The essence of Sasha Samuel Jewelry is deeply rooted in the picturesque landscape of Greenport. More than a brand, it’s a testament to the enchanting blend of 1920s glamour, North Fork beaches, and an unwavering touch of whimsy. Each exquisite piece is a journey through ethereal romance, designed to be truly timeless.
Samuel’s creations showcase her deep connection to her surroundings and historical influences. She incorporates lustrous pearls, delicate shells, and unique beach stones, seamlessly mingling them with diamonds. Every detail, down to the signature heart-shaped and freshwater pearl clasps, speaks to her distinctive design. “It’s a small, personal detail—even if no one else sees it, the person wearing it knows it’s there,” she shares.
Samuel’s captivating designs have graced Vogue and Elle, sparkling on screen in hits like Sex and the City, and adorning stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Beyoncé. This widespread acclaim stems from a passion cultivated early: Samuel’s journey began in a local bead shop, refined through fine arts studies, and profoundly shaped by her role as a stylist and buyer at New York Vintage. There, under Shannon Hoey’s mentorship, her vintage-leaning designs caught the eye of Sex and the City stylists, igniting her brand’s remarkable growth.
Having grown up spending summers in Orient, Samuel’s move to Greenport during the pandemic marked a full-circle return to her roots. After a pause to focus on her growing family, she began connecting with local boutiques, shifting from large retailers like Anthropologie. “After 15 years in the city, and now being back by the beach,” she shares, “it’s come full circle—returning to natural materials and the original coastal influence but with a focus on timeless pieces made to be treasured.” Her creative process is as enchanting as her designs. For her pearl pieces, she uses “wire-wrapping. Everything is handmade from gold wire, freshwater pearls, and heart chain,” a process she finds “very calming.” Her environment fuels her, allowing her to “work on the fly.” “When not in the studio, I work on the beach or just beachcomb when I can steal away moments. I always have shells or stones tucked into my pockets or in the bottom of bags.”
Samuel’s collections often tell a story, as seen in the one for Croteaux Vineyard, inspired by the film Amélie. This collection features pieces such as the Morgan necklace with keshi pearls, the Marlo necklace with turquoise, and the Ursa Minor necklace, which showcases a cast moon from a 1920s dress buckle.
Her Ava hoops cleverly repurpose shells from vintage Hawaiian leis, a nod to their “romance and whimsy.” Even her Mortimer earrings showcase shells that transform from rough brown to pearly white. She also ventures into playful directions, like branch coral pieces, a “wink to puka shells,” which can double as necklaces, bracelets, or anklets. Beyond the delicate, Sasha crafts lockets, a birthstone line, and a men’s line (which started from a collaboration with the Bellport-based ready-to-wear brand, The Salting), all designed to evoke “an endless summer.
Local North Fork businesses are “a massive inspiration.” Samuel finds it “an exciting challenge to create a different shopping experience for each of them,” tailoring her jewelry to each space. You can find her work at local North Fork favorites like Lumber + Salt, Croteaux, and The Shoals, as well as The Parrish Art Museum and Warm in Amagansett. Her designs also reach across the country to boutiques such as W.port in Atlanta.
A strong advocate for sustainability, Samuel ensures all her gold is recycled and domestically sourced, with all production based in the U.S. It’s here, amidst the charm of the North Fork, that she continues to weave dreams into tangible, wearable art, creating pieces that capture the imagination and stand the test of time.