STYLE PROFILE-Blythe Harris of Stella & Dot
Happy Monday!
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Stella & Dot Design Studio in Soho. It was so much fun checking out all the jewelry and I got to see what goes on behind the scenes as well as a sneak peek into the spring/summer collection. Below is an interview wtih Blythe Harris, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Creater of Stella & Dot. I hope you enjoy the interview and photos from my visit. You can also shop some of my favorites Stella & Dot below.
Name: Blythe Harris
Current Title/Company: Chief Creative Officer and Co-Creator of Stella & Dot
Location: New York and Sausalito
Stella & Dot is a boutique-style jewelry and accessories company reinventing the home-based, flexible entrepreneurship opportunity for the modern woman through its social-shopping business platform. Stella & Dot offers its on-trend, celebrity and editorial-coveted product line exclusively through a growing network of trained independent consultants (Stylists) across North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and France. With a mission to give every woman the means to style her own life, our innovative social shopping concept brings together the best of ecommerce, social media, personal service and passionate earning to create the ultimate home-based business.
1. What does a typical day look like for you?
Like most working moms my day starts by getting ready quickly and then getting my kids ready and off to school. I then head to our Sausalito design studio. Stella & Dot has design studios in both Sausalito and New York so a lot of my day is split between working with both teams. I oversee the entire creative vision for Stella & Dot and now our newest brands KEEP Collective and EVER, so I my week is carefully organized into cross-functional meetings, creative reviews, and design only days. So this week, I will meet with the Art department to review selects and look book layout since we just wrapped our Spring ’15 shoot in New York, then I’ll review specs with our NY jewelry team since an important Fall ’15 deadline is approaching, and then go back and meet with our merchandising team to review line plans for both KEEP and Stella & Dot’s upcoming seasons. Lunch is usually a quick soup or salad at my desk, and then more cross-functional meetings to ensure all our upcoming design stories are aligned with marketing. I always try to leave the office early enough to have dinner with my children, then it’s bed time for them, and I’ll catch up on a few more emails before watching my guilty pleasure TV shows.
2. How would you describe your personal style?
Casual, boho chic - I don’t have a ton of time to get ready in the morning so I usually wear a version of the same thing almost every day to the office- jeans usually Marc Jacobs distressed denim, Rag & Bone tee, my Isabel Marant booties, a leather jacket. I’m really into prints at the moment and have been wearing a lot of Thakoon and Suno as well. And I always add either a statement necklace or 2-3 delicate necklaces layered.
3. What are your favorite items in your wardrobe and why?
My Marc Jacobs or IRO leather motorcycle jacket because it’s a great way to finish the look of any outfit, Isabel Marant booties because they are so comfortable and go with everything, my Stella & Dot engraved necklace with my kids’ initials, and my grandmother Dot’s vintage jewelry. My grandmother has been an inspiration personally and creatively throughout my career as a designer.
4. Do you have any style or beauty secrets to share?
I’ve been our new skin care regimen, EVER, which comes out in 2015. I may be a bit biased, but I don’t need concealer anymore and my skin just looks brighter. I’m also a big fan of dry shampoo and MAC eye brightening pencil. It’s a life saver! Beyond that, I always try to get plenty of sleep, exercise, and drink lots of water but I’m not sure I follow my advice all that well!
5. How do you spend your "me" time?
Going for a run or hike in my neighborhood or doing art projects with my kids.
6. What is the most important thing you have learned through running your own business?
Never accept mediocrity and don’t be afraid to take risks.
7. What is your mantra?
Be bold and always find time to daydream.
Follow Stella & Dot on Twitter and Instagram.
Style Profile is a bi monthly style column featuring creative and talented entrepreneurs and business owners. I feature the stylish women behind these successful businesses and brands, their personal style, and share a glimpse into their typical work day.
Shop my favorite Stella & Dot items below
