DeKalb Jewelry Designer Marisa Pellegrini Meets Challenging Deadline to Premier Pieces at New York's Fashion Week

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” These words, attributed to ancient Roman philosopher Seneca, are as true today as they were 2,000 years ago, although Seneca probably wasn’t thinking of jewelry designers when he coined the phrase. But the old adage certainly applies to jewelry designer Marisa Pellegrini, founder of DeKalb-based Expect Compliments (www.ExpectCompliments.com), who had the skill and confidence to showcase her unique, custom-made jewelry during New York’s recent Fashion Week, with only 48 hours notice to design and create the pieces.

Philippine-born fashion designer Delby Bragais learned about Pellegrini’s work through Catherine Schuller, a former Ford model and admirer of how Pellegrini carefully mixes colors, styles and shapes to produce unique, hand-crafted necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Schuller had met Pellegrini at an Atlanta fashion show earlier this year and was working with Bragais on the premier of Bragais’ Spring/Summer 2016 Collection. Schuller suggested Pellegrini’s jewelry would be the perfect enhancement to the special occasion dresses and sophisticated outfits Bragais planned to showcase Sept. 10 at Gotham Hall in New York City.

“Catherine called me and told me she wanted me to create one-of-a-kind pieces to specifically accentuate the clothes Delby had chosen to premier for Fashion Week,” said Pellegrini. “She emailed me 13 photos with a two-day deadline, and Delby reserved the right to use or not use whatever I designed. Fortunately, I had recently been on a buying trip and had a good array of beautiful Swarovski crystals, beads, stones and sterling silver in my studio to work with. I considered each outfit’s shape, color and style, sketched out my designs and then created the pieces. It was a crazy timeframe, but I was energized by the challenge, and was elated that Delby was so pleased with the jewelry that she used all of the pieces on the runway.”

“We were thrilled by Marisa’s creative abilities under such deadline pressure. She diligently studied each piece in our presentation for Style Fashion Week and almost overnight was able to produce stunning jewelry designs that so appropriately coordinated with each outfit. Her jewelry was the perfect addition to the designer’s unique clothing and we can’t wait to work on new pursuits and endeavors with this masterful jewelry designer,” said Schuller.

Pellegrini studied fashion at American College in Lucerne, Switzerland, but chose a career at a national non-profit organization, using her evenings and weekends to create jewelry, which she sold through word-of-mouth referrals and at local shows. Two years ago, she took early retirement in order to devote herself full-time to her growing jewelry business. Now, Pellegrini plans to leverage the exposure and industry contacts from Fashion Week to expand her business and jewelry lines, as well as work one-on-one with customers who desire one-of-a-kind pieces.

“I loved everything about Fashion Week,” said Pellegrini. “It was invigorating to be in the midst of such an amazing group of fashion and style professionals, and see how well my jewelry was received by an international audience. I can’t wait to apply what I experienced into my new designs. In the meantime, I am offering for sale the actual pieces I showcased in New York, as well as similar pieces in my ‘Fashion Week Collection’ at www.ExpectCompliments.com. I’m already in preliminary talks to return to Fashion Week again next year. It will be nice to have more than 48 hours to prepare next time, but I’m up for the challenge!”