Francesca Simons
1. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
I am a fine jewelry consultant and publicist.
2. HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?
When I moved to New York, 16 years ago, my first internship was at Bismarck Phillips PR agency and they placed me in the jewelry and timepiece division. I didn’t know just how passionate I was about jewelry, diamonds, time pieces and colored stones until I was put in that department and saw I had a knack and drive for it. It was then that I realized my passion for luxury.
3. WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
New York.
4. WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
London.
5. WHAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH?
Anita Ko’s first collection, The Spike collection.
6. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT JEWELRY?
How you can style and layer pieces and how transitional it is. Jewelry has trends, but those trends recycle, so I can always wear my pieces again and again, so moral of the story, keep all your pieces. You can tell so much about a person’s style by the jewelry they wear. I love that jewelry is a way of self expression and also as I am not one to care about ready to wear – jewelry allows me to show my style though my pieces.
7. DESCRIBE YOUR JEWELRY STYLE.
More is more and anything goes! Mix, match and wear in confidence!
8. WHERE DO YOU GET MOST OF JEWELRY FROM?
My clients: Anita Ko, KATKIM, Bea Bongiasca, Ananya, Grace Lee, EÉRA, Ashley Zhang and Spinelli Kilcollin.
9. WHO IS YOUR JEWELRY ICON/ROLE MODEL?
Marilyn Monroe. I loved all her diamond pieces from her chandelier earrings to her oversized collar necklaces, diamond tennis bracelets and thick diamond cuffs. She was the queen of statement jewels and layers.
10. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STONE?
Diamonds but I have recently started to fall in love with emeralds, my birthstone.
11. DO YOU HAVE A PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND IF SO, WHY?
I wear approximately 20 pieces a day!
My Rolex Pepsi watch.
My Ananya chakra bracelets – their stones have healing properties.
Cartier Love bangle.
Anita Ko yellow gold Zoe pinky ring - it’s very comfortable, it sits nicely on the finger and has a great weight to it.
Anita Ko Gemini zodiac - it’s very weighty and a great transitional necklace.
Foundrae and Messika necklaces – they layer beautifully.
KATKIM and Ashley Zhang tennis bracelets.
Bea Bongiasca white enamel baby vine ring.
Grace Lee Demi gold and diamond Demi ring.
Carbon & Hyde pavé collars in yellow gold and white gold.
12. HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL WHEN YOU WEAR YOUR JEWELRY?
Stylish, chic and influencing!
Jewelry is a part of me – I feel a sense of safety with it and without it, I’m incomplete.
13. LAST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU BOUGHT AND LOVED?
I just bought Anita Ko’s new emerald drop huggie.
14. THE BEST JEWELRY GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Grace Lee sent me a stunning Emerald Pear Helix Ring for my birthday!
15. THE THING YOU ARE COVETING NEXT?
KATKIM just produced the Trace Diamond and Emerald Pear Tennis necklace – it’s stunning and unique.
16. WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?
Tiger – I have more will power and strength than anyone I’ve ever met. My determination takes over me and I give my passions 1000% always going above and beyond.
17. FAVORITE FOOD?
French fries.
18. LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?
Spicy food.
19. WINE OR CHEESE?
Both – I can’t pick one, they go hand in hand.
20. COFFEE OR TEA?
Ice coffee.
21. YOGA OR BOXING?
Boxing.
22. FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall.
23. FAVORITE CITY?
New York.
24. SUPERPOWER OF CHOICE?
Teleportation.
25. SECRET SKILL?
I multitask to a whole new level - I can communicate on four different platforms at once (DM, text, email, calls, etc.).
26. WHEN DO YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
When I’m with my kids.
27. YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Saying no to any work opportunities – no is not in my vocabulary.
28. HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP FROM A LOW DAY?
Extra dirty martini, with extra olives and a little retail therapy. And plenty of hugs with my boys, Eli and Rafael.
29. WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
My Bea Bongiasca enamel collection of jewelry – it’s infused with plenty of fun colors and is very uplifting for your mood. When I wear the Baby Vine rings, my hands are a walking rainbow so it’s hard to not be happy! Bea is a genius and a true trend setter.
30. WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
Ananya Chakra bracelets – they are very empowering because of the meaning behind the stones. I always wear the Malachite Chakra as this is the most empowering of the stones and the Amethyst as that is a stress reliever and helps push off negative energy.
My Anita Ko Gemini zodiac makes me feel strong, especially because of its weight and it’s my sign so of course, relatable.
31. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Don’t work in PR! You are on the clock 24/7.
32. WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
I do not burn out no matter how little sleep I get.
33. WHAT DOES ‘JOY’ MEAN TO YOU?
My kids, family and health.
Seeing my clients happy, growing and becoming established brands. Their growth is my mission and it is an honor to see them succeed in a saturated space.