Nugaard Designs is the passionate enterprise of Brazilian born friends and business partners Alessandra Feio and Erica Pacey. These ladies combine a talent for creating stunning jewelry with a lifelong passion for fashion and a love of their homeland. In addition to maintaining environmentally conscious practices in the extraction of the many natural materials used in their designs, including leaves and golden grass native to Brazil, Alessandra and Erica are also mindful about going green in their offices and with their business travel as well.

How did you get started as a designer? As long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for jewelry design and the arts. I started making jewelry as a little girl and was lucky enough to be able to turn my passion into my job! I believe that if you do what you love, you will succeed.

What inspires your work? I get inspiration from so many things! Nature, colors, travel... so much out there!!



Who are your favorite designers? I love the work of Konstantino and Antonio Bernardo.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? Comfortable shoes, great accessories, sun dresses and lots of scarves.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Persistence and hard work -- not everyone will like your work so focus on those that do!

Where can people find your work? In addition to our website, our pieces can be found in more than 200 specialty boutiques, spas and resorts all over the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, The Caribbean, Japan and The Philippines.

U.S. Nationwide:
Red Envelope Catalog
Nordstrom – selected stores, trends counter.
Bloomingdale's Direct – catalog

Online:
• www.anthropologie.com
• www.berjouhi.com
• www.delight.com
• www.downtowndivasmiami.com
• www.threelovelies.com
• www.ziaboutique.com
• www.winknyc.com
• www.redenvelope.com
• www.whiteapricot.com


We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.