That familiar voice on 93.3 WMMR’s “Preston & Steve Show” that brings your morning traffic reports, you know as Kathy Romano. Along with the hosting of “Her Story,” 95.7 BEN FM’s all-female focused inspirational storytelling program, Romano has embarked on yet another endeavor. It launched this week but has nothing to do with radio.
Romano is now in the jewelry-making business.
In collaboration with Whim Jewelry in Bucks County, the on-air mom has introduced the Kathy Romano Jewelry Collection, starting out with six curated pieces with the help of the owner at Whim Jewelry. The first collection features three necklaces and three sets of earrings. Romano said the first time she met Whim owner Jaime Sosonkin was at a fashion show. They hit it off right away.
“I checked out her jewelry and became obsessed with it,” she said. “I called her for some advice. Doing an accessory line is something I really wanted to do, but I really didn’t know how to go about doing it. I came up with the idea to do a collaboration, especially since I’m not familiar with the industry. [Sosonkin] said, ‘I’ll walk you through it,’ and that’s kind of how it came about.”
Whim advertises itself as a collection of high-quality, versatile and timeless pieces that can transcend from day to night, from everyday wear to special occasions.
The “Kathy Earring” is a matte gold circle with a square amethyst connector. “Spicy Salsa Dancer” is a set of matte gold box chain earrings. “Pink Kittens” are soft, petal-beaded earrings. “Pearl Princess,” which comes in two colors, is a pearl toggle necklace on a matte gold box chain. “A Yogi’s Paradise” is a pave gold star Y drop necklace. And “Rock Goddess” is an onyx pendant necklace.
Most items are made of gold fill, so they won’t tarnish. This keeps them at a price point that’s affordable, says Romano. Each item ranges from $58 to $88 and can be purchased online here. Romano said she’s also planning pop-up shops around the city in the near future and holiday events to showcase her jewelry.
“[Kathy] expressed how much she loved the jewelry, the simplicity, the easiness, of it, the price point. And she was interested in creating a line for herself,” said Sosonkin. She said her favorite piece of Romano’s collection is the Yogi piece – the pave star necklace. “I think that one is the most versatile, too. It’s a great gift item.”
Fun fact about Romano: When asked what’s the oldest or most interesting bauble in her jewelry box at home, she knew exactly what to say.
“I was a diver in high school, and I have a little gold charm that would go on a necklace. The charm is a diver in the pike position. I still have that,” she said. The other item in her box of treasures is the best friend necklace – the heart pendant that is “broken” in half – one friend wears one half and vice versa. “I’m still best friends with the person who gave me that when we were 15 years old. It’s actually Alisa Federico from Dressing Jane.”
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