I launched Lizzie Fortunato in the spring of 2008 from the sofa of my Lower East Side walk-up. I started designing jewelry years earlier during undergrad at Duke and developed a small following that gave me the confidence that I was onto something. On our 24th birthday, my twin sister Kathryn left me her Goldman Sachs bonus check - $10,000 - with a note that said “follow your dreams.” That was the only funding Lizzie Fortunato Jewels ever received.
In 2010, Kathryn joined me full time, and since then we’ve had a few office moves, two weddings, two babies, and built our team to 14. But we still design and assemble many styles in our collection right here in NYC using a range of materials and components from all over the globe. We prioritize the integrity of our products, team members, and vendors over exponential growth.
Our Mission:
It is our mission to sell luxurious pieces that tell a story and champion intentional production.
Our Product:
Our collections include hand-crafted statement jewelry, 14-karat fine jewelry, handbags, belts, scarves, and “Fortune Finds” — home decor items that we source from our travels and fellow creatives.
As we’ve expanded our offerings, we’ve remained intentional about producing only what we can sell. Given the limited, recycled, and remotely sourced nature of many of our materials, once a piece sells out, it’s typically gone for good. We consider our creations coveted “art objects” to be displayed and enjoyed even when they’re not being worn.
“I strive to champion the artisanal crafts, artworks, and architecture of the places I visit.”
What Inspires Us
Our collections are designed to tell a story and to transport the wearer. Travels to Morocco, India, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and beyond — as well as fine art and architecture — have inspired our pieces, and we strive to champion artisanal craftsmanship through our designs.
“We have remained intentional about producing only what we can sell.”
Our Team:
It is the sum of materials and time that go into our pieces that makes them luxurious. We employ a team of 14 in our Soho, NY studio, as well as a large network of skilled makers — metalsmiths, embroiderers, polishers, enamelers, stone setters, belt makers, and more — across New York City.
We also rely on a small but mighty team of expert jewelry-makers to carefully assemble our pieces, many of whom are women, and moms, who are able to work for us from home in order to look after kids and family. We take immense pride in our uniquely local, piecemeal, and intentional production approach.
Who We Dress:
We pride ourselves in dressing women who follow their own paths, not trends — women who are trailblazers, adventurers, collectors, artists, innovators, intellectuals, and dreamers. We love accessorizing women who dress to tell a story.
“We love accessorizing women who dress to tell a story.”
Creative Women’s Network:
We take championing fellow females very seriously and have used our robust platform to amplify and connect the voices of other female entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives, and activists via our Creative Women’s Network. This started as Creative Womens’ Dinners, where we invited fellow forward-thinking female entrepreneurs and creatives to gather around the dinner table, and during Covid, evolved into Creative Womens’ Coffees: online Zoom conversations with women we admire.
In The Press
American Vogue / Shaded Aquamarine, Morganite & 14k Gold Necklace
Vogue Spain / The Dotted Arc Cuff
Wall Street Journal / Icon Belt
“It is the sum of materials and time that go into our pieces that makes them luxurious.”
“We take immense pride in our uniquely local, piecemeal, and intentional production approach.”