Style Icon: Mary-Elaine Jenkins
Singer-Songwriter Mary-Elaine Jenkins tells us about how she styles herself, both on and offstage.
Mary-Elaine Jenkins is originally from South Carolina, but she now calls Brooklyn home.
She recently released Hold Still, an album recorded by Good Child Music, and it’s pretty special. Her voice is strong and smoky, and you can feel her southern heritage rooted in every note. Beyond having an amazing voice and the ability to put together an album that feels both quiet and forceful, she’s also got a fun sense of style. Her Greenpoint apartment is filled with unique pieces like an Iggy Pop throw pillow and a fridge door that’s been covered with black-and-white checkered contact paper.
When it comes to jewelry, Mary-Elaine has a collection filled with some dramatic, unusual pieces. And I love that she stacks her bracelets around a prayer candle.
I asked Mary-Elaine a few questions about her style and collection.
How would you describe your jewelry style?
I like mix of classic/elegant things with unusual, striking pieces. A rough and fine combo appeals to me. I wear a lot of black, so interesting jewelry is a must for me. I also like pieces with a little humor that don't take themselves too seriously.
What jewelry do you wear on a regular day?
For everyday occasions, I like to wear one or two interesting pieces - a big necklace or some funky earrings. I have a day job with a nonprofit so I keep it “alternative professional!”
On a special occasion?
I play a lot of gigs, and that's something I think about when looking for jewelry - what would be good for a performance. I love long necklaces, but for gigs, they have to be short so they don't scratch my guitar. On special occasions, I still love black clothes with interesting jewelry.
Do you have any philosophy in how to accessorize? Do you plan the clothes first or the accessories first?
I'll certainly build an outfit around a piece of jewelry. I think it's important for clothes to stay out of the way of great jewelry and vice versa. I think that's something I'm growing into!
Necklace: Bought in Madrid.
What are the go-to stores you shop at? Both online and brick and mortar?
In NYC I love Alter in Greenpoint. I also get heart eyes whenever I walk into Verameat. In South Carolina, I love Fabrik and Eggs 'N Tricities (located in Bluffton, SC. I worked there in high school!). Eggs always has incredible locally made jewelry. The owner, Nancy Golson, is like no one I have ever met. Hilarious and flamboyantly creative. She’s a gifted painter and interior decorator too. This spot is a must for the well dressed artsy Low Country woman or anyone who wants to look like one. When I'm in Savannah, I always stop by the SCAD store (Savannah College of Art and Design), which sells student creations. I have some art hanging in my apartment that I bought there as well.
What is the most special piece of jewelry you own and why?
The AGOT ring my dad got me as a moving to New York gift is very special. It reminds me of this amazing trip he, my little brother, and I took to Costa Rica shortly before I came here. We have taken other great trips since then, but this was our first one as just the three of us. Adriana Gomez's line, AGOT, is really exquisite -- the pieces are made from stones and minerals from the rivers of her native Costa Rica. This ring was my first piece, and I have a necklace and earrings as well. I love the AGOT line because the pieces are so striking and unusual.
I always find things in my mom’s jewelry. She has incredible taste and we have a very similar style (probably not a coincidence...I try to emulate her in all things I do.) I have this chunky turquoise necklace of hers from Chico’s which I proudly rock minimum once a week and tell everyone it’s my mom’s and that she got it at Chico’s. We always have the best time shopping together and she has an eagle eye for great jewelry. I remember the first time she, my godmother Soozi, and I went to Paris and lost our minds at the Galeries Lafayette. Whenever we go on a trip, we have a ritual each night called “the laying of the loot” where we lay out all the treasures we acquired that day and admire them.
Earrings: Fab’rik. Necklace: Bought in Madrid. Ring: Gift.
Just three years ago, my Christmas gift from my mom was to get my ears pierced. Yes, really. I have loved jewelry for a very long time, but strangely enough I had never pierced my ears. I don't really know why, I just never did it. I was always more of a necklace gal. Now, I am a veritable earring fiend. These black feather earrings are also from Fab’rik.
I know the stylist Olga Yarlug through my friends Patty Vega and Thom Beemer. Thom produced my record. We were at a New Year's Eve party at Cafe Colette in Williamsburg (my favorite restaurant), where Patty was the executive chef and Olga was, as usual, dressed in something devastatingly beautiful with a million incredible pieces of jewelry. She was wearing this ring and when I complimented it, she said "Here, take it, I'm wearing two."
Thank you, Mary-Elaine!
