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For May Came Home designer, Deborah Halperin, New York City is both her classroom, and her muse. She studied at both FIT and Pratt, and she continually embraces the countless museums, the city’s rich history and its energetic street life as sources of inspiration. Her most recent collection was also inspired by the e.e. cumming poem, maggie, millie, mollie and may, which features colorful, hand-painted resin and enamel treasures of gold and sterling silver.

JA New York: The first thing I ever designed was….?

Deborah Halperin: My very first piece of jewelry combined baseball cards, gold paint and rhinestones as inspired by the 1986 Mets!

JA New York: Every morning I….?

DH: Wake up before my family, feed my two rescue kitties and make a pot of coffee

JA New York: My Style Icon is….?

DH: That’s tough, but I really love the easy chic of late 70s/early 80s icons like Jackie O, Bianca Jagger and Lauren Hutton. My own style veers more towards preppy with a twist.

JA New York: I never leave the house without…?

DH: My phone, sad to say.

JA New York: I have my breakfast…?

DH: After everyone else has left for the day, at the computer while answering my emails.

JA New York: Jewelry is all about…?

DH: Telling a story – whether your piece was a gift, a self purchase or a cherished heirloom, jewelry helps define who we are.

JA New York: One thing I wear every day is…?

DH: My mother-in-law’s two eternity bands with my silver quatrefoil ring.

JA New York: I don’t eat…?

DH: I wish I could say cake!

JA New York: I am a maniac about…?

DH: Keeping my house tidy, and throwing things away (much to the chagrin of my family)

JA New York: My obsession of the moment is…?

DH: Rewatching the entire series of Mad Men

JA New York: I’m currently reading…?

DH: I just started Diving for Starfish by Cherie Burns about the famous brooch by the House of Boivin

JA New York: I’m currently listening to…?

DH: Hunky Dory by David Bowie. I just went to see the exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum and was reminded of how great this album is.

JA New York: My trade show uniform is…?

DH: I’m more of a “what am I in the mood to wear today” dresser, so not sure yet!

JA New York: My greatest accomplishment so far is…?

DH: Raising two kind humans