Virginia Fretto of Saratoga Springs is a local jewelry designer.Fretto has created her own line of jewelry called Razimus and is having her launch party this Saturday, May 12 at Violet’s and Stella’s of Saratoga from 10 AM until 5 PM. You can enter to win a custom piece of Razimus Jewelry when you attend the launch party! How awesome is that? I know I like free stuff!
I have had the opportunity to see the Razimus line and believe me when I say, it’s FUNKY! I have never seen anything like it before, and am very impressed with how original it is. Razimus Jewelry is comfortable, handmade and designed to fit your personality. One of the aspects I love about this jewelry is that it brings color to your outfit. I plan on wearing my Razimus with a white tee and boyfriend jeans for a casual, daytime look. I Below is a 10 questions interview with Virginia Fretto, the brains behind Razimus Jewelry.
1. Razimus Jewelry is a very unique name for your jewelry line. Can you tell us the story behind the name?
• The word “razimus” is a made up word that my PopPop used with his kids and grandkids to encourage and reward for good behavior or accomplishments. A “razimus” could take any form and was often very illusive to obtain. Razimus was the perfect name for my company because I feel like everyone deserves a Razimus, while also giving a quirky and nostalgic nod to my amazingly creative family. (Below. Fretto, Designer of Razimus Jewelry)
2. What inspired you to create your own jewelry line? Has it always been a dream of yours?
• I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong creative drive. I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art + Design with a BA in Fashion Design and worked in Boston for a luxury fine jewelry company. Both of these experiences, coupled with my range of retail and merchandising experience really married into the idea for developing a line of fabric jewelry. Fabric jewelry is a unique way to wear jewelry, and allows for a really big and bold look without being bogged down by the weight of heavy metal jewelry. Razimus Jewelry really sets off an outfit; it brings color and a unique edge to any outfit – dressy or casual.
3. All of your bracelets are handmade–can you give us some insight how the jewelry is made?
• My current line is a collection of 4 “wristwear” styles: 4 & 5 Band Cuffs, adjustable Coil Bangles, and magnetic Stackable Bracelets. I make each piece by hand, from the first fabric cut to the last hand-sewn bead on the piece. I love creating unique fabric and bead combinations – each piece has its own individual character. The beads I use range from natural stone and fire polished Czech glass to gold plated beads. I worked closely with a glass artist from Wisconsin who created handmade, colorful glass beads that I use in the designs of the Stackable bracelets.
4. How did you come up with these styles of bracelets? How do you get inspiration?
• I love the layered look for bracelets, and each of the styles in my collection can be layered together or with pieces you own to really make a statement. I particularly love cuffs, but always find them to be uncomfortable to get on and to wear all day. So, I designed two comfortable cuffs. The 4-Band Cuff has a symmetry that allows for bold combinations of larger center stones/beads. The 5-Band Cuff design is the largest cuff style and has a variety of bead options, typically with a more uniform sparkle. The adjustable Coil Bangle design gives the wearer the option to completely open the bangle to get it on and off, and also to adjust looseness of the bangle while wearing. It stacks nicely with the cuff designs. And finally, the magnetic Stackable Bracelets are the most versatile style – you can layer as many as you want to match any outfit and are very easy to get on because of the hidden magnetic closure. Each design is not only comfortable, but unique and really makes a statement, which plays a huge part of my design process.
5. What do you want your customers and potential customers to know about Razimus Jewelry?
• Once you wear a piece of Razimus Jewelry you will find it hard to wear anything else. You get such a big look and you don’t even feel like you are wearing anything because of its lightweight, fabric construction.
6. What do you like to do in your spare time when you’re not making fabulous jewelry?
• What spare time?! I am a big music lover so even while I am working in my studio, I am enjoying all kinds of music. I really love Alabama Shakes, Kimbra, Black Keys, Phantogram, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros right now…just to name a few.
7. So obviously you’re a fashion lover. Do you have a favorite brand of clothing? How would you describe your style?
• I do not have one brand that always wear or buy. I believe that fashion is truly personal expression and that mixing and matching brands really sets a style. I also like to play with different style trends, but always am drawn to colorful pieces. My style is an eclectic mix with lots of color.
8. How would you suggest we wear Razimus jewelry? What is your favorite way to wear them?
• I like to layer the cuffs with a coil bangle in the same fabric color; it’s a really bold and funky look. The cuffs really pop if you wear them as a complimentary color to your outfit. The stackables I like to match to the colors I am wearing in an outfit because you can really mix and match them so easily.
9. What can we expect from Razimus in the future?
• Razimus Jewelry will expand into a line of necklaces and earrings. I will also start to experiment with designs for headbands and belts possibly. But expect new lines of fabric accessories soon.
10. Can you create custom jewelry?
• Custom designs are a big part of Razimus Jewelry. I love working with my clients to create completely one-of-a-kind pieces for them, in the specific colors they desire. My process is first that I meet or talk to the client about what colors they are most interested in, and then I create electronic design renderings for them to approve their favorite. I then hand make their approved custom piece and the end result is always unique and colorful. Custom designs take between 2-4 weeks to complete. I encourage anyone to contact me directly to create a custom piece.
Want more information about Razimus Jewelry? Visit their website: https://www.razimusjewelry.com/
