LEADING A LEGACY

A staple in Southern culture tied to tradition, architecture and more, it’s a rare occasion to meet anyone not familiar with New Orleans iconic jewelry designer Mignon Faget. Creating more than 70 collections over the span of 50 years, Mignon Faget’s handiwork has long been coveted and collected by women of all ages throughout the South and beyond. As the company launches the new fall collection, we spoke to Maghan Oroszi, Chief Operations and Creative Officer, who was entrusted with the reins of this burgeoning jewelry empire when Mignon stepped back. Covering everything from her own storied career, Mignon’s impact, and how the fall collection, called Neutral Ground, meets the cultural moment, Maghan is a force of nature in her own right, and quite a gem, too.

 By Amber Wielkens

Running a design house is not for the faint of heart, and Maghan Oroszi understands this better than anyone. Firmly in possession of the creativity, skill, and business acumen of her mentor, Maghan is determined to honor the founder’s original vision while looking to the future. And, by all accounts, she’s doing it really well.

For those who don’t know, Mignon Faget designs are synonymous with New Orleans, blending its architecture, local wildlife, and everyday objects to create timeless jewelry and houseware items. Think Jasmine and Magnolia flowers, freshwater pearls, Fleur de Lis, Mardi Gras, Tulips, sand dollars, butterflies, banana leaf’s, honeybees, tigers, renaissance architectural details and more. And, Southern women of all ages have jewelry boxes brimming with various timeless pieces accumulated from special occasions and, of course, trips to the Big Easy. Simply put, it’s a big deal.

First, a little background. Maghan grew up in Bloomingdale, New York, a hamlet of 600 people in the Adirondack Park. From there, she launched herself into the world of metallic arts and architecture, attending the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design and Tulane School of Architecture. With a skillset that reads like a checklist for her current position as Chief Operations and Creative Officer, she’s worked as a professional sculptor, blacksmith, and jeweler, having been in the jewelry industry for 21 years.

Living in New Orleans and being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Maghan shares, “I found myself back in New York working as a blacksmith, specializing in architectural ironwork. That transition reconnected me to architecture, for which I’ve had a lifelong passion. I decided to return to New Orleans and enroll at Tulane to finish my architecture degree.” Moving back the year before her classes were to begin was serendipitous. “Looking for temporary work, I was hired to be Mignon’s design assistant. Mignon studied sculpture during her time at Tulane, also has a lifelong passion for architecture, and of course was a jewelry icon in New Orleans; we had lots of common interests and quickly connected through our shared passion for design. As the business grew, certain structures needed to be developed to meet what had become an extraordinary demand from her collectors. My background and general interest in the way things work allowed me to bring more structure to Mignon’s design process.”

As Maghan’s role at the design house grew, so did its output. “We started with setting up seasonal calendars for design and production. From there, the opportunities for me to grow with the business have been almost endless. I brought in new technologies like computer modeling and printing, as well as mold making and casting in-house. I’ve negotiated deals with vendors and managed the design and construction of four retail stores. The most recent will be unveiled at Lakeside Mall in the summer of 2023. Through these projects, I learned that I have a natural talent for logistics,” Maghan’s says. “I’ve had many titles in my 12 years with Mignon. Each role has led me to where I am now, the Chief Operating and Creative Officer, and I never made it back to Tulane,” she adds, smiling.

Maghan was fortunate in meeting the New Orleans jeweler, no doubt, but let’s also note the artistic and MBA-level mind of Maghan in her meteoric rise through the ranks. “Mignon and I both have a passion for design. Mignon expressed that passion as an Artist. But, I approach design from a place of problem-solving rather than a personal expression. Luckily, like Mignon, I’m a naturally curious person and can’t imagine not being able to find inspiration. I love the details of things and understanding how things work. I’m inspired by the way the design of a classic column is derived from plant forms or how the computer-generated scaffolding of a 3D printed model creates its own organic design,” she explains.

And, Maghan’s admiration for Mignon knows no limits. “In the late ’60s, Mignon was a rare female entrepreneur who decided to put all her energy into her creations and build a business out of it. She knew she had more to give and having the courage to step out should be inspiring to all women,” she declares, adding, “Seeing Mignon’s success remains an inspiration to this day. While she decided to step away from the day-to-day operations almost four years ago, this business is her greatest expression. Her decision to promote me and to allow me to not only keep the brand alive, but to also plan for its next 50 years might be the greatest honor I’ll ever receive,” she beams.

Outside of work, Maghan enjoys all things New Orleans. “From our tent at the French Quarter Festival to grabbing a bite at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, I love indulging in all the city has to offer. I’m well-traveled and have lived in many places including NYC, San Francisco, and Miami, but there’s no place like New Orleans. Here, we celebrate all life has to offer. Even during the most challenging times—and we’ve seen many—the community comes together and focuses on celebrating what makes us special—the food, the music, the weather (good and bad), the greetings you get on the street from total strangers, and the diversity of our people,” Maghan shares.

