At New York Fashion Week, designer Elizabeth Kennedy debuted her 2017 spring collection of elegant gowns in jewel tones. We asked her to share her jewelry style and why she chose the Jane Taylor Sword Swallower Ring from Memo to wear to her show. Proclaimed “a modern evening designer to watch” by Vogue, Elizabeth Kennedy’s sleek and clean ballgowns and column dresses are favorites on the red carpet. Starting her own label after stints at Isaac Mizrahi Couture, J. Mendel, and Donna Karan Atelier, her work is elegant, flattering and also a bit unexpected. We knew her jewelry style would be just as inspiring.

Signature piece of jewelry: Diamond studs.

Most coveted piece: It’s a close tie – my engagement ring from my husband (every time I look at it I think about the day he proposed) and my grandmother’s wedding band which I stack with my own wedding rings.

Jewelry style icon: Iris Apfel.

First piece of jewelry: The first piece of jewelry I bought for myself was a Tiffany’s Elsa Peretti pinky ring that I purchased on my 25th birthday. The first jewelry gift I received was a pair of pearl earrings from my grandparents.

Ultimate luxury: Time with my husband and family.

Favorite cocktail: Gin and Tonic.

Jane Taylor’s Sword Swallower Ring: I was fortunate to wear the beautiful piece to my NYFW presentation at The Plaza Hotel.  My gowns are quite substantial in size and color and I always tend to wear a black dress to my shows.  The Jane Taylor ring — that was so much bigger than I had remembered — was the accessory de resistance and really the only piece of jewelry I needed to wear!

My collection was inspired by eighties fashion in The French Riviera — bold colors and dramatic statements set against the backdrop of the Cote D’Azur. The colors of the stones reminded me of the crystal blue waters and palm trees and couldn’t have been more perfect.