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TEXT BY AMANDA DORMAN +
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ESTHER BOSTON
Seven years ago, Michelle Marocco noticed a void in her
closet. When getting dressed for an event, she couldn’t
find the right jewelry to complete her outfit. Enter
Niyama Jewelry: her line of bracelets, necklaces, rings,
and earrings that juxtapose tribal order silver and brass
with diamonds and pearls on leather. Yoga-related
details, such as the word “om” and the signature
Niyama infinity symbol, accent many of her pieces.
Today, celebrities like model Elaine Irwin and musicians
Richie Sambora and Frankie Ballard have been spotted in
Marocco’s pieces.
AMANDA DORMAN: Niyama originally began as art — huge
canvases with layers of textures, symbols, and hidden
messages. How did you transition to designing jewelry?
MICHELLE MAROCCO: The real inspiration was the fact
that I wasn’t finding anything. I wanted yoga-inspired
jewelry. I wanted diamonds. I wanted leather. I wanted
things to be more integrated, and I felt like people were
just stopping a minute too soon with their own designs.
AD: How does the practice of yoga inspire you creatively?
MM: Yoga has been one of the most transformative
things I have ever done in my life. There are two
parts to my line. One is Niyama, which is spiritually
influenced and inspired by my yoga. The yoga influence
is everywhere—in the meaning of the word, Sanskrit for
“purification through self-discipline of yoga”—and in
my logo, the infinity symbol turned upright to resemble
seated meditation pose.
The other part of my line is Marocco, the higher end
pieces with diamonds and leather. This is the stuff
that makes my heart race—the audacity of diamonds
with leather.
AD: Describe the look of Niyama by Marocco.
MM: I’m attracted to texture. I feel texture creates
contrast, and contrast creates interest. I use leather,
diamonds, opaque diamonds, and ancient sandalwood
beads. I incorporate a lot of leather elements into my
designs. Putting the leather next to something delicate
and fine creates so much interest.
AD: Speaking of yoga, the practice of yoga and
meditation seems very much a lifestyle for you, not just
a hobby.
MM: I’m at the point now where I can’t be without it.
It would be like not brushing my teeth. It immediately
connects me to my creative mojo and also keeps me
calm and anxiety-free. To have a flowing practice and to
take a class is, in essence, preparing to be calmer and to
meditate. My meditation is one with my creativity. I leave
meditation thinking, “let’s go make something right now.”
AD: So you have a large clientele of yogis. Who else
wears Niyama by Marocco?
MM: Everyone! I make cool leather cuffs for men. Boys
love the coin collection. Girls steal their moms’ Buddha
necklaces. I also have a collection called Busy Girl
Jewelry. We’re all looking for a way to look cool without
taking a lot of time. I noticed I would take the same
five bracelets off every night and put the same five on
everyday. So I connected a series of bracelets with a
metal clasp and it takes two seconds to take on and off.
AD: You’re known for this layered-on look. What is your
personal style?
MM: I will admit I’m a bit overdone most of the time.
Coco Chanel said, “Look in the mirror and take off one
accessory before you leave the house.” When I leave the
house, I take off five. What I like to do is put everything I
love on at the same time. I leave the house and say, “I’m
going to wear all these things together because I love
them.” It creates character, personality, and your own
style. Just do it and have confidence in yourself.
AD: What is something people don’t know about you?
MM: A lot of people don’t realize I do my own gardening.
I love to play in the dirt and get dirty. And I love to go out
and catch frogs with my boys. Dirt—I just love it.
AD: You’re an artist, a painter, a jewelry designer, a yogi,
an interior decorator, a gardener, and a mom (phew!).
What keeps you going back to Niyama everyday?
MM: I have this urgency to create, and I want to share
it. I know from hundreds of different clients and friends
that they feel energy when they wear my pieces. They
connect to the jewelry in the same way I do when I
wear it. It’s infused with energetic vibrations. People
put it on, and they feel it. They look at it, and it reminds
them of something more sacred. ✂
michellemarocco.com
MICHELLE MAROCCO. JEWELRY ARTIST.
CREATING GOOD VIBES THROUGH YOGA, LEATHER, AND DIAMONDS.
