Home JOURNAL Behind the Label | Aurora Bailey

Behind the Label | Aurora Bailey

We are crazy in love with Mexican painter Aurora Bailey's new jewelry line. Blending the subtle sophistication of watercolors, think semi precious stones with real gold and yes, diamonds, this unique bijoux has just the right amount of artistic cred mixed with no fuss fashion to have major impact this holiday season. We recently caught up with the artist and asked her to share the story behind her label.

Describe your brand.

Aurora Bailey Jewelry is a brand inspired by my love for art and Mexico. As with my paintings, Mexican motifs and textures are a strong influence. I try to explore themes like architecture, ancient themes and symbols. I like to incorporate precious and semi precious stones with a lot of character creating a three dimensional collage of sorts. The stones play such an important role as they are often the main inspiration ? I try to construct around their shapes and textures to celebrate their natural beauty.

How did you start your brand?

I started my brand while I was pregnant with my daughter Lola in 2011 and officially launched in 2012. I am an artist and I had dreamt about creating jewelry for a while. Being pregnant gave me the chance to focus on making this dream a reality. It was harder for me to paint then, so sitting at a jeweler?s bench was ? in addition to being really exciting and satisfying ? simply more practical!

Speak about your previous work experience and how it helped you to create your own brand.

My real background is art, I have a BFA in painting and I am currently finishing a Masters in Contemporary Art. However, there was a time that I wanted to play the executive game and tried my hand at advertising. My corporate experience gave me an amazing set of skills that today I use to run my own business. After that six-year stint, I ran back to my art and pursued a master?s degree. I started working on my jewelry shortly after that.

What are some of your endless inspirations?

Art, Mexico. Mexico is a country very layered in terms of culture. There are ancient Mesoamerican ruins, a strong Spanish Colonial influence and a contemporary culture of innovation and creativity in architecture, art and fashion. When I am creating a piece or a collection, Mexico and Art are always in my mind and my research.

How does travel inspire your collection?

Travel is one of the most important things for me; I am always planning trips, vacations and excuses to get on a plane. I am a Mexican, living in New York married to a Brit, I think that sums it up a little. When I go to Mexico I spend months there at a time. Going back as a New Yorker gives me an incredible new perspective on my own country and I see things that may have gone unnoticed if I was living there full-time. These things always turn into incredible sources of inspiration. I am an avid instagrammer and photographer so I always come back with thousands of pictures to edit and organize.

You work with artisans, tell us about the process?

I work with what I like to call artists in their own right; it all begins with a sketch and a vision. From there we all get to work in creating hand-carved little wax sculptures and more sketches. Sometimes one sketch results in two pieces! It?s not only a fun but also therapeutic process, as you get fresh ideas while an original vision evolves.

Your collection continues to grow, what creative endeavors are on the horizon?

It is a dream of mine to be able to give back to my country. Mexico is full of AMAZING artisans that have made incredible things for a very long time. One way or another I would like to incorporate their skills into my brand.