Daughters take the helm at Kirk Kara
When your father is Kirk Kara, your childhood is no doubt full of sparkle. Angela Karaguezian Kassabian and Grace Karaguezian Terezian were raised in the family business with jewelry design in their blood, and today, they’re trailblazers at the forefront of their family’s award-winning brand.
Growing up, the two sisters spent countless after-school hours at their parents’ studio, sketching and coloring their dream engagement rings. Upon graduating from college, they joined the family business and renamed it Kirk Kara, after their father (its original moniker was Something Special).
Since then, they’ve invigorated the brand and grown it into a national presence, winning multiple industry accolades along the way. The secret to their success? Staying true to the company’s roots. Since its inception in 1890, authenticity and craftsmanship have been at the heart of their legacy, and to this day, all pieces are designed by the family and handmade by master craftsman, who have spent decades perfecting their skill.
With a national embracing of female leadership and #girlboss culture, more entrepreneurial women than ever are shifting into the driver’s seat of established brands. Through the years, the daughters have been instrumental in taking the family business to the next level. Now, after decades of learning the ins and outs of the industry directly from Kirk, they’re at the helm, leading with a strong, feminine touch.
Angela’s love of fashion has a profound influence on her jewelry designs, which are chic and playful at the same time. Grace’s style is natural and ethereal, producing an aesthetic that’s nature-inspired. “We are inspired to design together as sisters, with our individual styles bringing a variety of design options to brides,” says Angela. “We each got married within the last 2-5 years, so we are really connected to the market, and we know what women want.”
Hailing from generations of jewelry designers, it was not difficult for the two women to know their calling early on. “We are born into this talent, and it’s our duty to offer our gift to the next generation of women getting married,” says Grace. “Engagement rings represent such an important and symbolic part of life, so for us, designing them is our way of giving back.”
After a long line of talented men at the helm, the two daughters are excited to bring their modern feminine flair to the beloved brand, as creators of next generation heirlooms by the next generation of women at Kirk Kara.
