Sometimes alcohol makes us do really dumb things (ie: spring break, the company holiday party, last Friday night…) And sometimes, on the rare occasion, it makes for really great things (ie: we’ll get back to you on that.) For jewelry designer Alison Hessert, it inspired her edgy, unique jewelry collection: Mixology NYC. Read on to see how this innovative designer went from crafting necklaces out of decanter tags to international sales of her expansive line.
two + seven: Tell us a little about your background. How did you get started?
Alison Hessert: I had been working in all areas of the fashion industry as a stylist, fashion journalist, writer and consultant when a friend asked me to dress the waitstaff for her new lounge/club called HAVEN. The vibe was a very sexy luxe boudoir-inspired feel with red crocodile ceilings, ostrich walls, big gold mirrors and black glass chandeliers. I dressed the girls in red strapless Robert Palmer-like dresses but something was missing – they needed something interesting around the neck.
My parents had collected vintage decanter tags in the 70′s and my mom had a Brandy one put on a chain for me which I wore as a choker. I used to get tons of compliments on it and thought this retro look would be just what the waitresses needed. So, I designed a necklace inspired by a decanter tag, had Haven engraved on it and put it on velvet to be worn as chokers and that’s how Mixology NYC started. My first collection was called Cocktail Couture and so you can see the liquor roots (coupled with fact that I also did a lot of consulting and writing for beverage industry) is what inspired the name MixologyNYC.
2+7: Mixology has a very strong, identifiable aesthetic. What’s your inspiration behind this?
AH: Mixology NYC designs are inspired by great film, fabulous adventures, and gorgeous style, all set to the soundtrack of New York City and great music. Recent collections have been inspired by everything from Celtic Warrior Princesses to classic movies like The Thin Man, African Queens and Barbarella to sleek architecture like the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Mixology NYC pays homage to great women through history from Joan of Arc and Boudicca to Talitha Getty, Edie Sedgwick, Janis Joplin.
2+7: What is the “MixologyNYC girl”?
AH: The Mixology Girl is a contradiction, a downtown glamour girl. She is a nomadic traveler, always in search of a good story and the extraordinary. In this attitude, Mixology NYC collections mix it up with sleek futuristic looks co-existing with more earthy tribal or warrior-inspired pieces.
2+7: If you could describe your line in 3 words, what would they be?
AH: Edgy. Urban. Rocker-Chic.
2+7: Where can we buy Mixology jewelry?
AH: Online you can shop at Shop.MixologyNYC.com (USA), Vivre.com (USA), MaxandChloe.com (USA), SpoilMeFashion.com (USA), CharmandChain.com (USA), DesignersandArtists.com (USA), Geeny212.com (Japan)
In stores, check out Azzurro (Miami), Stanton James (LA), WellNest (Sag Harbor), Undone (Lancaster, PA), L’Hotel de Beaune (France), Atrium (NYC), Sucre (NYC), Nest (NYC)
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