elizabeth sulcer x ilene joy collab
Elizabeth Sulcer for Ilene Joy x Elizabeth Sulcer collaboration campaign

Mother-Daughter fine jewelry line Ilene Joy has teamed up with celebrity stylist Elizabeth Sulcer to debut their second fine jewelry collection since its launch in 2019. The Los Angeles-based label has become a cult favorite among many A-listers, including Zoe Kravitz, Gigi Hadid, Sienna Miller, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jennifer Lawrence, Bella Hadid, Indya Moore, Olivia Culpo, Addison Rae, and many more. So naturally, with her legendary red carpet moments, lasting campaigns, and iconic covers — teaming up with Sulcer was a match made in heaven.

To give you a refresher on Sulcer’s gilded resume, she has come to be known as “supermodels secret weapon,” a statement proven throughout her extensive career working with clients, including Bella and Gigi Hadid, Elsa Hosk, Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, Stella Maxwell, Jasmine Sanders, Josephine Skriver, and Olivia Culpo. No coincident here that some of the names cross Ilene Joy’s loyal celeb following. “I had worked with Rae (daughter of Ilene Joy) on a few projects over the years, so when she and Ilene launched Ilene Joy back in 2019, it was immediately on my radar,” says Sulcer. “I started pulling Ilene Joy pieces for a bunch of my clients over the last few years and love working together.”

After the thought of working together on an official collaboration circulated for a few months earlier this year, the duo decided to bring their ideas to life in a 16 piece limited edition jewel collection. The full range includes necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings inspired from Ilene’s California home, inspired by hues of green, blue in precious diamonds, white sapphires, green tourmaline, and aquamarine. Pushing the boundaries of the status quo (something both parties are used to doing in their respective industries), they created the collections pièce de résistance: a double-sided cocktail ring that swivels to reveal a dazzling jeweled underbelly. The piece’s versatility makes it perfect to be worn day to night, casual to formal, and anything in between. 

The Ilene Joy x Elizabeth Sulcer jewelry collection will launch with a pop-up during Art Basel Miami on December 1and 2 at the Faena Hotel and online at ilenejoy.com. While you wait for doors o open or your newly purchased jewelry to arrive, GRAZIA caught up with celebrity stylist and trendspotter Elizabeth Sulcer to reveal the making of the collaboration, styling tips to get the model look, and the best holiday trends that you should buy into before your next holiday party.

GRAZIA: Much like a fashion editor, as a stylist, you have to see the trends before they arrive to have the best for your clients. Did it come naturally in developing an entire collection with that in mind?

Elizabeth Sulcer: This collection was as organic as it comes. The process began with me describing my dream pieces, breaking down the color palette, and showing them family keepsakes passed down to me. Ilene then designed 40 pieces which we whittled down to 16 key pieces, a nearly impossible process! We then went through each piece and painstakingly tweaked every last detail until they matched (or even exceeded) our visions.

G: How do you think social media has influenced trends?

ES: Social media has completely revolutionized the way that we view and digest information. It’s so much bigger than just influencing fashion trends. It now shapes our entire culture – from pop culture to art; film to design; beauty, and everything in between. Today we are more connected more than ever, and the way that we receive information and communicate with each other is much quicker – therefore, trends happen unexpectedly and must faster. The gatekeepers of the fashion industry used to be editors, stylists, coveted designers, and top-tier retailers. Now, people can become influential voices in a viral minute.

G: You are the “supermodel secret weapon”. What are some of your secret jewelry style tips to give us the standout model look?

ES: Always be true to your style, but don’t be afraid to take risks. Jewelry is so key for my looks, and often I think jewels can be more important than the outfit itself. It can be an exciting way to create a new look or spice up an existing look.

G: What are some of your favorite jewelry trends?

ES: I love all the iconic shape and volume references in the FW 21 collections. I styled a Harpers Bazaar cover with Shalom Harlow recently, and it was so much fun playing with all the different characters and style trends. Also, there is a lot of colors!! Which felt fresh and exciting to play with. I’m also obsessed with layering, stacking, and mixing metals like platinum, yellow and white gold with tons of diamonds. Ilene is equally as obsessed – it is at the core of her brand philosophy – so it was a match made in heaven. I recently styled, and creative directed the collection for our upcoming Elizabeth Sulcer x Ilene Joy Campaign, and it was really exciting to be able to bring the collection and our vision to life – allowing the pieces’ true beauty and power to shine through. The layering/staking element was obviously front and center with a few different rings and earrings for a distinct flair and attitude. It creates a unique personal style that I think is key to any look.

G: Has jewelry always been a passion of yours? Why did this collaboration seem right for you?

ES: I have always loved jewelry from a very young age. Jewelry has such a deep history rooted in luxury and glamour; concepts deeply influence and reflect my own personal style. This was an opportunity to use my inspiration of 1970’s glamour and create something modern with an urban flair. I also just adore working with the Ilene Joy dynamic duo – it’s great when your visions align, but even better when work becomes play and clients become friends. This collaboration was an iconic moment for me, with Ilene Joy as the perfect jewelry brand to bring to life my inspiration. I love the chic glamour of the seventies, the mystery of Studio 54, and the glory days of style. The strong, powerful architectural lines accented with powerful green and blue colored stones remind me of life’s purest and most beautiful moments.

G: Rings, necklaces, earrings, or bracelets? And why?

ES: Hard question. I love it all. If I had to absolutely choose, it would be rings (as you can see with this capsule collection – over half of the pieces are rings!) They are my signature palmer girl look. I’m the kind of person who always wears the jewelry – my key pieces are intrinsically a part of me!