Back in the day, my jewelry routine went something like this: I would hide my door knocker earrings that I bought from the mall in my book bag until I got safely to school so my mother wouldn't see them. I would then replace the elegant, age-appropriate pair she preferred with another with my name, MECCA, sprawled across them. Oh, the horror! In the years since, I've ditched jewelry altogether as it reminds me of my naughty teens. That is, until New York label Sorelle hit Opening Ceremony last year. Their dainty hoops are the best of both worlds––elegant in a way my mom would love but still eye-catching enough to get me noticed.
This season, Sorelle has expanded beyond earrings, adding necklaces and rings that are perfect juxtapositions of feminine and masculine. Last week, I caught up with designer and OCer Francesca Grosso about the new pieces, a diamond pinky ring inspired by her dad, and her gorgeous lookbook, styled and shot by OCers KINDALL ALMOND and BROOKE GARDINER.
Shop all Sorelle HERE
Mecca James-Williams: Your collaborators on this collection are all from OC, from the styling team down to the art directors. How did this come about? How did it affect the styling?
Francesca Grosso: It’s funny because every time I make a collection it somehow works out that I end up teaming up with people that work at Opening Ceremony. Is it coincidence? I would say no. But more so that there are so many talented people under one roof and it’s kind of fun.
In terms of the styling, it was about capturing that young Aaliyah vibe. That young girl on the street who just kinda throws in her iPod and she’s listening to Souls of Mischief or she’s listening to an old Nas throwback song. You’re like, she’s so pretty but she gives me this edge.
Is the Sorelle girl one girl or does she change every season?
It’s funny because SS14 is my third collection and I think it took me three seasons to figure out who the hell the Sorelle girl was. Was she me? Was she an Opening Ceremony girl? Was she a girl who bartends part time? And this season I feel like we really captured who she is. The pieces are thicker; they’re more masculine. We all may not be tomboys, but we experience that moment in our lives where [we say], “I want to mix things up a little bit. I want to be boyish.” It’s almost as if the [Sorelle] girl went through her boyfriend's closet or his underwear drawer and started taking his things.
Let’s talk about the OC exclusive piece, the ISA BALL CHAIN BAND. How did it come about?
We were bouncing ideas back and forth with the buyers and since this season was so minimal and so simple, especially with all sterling silver, I actually suggested [doing a piece] in rose gold. It’s not the everyday thing, but it [has] that beautiful shine. It’s a really pretty, feminine material. It’s like a little cupcake. Really something different.
This season, Sorelle has expanded beyond earrings, adding necklaces and rings that are perfect juxtapositions of feminine and masculine. Last week, I caught up with designer and OCer Francesca Grosso about the new pieces, a diamond pinky ring inspired by her dad, and her gorgeous lookbook, styled and shot by OCers KINDALL ALMOND and BROOKE GARDINER.
Shop all Sorelle HERE
Mecca James-Williams: Your collaborators on this collection are all from OC, from the styling team down to the art directors. How did this come about? How did it affect the styling?
Francesca Grosso: It’s funny because every time I make a collection it somehow works out that I end up teaming up with people that work at Opening Ceremony. Is it coincidence? I would say no. But more so that there are so many talented people under one roof and it’s kind of fun.
In terms of the styling, it was about capturing that young Aaliyah vibe. That young girl on the street who just kinda throws in her iPod and she’s listening to Souls of Mischief or she’s listening to an old Nas throwback song. You’re like, she’s so pretty but she gives me this edge.
Is the Sorelle girl one girl or does she change every season?
It’s funny because SS14 is my third collection and I think it took me three seasons to figure out who the hell the Sorelle girl was. Was she me? Was she an Opening Ceremony girl? Was she a girl who bartends part time? And this season I feel like we really captured who she is. The pieces are thicker; they’re more masculine. We all may not be tomboys, but we experience that moment in our lives where [we say], “I want to mix things up a little bit. I want to be boyish.” It’s almost as if the [Sorelle] girl went through her boyfriend's closet or his underwear drawer and started taking his things.
Let’s talk about the OC exclusive piece, the ISA BALL CHAIN BAND. How did it come about?
We were bouncing ideas back and forth with the buyers and since this season was so minimal and so simple, especially with all sterling silver, I actually suggested [doing a piece] in rose gold. It’s not the everyday thing, but it [has] that beautiful shine. It’s a really pretty, feminine material. It’s like a little cupcake. Really something different.
Tell us about the diamonds. Now you have diamond encrusted pinky ring, correct?
The pinky ring goes back to the whole manly [aesthetic]. I grew up wit