Hi, I'm back.
Nautilus-inspired mermaid jewels, river electric, cowboy gangster song and spiraling inwards.
Hellllo everyone, Fenny here from Confidants. I’m back!
Older? Yes.
Wiser? I think.
Inspired? Always.
I have a deep well of discoveries and inspiration to share and I hope you’re still here for it!
Quick catch up before we get to a few gems on my radar.
Over the last two years, I’ve been in-house at my dream brand working with a brilliant team. It’s been a memorable time and we’re just getting started. As of this season, I’m shifting back into brand strategy/ consulting and I’m excited! Not only for the change in focus but I’ve won back a little time to create.
Although I’ve been eager to cannonball back into a creative project, I’m standing on the edge confronting where to dive in.
My first instinct was to return here.
Picking back up a practice can feel…vulnerable. Personally, I find myself asking:
Why return to something I put to rest? Why pick back up a project I “finished” or never completed at all? What’s the point?
The act of practicing—beginning, failing, restarting, tweaking, trying again—is about following curiosity.
Practicing is creating.
Playing music, writing newsletters, dancing, presenting, designing, coding, sculpting, speaking, community building… it all takes practice. And yet it can feel like no one is out here playing the wrong notes or stumbling over their words. Everyone seems to have mastered their craft, especially as I slide into my 40s this year (say what?).
As more and more of us set out to create our own path or projects, I’m craving a little more behind-the-scenes, here’s-how-the-thing-happens. Not a tutorial, more like a group hangout of fellow people figuring things out. I feel like that group hang is happening here on Substack.
All that to say, I have a short list of projects—ideas I’d like to shape up and offer to the world—so I guess I’m out here practicing.
Beyond writing, I love to create community. I love connecting with people over shared curiosities and passions. I’m obsessed with brand discovery and curation, which is why we originally gathered here. This is still very much an outlet for sharing the brands, stories, people, and places I encounter. I truly love curating.
But beyond my passion, I’ve spent nearly 12 years helping brands of all sizes scale, reach new audiences, and build build build. Now with a little break in my regular schedule, I have space to think about the best way to make use of all my earned lessons. More on that soon.
Until then, cheers to day one of practice—let’s get to it.
On Our Radar
Have we hit peak Mermaid trend in jewelry? Maybe. Either way I’m here for it.
Nautilus-inspired shapes dominate, especially for statement/ costume jewelry, along with playful scallop shells, fish, and the always-relevant pearl accent.
Here’s a round up of brands with mermaid inspired collections that get my click:
Julietta
Based in Brooklyn, Julietta’s pieces are vintage-inspired, handcrafted and truly special. Made with high quality materials—18k and 24k gold plated, handmade beads(!), natural stone/ wood beads, hand painted enamel components—they are literal works of art.
I’ve had the Amore necklace on my list for several months (and bag charm!), but this summer don’t miss iconic pieces like their Mykonos necklace and Coquille earrings, along with collabs like Monday swim and exclusives at Moda Operandi like this and this.
Juju Vera
The stunning Petra Shell necklace (solid sterling silver!) has been haunting me for months—an instantly memorable piece by JuJu Ferentinos, founder of JuJu Vera (read more in Vogue). Her debut collection is a tight assortment of statement and fine jewelry, rounded out with stunning objects not in my price range but firmly on my most-coveted list. Don’t miss the Eliza Earrings (lightweight!), Petra Necklace, and heirloom-worthy Asarotos Oikos Dish.
Missoma
London based Missoma, founded by Marisa Hordern, is nearly two decades in the making, but first hit my radar a few years back thanks to a collaboration with Harris Reed (I still think about those signet rings, here’s the latest from their partnership). Missoma has grown into a successful global brand and I appreciate their commitment to handmade pieces in recycled metals and lab grown diamonds/ precious stones. It’s a go-to for a fresh take on trends at more affordable price points.
This summer, Missoma has an entire Spiral Collection, but don’t miss the Spiral Drop Earrings (the pearl is detachable!) and Spiral Gemstone Pendant in lab grown clear quartz.
Mignonne Gavigan
Founded by Maggie Gavigan in 2014, this brand is super playful and colorful—less precious, less serious—with plenty of options to add a hit of joy to your accessories lineup. It’s easy to get lost in the collection, but on my list are the Concha Shell Drop earrings, cutie Alexi Charm necklace, and Kore necklace with pearls, coral, and 14K gold plated oyster. Also, how fun are these?
Anita Berisha
Inspired by nature, curated and translated into jewelry, Anita’s collection often includes seashells/ mermaid jewels. I first discovered Anita Berisha searching for statement pearl earrings for my wedding and this season her collection is brimming with sea-inspired, statement pieces.
The Deep Dive edit features a range of gorgeous, abstract-shaped earrings with thicker 18k gold plating and e-coating, making them more water resistant. Not to miss are the Calm After Storm earrings and ring, plus her famous Mermaid Earrings and Twists and Turns earrings. Plus, I have to have this Spiraling Inwards bag charm.
The Mermaid trend is everywhere.
So I could go on and on, but a few more mentions:
Astrid Schmidt jewelry - discovered through Mara Hoffman, her spiral ring and opal x spiral mermaid necklace is otherworldly.
éliou - the cool-girl brand launched spiral jewelry and is turning heads with their viral oversized tiger cowrie shell bag charm (I want one).
Discovery
Like always, we love ending our notes with inspiration so here are some of the people, places, messages, and musings that are inspiring us lately.
Cowboy Gangster Politician and Body Heat on repeat by Goldie Boutilier
Eny Lee Parker x Missoma collab I looooove
River Electric swim club is open, see you under the redwoods?
Colorful and on-theme paintings by Brittany Ferns, also in limited edition prints
Friends of Friends
Spotlighting rad people in our Confidants community
Shoutout to our friend Rachel Forslund, an interior stylist featured in Vogue Living for her incredible eye and commitment to second-hand/ vintage furniture pieces. Her recent collaboration with Imagine 5 spotlights The Hunt and The Glow Up. Get inspired here:
See next week!
xx Fenny
Welcome back sister, saddling up! 💫✨💛