WALTERS FAITH
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?
M: Steph and I came from different backgrounds. We both had a passion for fine jewelry, we both went to the GIA and we both worked for fine jewelry companies prior to partnering.
S: Jewelry had always been a passion of mine ever since I was a child. In fact, just recently, my mom found old photos of me making jewelry. Fun fact: when I was 23, Mollie and I met while working for Ivanka Trump and Mollie was the one who hired me!
DID YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF DESIGN BACKGROUND?
M: I studied art history and metalsmithing at the University of Michigan and subsequently took design courses at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
S: I didn’t have any formal design training.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS?
M & S: Although we launched in 2013 we started selling in 2015.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO START YOUR COMPANY?
M & S: We felt like there was an opportunity in the marketplace. People were dressing differently and wearing their jewelry as an everyday accessory. We saw a lot of female self-purchasers looking for wearable and versatile pieces that were also accessible.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
M & S: New York City.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
M: Long Island.
S: New Jersey.
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR JEWELRY
M: Bold.
S: …and understandable. What you see is what you get.
IS THERE A UNIQUE STORY BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS NAME OR LOGO?
M & S: ‘Walters Faith’ is made up of both our middle names - it is a synthesis of bold and fine. ‘Walters’ is an heirloom name, belonging to my (Stephanie) grandmother – it is a strong bold name. ‘Faith’ is my (Mollie) middle name and it represents the dainty and girly feminine side of our brand. We both recognize the importance of strong branding and the identification and dimension it can provide. As such, we created a logo which features the initials of our company’s name and that by tracing the outer contour, creates a modified hexagon – our signature motif.
WHAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH?
M: When I was in high school, my mother and her friend introduced me to JAR’s jewelry which at the time was on display at Christie’s London. Since I couldn’t go to London, they instead bought me a book featuring his jewelry and I knew that this (the jewelry industry) was my future.
S: I have always loved jewelry because it always fits but part of my love for jewelry came from my mother. The pieces that first come to mind are those by Van Cleef & Arpels.
JEWELRY ICON
M: Doris Duke.
S: Iris Apfel.
WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?
M: Dog.
S: Monkey.
IF A THEME SONG PLAYED EVERY TIME YOU WALKED INTO A ROOM, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
M: 'Learn How to Fall' by Paul Simon.
S: ‘One More Time’ by Daft Punk.
DO YOU HAVE A PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND IF SO, WHY?
M: A Saxon Chain Link ring, sandwiched between my wedding bans. I don’t wear so much jewelry - I love to have it but on a day to day basis, I wear a few rings and a great pair of studs.
S: Our Clive Two Tone Fluted ring.
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
M: Classic.
S: Modern.
LAST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU BOUGHT AND LOVED
M: A gypsy ring.
S: An Hermes cuff.
THE THING YOU ARE COVETING NEXT
M & S: A holiday vacation with our families – we are planning a trip to Japan.
THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE GIVEN RECENTLY
M: Jewelry. My sister is having her first baby so I gave her an OC x WF Collection pink sapphire and diamond pendant necklace to represent her daughter.
THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED RECENTLY
M: A great piece of art by James Nares.
S: A Bulgari Serpenti watch.
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH...
M & S: …jewelry.
FAVORITE FOOD?
M: Sushi.
S: French fries.
LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?
M: Peppermint bark.
S: Beets.
WINE OR CHEESE?
M: Both.
S: Wine.
COFFEE OR TEA?
M & S: Coffee.
YOGA OR BOXING?
M: Neither.
S: Boxing.
FAVORITE SEASON?
M & S: Fall.
FAVORITE CITY?
M: Paris.
S: New York City.
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
M: Napa.
S: Anything with a beach.
THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?
M: Something from the Moana soundtrack.
S: Something on The Beatles station in the car – it’s my husband’s go-to radio station.
THE LAST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?
M & S: Billy Joel.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
M: Annie Hall.
S: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
SUPERPOWER OF CHOICE?
M: The ability to calm children.
S: Teleportation.
SECRET SKILL?
M: I’m a good cook.
S: I’m a good tennis player.
FRIENDS CHARACTER?
M: Monica.
S: Phoebe.
SOCIAL MEDIA OF CHOICE?
M & S: Instagram.
FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?
M: Early morning.
S: Midnight.
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?
M: 8am – when everybody is getting ready.
S: 7am.
YOU WON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...
M: ...cellphone.
S: ...a club soda.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
M: First thing in the morning , cuddling in bed with my daughters.
S: When I'm with my family celebrating a happy occasion.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
M: After I have accomplished something that is not an easy feat.
S: After a successful jewelry event for us and when we get compliments on our collection.
HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP FROM A LOW DAY?
M: I remind myself of all I have to be grateful for.
S: There is always something good around the corner. I also agree with what Mollie said!
WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
M: My engagement ring.
S: Probably my engagement ring because it brings back so many happy memories of this most recent chapter in my life since getting married and starting a family.
WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
M: Rings.
S: Bold statement earrings.
WHAT DOES JOY MEAN TO YOU?
M: Spending quality time with my family.
S: Joy to me is extreme happiness. It means forgetting all of the negativity and stressors that may be going on in your life and enjoying the moment.
WHAT DOES CONFIDENCE MEAN TO YOU?
S: The ability to make something seem effortless. To look and feel good.
M: I agree with Stephanie!
WHAT DOES EMPOWERED MEAN TO YOU?
M: Being independent – feeling you are capable and confident.
S: Not taking no for an answer.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
M: Breathe and slow down.
S: Be patient.