Shelley Sanders Of The Last Line Is Making More Than Jewelry — Her Line Of Chic Tableware Joins The Party

After working for many high-end jewelry companies, Shelley Sanders felt that there was something lacking in the jewelry space. She wanted to create a company that offers stellar design at a great value that could be delivered directly to client’s doors. Together with her husband, she founded The Last Line and has become a sensation. The Last Line has become more than just a jewelry line and is now venturing into the world of tableware. In this interview she tells us about what it’s like to work alongside her husband, about her personal style and aesthetic, as well as how the new line, Party, was born. 

You have had a long-standing career in the jewelry industry. How did you get your start? Did you always want to be a jewelry designer?

I can’t say that I always wanted to be a jewelry designer and I think only because growing up I didn’t understand I could make a career out of something I just loved to do. As a young girl, I was always attracted to art and always drawing. In terms of jewelry, from a young age, I was interested in it and not just the glamorous side of it, but the intricacies of a piece — the shape, the design, the metals, the color, and of course, the stones, and I’ve always loved to draw.  Looking back, it was clear I was going to do something creative.

My career technically began in New York where I studied Fine Arts at Parsons School of Design before returning home to California to train with Master Jewelers in San Francisco. After learning the tricks of the trade, I returned to Los Angeles to begin my career as a jewelry designer. Over time (and companies!), my role evolved, and I became the head designer and creative director for dozens of celebrity jewelry brands and high-end jewelry houses, working with everything from gold, diamonds, and precious stones.

How did you decide to start The Last Line and what were some of the challenges you had to overcome to get to where you are today?

I have been designing jewelry for over fifteen years before The Last Line, and with each job and project, there was always the thought in the back of my mind, “If this was my line, how would I do this?” I’ve had the rare opportunity of being on both the design and the production side of the process, which is so helpful and, in the end, I am ultimately a consumer so basically it is the trifecta of intel! In 2016 it became less of a daydream and more of a fixation. I felt like I had seen it all and somehow something was missing and almost a year and a half later, we launched The Last Line.

Who, what, or where inspires your designs?

As a designer, I tried to steer away from having the line be led too much by my own aesthetic. The core of the brand had to be quality. My goal was to design classics with a twist and honor the craftsmanship of pieces from the past. The best is when I see women around the world wearing The Last Line. It’s the biggest compliment to see women I’ve never met, wearing pieces from the line that they love, it is truly the best; they are who I design for.

What would you say is The Last Line’s signature style or piece of jewelry?

I’d say we’re less about a specific style and more about personality and individuality. We love color as much as the classics and aren’t afraid to mix it up. It’s not about one piece but more so how women are wearing our pieces. Jewelry can be very personal. I love hearing people’s stories about their different pieces, where they came from, the significance of the piece, who gave it to them, and for what occasion. 

What is your go-to, everyday jewelry look?

If I’m being honest, most days it depends on my mood and how much time I have to gather myself before school drop off. Most of the time I’m testing samples to see how they wear and mix with our current pieces. It’s a difficult job, but somebody’s gotta do it! Without fail, I’m always wearing earrings, normally diamonds and usually a mix of styles, everything from classic hoops to something with a drop and an ear cuff (or three) to bring it all together. 

For me, I feel most comfortable when I’m wearing jewelry. I love to wear vintage Levi’s, a t-shirt, and make it unique with my jewelry. I like jewelry that can be worn day to night and in many different ways. I work my outfit around my jewelry, where for many women jewelry is the finishing touch.

What makes The Last Line different from other jewelry lines? Does the brand have a specific message you’d like to share with the world?

I don’t want to speak for other brands, but one thing that is just as important as the product we are presenting is how. We have always set out to build a brand and the secondary is the products we sell, even if they appear first. We have been extremely thoughtful in our design, from the stickers in our orders, to how we shoot for the website, to the design of the stores. It all flows together, which made our expansion into home super organic. 

