Ben is a collection of fine jewelry featuring beautifully crafted 14K ‘vaults’, each in a unique shape with hidden treasures inside that help tell a story. The pieces reflect on the past, and hold a future for you to write. There is a special meaning behind each design…one for family, one for karma, another for luck and options for you to customize exactly how you wear it, making each piece unique, because you are unique.
Ben founder and designer, Charlotte Macaulay, has clearly put a lot of thought into every detail in her collection, ensuring it stands out in an already crowded market. And she’s accrued quite a fanbase already. Her pieces have been featured in Vogue, WWD, Elle and Town & Country and have been seen on celebrities like Emma Roberts and Busy Phillips. It’s also being sold in top stores and sites like Valentines, Goop, and Airmail.
“These days there is so much noise in every category that the pieces truly need to do more than just look nice so that’s what I always aim for.”
Charlotte did not mean to become a jewelry designer. After graduating from Parsons with a degree in fashion design, she received a job offer at Kate Spade to be on their accessories team. And she never looked back.
After 15 years honing her craft in the jewelry world, designing and leading teams for giants like Clare V., Kate Spade, Coach, and Stella & Dot, she decided she wanted more from the pieces she created. She saw an opportunity in fine jewelry for something with more personality, color, and community. In early 2023, Charlotte founded Ben, a brand that offers a sense of reflection upon what has been and all there is still left to come.
Born and raised on the East Coast, Charlotte now calls California home, where she lives with her husband Bryce and two daughters, Auggie and Welles.
Q&A with Charlotte:
I am currently listening to:
C: The playlist Spotify made for me today was a mix of Haim, Maggie Rogers, Chappell Roan, Lorde, Robyn, and Chromeo and I have to say they really nailed it.
I am wearing:
C: Levis ribcage jeans, a vintage tee, and pink Freda Salvador mules that I bought off the RealReal has pretty much become my daily uniform.
I am lusting after:
Honestly, sleep. I’m a mom…you get it.
I am inspired by:
C: The experiences in people’s lives – all the stuff we go through and survive and learn from and live with- this is a huge point of inspiration for me when designing Ben- I want to create product that is meaningful to someone and makes them feel seen, otherwise it’s not worth it to me. These days there is so much noise in every category that the pieces truly need to do more than just look nice so that’s what I always aim for.
Social Media is:
C: A lot. Honestly it’s really hard- it feels never ending and always a step ahead so I just try to do the best I can and not let it get in my head too much.
I like to recharge by:
C: A very sweaty workout always makes me feel more like myself
My goal this year is:
C: I’m really excited to grow the business this year and bring in some new categories within jewelry as well as a wider range of price points so that more people are able to take part in the brand which is very important to me.
The thing I’m most proud of is:
C: My daughters, Auggie and Welles, no question.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
C: “Sleep on it”…and if i’m being honest I don’t always follow that advice because I’m human after all but things usually work out when I do.
Shop the collection here and follow BEN on instagram.
