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How do you stack? Stacking bracelets are having a major fashion moment. We love the look of having an arm full of bracelets of different colors, fabrics and finishes. It’s an easy way to step up a casual look or to add some color and pumped-up style to a classic evening look. When we first discovered Razimus Jewelry, we were immediately smitten. We love the soft, pretty colors and patterns of their fabrics and the delicate, chosen metal accents. We also are absolutely in love with their premise of using “upcycled fabrics” for sustainability. Virgina Fretto, founder of Razimus Jewelry, took the time to share the story behind her jewelry line.
How do you source your fabrics? What is the premise behind upcycled fabrics?
I work with designers to salvage their remnant fabric cuts to upcycle them. I also source organic cottons and natural dyed fabrics from skilled U.S. based artisans and producers. Many of the vintage fabrics used in my collections are deconstructed, damaged vintage garments that have some pretty incredible histories but were too damaged to wear again. Through upcycling, which means to repurpose, vintage garments and designer remnants I save a great deal of what would have been waste from ending up in the landfill. And instead, now is given new life as colorful & unique fabric jewelry.
Each piece of Razimus Jewelry is hand made near Saratoga Springs, NY by me and other local artists who assist in production. We cut, sew, fill and bead each and every one of the many designs by hand, and usually in batches of anywhere from 10-100+ of a given fabric, style or order request. No request is too small, we love custom orders and have so much fun hand making the collections together in our studio.
Where does the name Razimus stem from?
“Razimus” is a word that my grandfather made up to reward his grandkids for hard work. As young kids a “razimus” was sometimes a silver dollar, a piece of candy, etc, but eventually evolved into book money for college for a reward for his college-bound grandkids, rewarding us for working hard in college. The joke in the family is that he used to promise a “razimus” to his children when he was asking them to do something, but they never actually received anything – just the grandkids. 🙂
What inspired you to create your Jewelry line?
Razimus Jewelry was inspired by my degree in Fashion Design combined with my experience working in Corporate Social Responsibility for a fine jewelry company in Boston. I have always loved big, bold jewelry but would always end up taking it off mid-way through my day because I found it uncomfortable. So I started designing jewelry made with sustainable fabrics that were lightweight, and that added a pop of color to my outfits.
What is your favorite way to style your pieces?
I generally never have fewer than 3 Razimus Jewelry stacking bracelets on at a time! I like to coordinate or accent colors in my outfit for the day. If I am wearing a lot of neutrals, I will add some a dusty rose or seafoam silk or printed organic bracelet to my bracelet stack for the day to give my outfit a little pop of color and personality.
Who are some of your fashion/jewelry style icons?
I have always loved Gwen Stefani’s style perspectives – she supports up and coming designers, is a hard working mom, and super creative and fearless with her style. On a daily basis, I pretty much am in love with all things Free People & Anthropologie. And find inspiration for jewelry design from designers large and small, including Vanessa Mooney, Pamela Love NYC, Roots Revival Co, Nadine Medina Designs… there are so many designers that I follow on Instagram and love their work! (Follow @RazimusJewelry on Instagram). 😉
Special Thanks to Virginia Fretto, Founder, Razimus Jewelry. All photos courtesy of Razimus Jewelry.
SHOPPE
