Special Edition: Starling x Mills 💫
An interview with the iconic influencer and the women behind Starling jewelry
Hi shoppers!
One of the happiest coincidences of my work and of starting Material Girl is that I’ve been able to get to know some of the folks behind the brands I love, and the influencers and content creators who inspire me. A few months ago, I had the immense honor of chatting with my absolute favorite content creator — Larissa Mills, for Vanity Fair. When we spoke, she mentioned she was in the process of creating a jewelry collaboration with the female owned, Starling, which makes the most beautiful, thoughtful, and sustainable jewelry.
The market is so, so saturated with influencer collabs but what struck me when I spoke with Larissa was how intentional and selective she is when it comes to working with brands; it was so refreshing to hear someone say confidently that they’re comfortable saying no to working with a brand that doesn’t feel right — and it means that much more when the time comes to say yes. So of course, as soon as I heard about the Starling collab, and got a peak at the rings Larissa created with Chelsey Bartrum, Gabriella Gofis, and the rest of the Starling team, I knew I wanted to create a special issue of Material Girl to highlight the collaboration.
My hope is that this will also be the first of other select interviews and profiles on small businesses and projects that I love — and that are keeping this rapidly growing world of shopping and fashion passionate, exciting, and special. And I’m so excited to share my chat with Larissa, Chelsey and Gabriella, below!
Start at the beginning – before the idea for this specific collaboration, what drew you guys to each other? What was it about Starling that caught your eye, Larissa?
Larissa Mills: It all started with Starling contacting Ella and me to gift us a gold engraved bracelet. It was well made and well designed. We both started following them and admiring their other pieces. Then a brand trip came up and one of the guests was Gabriela, the marketing head for Starling. We were immediate friends and I mentioned how people kept asking about my own engagement ring and perhaps a collab could happen with Starling to recreate it in a special way but lesser price point.
What about Larissa's style resonated with the Starling team?
Starling: We've followed Larissa and Ella from the inception of their brand on TikTok when Ella first introduced Larissa by catching her off guard and asking where her outfit pieces were from. While following along both of their journeys, we got a peek into Larissa's exceptional style and loved her approach of "nothing is too precious" to wear every day. It could be a fabulous suit and she'd style it for daily errands. That resonated with us because that's how we feel about our jewelry- we want it to be worn every day and can be worn every day. Even if it is worn to the grocery store or to the office. We believe that you don't have to wait for a special event to adorn yourself in gemstones!
I know the ring is based on Larissa's own engagement ring – talk a little bit about why that's so special and how you decided on that specific piece to emulate? In designing the Starling version of the ring, what changes did you make so it was unique to this collaboration? What elements did you keep that felt integral to the design?Â
My original engagement was stolen. My husband insisted I get another which took me a while to get on board with. How would I have another ring and not think about the old one (with sadness/rage 😂) I decided it had to be very different but equally me. I worked with a local jewelry designer to execute the vision. When Ella started posting OOTD’s on TikTok, my ring was a constant source of inquiry. People DM’d me, DM’d Ella, wrote in comments. I got asked to design rings for others and for close up pictures of my ring so they could copy. It seemed this ring was having an impact and was challenging people's ideas of what an engagement ring is supposed to look like. I wanted to be able to send people somewhere to get a similar ring but had nowhere to send them.Â
In working and designing with Starling, the key component that stayed was the setting style. Bezel center stone and pronged side stones with all stones being cushion cut which is an old European way of cutting stones. Also the ratio of sizing and how the stones sit together. What is different are the colors of the stones. More playful and more affordable.Â
Larissa – I know when we spoke, you talked about being very specific about which brands you work with. What is it about Starling that made you say, let's go for this?
LM: First and foremost, I felt they could create the ring perfectly (which they did!) That to me, was the most important part. The quality of the workmanship and the eye for color. The fact that I also happened to absolutely adore the point person and then later the owner/designer of this LA jewelry company and that it was small, which to me, meant more attention to detail, more heart and soul in every piece made. Energy is important and the Starling team has beautiful, warm, giving energy. Â
I’m curious for the Starling team, what does it mean to work with an influencer like Larissa, who is really thoughtful and intentional about her brand work?Â
S: When Larissa approached us with her idea of the ring, we were so honored and excited because we know how intentional she is about her partnerships. Similar to Larissa's philosophy, we are very intentional about our collaborations. Larissa was our only collaboration in 2023 and it felt right to work together to bring this stunning ring to our communities.Â
Talk to me about the sustainability of Starling. The jewelry market is so saturated right now with buzzwords, lab grown, natural, heat treated, recycled gold etc. and what I love about this collaboration is its showcase of natural stones and sustainable practices. Can you explain more about that?Â
S: Natural stones and sustainable practices are at the core of our business and we love that Larissa also appreciates those things! While we use Lab Grown stones from time to time and they are growing part of the industry, for this collaboration we wanted to highlight natural stones like the ones Larissa wears. It was so fun to choose the stones together! The most unique, we think, is the Teal Tourmaline. We found a small supply of these stunning stones from Brazil and had them specially cut to fit our ring. There is definitely a chance they will sell out, but I’m hoping we can find more. And I love that they vary in color, some are lighter and some darker.
For Starling, our sustainable practices run every part of the business and we are always trying to find ways to be more sustainable. It’s a constant work in progress, but we are very proud to use 100% Certified Post Consumer 14k Yellow Gold. We are actually one of the only companies to hold the SCS Certification for post consumer metals and gemstones. In manufacturing, we try to be sustainable by never over producing. Instead we make items to order. This can mean a little more of a wait time, so we are super, super grateful to our understanding customers! And in our packaging, we use paper and reusable boxes, bags and ribbons so there is less waste.
Are there any moments in the design process that felt really special or really meaningful?
LM: I think when they sent me tons of different colored stones to play with and we were all sending videos and messages on a group text chain, it became really real for me. The notion of being able to recreate my ring for others to enjoy as well seemed like such a pipe dream just 7 months prior. That moment sitting with stones and actually knowing this was going to happen was incredibly exciting and rewarding.
S: During Larissa's visit to LA, we invited her to our studio for the reveal of the ring. It was such a gratifying moment for our team to see her loving reaction and get to finalize the gemstone colors in person with her. To know Larissa is to love her and we can't wait to hang out with her again- her warmth and sweet nature is the best energy to have around.Â
What are your favorite ways to style this ring?
LM: My favorite is actually stacking two of them as a pinky ring. That is becoming my go to and it's spectacular. I can't get enough of the combo. But I also love them stacked with plain bands, diamond bands, or even thick chunky rings with coordinating stones in them. Victoria Paris just did this and I loved it.Â
It seems like such a perfect gift too — is there anyone special you’ll be gifting it to? Or who you think it makes a perfect gift for?
LM: Several personal friends are or have already gifted to their wives which is incredible. One friend said he felt like he should propose again upon giving to his wife because the ring just felt so special.Â
We also gifted to Molly Sims, Victoria Paris, Emma and Maggie Macdonald and Robyn Delmonte of Girlbosstown!
I am personally also gifting it to someone very special in Ella and my life. A friend and almost family member. It's the perfect gift for any and every occasion... birthday, Christmas, engagement, graduation.Â
You can purchase your very own Starling x Mills ring here.