Revival (noun): An improvement in the condition or strength of something; or, an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.
We could all use a little revival this year, don’t you agree? The only thing we don’t want to revive is the year 2020. Let’s just let that one go. But a revival of life, of some normalcy, a sense of peace? Yes, please.
Revival is the name of the new collection from Chicago jeweler ParkFord, and it possesses design elements that feel made for that moniker.
Perhaps it’s the jewelry’s rainbowlike arches, a symbol of hope, the light after the storm. Maybe it’s designer Jeanette Park’s use of color, an effervescence gained through gemstones such as turquoise, coral, and jade. Whatever the reason, there’s a buoyancy to these pieces, a sense of uplifting that’s tangible—and gorgeous all the same.
It’s a collection that’s sure to be a hit this holiday season and well into 2021 as we reach for something to keep us feeling good. Below, a conversation with Jeanette Park on the new collection and looking ahead to the holiday season.
Can you tell us a little bit more about your inspiration behind the Revival collection?
Chicago is a city that has a beautiful mix of old and new—we have these beautiful old buildings and vintage residential homes in the middle of a modern and vibrant city. So, for a long time walking around my neighborhood and the city I would see these ornate details that were so unique, and I knew that I wanted to design something around them.
This is a time when people tend to be searching for meaning behind their jewelry, and I think some of that can be derived from Revival. What does it mean to you?
Definitely revival is a powerful word, and as I launched this new collection and relaunched ParkFord, I felt it was the perfect name. But also, when I started working on this collection it was when our shelter-in-place orders started. For me this collective pause in our lives gave me the time to refocus and actually motivated me to start designing with the inspirations I had in the back of my mind that I had put off for so long. So it was a time of revival for me personally and one that lead to, very luckily, something positive.
What’s your advice to retailers this holiday season, at a time when the typical in-store customer service isn’t a possibility?
I think a lot of retailers are already doing some very smart things utilizing their web presence and social media to connect to their customers. Outside of that, perhaps it could be a great time to offer a safe personal shopping experience if you can’t be publicly open or to customers who haven’t come in because they are avoiding crowds. A couple or family could come in at an appointed time to see pieces in person and get a feel for them, earmarking items they want to gift or buy for the upcoming holidays.
Top: Rainbow Revival necklace in 14k yellow gold with rainbow moonstone and 1.2 cts. t.w. sapphire baguettes, $3,500
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