Name:
Ashley Green and Emily Green
How your clients refer to you:
“The Girls”
Company:
Emily & Ashley
Contact info:
ph: 212.327.2765, email: Ashley@emilyandashley.com
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
November 1st was our 18-year anniversary!
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
I had bought Emily a set of beaded stretch bracelets to cheer her up one weekend while we were out shopping. The bracelets broke shortly after she wore them. Emily was working in the fashion district at the time and I was interning close by. We met for lunch and decided to walk into some bead stores to get more string to fix them. We walked out with memory wire and bags of beads and that night we started making our own designs! We never ended up restringing the old bracelets but we always kept them in a little pouch in our office as a memento. From there on, we just did what came naturally. We were always enamored with our grandmother, her style and old pictures of her from the 40’s. She inspired us and our creations before we ever dreamed of designing. It has been such an organic process for us.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
We have always stayed true to ourselves. Jewelry is not something that should come and go with the trends. A beautiful piece of jewelry should last lifetimes and never go out of style. We have always said, generations can come to us and each find something perfect for themselves. One of the best compliments is when a grandmother, mother, and daughter come to us and each get a piece that means something special to them.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Our one on one attention to our clients! No job is too big or too small for us. You will always speak to either Emily or Ashley when it comes to buying our jewelry. There is no part of the process from concept to post-delivery that we are not involved in. The business is very different than it was 18 years ago. There are a lot of young jewelry designers making gorgeous pieces, but like most businesses, ours comes down to reputation and relationships. We know how blessed we are to work together, have our own business and continue to survive through so many challenging times in today’s world.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
Emily always says, we laugh more in one day than most people get to in a week. How could the happiness of working with your sister, best friend and person who loves your heart and soul not positively affect what we make and whom we work with
What is your favorite part of your job?
The opportunity we have had to travel the world. We have been fortunate enough to travel to places like Japan, China, Thailand and throughout the USA. Being able to visit other countries and experience different cultures is an incredible privilege and one we cherish, especially since we have been able to do it together.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
Our favorite secret in NYC is actually one man who can do almost anything!
Carlo Geraci of “Carlo Says”. Carlo is hands down amazing! We have known Carlo for 16 years. He was Emily’s make-up artist for her wedding 14 years ago and since then he has been our go to guy for anything that needs to be beautified! From table tops, to catering, to make up, to eye brows, he can come over and transform you and your home! And his cooking…all I can say is, we would give a Michelin star! Hands down, he is one of NYC’s best gems!
How do you benefit mamas?
We hope that adding a little sparkle to their wardrobe also helps add a little sparkle to their lives. We are very realistic. We make jewelry, we are not finding a cure to a disease. But a big part of our business is about sentimental heirloom pieces that you wear close to your heart. There is something very special about wearing a piece that has direct meaning to your child. It reminds us that even through the most challenging days being a mama and a Tutu (Pippa Jane’s name for Emily) is the most fulfilling job a person can have.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
Years ago, we received a note from a customer, a mother, telling us how much the tree of life pendant meant to her and her daughter. Her daughter had been sick and she felt the tree of life they wore gave them both the courage and strength to get through a hard time. We ended up speaking to her over the phone. After an hour and box of tissues, we made a new friend. We had another client who survived breast cancer and bought her mother and sister our dragon engraved charm that symbolizes a guardian, thanking them for being her guardians while she was sick.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field:
Jennifer Miller. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a friend, industry big sister and mentor like her!
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
Our Mantra...Eat candy, listen to Brittany Spears and have fun
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
Don’t waste it! Every second counts! When we can, we include Pippa Jane in every activity; from brushing our teeth, cleaning up the apartments and making meals, we do it together. Sometimes It takes a little more time but in those moments, some of our most precious memories are made.