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Semi-Charmed Life

It’s hard not to envy Jennifer Meyer: the daughter of Universal Studios prez Ron Meyer, the Malibu native has two children with husband and heartthrob Tobey Maguire and an übersuccessful jewelry line adored by the Hollywood elite. But with her down-to-earth demeanor and ever-appreciative outlook, it’s even harder not to like her. The designer chats with 944 about her eponymous collection, her kids, and keeping it all together.

944: What was the genesis of your line?

JENNIFER MEYER: When I was younger I worked for two amazing designers. I worked for Giorgio Armani and then I worked for Ralph Lauren and I was able to watch them create, and I loved the process. I had done jewelry with my grandmother from a really young age and I always wanted to give it a try, and I did. I took a stab at it and it worked.

That’s an understatement – your pieces have been spotted on everyone from Nicole Richie to Kate Hudson to Courtney Cox. What might people spot on you these days?

I just love the letter necklaces. I think they represent some amazing things. I love wearing an O for [my son] Otis and an R for [my daughter] Ruby, and I love people asking me about it.

Does Tobey sport your collection, too?

I designed our wedding bands. He’s never worn any jewelry before and he warned me when we got married that he’d probably lose the wedding band so I should make him a couple, but he’s still on the first one and we’re over two-and-a-half years married, so we’re doing good.

What kind of woman wears your accessories?

I think the real, everyday woman. Who has time to change their jewelry every day? I want you to be able to wake up in the morning, make your kids breakfast, bring them to school, do your work, feed them dinner, then get ready and go have a nice dinner with your husband and you’re wearing the same jewelry the whole day. It dresses up any outfit but it also doesn’t feel too dressy.

Any advice for budding designers-cum-entrepreneurs?

I didn’t give everything up. I took a little bit of time out of my day and saved money and really gave it a shot. I literally went downtown and started knocking on doors that said “Jeweler” – I had nobody I knew that did it. I wanted to do it from the bottom up, and I did. The best thing is to go for it and learn as you go along, but to keep an eye on your finances.

And think positive thoughts.

Yeah, I think energy on the whole is really important. I always find that when you put the right energy into anything you’re going to get good energy back – it’s the way I live my life.

Sounds like a happy one.

I am really happy. I have two incredibly beautiful, funny, wonderful, happy, healthy children and there’s pretty much nothing else that matters in life, and then I get really lucky with this amazing husband and a successful career. I like the road I’m on. I’d like to stay on it as long as possible.

 

Get the gold at jennifermeyer.com

-S. Brahney