PHYLLIS + ROSIE
Contemporary jewelry brand Phyllis + Rosie was launched after founder and designer Alana Blank failed to find the perfect assortment of jewelry pieces to complement her polished rock style. Designed and handmade in New York City, each piece of Phyllis + Rosie jewelry is entirely made of sterling silver or 14K gold vermeil. Inspired by street style and the desire to look effortlessly cool, the dainty and delicate pieces are meant to be layered and stacked to express your own personal style. They are created for women who seek classic sophistication with a bit of edge. Trust us - It’s impossible to just buy one piece!
The Jewel Fix ♥ the Monica Necklace, Whitney Necklace and Cuff Set.
Click here to view the full collection.
| TALKING POLISHED-ROCK CHIC, PEONIES AND JEWELS WITH ALANA |
TJF: How did Phyllis + Rosie come about?
AB: I began designing jewelry 9 years ago as a hobby and would sell one of a kind pieces to friends and family. Back when Henri Bendel’s still did open calls twice a year, I ended up taking a day off from my job as a special ed teacher to wait on a line that wrapped around a new york city block in the middle of winter to meet with the buyer to show her my pieces. I was invited to start doing trunk shows at their Fifth Avenue flagship store and soon realized, lots of people liked my stuff, not just friends and family. I found the courage and inspiration to take a leap of faith and try running Phyllis + Rosie as a proper business. This was over 3 years ago and I haven’t looked back since!
TJF: How would you describe your customer?
AB: The quintessential P+R girl is classic and sophisticated, with a little bit of an edge.
TJF: What is the inspiration behind your designs?
AB: I am inspired by pop culture, street style and the idea of looking effortlessly cool, Phyllis + Rosie pieces are created for the girl who merges classic sophistication with a bit of edge.
TJF: Where do you find inspiration?
AB: Everywhere I go! New York is such an amazing place to be an artist or a designer. You can’t go anywhere without seeing something or someone inspiring.
TJF: Does your collection reflect the latest trends?
AB: I try to create collections that have both classic pieces and a few on-trend styles. I don’t like anything TOO trendy because here today, gone tomorrow. I want people to purchase P+R pieces knowing they will be wearing this style for years to come.
TJF: What are your favourite pieces?
AB: That’s like picking a favorite child! Impossible. However, I can tell you my most worn, go-to pieces that I LIVE in are my silver signet pinky ring, gold naked and mini rope rings, and gold lindley and mini chain hoop earrings. I also never take off my gold monogrammed bar necklace with “mama” inscribed on it.
TJF: How would you describe your personal style?
AB: Someone once referred to my style as polished-rock chic, so let’s go with that. I love a good ripped t-shirt and jeans and pull it all together with some simplistic, minimalist jewelry, boots, mascara and a berry lip and I’m out the door.
TJF: Who’s your muse?
AB: As cliche as this sounds, my mom is my muse. She has the most vibrant spirit and lights up any room she enters. She always looks amazing and taught me everything I know about style.
TJF: Is there a quote or saying that you live by?
AB: Everything happens for a reason.
TJF: What’s your favourite city in the world?
AB: NYC baby.
TJF: What’s your favourite flower?
AB: Peonies no contest!
TJF: What’s the best part about being a designer? And the worst?
AB: The best part about being a designer is that I get to create beautiful things and even better, getting to wear them all!! The worst part is the rejection. You can’t be everything to everyone, but it is hard when you have put your heart and soul into a design and it is not received the way you had anticipated.
TJF: If you weren’t a jewelry designer, what would you most likely be?
AB: If I wasn’t a jewelry designer I would be a special education teacher. I had been designing jewelry while being a special education teacher for years before running my business full time. I ended up leaving my job to pursue my passion of being a jewelry designer and have my own business, but I really did love my students and summers off. :)
