Mignonne Gavigan’s SS23 Collection Brings The Coast Of Italy To Your Décolletage

Mignonne (Maggie) Gavigan Smith has come a long way since establishing her namesake brand in 2014. Despite the impact of the pandemic, the female founded and run accessories brand ended 2021 at $6m in sales and projected to achieve over $8m in 2022 and $10m in 2023. With an elevated focus on one-of-a-kind designs as well as intricate craftsmanship, Mignonne Gavigan’s newest SS23 collection, set to land in store and online in drops throughout the month of February, will bring a piece of Italy’s coastal beauty to your décolletage and more.

Based in New York City, Gavigan Smith had an encounter with fate when she fastened a loose piece of embellished fabric around her neck while experimenting with a beaded couture vintage gown. As she walked home through Soho she received a handful of compliments and questions on where she had gotten her necklace, and the first Mignonne Gavigan design idea was born. She launched the first collection with truly unique beaded scarf necklaces and has since expanded the collection with other designs, including another classic — Madeline Earrings. The “winged earrings” as they are often referred to, have sold more than 100,000 units to date.

Speaking about the inspiration behind her latest collection, Gavigan Smiths tells me that all her collections are rooted in travel and the experience and wonder of a new destination, where she finds new design techniques, patterns, textiles, or architectural feats. “The Spring 23 collection was inspired by the coast of Italy. The dolce vita Mediterranean lifestyle is incredibly appealing — the spectacular cliffside views, delicious food, and iconic beaches to name a few. There’s a lot of Italian influence in fashion, and I think there has always been a fascination with the long-lasting legacy of generations of Italians who have all grown up alongside one another in these villages. There is such a simple and beautiful appeal to Italy, which we want to be a foundational sentiment to our Spring collection.”

Gavigan Smith translated a palette of saturated colors of the sun and sea, as well as the gorgeous pastel hues of the villages, into embroidered oranges, crystal fishes, ceramic shell pieces, and layers upon layers of gold styles for stacking. “And of course, playful quirks like beaded Aperol Spritz earrings and statement floral earrings.” Gavigan Smith adds.

Considering the details that go into each design, I was surprised to learn from the founder/designer that there are typically just under 200 pieces in each collection. Even with such a big number of styles, Gavigan Smith will not sacrifice on craftsmanship by hand, despite it adding costs and lengthening delivery time.

“A large part of the DNA of Mignonne Gavigan lies in the expert craftsmanship and creative techniques the artisans in Mumbia, India have perfected over generations.” Says the North Carolina native. “Embroidery is a trade passed down by generations after the Silk Road brought them to live in India, to be able to translate these 100-year-old techniques in a modern way working alongside our family run partner factories for our seasonal jewels is a true dream. I think to exist as a brand that gets to have a lot or quirk and playfulness allows us to standout in the jewellery space and is an important pillar for Mignonne Gavigan.”

And I absolutely agree. Differing from her competitions are the sophisticated, complex, joy-inducing, and painstakingly detailed approach to every piece of the brand’s jewelries. It’s not uncommon for fans to agonise for hours over what to choose and just end up buying them all. Gavigan Smith shares a few of her personal picks: “My personal favorites are the detail of the Rosana Lux earrings in Lilac, the simplicity and wearability of the Valeria necklace, the fun and fantasy of our very hand detailed Spritz earrings & Serafina Shell earrings and the bold yet feminine gold Chiara Lux earrings. I also love the bandana scarf necklaces in this collection and layering them alongside our chain necklaces.”

As the Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Mignonne Gavigan and mother of a 5-year-old son, Gavigan Smith splits her time between New York City and Charlotte, NC. When asked what her average day looks like, she says: “Everyday is truly different, I think we can all attest to never having enough time for the things that need your attention combined with a lot of moving parts that simultaneously pull you in all directions.”

“Everything is always evolving, there is always something that needs your attention, and I’ve had both to recognize my strengths and limitations and am fortunate to have a talented team to help continue the design aesthetics and push the brand forward. I love also being a sales representative for my brand, it’s always challenging but one of my favorite parts!”

Talking about what’s next for her as a female founder, Gavigan Smith says: “The power of connectedness remains a huge focus for us. We hope to reach customers in new ways, create a lot more in-person activations with like-minded brands and friends and further develop an MG world.” The brand is currently focused on international expansion in the UK and have some exciting collaborations in the works for 2023. “As a female founder, my connection to our customers and other female founders has given me an understanding of our business and where to take as well as given me a solid group of leaders and role models to rely on and grow alongside.”

You can also expect to see a line of fine jewelry to be added to the MG family soon.

I ask whether Gavigan Smith has any messages she’d like to embed in her designs and send through to the world, and she doesn’t hesitate in voicing the gratitude and happiness doing what she does brings her. “It might sound ordinary but bringing whimsy and the joy of dressing into people’s lives — I love to hear and understand the psychology of why women wear jewelry, how they also appreciate all the details, and to witness the uniqueness of style amongst the women of MG. We love to design happy jewels that make you feel good when you wear them, we always aim to bring joy to everything we design.”

You can check out all Mignonne Gavigan’s jewelry pieces here at www.mignonnegavigan.com.