“Our jewelry, your message.”
So says Carolyn Rafaelian. Her line of exquisite, unpretentious bangles and charms (and pendants and chains and beads and then some) don’t stop at accessorizing. They are expressions of spirit, beautiful little wearable love letters to life. Yet they’re not hippy-dippy or predictable or preachy. They are at turns both soothing and fun, embodying the whimsical energy of a woman whose faith in human kindness will knock the cynic out of you in no time.
Carolyn, through her jewelry line Alex and Ani, is teaming up with Tonic and unveiling an exclusive bracelet benefiting WHY Hunger. The organization is dedicated to feeding and educating undernourished communities abroad and in our backyard. Pairing her signature stackable bangles — the more the better — with a bold Mother Earth charm, part of the proceeds from each sale go toward WHY. The partnership is so obvious and natural once you get to know Rafaelian, whose enthusiasm for fusing design and social change is essential to her work.
“It’s so wonderful to be in a world — or be in a country — that allows you to be an entrepreneur,” she said. “To understand the concept of how you can hold your place on this earth and do good … not only for yourself and your family, but for those around you.”
Her family, she’ll tell you without hesitation, is her greatest source of joy and pride. “[The] most beautiful creations that I’ve ever done are my children,” she said. Her first two daughters, Alex and — you guessed it — Ani, were the driving force for her commitment to positivity in her work. (Youngest daughter Alivia will no doubt have her moment in the spotlight soon!)
Though she grew up in a jewelry-making family, Carolyn credits ’70s superheroes for putting a fire under her tail to do her own thing. Inspired by women who lifted up cars and took bullets in the wrist and wiggled their noses to make magic, she said, “I assumed that’s something I could do when I grew up. So for me it was all about being magical and being able to use who you are as a human being to make a difference in this world … to have a voice. Alex and Ani really is my voice to communicate what my values are, what i think are important, what makes me tick, what makes me feel vibrant and alive.”
And just what makes Rafaelian tick? Tonic spent an afternoon lounging in her spacious New York showroom — a delicious sanctuary of art and life, splashes of color, greenery and photography accenting the sunlight-flooded downtown digs. On an antique dresser are bangles with crystals and angels; a display case across the room shows off bold cuffs and funky earrings. Charms ranging from St. Christopher’s medals to (real) lucky pennies to Om signs and fleur de lis etchings — Carolyn’s work relies heavily on symbolism to convey messaging.
The idea, she says, is to use these images to send subtle messages to people who wear them.
“What symbols really do — especially when you wear them — is speak to your conscious,” she said. “And it speaks to your subconscious too. And the person who’s viewing you, if they see that symbol, for some reason it resonates.” Here eyes light up, her enthusiasm spills over: “That’s the power of what a symbol does!”
It’s really quite simple … yet it makes perfect sense. Whether you’re seeing St. Christopher and feeling a little protected, glancing at a peace sign and dropping the chip on your shoulder, or soaking up some Mama Earth and being reminded of the needs of our global community, the designs are meant to provoke thought and compassion. Then, without preaching, you’ve opened the door to spread the message to friends who can’t help but ask, “Where did you find that? Amazing!”
It works because it comes from an honest place; Rafaelian designs and crafts her pieces with the same spirit and energy she exudes. If the idea that a pretty little charm can change the world sounds lofty to you, consider this: Wearing an image that catches your eye every time you shake your wrist means hundreds of reminders every single day. Reminders, in this case, of our planet, of the people on it who need support and compassion. You share the story, you live the message, you give back to the cause, and suddenly you’ve done your part in what has to be a grassroots social movement in order to create change.
Sure, a bracelet won’t feed the masses, but it can truly drive your intention and attitude.
And attitudes are contagious, whether you like it or not.
Shop Alex and Ani at Tonic now.
