Meet Julie Lamb | Julie Lamb, Designer/Owner of Julie Lamb NY

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Lamb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve been an artist all my life. I started creating original jewelry works out of clay and beads back in my Brooklyn elementary school. When I heard about the High School of Art & Design in midtown, I applied and became an Illustration major. After class I’d spend all my free time roaming districts inthe city to gather materials for jewelry making. By the time I got into Syracuse University to study Metal Smithing I had made pieces out of just about every other medium. I knew that this was the logical next step in my creative journey, the one that would unlock the many possibilities of fine jewelry. After graduation I came back to NYC and had a robust career designing for a vast array of fashion and fine jewelry companies before launching my eponymous collection. There was never any question as to what I would be or do with my life. I fell madly in love with jewelry making at a young age and just kept building upon that passion.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My chosen art form is fine jewelry and the thing that sets me apart from my peers and what I am most proud of are my strong concepts, the foundation of each collection I offer. Everything starts conceptually for me. I interpret symbols and iconography in my own way and design from there. My wording and messaging around each story is as important to me as the finished pieces themselves. I’ve created a broad menu of collections, each may appeal to a slightly different audience, yet all must live under one roof, which is ‘Different by Design’. Some of my stories are interrelated such as CITY (an ode to NYC where industrial details are interpreted with luxurious materials), Metropolis (named for the fictional city Superman defends, featuring a shield shaped stone and encourages the wearer to ‘Acknowledge Her Superpowers’) and my new commitments line ‘Built for Love’, a suite of engagement rings which honor the permanence of love and local landmarks. There are a few other concepts, and one I am particularly fond of named ‘Be Ewe’. Before I delve into that collection it’s important to note how I got to here with such a broad assortment. When I worked for corporate brands we had many categories and up to 5 markets per year. I was used to designing into multiple groups, to be a one stop experience for our customers. This coupled with all the ideas I had wanted to explore over my career but couldn’t execute due to restraints of the brand’s vision or boss, is how I got to here. When I went out on my own I cast a wide net as far as design was concerned because I never wanted to be bored or pigeon holed into doing just one look. ‘Be Ewe’ features my lovable Lamb logo paired with uplifting messages that encourage individuality ie; ‘Stand Out’, ‘Be Herd’, ‘Rock Your Flock’, and other playful puns. In this story The Black Sheep is our hero. I aim to embrace the outsiders and celebrate the unconventional. I find that customers drawn to this line are purchasing to express their unique personalities and not because it happens to be a jewelry item. I’ve enjoyed using my last name to create a symbol with connotations steeped in the things that motivate me, self expression, individuality, and uniqueness. In this way I have connected with like minded individuals. I refer to the creative souls in this community as my Lambassadors. I still feel that I am just starting out. I best communicate to the world through my work. The people that buy it and wear it have invited a piece of me into their lives and I am so fortunate to be there with them.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate a 2 part Shoutout: 1st part goes out to my fictional hero, the uncompromising architect Howard Roark from Any Rand’s The Fountainhead. My mother handed me her copy when I was a young teen, she is not a fan. I was supported and encouraged by my parents to explore my artist endeavors. I doubt they are aware of the impact this particular story has had in shaping my views. I’ve read the book at least 4 times. I like to check in with Roark through the years and see how I’m measuring up in reality to his inexorable independence in design and lifestyle. Starting my own brand was a step in his direction. The 2nd half of my Shoutout belongs to my real life former bosses, especially the ones who have become close friends and mentors. I am forever grateful to have been chosen for the opportunity to grow, evolve and learn the business from multiple angles. My professional foundation and the lessons learned gave me the tools I needed to create my own company. It wouldn’t have been possible without: Karen, Gail, Benita, Lauren, Bonnie, Susan, Lana, Sergio, Jackie M., Christopher, & Jackie C.

Website: https://julielambny.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julielambny/ @JulieLambNY

Linkedin: Julie Lamb

Facebook: Julie Lamb, Julie Lamb NY, Julie Lamb Fine Jewelry

Image Credits
Pamela Hope Photography, LenFlash Photography