On the Square: Marla Aaron Jewelry
On the Square: Marla Aaron Jewelry
By: Elena Ossoski
A cult-favorite amongst Missippians and Ole Miss students from across the country, Marla Aaron’s tactical fine jewelry line can easily be found while out and about in Oxford. Available at Cicada on the Oxford Square, Aaron has built a significant customer base in the Velvet Ditch. In an interview with Marla Aaron, Square Magazine gets all of the details on the DNA of this beloved jewelry line.
Where do you get inspiration for your pieces?
“The collection started with being inspired by the functionality, durability, and beauty of a standard carabiner. Functionality and hardware has continued to inspire the design of the pieces to this day. What began with one lock is now an entire collection designed to be worn in infinite ways and used as “jewel tools” with individuals’ own collections – to redefine the “precious” in jewelry with individuality. We’ve moved beyond the original idea of the Locks into many directions, always adhering to our original idea of utility, beauty and timelessness.”
When did you launch the line?
“In 2012: when the combined obsessions with bridges, hardware and jewelry could no longer be ignored.”
What are you most proud of so far?
“I’m proud of the people who have worked so hard to get us to this point and who continue to surprise me with their ingenuity. Our work would be nothing without so many people who make our pieces what they are.”
Did you ever think popularity would spread to small, concentrated areas such as Oxford, Mississippi as much as it has?
“I am always surprised at the breadth of the interest in our work. Our jewelry is for everyone wherever they are so, yes. I’m filled with joy when people wear our work wherever in the world they are.”
Most rewarding and most difficult part about working in the fine jewelry industry? “Our jewelry is functional with mechanisms which makes it extra challenging. Also, manufacturing anything in 2021 is complicated, especially making it right here in the United States – we work very hard to be able to do that.”
How often do you design new pieces?
“We start with an idea – an iteration of an idea and go from there...”
What is the most important part of the design process for you?
“Every part of the process is important.”
Do you design for yourself or for the customers?
“I am my customer, so for us both.”
Does your upbringing and family impact the way you run your business?
“For good and for bad you bring the entirety of your life experience into your day, how you were raised, what you believe – it all impacts your work. I believe you have to stay open to new ideas and be curious because there are always new things to learn.”
Best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
“Back in 2017, when I was building our vending machine, I was having so much trouble finding a location for it I was really discouraged and almost stopped the project. I was talking to an uncle of mine who is an entrepreneur and I told him I was thinking of abandoning the project and he told me not to. He said that the idea was good and I needed to keep going – not having a place for it wasn’t a reason to stop doing it. This made sense to me and I kept going. Sure enough the vending machine launched as an installation at the Brooklyn Museum which was better than anything I could have imagined.”
Any tips from you to our readers on starting a business?
“If it’s keeping you up at night, you should pursue it.”
Thank you to Marla Aaron and her team for letting us highlight their line and how it has taken over the Oxford community. For more articles like this, keep reading Square Magazine. Follow us on Instagram @um.squaremagazine for exclusive content!
Photos provided by Marla Aaron.