If you know the X ring, you know Eva Fehren. The oft-imitated design was (and still is) at the forefront of the minimalist, geometric fine jewelry trend, where Fehren’s styles reign supreme. A few years ago, the brand moved into bridal with Eva Fehren White, a collection of edgy alternative engagement and wedding rings. The most popular piece? The first, appropriately named the Premier. “I love its sharp architecture structure and its clean, modern lines,” says designer Eva Zuckerman. Next up: reworking “some of our favorite statement diamond-centric trillion pieces in all black diamond,” Zuckerman says. “I love them because they feel extremely graphic.”
Age: A lady never tells.
Number of years in the biz: Ten, but Eva Fehren was established six years ago.
Number of employees you oversee: Six.
Family and pets: I have my parents, Edith and Roy, my sister, Nina, and a cat named Chicken.
Describe your personal style: My jewelry style is minimal, tough, delicate, and feminine. My clothing style is more Goth ragamuffin with diamond accents.
First piece you ever designed: The X ring was the first piece in my collection and was a foundational piece for the brand.
The single piece of jewelry you’re most proud of: See above!
Favorite cut of diamond: Portrait cut. They are elusive and understated. I love how they mimic the look of glass.
Best piece of advice you ever received: “First idea, best idea.”
Worst piece of advice: I try to forget most of what other people tell me to do unless it’s really good.
First job ever: Working for my parents at their Temporary Tattoo and Cosmetics Company (Temptu). I used to design tattoos and do body painting at events.
How did you get started designing jewelry? I was trained as a fine artist and studied painting at Cooper Union in New York City.… When I graduated from Cooper, I became fascinated with jewelry design as I felt it reflected my personal tastes and sense of style. I met Philip Crangi a few months later and started assisting him with design at Giles & Brother.
If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing? I think I would be an interior designer.
Jewelry you’re wearing right now: Our rose gold and champagne diamond line bracelet, 1 mm huggies, my “E” initial pendant, a tiny trillion stud, rose gold dagger studs, and a zipper ear cuff.
Items on your desk right now: My Moleskine sketchbook, a pencil, a pile of stones, my calipers, and neon pink tape.
Songs on your playlist: “This Woman’s Work,” Kate Bush; “I’m the One,” DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber; “Mercury,” Sufjan Stevens; “Trick or Treat Dancefloor,” Cherry Glazerr.
Exercise regimen: Pilates, running for the subway, walks over the Williamsburg Bridge.
What did you have for breakfast? Green smoothie. Iced tea.
Guilty pleasure: The Great British Bake Off marathons.
Drink (daytime/evening): Iced tea/Paloma.
Scent: Fleurs d’Oranger by Serge Lutens.
How do you unwind? Drawing.
Book you’re reading: Just Kids, Patti Smith.
Book you’ve been meaning to get to: War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy.
Favorite movie: Velvet Goldmine (pictured, left).
Who would play you in your life story? Ideally, one of the Olsen twins.
Personal motto: “Go big or go home.”
Jewelry from top: the Hex XX ring in 18k blackened white gold with a 0.52 ct. portrait-cut diamond; the X ring in 18k rose gold with pale champagne diamond pavé; the Premier in 18k blackened white gold with 1.63 ct. round white diamond
(Drink: Karandaev/Getty; Just Kids: courtesy Ecco/HarperCollins; Velvet Goldmine: Miramax/Everett Collection)
