Smashing Darling Blog

Todays interview is with Juliet Rutigliano, of Rutigliano Design. Her larger than life, rock and roll spirit comes across in every piece of edgy jewelry she designs. On top of designing her own line of jewelry, she recently opened her own boutique in Upper Montclair, NJ called Mis-En-Scene. So if you are in the neighborhood of 547 Valley Rd pop in and say hi, If not you will find her open 24 hours a day on Smashing Darling.

Juliet with her mom, and sisters Jenna & Joanna

SD: When did you realize you wanted to be a jewelry designer?
JR: I think it has always been in the cards. Even when I was around 8 years old, I loved making things into jewelry. I used to use everything from glass beads and fimo clay to dried Indian corn kernels. When I was around 16 or 17, I started to get REALLY curious about silver smithing and using a torch so for a birthday present, my parents got me a torch…..with the one rule that first time I lit it I had to go in our field, far far FAR away from the house!

SD: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
JR: I turn to structures. I love bridges, buildings, and fences. Even the wires that run over trains or huge power grids. Anything industrial because I love the fact that every part you look at is there to serve a purpose. I believe the purpose that jewelry serves is to enhance how you feel about yourself, and your own structure of thought. That is why I also tie music and literature in a great deal. There is amazing structure to be found in an album like Abby Road, when you are done listening you feel a sense of fulfillment and I want to capture that feeling in my jewelry.

Constellation Necklace on Dinah

SD: Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life?
JR: I can’t pick 1 because there are 4 hands down. My mom Jeanne, my dad Joe, and my sisters Joanna and Jenna. No matter what age I am or what hobby or idea has caught my fancy for the moment, my family is ALWAYS there to help me in any way they can, each of them bringing their own unique take on the situation and life. And no matter how crazy I get, they always remind me that anything can be done with creativity and hard work.

SD: What has it been like for you owning your own boutique?
JR: It is everything I thought it would be! There is always a ton of paper work to be done and a ton of jewelry to make, but no matter how many hours I put in, knowing that I am working for myself makes it 100% worth it. It is very liberating to be able to have an idea about design, or display, or marketing and just DO IT! I have also learned a great deal of patience because you constantly have to remind yourself that business is a long term endeavor and there will ALWAYS be ups and down, just like everything else!

SD: What advice can you give to other independent designers that want to do the same?
JR: You should ALWAYS take the risks needed to do what you love. But you also need to be completely honest with yourself. The careful choices you make in your designs and products as a designer need to be applied to your business as well. There are many different avenues for independent designers and you owe it to yourself to find the one that will allow YOU to thrive. If you are a designer who thrives on alone time to just design and create your work, you may find that a sales venue like SMASHINGDARLING is perfect for you. If you love the idea of having a boutique, you should be aware it takes A LOT of your time and that you will be juggling everything from store coverage, to marketing, accounting, selling, as well as designing and creating your work, then it could be time to jump into your own boutique. Listen to the voice inside you, it will tell you what YOU need and when you need it.

SD: What does your average day entail?
JR: My store is open 11-6 Monday thru Saturday so that is where I spend all of my day. In the morning I do store paper work. I have my studio in the back of my store, so by 1pm or 2pm I work on jewelry, be it designing new pieces, doing repair work, or building inventory. Then by 4pm or 5pm I get on the computer and PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE my store and jewelry! Of course, between all of this I make sales!! Then depending on what I got done for the day at the store, I spend from around 7pm to 11pm at my apartment making more jewelry with my sister Joanna!!

SD : Describe your personal style?
JR: Edgy, Urban, and Unique. While I can appreciate high fashion, I tend to go for functional and funky….I love black lace tops over a basic camisole (thanks to Trish for making me some of the COOLEST shirts I have!) and I like vintage punk rock Ts. I am a HUGE fan of dying my hair, right now I have settled on Jet black because I think it is dramatic and sexy.

SD: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
JR: While not a designer herself, I have always loved Drew Barrymore. No matter what she wears or where she’s going, her style allows her self confidence to shine through which is the most important thing. And I love that she has a multi faceted personality to go with her ever evolving person style.

SD: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
JR: Leather. Mary Jane shoes and leather cuffs. And I have been obsessed with making big bracelets in my own jewelry line. Lots of rivets and lots of cuffs.

SD: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
JR: I am gearing up for my first Valentine’s Day at the new store! And last week, one of my friends attended the I Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion show at Bryant Park and she wore my Galaxy Necklace!!

SD: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
JR: 1st Trish and Julie and of course Mo, AWESOME job creating and promoting our indie community! May there be 100 more interviews for you like the one I saw on mashable.com!

And Aelisheva, I think your clothing is beautiful. I love the combination of textures, fabrics, and color and I love the fine details you stitch into your work to make it look so complete and clean.