Camille Zarsky
1. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
I run The Seven, a little experiential luxury retail shop in the heart of New York city in the West Village.
2. HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?
I’m a collector myself and jewelry is something that I have been passionate about ever since I can remember. I feel strongly that jewelry transcends generations and a huge part of what I aim to do with the store, is work with the designers to create one-of-a-kind pieces that will transcend time and be passed on through generations. We live in a world that is fast fashion centric and I believe in slow quality made pieces that should be timeless and investment pieces.
3. WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
New York.
4. WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Houston, Texas.
5. WHAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH?
An antique pocket watch, dating from the 1800s, that my father gave me 15 years ago. It has so many layers inside, but you can peel each one off until you get to the mechanics of the watch. And hidden inside, is a hand-painted enamel recreation of The Birth of Venus by Botticelli.
6. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT JEWELRY?
Jewelry is timeless, emotional and represents something so deep and personal for the wearer. It can take you back to a time and place in your life. There are pieces of jewelry of my mother’s that I remember watching her wear every day, specifically this necklace that she wore for 15 years. Good jewelry doesn’t fall apart and while it takes you back it doesn’t deteriorate. In fact, one of the things I especially love about antique jewelry is that it has a past life and I imagine the energy of the original wearer being with me. Jewelry pieces are artifacts, and my favorite ones are those that have crossed the hands of many artisans.
7. DESCRIBE YOUR JEWELRY STYLE
Decadent casual.
8. WHERE DO YOU GET MOST OF JEWELRY FROM?
Most of my jewelry pieces are from my father, my mother, my husband and myself – I self-purchase these days for obvious reasons. My father had a big jewelry influence on me growing up as every holiday and birthday he would gift me an antique piece of jewelry. Then, when my mom passed, I inherited some of her pieces which I reworked and reset into designs I can wear every day.
9. WHO IS YOUR JEWELRY ICON/ROLE MODEL?
My mother, Mia Moross of The One I Love, Maria Jacobs and Danielle Greenblatt.
10. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STONE?
Opals and as of late, I have an emerald obsession. Also, opals and emeralds…I love that combo together!
11. DO YOU HAVE A PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND IF SO, WHY?
My hand carved dog pendant by Millie & Noah, my Jenna Blake band and a diamond signet ring that I wear on my pinky. The signet ring has an interesting story: I used the gold from a piece of jewelry that belonged to my mom and the diamond, I found as I was cleaning out her jewelry after she passed. It was this lone diamond that was floating around the bottom of the jewelry box and I have no clue on the story behind the diamond or where it came from!
12. HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL WHEN YOU WEAR YOUR JEWELRY?
Empowered, strong and energized. I want my pieces to make me feel a spiritual connection and to represent something whether it’s a milestone, a symbol or someone important like my dogs.
13. LAST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU BOUGHT AND LOVED?
A diamond heart black agate bangle bracelet by Emily P. Wheeler.
14. THE BEST JEWELRY GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Jenna Blake gifted me a hummingbird charm after they found out it was very symbolic in my family - my mom always said when you see a hummingbird, think of me.
15. THE THING YOU ARE COVETING NEXT?
Getting the wallpaper up on my walls. Once I get it, I’ll feel like the store is complete and I can host our official launch party!
16. WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?
An elephant - they are very sentimental beings and are family oriented.
17. FAVORITE FOOD?
Mexican food.
18. LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza and fried food.
19. WINE OR CHEESE?
Wine.
20. COFFEE OR TEA?
Tea.
21. YOGA OR BOXING?
Boxing.
22. FAVORITE SEASON?
Summer.
23. FAVORITE CITY?
I can’t choose one! Paris, Genoa, Palermo, Mallorca, Barcelona, LA and Atlanta.
24. SUPERPOWER OF CHOICE?
Taking care of people and nursing old dogs back to health.
25. SECRET SKILL?
Nursing senior dogs back to health.
26. WHEN DO YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
After a morning workout and an English Breakfast tea kicks in.
27. YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Losing someone I love and failing with this store.
28. HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP FROM A LOW DAY?
Chocolate.
29. WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
My dog carving by Millie & Noah.
30. WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
My Cartier Love bangles – they represent very important milestones in my life.
31. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Stop being so afraid of what other people think and be yourself.
32. WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
Giving back is such an essential part of my daily karmic routine and non-profit work is the thing I am most proud of.
33. WHAT DOES ‘JOY’ MEAN TO YOU?
Joy is a form of self-expression, it’s emotional and it’s a part of who I am.