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Long time friends, Jan and Jo are the dream team behind Toronto based jewelry line, Meiresthai. We wanted to learn more about them and their collections, and below is the Apostyle Exclusive interview with them.
The name Meiresthai, how is it pronounced and what does it mean?
Pronounced as mee-res-thay the name is of Greek origin and it means one’s reward in life. It’s the perfect word to describe a venture that has given us the gift of expression and creativity.
You are a Design Duo- when did you meet and how did you come about being in business together?
Jo and I met in the seventh grade. We started out just sharing secrets and now we have the pleasure of sharing a business. The start of meiresthai was a bit serendipitous. Jo had, for a couple of years, been asking me to start a jewellery business with her. I kept saying no so she eventually dropped it. Then a year later I decided that I really needed to make a change in my life in order to find some passion again. I was looking for a sign and that very night she called to ask me to start a business with her. I took it as my sign and now the rest is history.
What inspires the designs of your collections?
Everything – and that is the best part of creation. There is so much beauty in this world and some of it can be visually loud and some of it may be very subtle. The inspiration could come from a great work of art or in the simple proportion of a line. We’ve had a collection inspired through a layered mood board and one inspired simply by the materials. It can really come from anywhere, but it culminates in a sense of play. You play with ideas, shapes, materials, textures and sometimes you end up with something completely different from what you had originally intended. We just allow the inspiration to start the journey.
Describe your customer in three words:
Stylish, Feminine, Quietly-loud
When you aren't working on your jewelry line, what can we find you doing?
Jo: working on photography, spending time with good friends, and probably checking my phone.
Jan: reading a book, practicing my sketching, and shamefully binge watching Netflix
What were your aspirations as young girls?
Jo: I wanted to be an artist, but I never really finished a painting because I always wanted perfection! Thankfully, I fell in love with photography and making jewelry, which are my creative outlets!
Jan: Indiana Jones. But that didn’t really work out, so in the end I really just aspired to be a strong, independent woman. It was something that my mother instilled in me and because she served as an amazing role model in my life, I’m proud to say it’s something I have achieved.
Best advice you've received or personal life motto/mantra:
Jo: The best advice I’ve received is from my father: Don’t just dream about things, think about how to make dreams come true.
Jan: The best advice I’ve received is from my mother: “You don’t ask, you don’t get”.
Meiresthai handcrafted jewelry has quickly become an Apostyle favorite. Click here to shop the collection!
