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PrintVintage-inspired jewelry trunk show
Mark your calendars for this charming event.
What do Jessica Alba, Tori Spelling, Blake Lively and Miley Cyrus have in common with Tulsa? They are all celebrities who know about a jewelry line whose co-founder is a native Tulsan.
Becca Richards, a 30-something-year-old lawyer by day and jewelry designer by night, grew up in midtown Tulsa and graduated from Holland Hall. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Richards met friend and business partner Jessica Bohrer. They quickly discovered their mutual passion for designing jewelry and, together, they devised a plan for a new jewelry line.
Last spring, Dalla Nonna debuted with three pieces in its first collection. Richards says that both she and Bohrer wanted to create a line with sentimental value. While brainstorming ideas for their signature piece, they were inspired by their grandmothers’ vintage calendar charms. Thus, their signature piece, the calendar necklace, which exemplifies their modern take on a traditional piece, was born.
The calendar necklace is accented with a sapphire chosen by the wearer to commemorate a date of her choosing — whether a birth date, anniversary or special occasion.
Richards says that with hard work and luck, Dalla Nonna’s success will expand from an online-only company to placement in select stores across the country. Each store selected to carry the line, Richards says, will be chosen purposefully — just as their calendar necklaces are designed to fit the wearer.
Fortunately, the Dalla Nonna duo selected Tulsa as the city for their next trunk show. From 4:30-7:30 p.m., March 31, you, too, can be the owner of a custom-designed piece from Dalla Nonna’s signature collection. The show will be at GaGa, 1631 E. 15th St., along with food, wine and a chance to meet the designers. Not only will they have samples, but they will also be taking orders for custom pieces.
Before Richards visits home (she currently practices law in Chicago, although she plans to return to Tulsa someday soon) with Bohrer (who practices law in Miami), she talked about the chic, simple and classic pieces they’re bringing to Tulsa.
Why did you choose GaGa as the location for your next trunk show? I like Gaga because it’s local and I love supporting local businesses. I selected it with a real purpose in mind … It’s a perfect mixture of high-quality merchandise with (a) welcoming, family feel. The GaGa ladies are so friendly and personable. It’s the kind of place that you’d like to spend an afternoon looking at pretty things and chatting with a great group of people. Love it.
Did you make your own jewelry in high school? If so, where did you go for supplies and what inspired you in Tulsa? My biggest inspirations are the women in my family. First, I have to mention my grandmother, Maxine Zarrow, whose jewelry box and sense of style have always caught my eye. Second, my late grandmother, Charlotte Richards, and my aunt, Hilary Zarrow, both of whom were always patient with me and taught me how to string beads and make jewelry. I spent hours with these ladies making jewelry. And Hilary first introduced me to the Bead Merchant!
How did you and Jessica come up with the name Dalla Nonna? We wanted something different that would pay respect to all the amazing nonne (“grandmothers”) in our lives. Since we got our creative spirits from the women in our families and wanted to pay respect to tradition, we thought Dalla Nonna (“from the grandmother”) seemed in line with our values and the spirit of what we hoped to accomplish. Also, since the idea was hatched over pizza, a name in Italian seemed fitting!
How do you and Jessica work full-time jobs and run a business from two separate cities? The Internet and lots of phone conversations. With technology, we're able to work as if we’re in the same office — we can share a desktop, exchange information and do just about everything except get lunch together!
Which are your favorite pieces in your current collection? I have two favorite pieces. I like the shiny yellow-gold calendar necklaces, and I love the charm bracelet because it’s a modern take on a traditional bracelet. And they sparkle! So that makes them a little more fun.
Which calendar piece and date do you wear most often? I wear a shiny, gold August pendant with two pink sapphires — one on my grandparents’ wedding anniversary and one on the day the company was formed. I also wear a matte, silver bracelet with my anniversary, Nov. 10.
What kind of metal do you use for your pieces? We use sterling silver and three colors of 14-karat gold — white, rose and yellow gold. My personal favorite is the rose gold.
Can you provide an example of what’s in your next collection? What inspired you and Jessica with this collection? Mum’s the word ... Stay tuned.
