Nicole Apostoli, Lead Designer Artist bio and brand philosophy

Nicole Apostoli, founder and designer of Presh by Nicole Apostoli, was born in San Francisco, California, and has been making jewelry for as long as she can remember. Nicole started out making pieces for herself and for friends until local boutique owners became interested in her work. She sold her one of-a-kind creations as she studied art and design at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, where she received her BFA in jewelry and metal arts in 2001.

As a young girl, Nicole was fascinated with her grandmother’s jewelry box, not just because of the beauty of the pieces inside, but also because of the ability these pieces had to trigger memories that may have otherwise been forgotten. It is this attachment to sentiment and memory along with her love for jewelry, fashion, and textiles that continues to inspire Nicole to design.

In 2001 Nicole launched her latest collection, Presh by Nicole Apostoli, which gained rapid success with specialty stores as well as catalogs. The line quickly gathered a following across the United States as well as overseas. Nicole’s designs have been featured on such TV shows as America’s Next Top Model, All My Children, The View, The Rachael Ray Show, and American Idol. They have also been showcased in Hollywood feature films. Celebrity fans include Kate Hudson, Joss Stone, Billy Crystal, Tyra Banks, Kim Bassinger, and Hayden Panettiere among others.

Presh by Nicole Apostoli showcases Nicole’s versatility as a designer and features a rich assortment of precious metals, semi precious stones; hand crafted leather, as well as vintage and rare fabrics from around the world. Each piece is a limited edition or a one of a kind handmade treasure.

Aside from producing high quality goods in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicole has personally promoted and sponsored individuals in areas where employment and fair work opportunities are scarce. Rather than utilize large manufacturers or factories to make her products, Nicole has enabled previously unemployed and untrained individuals and families that would otherwise not have a source of income to launch their own successful businesses. Nicole has done this by personally building meaningful relationships and giving individuals direct funding as well as business and skilled artisan training. She has also promoted environmental, health and safety education in areas where there was otherwise no access to this information.By continuing to work closely with families and individuals in need, she has built solid, long lasting foundations and relationships that continue to support others. The cycle is able to continue as these business owners are then in turn able to provide training, education and above average wages to families and people that would otherwise not have access to earning a living.

Nicole is proud to have made a difference in many people’s lives and continues to build her brand under the philosophy that business owners must act responsibly in our ventures, which includes our impact on the environment and on humanity as a whole. In summer 2006, Nicole opened her flagship retail store, now named Presh Designer Collective located in San Anselmo, California.