RACHEL RACUSEN
“Keepsake” means it has a story and meaning that reflects how you feel about a person or a memory. If I don't have my grandmother's ring on, I don't feel like I'm fully dressed. It's that simple."
Director of Communications at Snap, Inc, White House Strategic Communications Adviser under Obama and Vice President of Communications at MSNBC, are just the last three titles on Rachel Racusen's impressive portfolio. Bright, ambitious and with a heart of gold Rachel is as down to earth now as she was when we meet as 18 year-old freshman at college. Her jewelry fits her fast pace lifestyle - minimal and meaningful. We loved getting to hear each piece's history.
Finn!
WHAT DOES “KEEPSAKE” MEAN TO YOU? WHAT PIECE OF JEWELRY COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF KEEPSAKES?
“Keepsake” means it has a story and meaning that reflects how you feel about a person or a memory. A locket is a perfect example of keepsake and the feelings it evokes for me.
FIRST JEWELRY MEMORY?
My first memories of jewelry are with my mother and grandmother, who would show me jewelry from different parts of their lives. My mother had a charm bracelet from when she was a kid that I just loved. Each charm symbolized a part of either New York City where she grew up, or her travels around the world. Her parents took her family on great trips when she was younger.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE IN YOUR JEWELRY BOX?
My favorite piece is a gold bamboo Tiffany & Co. ring my grandmother gave me my senior year of college. Her father gave it to her when she graduated college and it's become a piece of armor for me—when I put it on I feel stronger, like I'm channeling a little bit of my grandma, who is full of spunk and gumption.
ANY JEWELRY SUPERSTITIONS OR RITUALS?
If I don't have my grandmother's ring on, I don't feel like I'm fully dressed. It's that simple.
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WHAT ARE YOUR EVERYDAY PIECES OF JEWELRY?
My Shinola wraparound watch (a recent birthday gift from my husband), my engagement and wedding bands, my Hortense necklace, a Maya Brenner initials necklace, my grandmother's ring and usually simple bar earrings.
WHAT JEWELRY HAVE YOU BOUGHT RECENTLY?
I bought for myself a delicate gold necklace for my birthday, which was at the end of August. It's a Hortense necklace. One of my best friends had a slighter shorter version and I thought it was beautiful.
HOW MANY JEWELRY BOXES DO YOU OWN?
I have a little white-and-blue bowl that my husband got me on a trip to Turkey which I use as a jewelry bowl for my everyday pieces. It's an easy way to quickly grab what I need when I'm getting ready. I have a wraparound travel pouch that one of my best friend's mothers got me this past year. I travel a lot and it's quickly become my staple jewelry box on the go.
FAVORITE STARLING DESIGN?
It's really hard to pick just one favorite! I love the Colette pavé earrings. I'm a sucker for bar studs.
 Tiffany Vintage Bamboo Ring and Jewelry Roll |
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TELL US THE STORY OF GETTING YOUR EARS PIERCED.
I got my ears pierced when I was 6. My mother took me. I think we went to a mall near our house in Boston, and I remember picking out the green diamond studs.
Thank you Rachel (and Finn, the real star!)
xoxo
Chelsey
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