Growing up with a love for fashion, Ariel Taub has retained exquisite taste and a refined education that allows her to pursue the construction of high-quality jewelry, purses, and bridal accessories for the modern woman. Self-named ARIEL TAUB is a brand where each piece sparkles with Austrian crystals placed meticulously by hand on its collection of veils and purses. Expanding to include accessories such as belts and jewelry, also handcrafted; ARIEL TAUB is made in the USA, with the studio based in Michigan. The brilliance of Taub´s creations is in the attention she gives to each customizable purse or veil, a feature available for brides-to-be and fashion lovers worldwide as she produces her work individually or in small batches for conscientious statement pieces that glisten with pride. Inspired by everything from fabrics to dreams to Monet, Taub is a designer of the future, with her handcrafted items speaking to the sustainability we so direly need in fashion. Her passion inspires many as she started this label with nothing but her love for superlative quality and a location in mind. With us now, Taub delves into her love of fashion as well as her inspirations and more.
Describe your beginning as a designer.
From a young age, I was captivated by the world of fashion, which led me to pursue my passion through both education and practical experiences. My journey began at 13 when I received my first sewing machine and eagerly enrolled in local sewing classes. As I grew older, my love for fashion only deepened, solidifying my desire to turn it into a lifelong career.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of Michigan, where I gained invaluable experience volunteering in the costume department. This role provided me with a deeper understanding of the craft and the industry. During my undergraduate years, I was fortunate to study fashion design for a summer at Central Saint Martins in London, an experience that expanded my creative perspective and ignited an even stronger passion for design.
After graduating, I pursued a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons the New School in New York. With a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, I was ready to embark on the exciting journey of building my own accessory brand.
What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
Fashion and art have been lifelong passions of mine. As a little girl, I would spend hours sketching and designing clothes using Barbie stencils, captivated by the idea of creating something beautiful and unique. I was always intrigued by what people wore, and I loved the process of accessorizing and planning my own outfits. Fashion, to me, was wearable art—a powerful form of self-expression.
Recognizing this passion early on, I decided to start creating my own clothing. I convinced my parents to get me a sewing machine by promising to hem the family’s clothes—a tradition I continue to this day. As I delved deeper into the world of fashion, it became clear to me that this was not just a hobby but a calling—something I was destined to pursue for the rest of my life.
Have you always dreamed of having your own label?
I didn’t always dream of having my own label; in fact, I initially envisioned myself working for an established fashion house and gradually climbing the ladder within the industry. However, life had other plans for me. I attribute the launch of my label to my husband. After graduating from Parsons, I was ready to pursue a career in fashion in New York City, but he wasn’t keen on living there. Faced with this reality, I gave myself six months to find a way to pursue my career from Michigan—and it worked.
Starting my own line was a natural evolution, and I haven’t looked back since. I’m incredibly grateful for this journey, and I couldn’t imagine my career unfolding in any other way. This experience has been humbling, and I’m thankful every day for where it has led me.
How has your work evolved since starting your own label?
Since starting my own label, my work has evolved significantly, both in scope and creativity. Initially, I focused exclusively on bridal wear, beginning with a small collection of veils. Over time, I’ve expanded into other bridal accessories such as garters, belts, clutches, and jewelry. This journey has allowed me to tap into new areas for revenue while expressing a broader creative vision. An unexpected insight from this expansion came when I noticed that bridal consultants were purchasing my jewelry and clutches for their own personal use. It became clear that my designs had appeal beyond the bridal market. This realization inspired me to venture into the ready-to-wear fashion industry, broadening my brand’s reach and attracting a diverse clientele.
What skills are necessary for a designer to be successful?
To be a successful designer, it’s essential to immerse yourself in every aspect of the industry, from design and construction to marketing and finance. These core competencies form the foundation of a thriving brand. For example, you might create a stunning design, but without functional construction, it falls short. Or you may have a fantastic product, but without effective marketing, it remains unnoticed. Even with a strong product and brand awareness, without proper financial management and investment, sustaining or growing your brand becomes challenging. Continuous learning and education are crucial; the more facets of the business you understand, the greater your potential for long-term success.
Additionally, it’s vital to think outside the box. Creating designs that stand out in a crowded market is key. Your work should reflect your unique identity as a designer, showcasing what sets you apart from the competition.
What is your favorite part of being a designer?
