When did your love for designing jewelry begin and how did you get your start?
I’d have to say when I was 11 years old, something was ignited. Not necessarily in jewelry, but with fashion. I remember walking into my grandmother’s apartment and found her working on a dress. She was sewing a broach to an evening gown and singing to herself. After the broach, it was a layer of tulle. I asked her what she was doing and she said she had a deadline for work and decided to bring it home to finish. The dress was for an actress to wear on an award show. Hours must have passed as I sat next to her and watched. I was lost in my grandmother’s world.
She was definitely enjoying what she was doing. It didn’t matter that she was covered in fabric, working in a small, hot apartment in the middle of Hollywood. After that day, I decided that I wanted to be in an artistic field. Together, we began designing pillows. She initially bought me beginner level kits and gradually helped me to progress.
Congés is fine jewelry but it’s also a lifestyle. What is the meaning behind the pieces in your collections and who would you say is a Congés girl?
There isn’t a specific mold you have be in order to fit in as a Congés Girl, but I really want to encourage people to embrace their true selves. In the signature collection, be it the Regular, Personalized, or earrings; each stone has a unique background, color, and story. Just like us, not one stone is exactly the same and can not be replicated. Congés encourages you to identify your story, select your design and believe in the power. Each piece has a unique meaning and it’s fascinating to me, to see what each one does for themselves and loved ones. It’s simple, interesting, and beautiful all in one.
The best-selling Signature Collection is the foundation of complete enlightenment.
Providing metaphysical energy that amplifies love, balance, and vitality, this delicate assortment is designed in 18k gold. All stones are kept in their raw, natural beauty that exude positive and protective energy. No filters needed!
The Personalized Signature Collection is a symbol of a close bond. Choose your stone and your initial, then share with a loved one to deepen the feeling of safekeeping and love. Designed with Penna’s son in mind, this concept quickly became popular for parents and their children. A magical reminder every person deserves.
The Third Eye Collection is an extension of your intuition and designed to help you trust your inner intelligence. The white diamonds signify clarity, the colored center stone represents your vitality/personality, and the black diamond lashes show the balance within yourself and nature. Wear this collection with confidence and make a bold statement.
The Dream Catcher and Native American Collection is your connection to nature. Designed with a gold web, the dream catcher is meant to bring wisdom by filtering good ideas and trapping the bad. This collection captures Penna’s connection with the great outdoors and belief that everything comes full circle.
The Scarab and Ancient Egypt Collection is the influence of family heritage. The magical scarab creature is believed to symbolize change, self-betterment, and immortality. The Ancient Egyptians believed the scarab imbued protective powers that warded off evil and provided good fortune for the owner. Collect or gift this memento to welcome a new chapter.
The Journey Collection is the protection and discovery of life’s journey. Congés Journey Icons come in a leather pouch and securely hold a collection of stones sourced from around the world and specially curated to channel energy. Penna has unified these stones based on synergy for the following: work, home, hotel, airplane, car, and hospital.
What are some of the challenges you face in such a saturated market and how are you able to meet the needs of your clients?
There are, unfortunately, many challenges I face daily in this saturated market. Starting with financial, getting my name out there, social media, finding retailers… these are just a few to name. The only thing I don’t have a challenge in, happens to be the creative side of the business.
How do I meet the needs of my clients? Well, let’s start with the vision that jewelry is an extension of yourself. My pieces are meant to remind you that you are and should (always) feel safe, lucky, and loved. If you are one and true to yourself, then nature will treat you the same. Most of our stones are not treated for this very reason. They are untouched and raw, shaped to size by hand. We are all the same, but different in so many ways. Each of our shades is a little different. Some of us have been more scuffed up than others, but we all live and breathe in the same environment. This makes us all connected as more than just a human race. Wear my designs not because they are beautiful, but because you are beautiful. I’m lucky enough to have clients that never take off their pieces and send me emails on how they feel different and better from the time they put their Congés piece on.
Your pieces are truly unique and you really see this when you create custom pieces for your clients. Where do you draw your inspiration from and what do you hope people understand about you and your brand?
First, let me start by saying thank you! I embrace the spirituality of different cultures, Ancient Egyptian, Native American, Europe and the Far East. I love to travel and see the differences within the ways of life. All these experiences pave the way to my everyday life. All my collections are an extension of people around me, their understandings, needs, traditions, and cultural differences, which in my opinion, are interpretations of all the same views. I am fascinated and will always be inspired by all the common denominators I’d say to awaken what a person feels they are missing or to amplify the good things they are currently experiencing in life; Stones, I feel, have the power to enhance courage, self-betterment, open-mindedness, forgiveness. With the ancient cultural collections, the goal is to have people gain interest, create a bond, and find a deeper attraction in the different cultures and histories of the world, showcasing the universal simplicity of it all. Regardless of background, one might connect with something from another region or era and have it be meaningful. This happens all over the world in fashion.
What do I hope people recognize or understand about the brand? You know when you are charmed by something but can’t put your finger on what it is. That’s what I want my jewelry to be. Subtle beauty. I try hard not to make just “pretty jewelry.” Everything I design has to be researched and have multiple meanings. I really dig deep into it. But here’s the thing, you can trust me, and no one is just a client, I see them for who they are. Most importantly, I take my designs and collections very seriously.
There is a mission statement for every company. I love what I do and value conversational pieces and things that will forever hold meaning. Creating something that makes you feel Safe, Lucky and Loved. That’s my mission statement.
You’ve been in the trenches for quite some time and of course, lessons are learned and experience is gained. What advice would you give to yourself as you were starting out and what advice would you share with others who are just about to navigate in the same space?
The advice I would give to myself would be to just breath. Hard work always pays off, and luck will find its way to you. The best tip I think I have is don’t limit yourself. So, when you have an idea, let us know what your solution is. Also, have a follow-up piece if its a business that is with product. Basically don’t be a one-hit-wonder. If you are in the service business, then have a follow-up idea to help expand your business. There is room for everyone.
Thank you for sharing your gems of information with us. What do you have coming up in the near future for Congés?
I will always have new pieces coming to you. The Marqué Collection consists of 3 different designs and pieces. You have only seen the coin so far. There is also the Locket and the Pendulum. Each piece in this collection serves a purpose and has different symbols on them. The Self-Empowerment coin: We are more, know more, may accomplish more today than we did yesterday. This coin is about self-love, self-growth, self-empowerment, and self-determination.
The Locket is created in a unique way, representing all that is held close to your heart.
The Pendulum is for your Mind, Body, and Soul. It has the functionality of a pendulum because of the design. Something beautiful about the Pendulum is that a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetic Association.
The Marqué collection beholds a unique currency of its own, the power of the divine universe and its beauty. Each symbol on all three designs within the collection is not only determined by my life, but determined by everyone’s life; whether you are currently aware of it or not.
There is more! I also have the soon to be released Personalized Numerology charms. What’s your life number? Or Lucky number? Personalize it in 18k Yellow Gold or Rose Gold, and select from 9 different options of crystals.
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