Nails of New York: Mignonne Gavigan
This week's Nails of New York features jewelry designer Mignonne Gavigan. Mignonne launched her classic Le Charlot design, a beautifully embroidered scarf necklace, in 2009, and it has remained a client fave throughout the years. Yet her creative genius is best represented through the continuous evolvement of her collections. Her Fall 2015 collection includes all types of textures adorned with gorgeous sequined birds, intricate rabbit fur scarfs, and luxe jewel-toned colors.
Before launching her own collection, Mignonne had garnered more than ten years of experience in design. Working at Marc Jacobs Collection, Khirma Eliazov, Rachel Roy, and most recently as the Senior Shoe Designer at Loeffler Randall, Mignonne has gained a significant amount of exposure to the accessories world. Read more to learn about the way the original inspiration for Le Charlot transpired and the way Mignonne uses her nails as a way to experiment with her color stories.
Why do you paint your nails?
I love color and tend to notice color stories all the time. Lately, I find myself particularly drawn to anything fluorescent. Since I am constantly working with my hands, my nails are always painted, and it definitely plays a part in how I get dressed. I also try working out my color stories in my collections on my nails to see how wearable they are. I have to remind myself how good a classic neutral polish color looks.
Mignonne incorporated earrings, like these gorgeous bird ones, for the first time in her Fall'15 collection.
What is a typical day like for you?
My Tribeca apartment is both my home and my studio. Coffee is what gets me out of bed, and I typically spend the morning going through emails with the light streaming through the huge old windows. Depending on what time of year it is, I could be holed up in the studio all day designing or we could be in market. It's definitely helpful for me to be in appointments with my business partner, Layne Jacobs, and sales director, Kinsey Fennebresque, to help shed light on the essence of the brand.
There is also a lot of travel. My husband and I love to travel so when I'm not going somewhere with him, I'm usually on the road doing trunk shows to help build the brand. We love our neighborhood for many reasons–one being the incredible restaurants at our fingertips, so dinner out happens several nights a week.
What is your favorite part about being creative?
The best part is that ideas never stop coming. I think that's why our brand has been able to evolve as much as it has. There is an idea and essence that the brand was built on, but in order to survive, you must adapt to the changing course of the fashion industry.
Can you tell us a little about your job? How did you get into designing scarf necklaces?
I was draping a gown for a runway show and had ripped up a vintage gown to use as ideas for beadwork on the gown. There was a piece on the floor that I picked up, fastened around my neck with a safety pin, and walked home through Soho. People literally stopped me on the street and asked where they could buy one. So I started making them!
It was this exposure that pushed me to develop my accessories collection, celebrating unique silk chiffon pieces that are sourced from Europe and then hand beaded in India by the same craftsmen who worked with Oscar de la Renta, Dries van Noten, Balmain, and Carolina Herrera to name a few.
What inspires you?
Anything and everything. I begin by doing research on what is happening on the runway, colors, themes, but at the same time, I like to gather interesting design details, artwork, and knick knacks that inspire me. When I'm on a vacation, I also love going to the local markets for inspiration, as well. We source materials primarily in France, Italy, and India.
Inspiration board for Mignonne's Spring '16 collection.