There are countless aspects I love about being a designer, but what stands out the most is seeing people wear my designs. The creative process is deeply fulfilling, but the true reward comes when I see my pieces become a part of someone’s life. When people express themselves, exuding confidence and joy through the accessories I’ve created, it’s an incredibly gratifying experience. Knowing that others appreciate my work and that my dedication translates into something that brings happiness to others—there’s no greater sense of accomplishment for me as a designer.
Who or what are the inspirations for your designs?
I had a teacher at Central Saint Martins that truly taught me to think outside the box, to take inspiration from any idea and create a collection. This approach profoundly influenced my work, and was demonstrated in one of my favorite collections, which was inspired by Monet’s Lily Pad painting. I designed an ethereal collection that subtly incorporated pastel colors to capture the essence of his watercolor technique, blending art with fashion in a way that felt both unique and meaningful.
Tell us about your unique selection of available accessories. What made you decide on jewelry, bags, garters, and veils?
The evolution of our accessory collection has been a natural and inspiring journey. I began my business focusing solely on veils because I’ve always believed that they are the finishing touch that truly transforms a bride on her wedding day. There’s something magical about the moment when a bride puts on her veil and sees herself fully as a bride—it’s often a deeply emotional experience, and it’s one of my favorite moments to witness.
As time went on, our offerings expanded organically. I remember a pivotal moment when a store asked if I had a matching belt for one of my veils. I had never made belts before, but I eagerly said yes and dove into the challenge. This sparked the creation of our belt collection. Following that, I thought, why not complete the ensemble with matching garters? And so, our garter designs were born.
The jewelry collection was a particularly exciting addition for me. I wanted to create pieces that brides could wear not just on their wedding day, but for many occasions afterward. My aim was to design modern, lightweight jewelry that could be comfortably worn all night and cherished beyond the big day.
Clutches were the most recent addition, inspired by my own wedding. I needed a special gift for my bridesmaids and thought, “Everyone needs a purse!” I made them my test audience, and when they loved the bags, it felt like a natural next step for the brand.
Do you like catering to the modern bride or the fashionable consumer more?
That’s such a difficult question because I genuinely love both! Creating for the modern bride is incredibly special; it’s an honor to play a small role in one of the most significant moments of their life. There’s something deeply rewarding about contributing to a bride’s journey and helping her feel her most beautiful on her wedding day.
On the other hand, designing for the fashionable consumer brings its own excitement. I love knowing that my pieces are part of their everyday lives, helping them express their unique style and complete their look for any occasion. It’s a joy to be involved in both the extraordinary and the everyday moments, and I feel truly fortunate to experience the best of both worlds in my work.
What is your design process like?
My design process is what I like to call “reverse designing.” I’m constantly observing what’s happening in the industry, and I make a conscious effort not to replicate what’s already out there. If something is readily available elsewhere, I ask myself, why would someone choose to buy it from me? Instead, I let the materials guide me. I love experimenting with fabrics and textures, allowing them to naturally take shape and inspire the design. Often, my ideas come to me in the most unexpected moments—sometimes even in dreams—which is why I always keep a sketchbook by my bed.
My art history background plays a significant role in my creative process as well. I find endless inspiration in the past, and I love drawing from historical elements to create something fresh and modern. For instance, my newest collection, launching this fall, is inspired by Versailles. I’m captivated by the garments of the 1500s—the pin tucks, pearls, bows, and of course, the beautiful rose gardens. Combining these historical influences with a contemporary twist is what makes designing so fulfilling for me.
Tell us about the construction of each piece.
Each piece is meticulously handcrafted in my Michigan-based studio, where attention to detail and sustainability are at the heart of our process. To minimize waste, almost every item is made to order, allowing for a high level of customization. For quicker turnaround times, our jewelry is produced in small batches, while still maintaining the same level of care and precision.
Our veils are hand-cut, sewn, and carefully attached to combs by hand. Each crystal is meticulously placed one by one using a toothpick, by either myself or one of our skilled artisans. The clutches are also assembled in-house, offering you the freedom to choose the frame, fabric color, and lining. Once assembled, we delicately apply Austrian crystals to create the desired design.
Every piece across all of our collections is crafted with the same dedication and precision, ensuring that each item is a true work of art.
Where can we purchase items from your collections?
You can now shop our collections in 90 stores throughout the world, bringing our designs closer to you than ever before. If there isn’t a store nearby or if you prefer the convenience of online shopping, our entire sparkly collection is available directly on our website at www.arieltaub.com.
Visit ARIEL TAUB on Instagram at @arieltaub_accessories.
Photography courtesy of ARIEL TAUB
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