Suzannah Wainhouse

“I am from Vermont. I went to Pratt and studied painting. I was always really interested in artefacts and ancient symbols and that sort of thing. I had made jewellery in high school but never anything really serious. After Pratt, I went home for what I thought would just be a couple months and I ended up working for a master jeweler, apprenticing for him. I completely fell in love with making jewellery and working with metal and stones and decided not to come back to New York and to stay and work with him. He taught me everything I know. About three years ago I sent my collection to Barneys to be reviewed and they called me in for a meeting and they really liked it and they bought the first collection. Which was really amazing.

Working with gold is always my favorite. I really like gold rings and big, bulky chain bracelets. I think they’re nice to wear with whatever else you have on. I like jewelry to look like something you have inherited. It’s so nice to wear jewellery that is passed down to you. I’m always looking around New York for inspiration. We are lucky to live in such an interesting place because of the people, landscape, and the sounds that we hear. There’s a lot of inspiration out there, but I try to stay away from fashion magazines as sources. I do love fashion. I think there’s so much inspiration and passion, but I’d rather be inspired by a shape of something strange I see.

Personally, I work a lot so my clothing needs to be pretty utilitarian and practical. … I buy a lot of Isabel Marant. I like Balenciaga, and I love Missoni. Missoni makes really beautiful things. I really appreciate the quality and the strangeness of their colors. I really like a romper, too. They’re easy and comfortable, sometimes thinking about a shirt and pants is too much and a dress is not always right. I love Electric Feathers. I think you have to have a confidence to you to wear her stuff because it’s not super fitted and not necessarily sexy. Their stuff is really about the person who is wearing it.” – Suzannah Wainhouse to Shop Ghost

Suzannah Wainhouse photographed at her studio in Brooklyn by Steff Yotka.

Suzannah’s Tips to Wearing Jewelry Well

Believe!

Everyone is different, but I think what’s most important is that your jewelry suits what you’re wearing and you really believe in it. You have to own it and that it goes beyond just an aesthetic or decoration. In an ideal world I would like everyone to have a connection to what they’re wearing. I think jewellery has that supernatural ability to give someone power and confidence and tells a story.
Think Simple…

“I think an older woman in her 50’s or 60’s who wears really simple clothing, but is really confident and powerful, and can wear a huge necklace and look great in it.”
…Or Layer…

“Someone who has a really eccentric, avant-garde look and wears a lot of vintage clothing and other jewelry that they could layer it with would look great.”
… Or Pair with Nothing at All!

“Rock n’roll is always about more jewelry and less clothing–I like that philosophy.”