AUSTIN, Texas — As part of KVUE's celebration of Women’s History Month, we visited Nina Berenato at her flagship store in Austin.
Berenato is not your average jewelry maker. She’s a woman whose goal is to make all women feel powerful with every piece she designs.
Berenato had never been to Austin before she chose it to start her journey to creating her own store. She was an immediate hit. From a kiosk at Barton Creek Square Mall to her own shop – a 1959 Airstream Bambi renovated into a little store.
“That’s where most people in Austin had their first experience with me and with my jewelry. That’s where I really got to know the women of Austin who became my biggest supporters and are really the reason why I’m here where I am today,” Berenato said.
Nina Berenato Jewelry is 100% women-made and 100% made in Austin. Becoming Austin’s first and only all-girl-made jewelry shop wasn’t always easy, but it turned out to be a powerful beacon.
“A lot of my success has come from the fact that I am a woman and I’ve been supported by the women of Austin so much,” Berenato said. “The fact that they’ve identified with me, identified with the product, wanted to show up and support us because I’m a woman and because of the support we do for other women – it’s also been my greatest strength.”
Not only has she caught the eye of women in Austin, but her unique pieces have been flaunted by numerous celebrities. She was asked to create custom face masks for Beyoncé’s song "Sprit," part of the "Black is King" visual album; she created the custom chin cuff that Angelina Jolie wore to the premiere of "Eternals"; and she recently styled Janet Jackson.
“I love how it also makes the women of Austin feel, knowing that they have the same piece that Janet Jackson is wearing,” Berenato said.
But the work she’s most proud of will always be giving women a space and encouraging them to be the goddesses that they are.
“My driving force for everything I do is being able to offer this gift to other women and offer the support,” Berenato said.
To learn more about Berenato's story and see all of her unique creations, visit her website and follow her company on Instagram.
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