Her favorite material is steel mesh and her work tends to take on the appearance of chain mail. Julia Menthel loves to combine a hard, industrial look and the sensual quality of flowing fabric.

Out of a playful blend of traditional, feminine objects like Akoya pearls, the unique pieces that gave the designer her status were born. Menthel came to jewelry by way of fashion. She studied fashion design in Florence and New York, designed accessories exclusively for Anne Klein, and was a jewelry consultant for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. In 2005, she brought out her own collection. She describes her work as pieces for women who don’t wear jewelry, or only wear a singe piece. But when the piece is as wonderful as hers, you won’t need anything else.