A peek inside the life (and mind) of a top jewelry designer
Sure, Philadelphia is famous for the clamoring Liberty Bell—but what about soothing meditation bells? Jewelry designer Paul Morelli, based in the City of Brotherly Love, has put his own twist on the ancient instrument in his spring collection. The chimes, made from 18k gold (and some are embellished with colored gemstones), adorn necklaces or serve as a stand-alone accessory. Morelli has been in the jewelry trade for more than 30 years, so JCK rang him up to gain a little insight. —Nancy Sidewater
Age: “Meaningless”
Major retail outlets where your jewelry is available: Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Liberty of London
Number of years in the biz: 30
Number of employees in your shop: 25
Image Credit: iStockphoto
Number who are family members: 3
Mate: My wife, Anne Marie
Pets: My daughter’s Boston Terrier, Clark, who comes to work every day
Describe your personal style: Current
First jewelry memory: My mom’s jewelry box
Best piece of advice you ever received: “Pay attention!”
Worst piece of advice: “Here, eat this.”
Image Credit: Jonathan Pushnik
First job (ever): Delivery boy for Calstein’s grocery store
How you got started in jewelry: By accident
Platinum or gold? Gold
Why meditation bells? The idea came straight from my imagination. They have a very soothing sound and seem to make people smile. So why not?
Does Buddhism sell? The Art of Happiness was on The New York Times best-seller list for almost two years. What do you think?
What’s the next wave in jewelry? I don’t ever pay attention to trends in jewelry.
Five items on your desk right now: WWD, pictures of grandchildren Jackson and Jaden, Phillies schedule, broken prototypes, beach pebbles
Breakfast: Yogurt and fruit
Guilty pleasure: Dark chocolate
Drink (daytime and evening): French-press coffee or Grey Goose on the rocks
How do you unwind? I go to a gym.
First website you check every day: WWD.com
Favorite website for jewelry (yours excluded): I don’t look at jewelry other than mine.
Scent: Skye George Trumper
What kind of watch? Patek Philippe
Top five songs on your playlist: “The High Road,” Broken Bells; “Zebra,” Beach House; “I’m a King Bee,” the Rolling Stones; “Monkey Man,” the Rolling Stones; “Portions for Foxes,” Rilo Kiley
Favorite place to get away from it all: My weekend house in Solebury, Pa.
Summer vacation: Family shore house in Surf City, Long Beach Island
Favorite piece you created: Diamond eyeglass pendant
Image Credit: Jonathan Pushnik
Superstitious? Nah
Favorite movie: Toss-up between Raging Bull and Taxi Driver
Who would play you in your life story? Christopher Walken
Book you’re reading: Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock ’n’ Roll
Bottled or tap? Bottled
Means of transportation: To work? My bike.
Preferred news source: The New York Times
Personal motto: “Be prepared.”