Jamie Phillips’ grandmother was one of the inspirations behind her jewelry collection.

The right jewelry can help pull an outfit together, and Herice Henderson’s signature hoop collection provides a range of elegant hoop earring options to help you effortlessly complete your look. From large gold hoop earrings to mini-huggies to hoops adorned with colorful gems and pearls, Herice Henderson is a new line of jewelry with a perfect hoop for any occasion.

Jamie Phillips, Founder of Herice Henderson, originally started designing jewelry as a creative outlet. She found herself drawn to circles, incorporating them into her designs. We chatted with Phillips to find out more about the symbolism behind her jewelry and her journey to launching Herice Henderson.

Can you share a little about your journey to launching Herice Henderson?

The name Herice is my middle name, which is after my grandmother because we were born on the same day. Henderson comes from a small town in Texas where my grandmother grew up and my mother was born. I was extremely close to my grandmother, and she passed away in 2017. Growing up, I never liked my middle name because I would always get questions about it, and no one ever heard the name before. I actually tried to avoid any conversation about it.

Fast forward to adulthood, I dealt with some challenges over the past couple of years, and I slowly started to think of the earring design, but couldn't really connect the meaning behind why this particular design stuck with me. I kept envisioning the same design concept over and over. Then it was like an "ah ha moment!" Every design that I have, incorporates a circle and most of them have holes. The circle shape is the backbone of my brand.

As I continued to develop the concept, I thought about how everyone has a purpose. We are all searching for that "thing" that we were destined to do. How are we going to leave the world better than when we arrived? The holes symbolize the inner critic. The voice that sometimes tells us we are not enough.

So, I designed the holes within the hoop to emphasize that we are always "whole," we are always enough, despite our growth edges. The "holes" are in fact what we need to re-discover ourselves and our purpose. They are what make us great. Personally, this process, the circle, has brought me back to me. It brought me back to the name I tried so hard to stay away from most of my life. Herice is what makes me stand apart, and ultimately it's what we are all striving for – to discover our authentic self.

Coming from a background in healthcare, what inspired you to launch a jewelry collection?

I’ve always loved accessories, especially earrings. I believe earrings can really bring an outfit to life and they can take on a personality on their own. I didn’t know my idea would bring me to start Herice Henderson, but I knew I had to get my ideas on paper. Everything really flowed organically from there. I have worked with amazing people along the way and I’m just getting started! It was incredibly intimidating to step into such uncharted territory, but I’m so happy I took a leap of faith.

Ultimately, I want it to inspire. I want anyone who wears a piece of my jewelry to feel confident and whole – to recognize that we are always enough. I want my brand and pieces to feel strong and promote individuality, creativity and never ending self-discovery.

Why did you decide to focus on hoops for the collection and what do the circles represent?

I decided to focus on hoops because of the symbolic meaning of the circle.

Circles represent totality, wholeness, original self, timelessness, and completeness. Since circles have no beginning or end, they represent life. I see it as coming back to SELF.

Plus, who does love a good hoop?! I thought it would also be neat to put a spin on a classic earring design.

Is there a certain design that was particularly inspired by your grandmother?

The 1933 Hoop design has so much of my grandmother in the design. 1933 is the year she was born and she loved pearls. I can remember always putting her jewelry on as a child and she always had pearls, whether they were earrings, a necklace, or bracelet. The 1933 earring design has an old school feel with a modern vibe.

Do you have a personal favorite from the collection?

That’s a tough question! I think I have two favorites: The Stevie hoops and the small Herice hoop design. I love the Stevie hoops because they are so fun and bring that extra flare to any outfit. I love the small Herice Hoops because they are so versatile and a simple everyday hoop.

Which designs would you consider the most versatile for going from day to night?

I would say the Stevie Hoops and Enmeshed teardrop earrings

Any new launches we should watch out for next?

I recently launched the Henderson Huggie that is perfect for summer. Small light-weight and extremely versatile. I also have a couple of more designs that I am looking to release in the fall.

You can find Herice Henderson at hericehenderson.com and follow them on Instagram at @hericehenderson.

Behind the Brand: The Deeper Meaning Behind Herice Henderson’s Versatile Hoop Earrings