I get a lot of emails inviting me to look at collections of jewelry. Usually it’s the photos that catch my interest – if there’s a photo attached, I’ll look at that first and then decide if it’s worth learning about the brand.
With Point Ashley, it was different.
The first sentence of the email I received from Ashley Zayat, the line’s designer, told me that she loves jewelry. Then she spent two paragraphs telling me what inspires her to design jewelry: her love of horse racing and her interest in empowering women in a male-dominated society. By then I was thinking to myself, “This woman sounds awesome. I hope I like her work.”
And guess what? I did.
When I think of horse racing-inspired jewelry, I imagine cutesy pony-shaped pendants. That’s not what Point Ashley is about – it’s more inspired by the energy of horse racing, the lines of a horse’s tail as it whips around the track, the strength and motion in their graceful speed. The line also uses less expensive materials like gold-plating to keep the price point accessible, but it’s still well-made.
Ashley was kind enough to send me a couple of pieces to review – I was thrilled when I opened the box that arrived and saw this Rosebay Collar. I’d originally planned on pairing it with a sundress, but something made me try it on with a navy sheath when I was getting dressed for work one morning. It’s my new favorite weekday statement necklace.
My favorite things about the Rosebay Collar are its fascinating texture – especially the chubby, seed-podlike elements of the larger pieces – and its movement. I was expecting a solid arc of metal; instead, it hangs flexibly and feels fluid, despite its complexity.
I’ve also really enjoyed the other Point Ashley addition to my wardrobe: the Trépied necklace. The Trépied features three textured, slender, slice-like elements on a dainty chain. The slices are gold-plated: one with rose, one with yellow, and one with white. They have a lovely weight to them and are textured in a way that reminds me of ginko leaves.
Here’s a clearer look. Such a versatile design. It comes in a few variations:
I’ve also realized since we first began emailing that Ashley is no random admirer of horses. Her family has experience in horse racing and she told me about some exiting things that were going on with one of her horses in particular. His name? American Pharoah.
The Bridle Chain is one of the horsier pieces in the collection (I don’t think I’ve ever described jewelry that way before). I think it’s really cool. Love the juxtaposition of fluid and solid, textured and smooth that the chain anchored to a smooth collar creates. Here it is on Johnny Weir, and on Ashley herself:
So cool. This piece is next on my wishlist, I think.
What do you think of Point Ashley’s work, my dears? And do I have any horse racing fans out there who would like to say hello to American Pharoah through Ashley?
Point Ashley was kind enough to gift me with two of their lovely pieces for review consideration; however, the gift was not conditional upon me writing this feature and my opinions remain my own.
