Photo&col;Courtesy of Jennifer Bell
Watch the full conversation between Jennifer Behr and Fashionista staff writer and social director Brooke Frischer exist fashionista network.
In the hustle and bustle of New York fashion, no one makes high-quality accessories like Jennifer Behr.
Behr’s eponymous brand, based in Brooklyn, is the go-to for unique hair accessories and jewelry. But long before her designs were appearing in Lace Queen and on the Met Gala carpet, she got her start in a Baltimore millinery shop. After graduating from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in sculpture and art history and landing his first hatmaking job, Bell moved to New York City in 1999.
“New York is really the only place where you can [fashion]”, she told Fashionista’s Brooke Frischer Live on The Fashionista Network. (Watch the show!) That year, she took classes at FIT and interned with celebrity hairstylist and entrepreneur Frédéric Fekkai. “I thought I wanted to make bags Bag. “I thought I wanted to make bags, but then I fell in love with [hair accessories]”, Bell said. “They were really professional, which was kind of weird, and at that time, there was no luxury. [options]”.
Photo&col;James Devaney/WireImage
Taking the untapped market for luxury hair accessories into his own hands, Behr launched his eponymous brand in 2005. attracted widespread attention. “They started buying our pieces organically at Bendel’s,” Bell said. “Finally, my friend Eva Chen introduced Eric [Daman]costume designers, we started sending our work to them.
The TV specials sparked a renaissance in high-end hair accessories, a market that before Behr and Blair had been largely limited to drugstore products and children’s products [Waldorf] came together. “People are starting to get excited about clothes [hair] Accessories,” she said.
Photo Colon Lanna Apisukh/WWD via Getty Images
In 2017, the brand launched Behr’s long-time destination jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Nearly two decades since its founding, Jennifer Behr has a team of approximately 20 people.
Behr attributes success in the accessories segment to prompt follow-up to opportunities as they arise. “You have to decide when [opportunities] “Come on, work on these assignments. When you get the opportunity, take it and stay the course,” Bell said in the interview.
Photo&col;Courtesy of Jennifer Bell
She also opens up about her design process, favorite celebrity moments, the bow trend she pioneered, her latest New York vintage collaboration and which categories she wants to expand into next. Watch the full interview here.
Hosted by The Fashionista Network powered by interactive media platform Fireside, the conversation gave viewers the opportunity to participate and speak directly with industry figures. Learn more about the Fashionista Network here.
Tune in to the Fashionista Network and join the conversation with fashion and beauty industry leaders. Register here.
