I’ve always loved jewelry. I spent hours in Claire’s as a kid (sorry, mom!), fell deep into the beaded + string jewelry phase, and even took metal smithing + stone setting classes in high school. My love could be innate (my 18 month old niece already loves to accessorize!), or it could be a product of the hours I spent watching and helping my mom pick out the perfect pieces while growing up.
Although my taste has changed over the years, I’ve never been one to have a huge collection- I stick to a few pieces and wear them over and over. I feel naked without my constants: a watch, my rings, and a few bracelets, and I swap out my favorite earrings and necklaces each season. Something about jewelry makes it feel more personal than anything else I wear, so I like my pieces to reflect that. I can’t add jewelry to my list of items that should always be bought in America, because I love finding unique pieces when I travel, but I believe that jewelry should always be special, and ideally hand-made.
Some of my current American made jewelry favorites… I own everything on the bottom row and wear the bracelets and rings daily. I’ve been wearing the earrings most days (alternating with these) and am debating which of these three necklaces to add to my collection this season… which one do you like best?!
After years of sleeping in anything and everything that i could find/that was clean/that was soft, I finally realized it was time for me to get some new sleepwear. Like the rest of my wardrobe, I wanted fewer, better options – who wants to think about what to wear, to sleep?! The caveat – the sleepwear had to be comfortable, it had to be cute but not overwhelmingly so, and it had to be easy to care for. I went through multiple brands that were not quite right – too delicate, too warm, etc., before I discovered Maison du Soir. The sleepwear is incredible, of course, but, even better, designer Courtney has such a vision and is so passionate about what she is doing that I know the line will just get better. Read on to learn a little bit more about Courtney and Maison du Soir and then go check out the rest of her collection!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
In life…people’s unique stories and the idea that anything is possible. Life can be harsh but it can also be so breath taking. In art…beautiful photography and that both the simplest and most complex emotions can be portrayed without speech. In design…Contrasts …I love old mixed with new, soft and subtle with hard edges, blush pink with ink black, rose gold with black diamonds, pristine white walls with reclaimed wood. I find beauty in simplicity and respect for things with a deeper meaning.
WHAT MADE YOU START MAISON DU SOIR?
I knew there was something bigger out there for me. After establishing brands for companies I have worked for, it was time to make my own vision come to life. I also found an appreciation of beautiful sleepwear and couldn’t figure out why it was so hard to find a quality sleepwear brand that was also fashionable.
WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND MAISON DU SOIR?
The name Maison Du Soir is French for “House of Evening”…the use of “house” is an ode to the old European fashion houses and “soir” beyond it’s direct meaning, has a notion of party and fantasy in the word “Soiree”. Beyond the name, the design inspiration started at common sense…why didn’t current sleepwear offerings echo our changing trends in daywear? Why were the silhouettes boxy when my jeans were skin tight and my blouses flattering? The collection is an attempt to bridge that gap. It’s also an attempt to show people that they should be treating themselves as nicely when they go to sleep as they do when they go to work. You shouldn’t be blog worthy by day and ragamuffin by night.
WHAT DRIVES YOU?
The stories of others who have started small and through hard work, have accomplished great feats.
WHAT MAKES YOUR DAY?
A good cup of coffee and good person.
WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?
Unique jewelry can make any plain outfit look that much better. I’m a fan of K/ller jewelry.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Maison Du Soir growth…possibly unisex travel accessories and MDS for men. The boyfriend has asked for that next!
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
I’ve learned that there are ups and downs in a new business. You just have to weather the downs and remember the ups. Hoping that next time you ask me what I have learned, I say “eventually the ups and downs even themselves out ”
WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE HAS BEEN MOST HELPFUL TO YOU / WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER MAKERS?
“Don’t give up” covers a lot…if your factory sucks…find another one, if someone doesn’t like your product…take good notes (and then tell your BF they are stupid!), if you want to throw in the towel…don’t. Sometimes you just have to focus on putting one foot in front of the other and that can truly help.
WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP?
I shop my favorite brands in many different places and for unique pieces in boutiques. Some of my best finds have been Court in NY and Satine in LA.
WHY DO YOU MAKE MAISON DU SOIR?
Because it’s something that I believe is missing and that women deserve.
WHY DO YOU MANUFACTURE IN AMERICA?
Because it’s home. Simple as that. You start where you feel most comfortable and my intention is to stay as long as America will have me. The ultimate goal is to give back to a place that has given so much to me.
WHY DOES MANUFACTURING IN AMERICA BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS?
It allows me quality control, to see the factory conditions first hand, reduces shipping fees, no duty fees and shorter leadtimes to name a few.
WHY IS MAISON DU SOIR DIFFERENT/SPECIAL?
It’s different because there is not much else out there like it. It’s a sleepwear collection that echoes designer daywear style and aesthetic. The pieces are designed with the intention to look as good in sunlight as they do in moonlight.
It’s special because it was born from a vision, a passion and an understanding of what could ease the pains of a difficult day.
I can’t decide if my favorite part of this series is the introduction to new brands or learning why my friends buy American made… so many good items and such thoughtful perspectives! Lauren Smith is the author of Seventeenth and Irving. Thank you, Lauren!
Arrow is this little gem in the North Loop of Minneapolis that has all of these amazing, somewhat hard to find brands… their assortment is always changing, and always really, really good. The owners are friendly (even if you are just looking that day!), passionate about the lines they carry, and curate an incredible selection for both men and women.
THE Anine Bing booties you’ve seen all over the interwebs this season? oh… of course, Arrow has them! Handmade in LA – and absolutely gorgeous in person. Styled with Lady Grey jewelry… made in Brooklyn.
If, like me, the Anine Bings make your feet resemble (studded) boats, then these Itasca Leathergoods moccasins are made in Minnesota… and are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn (that pewter pair came home with me!)… and these Assad Mounser jewels are made in New York and what I dream of throwing on every time I leave the house in the uniform.
