Winnipeg jewelry designer to be featured at New York Fashion Week

Winnipeg jewelry designer, Jillian Sheedy, started Jillian Leigh Jewelry six years ago with the goal of creating homemade, quality pieces people can wear every day.

Her collection is now going to New York Fashion Week where Sheedy will be featured as a designer – a dream she never imagined was possible.

“I think we’ve got a really good mix. There’s something for everyone in our collection. I’m really excited to see it on the red carpet, and also get the opportunity to get to work with some other fashion designers, so I’m really excited to see how it all comes together,” explained Sheedy.

Sheedy will be presenting her designs at a showcase hosted by fashion house, Flying Solo.

“They really want to champion bringing together up-and-coming luxury designers, so their show is called ‘Ones to Watch,'” she explained.

“I’m gonna be able to showcase eight looks on the runway.”

Sheedy says after applying to present at the showcase in September, she received her official invitation right before the holidays.

“[I was] speechless and [in] total shock. Christmas was a bit of a blur, but it was quite the gift to get right before Christmas.”

It’s not the first time Sheedy’s looks have been featured on the red carpet. In 2021, her designs were seen at the Emmy and Golden Globe award shows and were also gifted as part of the year’s swag bags.

“We were involved in making a custom necklace for those events. It was really great, we were actually able to get some pictures of some of the nominees and celebrities wearing our jewelry on the carpet,” explained Sheedy.

Sheedy says the collection she’s bringing to New York is not only made up of some of her best-selling pieces, it’s also representative of her brand’s six-year journey so far.

“We’re actually re-vamping some old favourites that some people that, if they’ve been here with us from the beginning, will maybe recognize in new form. It’s bringing some nostalgia for some of our long-term customers but also that full-circle moment coming from where we were to where we are now.”

Sheedy says she’s always looking for inspiration as she moves through her day.

“If I see something I’ll take a picture. If I’m scrolling social media if I see somebody wearing something I love, I’ll take a picture. I’ll just keep collecting this inspiration throughout the year… When I build those new collections, I go back through my inventory of inspiration and that’s usually my starting point. And then I start kind of putting looks together, making adjustments on how I would design the piece, and that’s kind of how it all comes together.”

Sheedy says the trip to New York is a chance for her to connect with people in the industry – like other designers, influencers and editors. She says she’s most looking forward to seeing where the new connections will take her in the future.

“It’s just such an exciting thing for a Canadian designer to be involved in something like this. I’m just really excited to introduce myself and my brand to some new faces,” said Sheedy.

“We’ve got pieces for everybody. The main thing is that you can enjoy our jewelry for a long time to come.”

On February 11th, Sheedy will be introduced to New York audiences and will walk the runway herself, right after the showcase of her designs.

“It’s quite wild to be on this adventure.”