Marie Monsod, owner of the beloved Recess vintage boutique in Los Angeles, is branching out.
She’s launching a capsule of statement earrings inspired by the vintage brand of sparklers Richard Kerr.
Open for 10 years on La Brea Avenue, Recess is known for its playful, colorful assortment of vintage from the 1950s to present, and has been a go-to for stylists and costume designers for “Glow,” “Empire” and other glam shows.
“It’s basically a playground,” said Monsod, who stocks a no-name cream crystal beaded and fringe top alongside big name finds like a 1997 Gucci G-string, a 1990 Vivienne Westwood portrait print dress and a 2012 Jean Paul Gaultier tattoo dress. “We have so many different types of customers and I feel like what differentiates me is I go with what I like, it doesn’t have to be a name brand. If it’s a cool print, colors or beaded, I go for it.”
That goes for jewelry, too.
“I’m obsessed with earrings, big statement earrings and jewelry in general. And there’s a particular designer, Richard Kerr, who made fully rhinestoned earrings in unique shapes and colors. Every time I would find those pieces, I just would get so excited and sell them really fast,” she said.
Marie Monsod earrings at Recess L.A.
Seeing the supply of the vintage pieces starting to dry up, Monsod had the idea to start making her own. After becoming friends with Esme Hecht, founder of Lunch at the Ritz, she told him about her idea to create earrings and he helped with the manufacturing.
The result is five styles of holiday-ready earrings — discs, fringes, drops, lightning bolts and balls, priced $225 to $295 — that are crystal-covered but surprisingly light because they are made of resin.
“Every time I wear statement earrings I get compliments, they are a conversation starter and you can wear them on with dresses or a T-shirt and jeans and you are dressed instantly,” Monsod said.
For now, the collection is available through her store and website. And depending on how it goes, she may expand into other categories.
“Clothing is something I don’t want to get into,” Monsod said. “There’s already too much and we love the sustainability aspect of vintage. But with accessories, they’re getting harder and harder to find and often have more signs of use or damage.”
Marie Monsod earrings at Recess L.A.
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