Accessories Authority

Listen to how Lisa Pongrass has created THE ultimate luxury handcrafted leather bags and created her own business platform in these new retail times.  Listen to how the brand is creating a new wave of selling both retailers and consumers.

We got to speak with Bella Neyman and JB Jones the originators of NYC Jewelry Week! We talk about how they were inspired to create an event like Jewelry week. Funny stories of how they met with Jewelry Icons to kick it off and where they see year 3 going amidst this Corona virus environment now.  We recorded it via video call so bear with some small glitches, but we love talking to entrepreneurial spirits like these two wonderful ladies!

We got to go to Brittany Merrill Underwood's house in Dallas Texas and learn how Akola started (under a tree in Uganda) and how she and her team are changing lives of Women and their families. Moving to Uganda after graduating college, she realized this was where she was meant to make a difference in the world. One of our favorite recordings.

Stanley Korshak is an American luxury goods specialty department store in Dallas, Texas.   In this disruptive retail world, listen to Melissa Geiser and Cindy Pierce's secret sauce to continue to thrive in this market. Stanley Korshak is the largest independent department store in the United States, it is located in the Uptown neighborhood in The Crescent retail complex.

Listen to how The Queen of Raw - Stephanie Benedetto is saving our planet by reusing rags.  Sustainability is key.

Holly and I were in Dallas talking to Amir at Grand Time and it was fantastic. From his family's watch roots starting in India, to being around the business from a small child. We talk marketing, the life cycle of a watch and the challenges and lessons with creating a genuine brand like JBW and Breda watches.  

We jump right in and start talking with Taylor Turner, the young entrepreneur and owner of made in america, Hazen and Co.  Incredible background of how she got started, what's critical to social media involvement, and why made in the US is so important. Oh, we also learn Holly doesn't know what Cheese Straws are.

We talk to Rachel and Elizabeth Mandelbaum about their family company Gold and Honey!  How they started out, what it's like working with family day in and day out and "animated voices" at work.   They tell us about social media ups and downs as well as their struggles with finding good influencers in the jewelry market.  

We had a great conversation with Ron Thurston from Intermix. He's spot on with where the industry is today as well as what is needed to draw that customer.  When to hold them and when to fold them, sometimes you have to let go of customers who only look for discounts and have no loyalty. We discuss it all! Oh and Echo the cat makes her first appearance in our 20th episode!

We talked to the lovely and amazing Melissa Joy Manning. She talks about her start, inspiration, and how having a 3yr old really keeps her grounded.  She shares how to take a no as an opportunity when starting out and how she manages to keep her Ethos always at the forefront of her designs.

Taking time from Phantom's new Columbia Watch License agreement, Jeff Wells tells us about the benefits and challenges of Licensing. From Nike, to Adidas, to Callaway and now Columbia Sportswear. Phantom shares who a good license partner is and who to specifically avoid. He also talks the start of the Michael Kors watch craze.

We take a walk down brand and fashion lane with Marc Beckman. Marc the founder of DMA United, an advertising agency that represents brands and individuals. Holly and Marc reminisce about college, early in the industry and the state of Brand and Celebrity engagement. This was a fun episode to record.

We go to the Hari Mari headquarters in Dallas Texas to talk to Jeremy Stewart. From patents to paying off college kids for their thoughts, Jeremy takes us way back to the start.  By far one of our most favorite casts. Plus he gave us free beer, so... bonus.

Most fun so far recording Gary Coleman and his WD Lab Grown Diamonds story. We talk the direction of Lab grown, the processes involved, and the impact of Lab grown diamonds in sustainability. We also show how much Sam doesn't know about lab grown diamonds. 

We jumped right in and talked to Jessica Richards, the Design director for Hudson's Bay Company over Handbags, Footwear, Accessories, Women's and Men's owned brands. You've got to hear her background, the importance of sustainability, her private label perspectives and how she met and worked with her mentor an industry icon.  Plus we talk margin and American versus Canadian buying styles.

We talk to Sally Morrison, CMO of Lightbox jewelry. De Beers group has a fun new name in it's Fashion house and it's synthetic diamonds! Sally explains where the idea came from, who they are reaching, and the future of her diamonds.

Lisa Salzer-Wiles created an amazing and beautiful line of jewelry right in the heart of NYC.  Lisa (nicknamed lulu as a little girl) uses her love of art and creates incredible pieces. Learn where she get's her inspiration from, and how her background evolved into the incredible assortment of Lulu Frost.

Saya Fukuda created a beautiful and artful brand of sandals in the heart of NYC. We talk to Saya and learn how she started, her inspiration and what's next for her brand Sandbysaya.

We interviewed an incredible woman, Janette who created her own brand and line of jewelry. From her Electronic engineering background to one of the hottest jewelry lines in Neiman's, we talk about it all.

We interview Ken Valencia about his amazing store, Home on Bishop located down in the Bishop arts district of Dallas Texas. He brings his eye for design and style into the accessories and home world. 

It takes a special person to see hope out of historical pain. Elizabeth did that when she took a trip to Laos several years ago.  Hear her amazing story and the beautiful jewelry created that is   We also talk about the newest Timex marketed watches focusing on Americana. 

LOVARD, mother and daughter team Kate and Lee Gunn Falchi have created a new handbag line direct to the consumer.  Lovard constructs bags that fit a woman’s personal style with custom details but without the high markup of department stores.  This was designed from the customers needs.  Listening to their charity of choice 1000 dreams for girls trying to go to college and effect change.  Additionally they mentor emerging designers at the Accessories Council. Listen to how Lovard’s dynamic girl team is taking the market.

Deepa Gurnani, a growing jewelry brand in the market connecting handmade embroidery with luxury.  Learn how husband/wife team have grown the company and the brand into selling the top stores in the US market, focusing to sell directly to the consumer and now opening 2 flag ship stores in New York City and India.  Launch in Henri Bendels in 2006 and now working with retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Intermix.  The charity component and how they are an Accessories Authority.

Another fantastic interview with a man who comes from a great family. Helping out his country, never forgetting where he came from. Shivam Punjya has an awesome brand, Behno and we talked to him here.

OakGem,  30 year old company that purchases and sells fine estate and designer signed jewelry.  Vadim Krivitsky has been working with clients before the preowned/vintage jewelry business was cool and the public wanted to sell or buy previously owned jewelry.    Based on the market’s interest thanks to the Real Real and the sustainability part,  buying preowned is a trend.  Vadim explains the way both sides work in the estate business– buying and selling.  OakGem is expanding beyond online and just opened a new location in Mizner Park.

Colette Malouf, a designer born, raised and continuing to design in Soho, New York. Has anyone worn a scrunchie?  That is a Colette invention.Colette continues to design hair accessories, jewelry and bridal accessories.  Looking at the market – she is leading an area that no one else is designing. Colette tells us her passion and success in these categories and how she is an Accessories Authority.

1 Atelier, 100% personalized and manufactured in New York City, creative force and designer Frank Zambrelli shares the vision and image for the unique handbag company.  Frank explains the process where every 1 Atelier bag produced is made to order, designed by the consumer and personalized to fit her lifestyle.  Listen to how this unique corporation is making the production but also outgrowing it’s existing manufacturing.  Frank is also chairman of the Accessories Council, a non-profit organization with a mission to help emerging designers.

This episode we talk to Jonathan Meizler about his company, Title of work. We also talk about getting started, living in old city NYC, and have a few funny moments.