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Jeanne McCollister of Jeanne Nicole Jewelry
Baton Rouge, Louisiana jewelry designer Jeanne McCollister caught our attention with her bejeweled, unique designs. Her jewelry can be described as classic with a whimsical twist. We fell in love with her collections and find her jewelry as must-haves, to spice up your everyday outfit or add exotic drama to your special occasion frock.
Factio Magazine: According to you, what sets you apart from other designers?
Jeanne McCollister: I love exploring my wild imagination to come up with unique designs, combining my love for fashion and modern art.
FM: What are your biggest inspirations? What's your design philosophy?
JM: My inspiration evolves from my passion for art and the desire to push the limits of my creativity. When people share their appreciation for my designs, I am inspired, as well as grateful for their encouragement.
I have a simple philosophy. When I design pieces, I always visualize that type of customer who will be wearing it. I want to design pieces that are elegant, exotic and unique - and don't bust the budget.
FM: Do you follow trends or are you into more classic looks concerning jewelry?
JM: I have always been one to desire my own look and set myself apart from the crowd. As a child, I would be the first person daring enough to wear a new trend in fashion. However, I always loved to create my own looks as well.
As for my designs, I desire to be different. At times, I take a particular style that might have been seen before and create a unique spin-off from that look. I did some designs with long chains where I added detailed work to the pieces. I created my own look with long chains that has been a hit with my 2004 fall collection.
FM: What happens when people stop you in a restaurant, café, cocktail
party, and ask about your unique jewelry?
JM: I love it when people ask me about the jewelry I am wearing. It gives me an opportunity to find out what they like and tell them about what I do. They usually want to know where I sell my designs and they also ask for a business card with my website. I have a lot of new customers from wearing my jewelry or having my sister and mom wear it. It always stimulates conversations.
On the other hand, every time I see someone else wearing one of my designs, I feel like an aspiring musician hearing their song on the radio for the first time. I love knowing that there are many people out there who appreciate my work - and pay money to wear them. Wow! I find it awe-inspiring!
FM: What other designers influence you?
JM: I don't have one particular designer that influences me most. I love apparel designers like Michael Kors and Nicole Miller. I really feel my designs compliment their looks. I even use their runway looks to help inspire me and visualize my seasonal collections.
FM: What other goals do you wish to conquer?
JM: I want to design a tee shirt line with a unique packaging concept. It is a project my sister and I are working on.
FM: What type of woman wears your jewelry? Which celeb would you love to wear your pieces or which celeb(s) already do?
JM: The woman who wears my jewelry is elegant and confident - unafraid to try new styles.
I can imagine my more chic and exotic pieces, like my beaded long necklaces mixed with long chunky chains, on someone like Cameron Diaz or Mary Kate Olsen. I see my more conservative pieces, like my long
vertical earrings or layers upon layers of gold cross necklaces on someone like the Bush twins or Lindsey Lohan.
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