Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

For gifted jewelry designer Carolyn Rafaelian, a career in the jewelry industry was never a question as she was born into a family of jewelers; her father having a jewelry company of his own. She grew up in Rhode Island, well-known for it's leadership in jewelry, and still maintains her headquarters there. Her jewelry company, Alex and Ani, came to be in late 1993 after her second daughter, Ani, was born. Alex and Ani was created as a vehicle to enhance human consciousness and is an effortless mix of uptown elegance and downtown cool, ethnic chic and causal couture.

The Alex and Ani expandable wire bangles are the concept product which launched the brand and are the signature jewelry in her collection. The expandable wire bangles can be easily adjusted to fit wrists of any size. All of Alex and Ani's expandable wire bangles are eco-friendly, as they are made from recycled metal scraps.

You can tackle two trends in one design this Fall with Alex and Ani's Free Bird Collection. The cuff bracelet and feather trend merge in this Phoenix Striped Cuff.

Carolyn Rafaelian doesn't follow trends, she creates them. Her jewelry designs stay one step ahead and are unique in their innovative design. Alex and Ani jewelry can be found at Fred Segal, Henri Bendel's, Nordstroms, Bloomingdale's and online at alexandani.com.