10 Questions for Me & Ro

Me&Ro€™s exquisite jewelry is a favorite of celebs from Mariska Hargitay to Julia Roberts to Sheryl Crow. Even Mary Louise Parker has been wearing Me&Ro on her hit show Weeds. But perhaps the most impressive thing about their rings, bangles, and amulets is the good they do in the world.

Founded in 1991, Me&Ro has charitable pendants where 100% of the proceeds benefit organizations such as The Tibet Fund, Doctors of the World, The Joyful Heart Foundation and the Step Up Women's Network. "I think it is our responsibility to help others when we can and to take responsibility for our actions," says Me&Ro Designer Robin Renzi.

In her Stylehive interview, Ms. Renzi also explains her line€™s Eastern influence, gives the pro€™s and cons of growing from a small shop to a company that employs over 100 people, and shares the best advice she was ever given.


1. How would you describe your design aesthetic?
Robin Renzi: Understated, not fussy, feminine, delicate, personal, wearable, handmade and well made, classic but modern infused with the love of old jewelry.


2. Is there one piece in particular that you would say is your signature piece?
RR: That is tough, I think its more a feeling, that things have history, that they can be worn and worn and worn, that the jewelry becomes you, that you can mix it all together, and you wear the jewelry it doesn€™t wear you!


3. Your jewelry has symbolic undertones. Tell us about the symbolism in your pieces.
RR:I am inspired and enchanted by the complexity and beauty of the Indian Culture, the religion, jewelry, fabric, philosophy, music. In our culture things are much more literal, in India, more poetic. The verses from the Bhagava Gita, for example, tells a story of one man and his quest for the self, it is more like a tale to teach the most important lessons of life-in the Hindu religion, it is the quest for the true self, which is transformative.


4. Is it hard for you to balance your duties as CEO, in charge of over 100 employees, and stay in touch with your creativity?
RR: It would be really nice if I could hand off all of the business and just give it to someone else, but everything is so integrated. For example, we are a charitable company, and that is part of our business practice, and I have to make sure that we are charitable at work as well as out in the world. The philosophy of the company has been and must continue to be integral to how we do business. That is very important to me. Designing is the most fun part of my job, creating something new, but I do love working with people. I have many great employees that are also very creative and we have a great time exchanging ideas and sharing our passion about life and living, and I feel very fortunate to have them.


5. What are your thoughts on the jewelry industry today?
RR: I think that there are big Designers and then there are us little Designers. Me&Ro is in a different place because we are not nearly as big as the big ones, but we are bigger than a lot of smaller ones-that makes me happy that one of us little guys can keep growing and not sell out.


6. What was the best advice you've been given?
RR: Follow your instincts.


7. How has blogging affected your company?
RR: In a good way. Its sort of like the people are speaking, not the press, and I think that lots of little voices are very, very powerful.


8. You blog a lot about awareness, social change, and environmentally friendly products. Why?
RR: We all believe at Me&Ro that if you got something to give, then you should give it. We are very fortunate.


9. Tell us about your "fearlessness" pieces.
RR: Simply put, fear can be paralyzing €“ not thinking things through to really see what it is you are actually afraid of. It means to face things, and to see situations for what they are and not what they appear to be in your mind.


10. What's next for Me&Ro?

RR: We are opening more retail stores of our own, advertising a bit, and growing organically - with integrity.

Me & Ro's site in the Hive: site/meandrojewelry.com