Yes: this is big. We are so, so pleased to announce that after months of planning, tweaking, and, of course, making, our very first collaborative line, we have officially launched -- and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner in The Shoe Hive. By now, you will have read all about the release event Elizabeth will be hosting next week (come for the debut happy hour on Thursday: I’ll be there!). Since these designs are so special for us, I wanted to share with you the thought process behind the line and how we came up with this series. Take a look, if you’re interested…This entire line was designed with mamas in mind, which is why we decided to frame its release in preparation for Mother’s Day. Being a mama is a fundamental part of both Elizabeth’s and my identities and we wanted to design a line that would celebrate this. The collection is by no means exclusive to mothers, though. In fact, it’s designed to celebrate relationships in general: little mementos of relationships that mean a lot to you, whether it’s your parents, your best friend, or your dog. I can totally see using the Reilley as a grown-up friendship bracelet: order one for yourself and one for your BFF, and add both of your initials to make them yours.We wanted to create a line out of fine materials that would last and be passed down to the next generation of The Shoe Hive/Alx&Co. shoppers, so everything is hand crafted out of 14k gold and using real gemstones. And, finally, because we’re known for our bespoke designs, I wanted each piece to have some kind of customizable aspect to it. While the designs themselves are simple, the opportunities to make them uniquely your own are nearly endless. And, if you want something even a little more different, Alx&Co. is just around the corner from The Shoe Hive to talk it through. 

The Jane Set

Elizabeth and I both knew that we wanted a simple “foundation” piece that would be easy for clients to invest in and build upon. These charms are all hand-stamped and fabricated in 14k yellow gold and you get to choose between script letters, deco letters, or astrological signs.We opted for a super fine 14k chain to keep the necklace easy, and the charms slide on or off so you can build your collection as you please (or visit us for a different chain when you’re ready!). As an alternative, clients can opt for a custom made 14k yellow gold bangle with their personalized charm(s) added on by the team at Alx&Co. 

The Reilley Set

I love the bohemian-chic vibe of this set. I also love that this necklace and bracelet don’t need to be customized to look finished: they’re ready to go as-is, if you like. Featuring tiny round 14k gold accents, this set is available as a necklace or a bracelet. Opt for stamped letters or go for a clean look, this necklace can stand on its own or it makes a great layering piece with a longer pendant necklace. I like to pair mine with our Alx&Co. Diamond Crescent Necklace and a white button down for an upgraded weekend look. 

The Blair Tags & The Victoria Pendants

These are Elizabeth’s brainchild and I love how they turned out. We hand-pierce each tag so they’re each very slightly unique, and then we add whatever custom options you want to complete the look. And, you have lots of custom options from which to choose: you select the chain, whether you want the tags hand stamped, if you want gemstones added (and where!), the type of finish you prefer for the tag… and we take care of the rest.Elizabeth chose to layer two (B and C) on our beaded chain to make them really pop and opted for a high-polish shine. I love the casual elegance of the beaded chain paired with the sophistication of the polished finish: so very Elizabeth!I will admit that I am a bit biased here, but the Victoria Pendants that I designed are my personal favorite from the bunch. They are designed to be layered or worn alone, you can add gemstones to your heart’s content, and the finish is completely up to you. I opted for the large size in yellow gold, made mine to feature two diamonds for Tim and Nolan, and finished it with a hammered texture. The disk just feels luxurious in my hand and I particularly love that I can spin the pendant with surprisingly calming effect. I can’t wait to see all the creative ways people interpret this design and build on it over the years.Starting Thursday, we will have samples of everything available for you to pick up, hold, and experiment with at The Shoe Hive. Elizabeth’s team can walk you through all the custom options and help you decide which style is right for you. We are so excited to see all the creative ways our Stylebook community interprets these styles!