask the Creator of &Co…
In an effort to get to know Alexandria & Company, we sat down with Meaghan Foran, creative director and co-owner, to learn more about their handmade jewelry line, &Co. So, without further ado…
Tell us what &Co. is and what inspired you to create it?
&Co. is a fully customizable line of jewelry that we offer online and through our physical shop. Each piece is made to order and we created the line to be easy to wear and minimalist so that it can complement any style. I developed it as a way for our clients to more easily access the amazing talent we have at our shop. Many of our clients come to us originally through our engagement ring side of the business and I think they were getting the impression that we only offer super high-end, luxury pieces that you can only afford to splurge on once in your life (at least, that’s the plan for most people when buying an engagement ring…). The truth is that our jewelers have an amazing range of talent and aesthetic and we wanted our &Co. line to be a way to show that we can be a resource for simple, everyday pieces as well.
What has the response been so far?
Super positive and supportive. It’s been interesting to see how people adapt the designs because we created them to be a starting point for clients to think about their own custom piece. For example, this Christmas we made some bangles for a client who adapted two designs into some really beautiful, simple bangles for his wife. He saw what we had online and customized his gift to make it super special, and they turned out great.
Then there are other pieces like our Featherweight ring, below, that have been a hit on their own, with no edits made. It’s so interesting so see what people gravitate towards.
Do you have a favorite design?
Right now, I am really digging our Simple Collar which is available in sterling silver and 14-karat rose, white, or yellow gold. I love this necklace and wear it on days when I need an extra element of “finish” to my look.
I find it difficult, especially in the winter, to accessorize beyond the two bangles I never take off and my wedding ring, which of course is a constant. I think it’s the result of working in an industry where you see so many amazing options that it’s hard to pull it together for yourself. This collar solves a lot of “something’s missing” morning moments for me.
Where do you see the line growing in the next year?
Oh, I have so many plans! I feel like I come up with a new design every day so I’m usually “testing” a prototype by wearing it around and seeing how it stands up to daily life. I want to move the line into a buildable direction where we add earring jacket options to put on our studs and some sliding pendants for the Simple Collar. I love the idea of our clients going back to the line year after year for a new, finely crafted addition to their jewelry collection. We’re also brewing up some really cool brand collaborations, but I will keep my lips sealed on that front for now…
