A conversation with Anne, Founder and Jewelry Designer at Anne Baker Collection

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On the blog today we meet Anne Baker, founder and jewelry designer at New York City based Anne Baker Collection. Anne started her jewelry in 2019 and describes it as a modern fine jewelry narrative in pearls. Anne uses only the finest pearls in her jewelry pieces and every piece is handmade in New York City by master craftsmen. Her jewelry designs are very feminine but also have an edginess to them. There is something very romantic and also practical about her jewelry pieces. To me, they are classic pieces of pearl jewelry but with a very contemporary aesthetic.

Anne very kindly agreed to answer my questions about her creative inspiration, the advantages and challenges on being a jewelry designer in New York City and her own distinctive take on modern fine jewelry made with pearls .

Anne, tell us a little about how you came to be a jewelry designer?

My background is in fashion design and I founded a clothing line nearly a decade ago and that was great. As I got older, I got more interested in jewelry and any important occasion, I wanted to mark with jewelry. With my life as it is right now, I am quite casual with small children. Even though I am so casual, a jewelry piece can transform the whole look. And again, you don’t have to buy so many pieces and change them every day. So, I realised I was really drawn to jewelry. I became more interested in the design and manufacture of jewelry. So, I tried designing jewelry myself to see if others liked it.

I am drawn to pearls. People who don’t know about pearls don’t fully understand the beauty of pearls. I am drawn to the softness of pearls especially because of the way they make you look; they can be so flattering. For instance, the way Martha Stewart looked with the golden South Sea pearls at the Oscars party, it was such a strong look and so striking next to all mega bling. I have also been studying historical design and its fun to turn some pieces around and make them modern and wearable.

Your Instagram Profile describes Anne Baker Collection as “A modern fine jewelry narrative in pearls.” This is a beautiful description of your exquisite collection. How would you wish to change or impact modern fine jewelry with Anne Baker Collection?

I think that women, especially my generation associate pearls, everyone has pearls from their grandmother or pearls from their sweet sixteenth birthday some sentimental gift or bankers pearls and they don’t wear those pearls because it is not how they wear jewelry. So, they are not worn, or they are not the right size or they have not been fashioned in a very modern way. But they can be, and I love to wear my pearls with a jeans and t-shirt outfit because it adds so much sophistication, and with an edgier look, they bring softness. That is what I am hoping to bring with Anne baker Collection. There is so much to be said about the GSS and Tahitian pearls, there is so much that can be done with them. So, I hope I can lend the perspective of pearls being wearable and chic, precious as they are but not too precious to be worn. I also have strands of Chanel’s faux pearls, and for me it is interesting to mix both real and faux pearls, it is so luxurious and elevates the look. I am also very encouraged that people who know good jewelry respond to my collection so well, especially since I am just starting this. Sometimes, doing the simplest thing can be the hardest but there is so much beauty in simplicity and that is not easy to achieve. Right now, the real challenge for me is to reign myself back, because I don’t want to overdesign but instead lay the foundation and start my story with some solid pearl pieces and then adding more interesting, more intricate designs. There is so much to learn and I enjoy learning about pearls, I am taking lessons on pearls and its fascinating. There was something beautiful that my teacher said to me the other day, which really resonated with me, especially being more conscious about sustainability, especially about pearl farming, they must keep the environment clean or the pearls won’t come out beautiful. I thought that was so beautiful especially when you realise how pearls are made. Also, I want to grow slowly, because I am enjoying this slow growth period because you can never get this time back and I am enjoying developing the packaging and getting everything just so. It is also fun to mix the different pearl types, and it is a modern way to wear pearls, to mix it up and make it multifunctional.

In one of your Instagram posts, you said “Creating is truly what makes me feel most alive.” Where do you get your creative inspiration from and what is the most enjoyable part of the process of creating for you?

