Meet Jenny and Lily Monbouquette | Founders

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenny and Lily Monbouquette and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenny and Lily, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We knew if we were going to start a jewelry brand, our products would need to have a strong differentiator in an over-saturated, highly competitive market. We were determined to design something truly unique that people wouldn’t find anywhere else. Our brand concept from day one has been to create playful jewelry with a functional twist, whether it’s an element that moves, a hidden compartment, or a mechanism that transforms a piece for added versatility. We believe there is an opportunity in accessories to provide effortless versatility and playfulness for the wardrobe of stylish people on-the-go. Prioritizing a high standard for responsible manufacturing – from recycled metals to small batch production and local sourcing – has also been very important to our business strategy from the beginning.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our Story:

“How can you work with your mother?” is the question Lily tells me she is always asked. She now tells them, “It was destiny.” We rediscovered a journal entry where I quote Lily (age 5) telling me that one day, we will have a design business – I will be the boss of her while she is little, and she will be the boss of me when I am old. I would say that right now, we have achieved a steady state, fully collaborating on every design and business decision to the point where we can’t remember who initially thought of what. We each bring different talents to this endeavor but feed off one another to create something much better (and more fun) than either of us could have alone.

Creating clever and convertible jewelry was born when I enrolled in a jewelry making class, tapping into a wellspring of ideas. Hundreds of designs and discussions later, Lily suggested we turn things into a business. She brought her fashion expertise to this endeavor, while I brought 35+ years as an art advisor. Building a brand gave us a daily reason to connect while living 3,000 miles apart, Lily in NYC, me in LA.

Our earliest design concepts took years to develop. In 2019, Monbouquette Jewelry was officially launched. Two years later, we were granted a patent for the inventive functionality of our designs and we have continued to create beautiful jewelry that gives more than meets the eye. Our designs are directly inspired by artists we admire and who share our sense of playfulness and beauty. We love doing what we do and can’t imagine a better way to connect with each other and our kindred spirits.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Our LA city guide:

The westside hits: Restaurants
– Morning coffee and bagel (with the works) from Layla Cafe – founded by Tartine and Gjusta alum, Sergio Espana
– Breakfast at Superba. be sure to order the buckwheat hotcake
– Breakfast Burritos from Lily’s Malibu
– Sandwiches from Gjusta bakery in Venice
– Dudleys fish market for natural wine and some crudo
– Dinner at Hachet Hall – the corn bread is a must and grab a drink at their speakeasy in the back
– Dinner at Felix for the best italian on the westside

The westside hits: Activites
– A hike in Malibu at Solstice Canyon Loop
– Shopping at The Platform in Culver City
– Catch a show at the Broad
– Gallery hopping in Culver City, starting at Blum & Poe
– A beach walk at Point Dume
– A hike at Will Rodgers and picnic in the park
– Downtown Santa Monica farmers market on Wednesday or Saturday
– Getty Villa just off PCH in Malibu

The Eastside Hits: Restaurants
– Coffee and pastry from Doubting Thomas
– Breakfast at Kitchen Mouse in Highland Park
– Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock for breakfast or lunch
– Dinner and natural wine from All Time in Los Feliz
– Little Dom’s for dinner – an Italian staple
– Sycamore Kitchen for lunch between gallery hopping
– Saffy’s for the best Mediterranean in LA
– Dunsmoor for an incredible dinner and grab a glass of wine at the wine bar in the back

The Eastside Hits: Activities
– Highland Park bowl – the oldest bowling alley in LA with a sweet bar area!
– Catch a show at the Lodgeroom and/or Gold Diggers
– Greek Theater or Hollywood bowl is a must!
– Gallery hopping at Pace, Kordansky, Dietch Projects, VSF, Tanya Bonakdar
– Visit Hauser & Wirth for the galleries and have lunch at Manuela
– Hike Strawberry peak
– Shopping at Mohawk General Store and Just One Eye
– Get some of the best vintage finds at Rose Bowl Flea

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
– Hal Monbouquette – Max Monbouquette
– Charlotte Diamond
– Deb Marquardt
– Meredith Mellling
– Sarah Flint
– Steven Hanna
– Emily Weiss
– Emma Grede
– Artists Ruth Asawa, Ellsworth Kelly, and Alexander Calder
– Business of Fashion by Imran Amed
– Second Life Podcast by Hillary Kerr

Website: www.monbouquettejewelry.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/monbouquettejewelry

Other: TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@monbouquettejewelry