anamari, mayi collection's designer, talks to miami nice
Hey Ana Mari, miami nice wants to talk to you about your beautiful jewelry collection, and of course about Miami. Can you tell us a little bit about what you make and what kind of 'look' or style you would call it?
I design two seasonal collections a year of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings designed and manufactured in my studio. I would call my look casual yet refined. Miami is casual by nature, partly because of the weather and I think partly because of the melting pot of people that we have living here. So I try to make pieces that compliment Miami’s laid back style but maintain a sense of sophistication that I hope sets me apart from other designers of fashion jewelry.
We're pretty into the whole 'local' movement. Would you call yourself a local designer? Are all your pieces made in Miami... Wait, do you actually handmake every piece?
I would definitely consider myself a local designer. I buy a lot of my materials from local vendors and right now I only sell my pieces through stores in Miami. I do make every piece myself.
I'm kind of cheating here because I've seen where you work before and you've set up such a cute space. Are there plans for a store ever or are you planning on selling to boutiques and other places like that? And where can we find it? Right now there are no plans for a store. I would like to expand my wholesale business around the country before opening a store. Maybe in the future if I offer more collections and different products (like handbags and shoes) I’ll open up a Mayi flagship in our beautiful city.
I sell at Miss Pepper, Mayda Cisneros, Creations Hair Salon, and Pecan’s Day Spa. They are all in the South Miami/Coral Gables area. Next month I’ll be selling at a boutique in South Beach.
Now, on to the fun stuff. I love to ask Miami-grown designers if they ever get inspiration from the really tacky stuff we're lucky enough to see every day down here?
Haha. I can definitely say that I inject a lot of color into my pieces, and I’m sure that stems from Miami’s colorful culture, architecture, and people.
One look at the stained glass windows at Casa Larios and you’ve got yourself an awesome color palette to work with.
Can you describe your ideal customer?(feel free to be super specific... Where does she eat? Shop? Go out?) or are you designing more for yourself. In that case, tell us a little about you.
She can be from her 20s (my friends) to her 50s (my mom’s friends). I offer things from simple layering pieces to more elaborate bib necklaces that can be paired with a gown for a fabulous gala. I think the Miami woman in general likes to dress well every day but add unique elements to spice up the look.
She needs a piece she can wear to shop in South Miami, have drinks in the Grove, or pair with a bathing suit for a boat day.
She’s busy and likes to have fun, so she needs pieces that can fulfill all of the events in her social calendar.
Would you consider branching out into other stuff that need to be made more beautiful like cell phone covers, windshield wipers, or nose rings?
Well now that you mention it…I have never thought about it. But an amethyst studded windshield wiper, now that’s an idea.
What do you think is nice about living, working and designing in miami?
The lifestyle in Miami is unparalleled. There are so many amazing places to shop, eat, and go out. The people watching is incredible – my favorite thing to do it sit on Lincoln Road with a margarita and watch all the insanity pass me by.
