THE CO-LAB: MER-SEA + HOUSE OF ALAIA
One of my dearest friends came back from her trip to Bali about a dozen years ago with a little gift for me. This little gift was given with love and has held special meaning for me all these years later. The gift – a necklace - was actually quite simple but symbolically and aesthetically it spoke to me. It was called a blessings necklace with two silver pendants on a navy string. Anyone who knows me knows my dear friend had indeed selected the right color palette. I found it so charming and so perfect – and I have worn it almost everyday since I received it.
As it turns out, this necklace was designed by a girl from St. Louis of all places – a stone’s throw from Kansas City. Fast forward – when we envisioned starting a collaboration series with select artists – my first thought was to reach out to Nea Hildebolt. Her company, House of Alaia, creates stunning jewelry for nomadic travelers and the spiritually aware. You can check out her jewelry here.
Symbolism and meaning have always been important to us here at Mer-Sea because we feel gifting is that opportunity to honor the person receiving the gift. This made Nea’s blessing necklaces the perfect beginning for Mer-Sea Co-Lab. Over a series of meetings and phone calls, we happily present our collaborative Blessings Necklace. Using universal symbols and simple words, these necklaces are dual sided. Either of the two pendants can be worn in the front – but the other pendant always has your back… just like a good friend.
We hope you enjoy gifting one of these necklaces – you never know the impact it may have.
xo, Melanie
Shop the Blessings Necklaces here.