I’m originally from California and it is very laid back and beautiful and there is natural beauty all around and I have that as my upbringing. Then I moved to London when I was 10 years old and there, I was exposed to so much fashion and beauty, in a different way- architectural beauty and women dressing beautifully. It was all mesmerising and I as a young girl I took so much in and so I have this unique perspective. Then I have this need to create and I have a very specific vision which I think comes directly from my upbringing. I don’t want to be dramatic but I believe we are each given a talent and for me when I am able to use my talent and artistic voice, that’s what I mean when I say I feel most alive.

The most enjoyable part of the process of creating is when you have an idea and you see it coming to fruition. First, my sketch, then CAD rendering, then the molding, seeing each step of the process yourself. Also, there may be some challenges but overcoming those challenges and getting to where you want to be is very fulfilling. Sometimes the piece comes out even more beautiful than the rendering and so it is really rewarding. But it is even more rewarding when you see your pieces on someone else. That’s when you can take yourself out of the equation and appreciate it for what it is. That is also very rewarding.

You are based in New York City. How does being there help you as a jewelry designer and what are some challenges that you may be facing?

In my peer group and especially in New York demographically, I don’t see a lot of women wearing pearls or if they are, it is done in a very ad hoc way and not in a way which honours the pearl. Being in NYC you have a hands-on experience with manufacturing and 47^th Street still has every vendor you can imagine, and it is convenient to have everything right there. I am mostly getting pearls from a company in Switzerland with a connection in Hong Kong but the amount of resources that are here in NYC are amazing, and the people make it so wonderful and accessible. The level of craftsmanship is also wonderful because it is all done by hand here by true craftspeople and it is not cost prohibitive. The only challenge is being a small independent designer and starting out making a name for yourself and I am at this point aware that I must build credibility, so I have to make sure that everything is meticulous quality wise. So, it is beneficial having everything here hands on in NYC and working with the best jewelry makers. I tried manufacturing elsewhere to see if there will be any difference but being here, I can make sure that everything is done thoroughly and beautifully. The whole world is hidden in plain sight. There is this whole web that is so connected, I can only benefit from it.

Over the course of this past year, you have designed, and hand crafted many jewelry pieces. Which piece of pearl jewelry is your favourite and why do you like it so much?

The very first piece I did was the Letter Pendant and it is something you can wear everyday and I thought that would be my go to piece but it turns out that what I have been wearing the most of are the bracelets which I can link up to be a choker, I am wearing those the most because I am able to coordinate colours with them. Those are also my most versatile pieces.

Rapid response: Your personal style: Elevated Basics

Pearl Necklace or Bracelet? Bracelets I can link into a necklace

Pearls on their own or Pearls and gemstones? Pearls with Gold

Can’t-do-without Accessory? Pearls, definitely pearls.

Favourite colour to wear all year round? Ivory

Golden South Sea Pearls or White South Sea Pearls? The soft golden

Favourite style: Daytime chic or Evening elegant? Daytime chic

Who would be that one public figure whom you would love to see wearing you pearl jewelry pieces and why?

Bella Hadid, she has such a striking look to her, and I think she has the edginess but also that softness.

Lastly, where would you like to see Anne Baker Collection in five years or so?

What I am starting to do is figure out specific retailers that would be good for the line and it wouldn’t be that many and within the next five years I am hoping to do more trunk shows. Also, the stores I would like to approach are the ones that honour excellent customer service and their rapport with the clients like Stanley Korshak. Or if the pieces could be custom made or redesign your own pearls into a new piece because there is so much sentiment in pearls. So, in five years I hope with the help of strategic retail partners, I am able to have enough of a market and recognition that allows people to also purchase online and still be able to customize. That is my goal.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions! I really appreciate it and wish you all the best for the future😊

To find out more about Anne Baker Collection, please check out their Instagram profile at @annebakercollection

Featured Image Courtesy of Anne Baker Collection

All images used in this post are the property of Anne Baker Collection. Any person or organization not affiliated with Anne Baker Collection may not use, copy, alter or modify any of the images used in this post, without the advance written permission of Anne Baker Collection.