Interestingly, Mignon is a fifth-generation New Orleanian. “The culture is in her blood and can’t help but influence her design,” says Maghan. “I’ve chosen to make this my home because of those things and I believe that continuing to celebrate them through our designs is the authenticity of the brand. Our designs are not about Mignon, or me—they are about all of us, and all that we experience in what I believe to be the most culturally rich city in the country.”

This year’s fall collection, Neutral Ground, reflects the city’s cultural diversity and the design house’s inclusive mindset. “In New Orleans, we call our grassy road medians ‘the neutral ground’ and use them as parks. Conceptually the collection, like the actual neutral ground, is a place for everyone to come together. Anyone can use the neutral ground and anyone can wear our jewelry,” Maghan states. “We have extended sizes and mixed metals so that there’s something for everyone. It seamlessly mixes with all our collections, can be dressed up or down, and worn for special occasions or every day. We want this new collection to function as a vehicle for our collectors’ personal expression, since our collectors come from all walks of life. The only thing we can definitively say about them is that they love Mignon Faget and this collection is more about them than it is about us.” Citing the stacking rings and the warm mix freshwater pearl necklace as her favorites, she adds, “The modern forms of the rings are instant classics while the classic pearl strand uses mixed pearls to create a very modern palette.”

Of course we’re dying to know about Maghan’s personal style. “I’d call myself a minimalist, which is funny because Mignon is a maximalist when it comes to jewelry. When I dress up, I layer different collections, always attempting to achieve that perfect balance that Mignon so effortlessly displayed. Day to day, I stick to my more minimalist nature. Always mixed in is my gold Mignon Faget thorn necklace. Mignon designed this collection to represent the inherent strength of being a woman. She believes no matter how delicate first impressions may appear, there are always hidden strengths,” Maghan shares.

Her top styling tip? “Be confident and express yourself authentically. The beauty of this collection is that it’s impossible to get wrong. Each piece is perfect for every day looka. A bigger look can easily be built by layering them. The rings and bracelets all stack together—wear one or five. The necklaces all coordinate, as well. Mix the long strand of pearls with a short all-metal necklace and you instantly have a statement. The new collection can also be worn with previous ones. Mixing the crisp, modern shapes of Neutral Ground with the classic floral designs of our Jasmine collection is a fashion-forward look that anyone could wear with confidence.”

Appealing to women of all ages, the number of collectors grows each year as the younger generation is embracing timeless elegance and moving away from fast fashion and its inherent wastefulness. Maghan adds, “Mignon started out in fashion and didn’t like the seasonality of it. What she loved about fine jewelry design was that these were investments and something that could be passed down through generations. Although we try to incorporate them into our collections, our designs are never driven by trends—they’re meant to grow with you.”

A testament to Mignon’s staying power, Maghan expands, “Some of our top-selling designs were introduced 50 years ago; the timelessness of our design has been proven. It’s down to engagement and telling a story—your story, not the brand’s. Our collectors are very engaged in the brand and love to tell us their stories. They tell us about what their pieces mean to them and how special events like births, graduations, weddings, promotions, and personal accomplishments all connect them. We want to tell those stories. Today, the collector is the real story behind the brand. They’ve taken Mignon’s artistic expressions and made them their own expressions of what matters most to them. Younger new collectors can feel confident that any Mignon Faget design will be cherished for a lifetime.”

Elaborating on Mignon Faget’s assurance of superlative quality, Maghan shares, “In industry terms we’re considered demi-fine. Sterling silver, one of the eight precious metals, is our core material. However, we also produce our designs in gold and use precious stones. We use the highest quality materials and all of our jewelry is hand-finished, ensuring that our collector feels spoiled with each purchase. This holiday season we are expanding our fine jewelry and releasing a capsule collection that is all gold, diamonds, and pearls—it is truly luxurious.”

Like Mignon, Maghan is a firm believer in local support. “All of our jewelry is designed in New Orleans, and most of it is made in New Orleans on Magazine Street. While we do work with different partners to utilize new technologies, we’re committed to keeping the majority of our manufacturing in New Orleans.” Even better, she tells us, “This year, our lead designer, Rebecca Brown-Davis, began an in-house training program that will allow us to develop the next generation of jewelers and designers.”

Regarding their core customer, Maghan waxes downright lyrical, and we’re here for it. “While Mignon Faget designs are pulled from the beauty of New Orleans, the same themes can be found throughout the Gulf Coast and the South,” she says. Lastly, Maghan confirms she’s a woman who needs a break from time to time like the rest of us, by sharing “Every now and then I make a brief escape to the quiet and quaint town of Fairhope. Being near the water and hearing the bells toll at sunset or shopping at antique stores for my next piece of creative influence, Fairhope is an amazing place to recharge.” We couldn’t agree more and look forward to seeing your neutral ground and hearing your Mignon Faget stories

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