Throughout 2020 we’ve seen how current events dramatically impact the jewelry industry, from the COVID crisis to the call for more inclusive and anti-racist practices within our community to the looming historic election.
One topic that seems perennially relevant is that of female empowerment, and more specifically, gender equality, especially given the sobering news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s recent death—the 87-year-old warrior’s legendary career was built on fighting for women’s rights.
As an industry that markets to women, gender equality—and a desire for increased visibility of women in leadership roles—are passion points for many jewelry companies. The latest to take a stand in this arena is Uni Creation, with the debut of its new Girl Up jewelry collection.
Known in the trade as a long-term supplier to the majors of both loose diamonds and finished jewelry, Uni Creation wanted to develop a jewelry collection focused on female empowerment. Uni worked with Andrea Hansen of Luxe Intelligence to connect with the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up initiative, a global leadership development program that positions girls to be leaders in the movement for gender equality through 4,000 Girl Up clubs in more than 125 countries.
In addition to a six-figure annual corporate contribution to Girl Up, Uni Creation is also pledging 5% of all sales of the jewelry to support the organization’s programs, which help train and mobilize girls to become advocates and agents for global gender equality.
“We stand with every girl, everywhere, as a force for global good,” said Uni Creation president and CEO Ashit Parikh in a statement. “We affirm the Girl Up principle that when girls rise, we all rise.”
Hansen also connected Uni Creation with fashion industry luminary Hal Rubenstein to serve as the line’s creative director. The result: designs in silver and gold that interpret Girl Up symbols—the dove for peace, the laurel leaf representing both the foundation logo and Olympic champions, the globe for unity, the Fearless Girl (of Wall Street statue fame), and stars (as in, “reach for the…”)—while incorporating pink and blue sapphires, as well as ethically sourced diamonds and hand-cut beads in ruby, sapphire, opal, labradorite, and moonstone.
“Unlike clothing and accessories, fine jewelry immediately becomes an indispensable constant in our lives, a repository of lasting memories,” Rubenstein said in a statement. “What’s so exciting about the Girl Up collection’s contemporary design is the way we’ve linked jewelry to advocacy.”
The wholesale line is available for immediate distribution, including potential for exclusive collections (contact andrea@luxeintelligence.com with inquiries). Uni Creation offers full retailer support with marketing materials, videos, testimonials, packaging, displays, and point-of-sale assets. In addition, state-of-the-art virtual try-on technology can be incorporated into retail partner websites, both mobile and desktop.
Top: A variety of stackable beaded bracelets offers options for collecting add-on charms (photo courtesy of Uni Creation)
Follow me on Instagram: @aelliott718
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
