Known for her “fierce and feminine” collection of handforged pieces and for developing her own signature hue—a blush-pink rose gold—Julez Bryant is an independent thinker, trendsetter, rose gold pioneer and badass jewelry designer. She’s also a devoted mother and a breast cancer survivor who serves as an advocate for women battling the disease.
Her story: A friend of mine got sick with cancer, and right before passing he gave me a charm, which I made into a necklace. A shop owner on Cedros Avenue asked about it and wanted to see more, so I made a bunch of necklaces from my grandmother’s beads and brought them to her in a shoebox. She bought all of them, so I decided to give it a shot.
Inspiration: It started with a fascination for vintage badges, medallions on old doors, or anything industrial or military style. My brain feels most fertile in a city; I love all the different oddities, walking down a weird alleyway and seeing some rusty, old finding on a building.
Philosophy: When your soul feels it needs to do something, you have to go for it with grace and honesty.
On success: I wasn’t formally trained and knew nothing about the industry, so there wasn’t a ceiling for me at the time. I didn’t know that you shouldn’t put sterling and gold together; that rose gold wasn’t the thing. I just did what I loved. As the business grew, I just followed it.
Your clients: I can spot a Julez Bryant woman walking down the street. We connect with empowered women living their best selves. Some are moms, others are into their career—they’re all very dedicated to what they are doing and are unapologetic for it.
What’s trending: Wearing multiple pieces and putting collections together, statement pieces, medallions, found objects with partial gold and also lots of enamel.
Secret dream: To be a graffiti artist.
Celebrity clients: Naomi Watts, Mariska Hargitay and Kristian Nairn from Games of Thrones. He loved our Ghostrider pendant, which won the People’s Choice at the Couture Design Awards, so we designed one just for him.
Vision: I think we can be as big as David Yurman, whether it’s in my lifetime or someone else’s.
On Oceanside: If I had time, I would run for mayor, as I really believe that this town has so much to offer.
Photography by: Jenny Siegwart | Dress available at Pink Lagoon, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Ste. V-104, Solana Beach
