Bauble Talk

Gemelli Collection designer on bling, celebrities and Skinny Pirates

Not everyone can say they knew what they wanted to be when they grew up, but Claire Morgan can. She's been designing jewelry since the tender age of 8. "When I was young, I would make jewelry with fishing line and sell it to flower girls for weddings," she says.

Today, the Dallas resident and Texas Christian University graduate has her own line called Gemelli, available online and at stores throughout the country, including Original Octane, Epic Apparel and St. Bernard Sports in Dallas. The sparkly, nature-inspired collection of necklaces and bracelets has become a celebrity favorite, and it's about to get another high-profile moment when it's featured on Extra TV on August 7.

Morgan's love for beads and baubles has remained constant. Here's some insight into the blinged-out world of the Gemelli designer.

"The biggest form of flattery is seeing someone I don't know wearing my designs," says Gemelli designer Claire Morgan.

CultureMap: Did you have a formal jewelry design education?

Claire Morgan: I did not. I majored in fashion merchandising at TCU and completed an internship with Gucci in New York City, so I always had a love for design and fashion.

CultureMap: What was the inspiration for your line?

CM: I always try and create vibrant, colorful pieces of jewelry that are trend-savvy and wearable for all ages. I love to incorporate stones and other raw materials, with crystals and jewel tone accents. I am also very conscious to create pieces that women can wear with every article of clothing and that can transition from day to night.

CultureMap: Who is the Gemelli girl?

CM: I love designing jewelry that is compatible with any style, and I have created different collections that can be mixed and matched with each other. My ultimate goal is to make a women feel confident and beautiful in my designs. It may be a simple, dainty piece of jewelry or a bling-bling statement piece. No matter your style, you will be noticed in a Gemelli design.

CultureMap: How do you choose materials?

CM: I chose my materials by their quality and how unique they are. I enjoy going to rock shows, finding rare gems and stones to incorporate into my designs.

CultureMap: How did you react when Gemelli first took off?

CM: I am very grateful and overjoyed that my hobby has grown into a successful business so quickly. No matter how many celebrities wear my designs or how big the stores are that Gemelli is in, the biggest form of flattery is seeing someone I don't know wearing my designs.

CultureMap: Did you ever expect stars like Hayden Panettiere and Vanessa Hudgens to wear your jewelry?

CM: No. I am blown away that celebrities I admire are wearing my designs, and I greatly appreciate their support.

CultureMap: What's the best advice you've received?

CM: My dad has given me the best advice. I cannot pinpoint the best piece, because he gives me great advice daily.

CultureMap: What are five things you can't live without?

CM: My Chanel lip gloss, Paradise Bakery cookies, Captain Morgan and Diet Coke (also known as a Skinny Pirate), FaceTime with my family, and the Gemelli team ("G" Team).

Gemelli Collection designs blend stones with crystals and jewel-tone accents.

Photo courtesy of Gemelli

Gemelli Collection designs blend stones with crystals and jewel-tone accents.

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Shopping News

Where to shop in Dallas right now: 7 zany new stores to check out

Thrifted Threads

Thrifted Threads chill vibe

With the holidays on the horizon, shopping is on the rise. This November edition of Where to Shop, CultureMap's monthly roundup of new shops, sales, and alternative shopping, has five unique new openings, ranging from fashion to skin care to sports apparel.

The roundup also includes two non-traditional entries, including a new benefits program at an area mall, and a place to get your passport — in case you're planning on shopping abroad.

Here's where to shop in Dallas for November:

Baseballism
Baseball camp that transformed into an off-field baseball clothing brand is now open at Allen Premium Outlets. The store offers baseball-themed clothing, hats, and accessories. Their collection features collaborations with several big league names, including MLB, Babe Ruth, Vin Scully and Field of Dreams. Caps and hoodies are especially popular items, such as the Junior's Silhouette for $36 or the short Sleeve Yankees hoodie for $79.

Firewheel Town Center
Garland shopping center is in the giving spirit with its latest Shop, Dine & Save program. Visitors can shop or dine at select stores, including Buckle, DSW, and Razzoo's, Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen, and receive a $25 Simon giftcard when they spend $150 or more. To get the giftcard, receipts have to be shown at the mall management office and include at least one shop and one restaurant from the same day. The special lasts through November 27.

Hill House
Originally a bedding company that launched in 2016, Hill House has extended their collection to offer home, accessories, baby & kids, bridal, and apparel. They opened a location in NorthPark Center at the end of October — their first in Texas and only their fifth store. Hill House is best known for the "Nap Dress," a flowing dress made for day or night wear. There's also a short version of the dress, such as the Scarlett Long Sleeve Mini, a plaid dress for $188. Just in time for season, they've launched holiday pajamas, featuring pajama sets, robes, and children's sets.

Glossier
Skincare, beauty, and fragrance concept just opened a 1,000 square-foot store at NorthPark Center, featuring its trademark whimsical displays that one might mistake for an art supply or paint store. They sell fragrances, scented skin creams, balms, cleansers, moisturizers, makeup, eyelash curlers, and other beauty products, a little on the pricey side, but they make the shopping experience fun with an immersive shopping experience. That stuff doesn't come for free. This is their 12 location in the U.S., joining Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, DC, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, NYC, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

Rally House
Sports apparel chain opened a location at Rockwall Crossing Shopping Center in Rockwall, with merchandise — headwear, accessories, collectibles — dedicated to Dallas-area teams including Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, and college teams like the Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Texas A&M Aggies. They also offer locally-themed apparel and accessories that celebrate Dallas destinations and landmarks, such as an Uscape Pom Mens Knit Hat with a graphic of the Dallas skyline for $30 or a long sleeve Dallas sweatshirt for $42. This is the 22nd location in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Thrifted Threads
Houston-based vintage clothing reseller just made its debut in Deep Ellum at 2646 Main St. #620, next to Vidorra. Thrifted Threads was founded by Laith Awad, who began reselling clothes in 2017, initially as an online store until he opened a location in 2022 in Houston's Montrose District when he was only 18. He opened a second store in College Station in 2023. Deep Ellum is the third. They're known vintage apparel from jerseys to sweatshirts and hats, as well as collections of color-sorted clothes from the 70s to the 2000s. It's more than a store, with arcade games that don't require coins to play, a motorcycle display, and ice cream.

Collin County Passport Office
If you're "shopping" for a passport, a passport office just reopened in the Collin County Courthouse at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney. The new passport acceptance office will initially be appointment only, with bookings available through the District Clerk's website. Plans are underway to introduce same-day and walkup services in the near future.

openings where to shop