FASHTALKS WITH ADINAS JEWELS

What is your earliest design memory for your brand?

The earliest design memory I have was when I first started Adina’s Jewels. At the time, I was making jewelry by hand. One of the first pieces I created was a glass bead hand-made choker, which had a beautiful, elongated pave bead right at the center. It was my absolute favorite piece! I remember making so many of them for friends and family who asked to purchase them.

Where do you find inspiration?

I usually find inspiration by traveling the world, walking the streets of NYC, following my favorite bloggers and influencers on TikTok/Instagram, and of course, seeing what the biggest designers and luxury brands are doing.

What is your favorite part about designing jewelry?

I get to design and produce all the jewelry that I want to wear. I have an unlimited supply of jewelry at my fingertips, always.

“One thing I wanted to make sure of, was that everyone would feel welcomed and loved at Adina’s no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they look like.”

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style consists of casual outfits with a statement jacket, shoes, or handbag. I tie in my jewelry to all my outfits and make sure that I am always wearing the right pieces for every occasion. I love to dress up or down — depending on where I am going.  There’s nothing I love more than throwing on a pair of jeans with a beautiful sweater or tee (depending on the weather) and then spicing it up with a ton of jewels.

What do you think is the most important jewelry/accessory a woman can wear?

I think the most important piece of jewelry a woman can wear is a tennis necklace or bracelet. It doesn’t have to be diamonds; It can be fashionable. A casual thin tennis necklace is the perfect piece to wear up or down, and can easily be stacked with any metal color for chains or pendant necklaces (the same applies to a tennis bracelet).

What are the most important brand values to Adina’s Jewels?

Family, unity, and inclusiveness. Treating everyone equally and loving one another. For my entire school career, I was an outcast. I was bullied and ridiculed because of my weight or because of my last name. One thing I wanted to make sure of, was that everyone would feel welcomed and loved at Adina’s no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they look like.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new designer?

Trust your gut and believe in your product. Don’t ever let people make you doubt yourself or your ideas. Being creative and different is a gift, so don’t underestimate your creations.

How important is social media to your brand?

Social media is extremely important to my brand especially as we grew the company through these platforms. It’s the perfect way to showcase your product to the world, and on some networks, it's even a way for you to share your story, inspire others, and do more than just sell.

What is your favorite fashion trend? Least favorite?

My favorite fashion trend is vintage. I love large chains, big links, and bold gold hoops. My least favorites are neon and overly bold colors.

How has the fashion industry changed since you first started out?

There are so many more businesses nowadays that cater to very specific niches that didn't even exist when I first started my business. Learning how to cater to the masses has been a challenge. However, the reward is so great when you can curate designs from your own line to fit perfectly into many different niches.

What can consumers expect to see next from your brand?

Consumers can expect to see a much more physical presence from Adina’s, so they can shop locally, wherever they live. We will be broadening our horizons and stepping out of our comfort zone to do many non-traditional things we wouldn’t have done in the past.

What was the biggest rookie mistake you made when just starting out? 

Trusting the wrong people and thinking that everyone had my business’s best interest in mind.

“I wanted to change the fashion world forever and I wanted women all around the world to wear my jewelry and feel confident in themselves — even if they felt negative about their bodies.”

What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate for your company?

Passion!

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

My greatest strengths are my ability to bring my creative vision to life and express that to the world. I can be sensitive and empathetic to those around me — especially my team. My weakness is math, accounting, and finances. I am also more emotional when it comes to making certain decisions, and that is why I chose a partner whose strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa.

What made you want to design jewelry?

I was always so drawn to jewelry as a child, and as I grew older, jewelry made me feel confident. However, I found that there weren’t many brands that were both affordable and long-lasting. Everything was either too expensive for me or simply too cheap to last longer than a few wears. That was when I started making pieces for myself that were affordable and fashionable. When friends and family began admiring the jewelry I was wearing, I knew that this could become a full-time business. I’ve always loved the way jewelry speaks to everyone, and how it could be worn in so many ways depending on the person who’s wearing it and the style they embodied.

What inspired you to create and launch Adina’s Jewels?

There were many things that led up to me launching Adina’s Jewels! At first, Adina’s started off as a side hustle to help me pay my way through college. But I soon realized the potential of my designs and skill for selling. I quickly knew this would become my full-time business.

For most of my life, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I always stood out in the crowd, and part of me felt like I was born to be a leader. Since I was extremely overweight as a child and couldn’t fit into the same clothes as my friends, I always loved jewelry because I only felt comfortable expressing myself with this form of fashion. I wanted to change the fashion world forever and I wanted women all around the world to wear my jewelry and feel confident in themselves — even if they felt negative about their bodies.