Let's talk inspiration! How traveling has influenced my jewelry designs!

Traveling to Italy has become an annual ritual for me since meeting my boyfriend whose family lives abroad. I am so blessed to be able to travel and see so much art and culture. I highly recommend traveling, whether it's to a new part of your city or abroad. Traveling has opened me up to so many creative ideas and experiences outside of my own. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This past February, I traveled back to Italy for the 3rd time. This time was so different from my other visits. Mainly because I got to really be immersed in the culture. I stayed at a "bed and breakfast" that had an amazing balcony over looking the streets of Rome. The architecture was amazing. The ceilings had these beautiful embellishments in each corner. I loved the simplicity of the white walls accompanied by the intricate trimmings. 

I also got to dine at a Michelin Star restaurant that overlooked the Coliseum. It was exquisite to say the least! I dressed in a chic two-piece pants suit and put on a pair of diamond-like earrings I picked up at an adorable boutique earlier that day. The wheels in my head were turning at this point! I felt so royal and so important being at that restaurant.

 

This was the beginning of the design ideas for my newest collection. I started to think about how I could create this same atmosphere and transfer these same feelings of luxury to my jewelry.

After Rome, I took a day trip to Milan. Coincidentally, this was a couple days before Milan Fashion Week. I saw many of the main tourist attractions like the Duomo di Milano (Cathedral of Milan). What I loved the most was the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Every luxury brand you could think of was present in this shopping gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found myself most in awe of the jewelry display at the Swarovski store. The whole store was a bright yellow color and the walls were filled with individual Swarovski crystals and different jewelry pieces.

 

I fell in love with the presentation and the crystals themselves. Earrings, rings, necklaces; all sporting these shiny, big crystals. That was the start of my obsession with crystals and gemstones.

Styles like the Emerald Green Rhinestone Earrings and the Yellow Rhinestone earrings were born out of this moment!

I could go on and on about my trip to Italy! I was overwhelmed with inspiration. To really sum up my experience, I discovered an admiration for experiences, places, and things that make me feel luxurious. When I walked into the Swarovski store, I wanted so badly to buy something, and I did. Everything that was displayed made me feel like a queen. 

When I was dining at one of Rome's top restaurants, I felt so confident and important. I know that this is a feeling that everyone wants to feel. Being in these places and taking part in these activities are not always feasible. The big question for me was how can I offer these experiences in a more accessible and tangible way?

That is my mission with my jewelry. Every time I design an item, that question lurks in the back of my head. I want to evoke the feeling of importance and confidence through my jewelry! I want you to put on a piece of my jewelry and feel armored in confidence! 

 I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don't forget to follow along on instagram for more behind the scenes and updates on Collection by Rin!