Gabriel & Co., the most trusted leader of the bridal and fashion fine jewelry world, is excited to share their exclusive DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT interview with fearless designer, Rebecca Minkoff. The Q&A candidly discusses the way style has evolved during the pandemic as well as what inspires Minkoff’s designs, changes to her personal wardrobe and more.
Delighted by risk, Minkoff rejected college with a mission to become a designer and moved to New York where she started her accessory brand. She embraced online shopping before most of her contemporaries, which led to the notoriety of her bag designs. “We have to own our own destiny,” says Minkoff, “and stick out our neck because what we do now not only changes the path for ourselves but the women behind us.”
Minkoff amplifies Gabriel & Co.’s new mission to “Ignite Your Spirit”, expressed in Gabriel & Co.’s latest photoshoot, which pairs their latest Bujukan bracelets, Kaslique earrings and Gaby necklaces with Minkoff’s oh-so-cool, dress with no stress collection. The shoot embraces this new era of thinking and dressing that Minkoff describes as “outside the box.”
The complete DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT Series highlights talent from diverse concept of style to showcase Gabriel & Co.’s wide range of offerings. Each designer-dedicated web page features four parts: a written interview; the designer’s selection of five new jewels from Gabriel & Co., along with a statement on each piece; the Q&A, which can be viewed and downloaded; and a #GabrielNY section, offers each piece that the designers used to style the model in the on-page photos. Past installments featured such artists as Norma Kamali, Badgely Mischka, Max Mara, Adam Lippes, Donna Karan’s Urban Zen, Tommy Hilfiger, and Oscar de la Renta.
You were one of the first designers to establish a strong online presence. Why did you trust online so early?
We didn’t have a choice, we built this brand with no outside capital, or funding and knew that to succeed we needed to be directly in touch with our consumer.
Do people exhibit different habits and tendencies when they shop online?
They become more explorative with the items they add to their carts. They begin to get off on taking chances.
How has being able to shop for everything online changed the way people dress?
Being online gives customers more access to styles or trends that they may not have tried because in the store you just see items on a hanger while online you can see items on people with all different shapes and sizes.
So, is there still any advantage to shopping in store?
Feeling a garment’s fabrication or an accessory’s construction are some of the biggest advantages! It’s very hard to tell the quality of a garment or product online, even with a detailed description.
Where do you look for inspiration? What is your favorite element of the design process?
Before the pandemic, I used to love travel but during the last two years I’ve had to do a lot of living vicariously online. But I am blessed because there are also so many inspiring women who surround me that I take inspiration from daily.
Do you design for the customer in your head, or to please yourself?
It’s a combination of both. You must take into consideration our customer demographic and the items that sell best when designing. It’s motivating to see where the Rebecca Minkoff girl is going and who she is evolving into. But of course, I want to love the designs myself! After all, I wear them every day.
Coming out of the pandemic, what do you think customers learned about how they want to dress going forward?
Think everyone was able to learn more about expressing themselves more freely in the pandemic. Frankly, I think many of us are done with only being comfortable! Surprisingly, people are taking more risks when it comes to expressing their own style. They want to be noticed.
What advice would you give someone who is trying to find their individual look?
I would tell them to try a few different styles, including ones that out of the box for them. Just go for it! Experience the way different items fit. Then you can see more of what works and what doesn’t work and start to branch out.
What kind of silhouettes do you always trust?
A great cropped leather jacket, a pair of straight leg jeans, and some killer boots.
When you travel what can’t you be without?
Never leave home without my Janine sweater!
How essential are accessories in building a wardrobe you can enjoy?
Accessories add that extra special touch to an outfit. And having versatile accessories are invaluable when building a diverse, adaptable wardrobe.
What kind of jewelry do you wear? What kind do you give?
I’m one who believes good jewelry is forever. I have some classics that don’t ever leave my body, especially gifts from my husband.
What kind of clothing/accessories/jewelry always make you happy?
Not surprisingly, it’s always something that involves a risk, something that makes me go “can I do this?” When I take that chance, I always get the most compliments.
