Let’s start at the beginning. What inspired you to launch your namesake brand, Brady Legler, and what was the vision for the brand from day one?
My passion for art started when I was 14 and my dad was diagnosed with a rare cancer. As he went through treatment, he wasn’t able to leave the house much, so to pass the time, we started painting and drawing together. At the time, all I knew was that I wanted to spend as much time with my dad as I could. Looking back, though, I realize those moments shaped the way I see creativity. Thankfully, my dad is here today and now works alongside me in the business, which makes those memories even more meaningful.
But it wasn’t until I was 17 that I discovered how I wanted to express that creativity. I started redesigning pieces from my grandmother’s jewelry collection. She had an incredible sense of style, but what I loved most wasn’t the jewelry itself. It was sitting with her and hearing the stories behind every piece—where she got it, when she wore it, why it mattered to her. She also had this wonderful way of making people feel welcome and accepted. She never cared who someone was or where they came from. She simply believed everyone deserved kindness and to feel like they belonged.
Through the stories she shared and the way she treated people, I realized jewelry could be so much more than something you wear. It can hold memories, carry emotion, and connect people through stories. I also came to believe it should be something anyone can connect with, no matter who they are. Those ideas became the foundation for my vision of Brady Legler.
I wanted to build a brand rooted in emotion, craftsmanship, storytelling, and the belief that luxury should feel welcoming rather than exclusive. No matter who you are, where you come from, or how you express yourself, I believe great design should make you feel seen. My hope is that people don’t just wear our pieces because they love how they look. I hope they wear them because they become part of their own story, and maybe one day, part of someone else’s, too.
Your collections have a sculptural quality that feels artistic and wearable. How would you describe your design philosophy, and what inspires your creative process?
I think jewelry is inherently sculptural. You’re creating small works of art that live on the body. But for me, the design never comes first. Every collection starts with a personal emotion or experience. For example, the Bobby Collection came from memories of painting with my dad. Others, like the Wave Collection, were inspired by what I was experiencing at the moment, specifically the highs and lows of building a family business and the resilience it takes to keep pushing forward. So I would say my design philosophy is to create pieces that begin with a story but leave room for people to create their own. To me, the beauty of storytelling is that it’s personal, but it’s also universal. That’s also why I’ve always wanted Brady Legler to be a brand where anyone who connects with the work feels welcome.
“The first piece I ever designed was the Subway Ring. I created it for my mom while I was living in New York. She could flip it from the diamond side to the enamel side when she rode the subway, making it feel more discreet. From that piece came the Subway Collection, including the Inside Out Earrings, which carry that same idea. They reflect the belief that sometimes the smallest details can give us the greatest sense of confidence. It’s designed to be worn every day, carrying forward the story that inspired the first piece I ever created.”
Handcrafted in New York and available in 18k yellow or white gold, the Inside Out Earrings feature 118 round diamonds totaling 1.18 carats.
Many of your pieces feel incredibly personal. What stories, emotions, or experiences do you hope your jewelry conveys to the people who wear it.
I hope people connect not just to the design of a piece, but to the meaning behind it. Stories have been around since the beginning of time, and there’s something intrinsically human about the way they connect us. Not every story is going to resonate with everyone, and that’s okay. But while every collection begins with a story from my own life, I never want it to end there. I hope each piece becomes more than something people wear. I hope it becomes part of their own story.
Craftsmanship is clearly at the heart of your work. Can you walk us through the process of bringing a new piece to life, from the initial sketch to the finished design?
After the initial inspiration hits, I usually start by sketching everything by hand. That’s where the idea begins to take shape. Then I usually sit down with my team, playing around with ideas and trying to figure out if something will actually work structurally. My dad always has an opinion, which usually makes the process better. Once we land on the finalized design, I work closely with our New York–based production partner to create a rendering and bring the concept to life. From there, we make a sample to make sure everything feels right, both in terms of design and wearability. My mom is usually the first to try it on. That’s one of my favorite moments because it’s when the piece starts to feel real. Once everything is perfect, each piece is made to order and handcrafted in New York, where it’s cast, polished, stone-set, and assembled by skilled artisans.
In a crowded fine jewelry market, what do you believe sets Brady Legler apart, and how has the brand evolved since its launch?
I think there are three things that set Brady Legler apart. First, every collection begins with emotion. Before there’s even a sketch, there’s a story or feeling that inspires the work. I believe that when you create something from a place that’s honest and authentic, people feel that.
Second, I think luxury can sometimes feel like it’s meant for a select few. I’ve always wanted Brady Legler to feel different. If someone connects with the work, I want them to feel like they belong here. To me, great design and meaningful storytelling should be something everyone can connect with.
And third, every piece is handcrafted in New York by skilled artisans, ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship and quality. It’s the combination of emotion, artistry, exceptional craftsmanship, and a genuine desire to create something that welcomes people that really defines the brand.
As for how the brand has evolved, we’ve really refined our story. We’ve sharpened our vision and our voice while continuing to embrace the connection between art, craftsmanship, and storytelling. At the heart of it, the mission hasn’t changed. We’ve just become more intentional in how we bring it to life.
Are there any new collections or creative projects on the horizon that you can share with us?
There are so many things I’m excited about. You know, I’ve been building this brand with my family, so there’s something special about continuing to grow it with the people I love and seeing where we can take it together. At the same time, I’m eager to see where the brand can go creatively as we continue to expand into high jewelry and lean further into the more artistic side of the brand. As for new collections, there are definitely a few things in the works. I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but I’m excited for what’s ahead.