When we opened our first pop-up, we designed the experience to feel like a home from top to bottom, and everyone loved it — they were transported into our world which was a little more colorful and a lot more fun. Right away, we started getting questions about where people could buy the custom pieces we made for the space, and I realized how similar home décor and dining really are to jewelry. 

Our designs are multigenerational and there is something for every style, price, and preference. The idea that these pieces can be passed down is really something I love, I want it to be in every woman’s jewelry box. I love that with just The Last Line you could build your ultimate jewelry box. We have the staples you have been searching for but couldn’t find done perfectly until now, which is something I work really hard on in design. While the technical elements of design aren’t as glamorous to talk about as the stones and sparkle, they are so important to me and the line. The size and fit options we provide for each style is super unique, I engineer each piece to fit the body perfectly and exactly. We encourage individuality, we offer all earrings individually so you can mix and match to your preference and offer multiple colors and sizes which simply was not happening before we started. And ultimately, we’re direct to the consumer so there isn’t a retail markup, so everyone can get a little more, which is never a bad thing with fine jewelry! We will never make our pieces smaller or daintier so that they can be called fine or hit a certain price bracket, we are committed to expertly crafted pieces that are made to last.

You’ve recently launched a home collection, called Party. How and why did you transition from jewelry into also designing tableware?

I always knew The Last Line would be more than jewelry. In terms of expansion, this feels like a natural progression for us as jewelry and tabletop are truly very much alike — both are given as gifts, both are handed down from generation to generation, both are used in moments of celebration, so the connection is already there. With Party, we’re bringing a fresh approach just as we did with fine jewelry — from mixing and matching pieces, to building a collection you want to keep in the family and never waiting for a special occasion to use your favorite pieces. Party, like our jewelry, needs no occasion and my hope is it makes each celebration a little more fun, even if that is enjoying a slice of store-bought cake, just because. 

What is your favorite piece from Party?

I could never choose one piece. The design process was similar to jewelry, although admittedly, much more challenging, but I think that made the final result all the more special. I’m partial to some of those pieces, like the mushroom tray set. I also love our linens. The cloud collection includes both napkins and placemats so you can mix or match colors or just go with the full rainbow of options. They immediately brighten up a table and are the perfect pick-me-up for a last-minute guest. I love everything in our zodiac collection. You can go all-in on the signs or keep to the gold star plates and linens for something more subtle and add in a cocktail napkin if you’re feeling it! Also, they are fun for a seating card for your guests if you know their signs.

What has been the reception from your clients?

The response has been incredible — we’ve already sold through a few styles twice.  There are a few clear favorites, which include the mushroom pieces and all the glassware, both in candle holders and the champagne coupes. With the holidays, we’re seeing a lot of people order new linens and dessert plates for entertaining!

What is it like working side-by-side with your husband? Do you have any advice for couples that want to start a business together?

Depends on the day and not all days are easy, but the best thing is we share the same vision and true partners. There is no one else I could imagine working alongside, we are so in sync it makes it easy to work together. Uniquely, my husband Teddy is the CEO and is also a photographer so he’s equally strategic and creative, which also means he’s super involved. On the other hand, I’ve been known to moonlight in a business decision or two so we fit together like perfect little puzzle pieces, balancing each other out and helping each other. I know it’s rare to be able to create jointly with anyone, let alone your husband, so I feel extremely lucky.

Your designs have been worn by many big-name celebrities. What has been your pinch-me moment since starting your line?

I have been designing jewelry for over fifteen years and I still remember the first time I saw a piece I designed in a magazine (it was Harper’s Bazaar) and I remember thinking to myself this is it (this was pre-TLL, of course). At the time, print was a huge deal, there weren’t online versions and there definitely was no Instagram, then magazines were the way to find out about new pieces and designers. Now having launched my own line, it’s been so great to see women around the world wear my jewelry. These are women I’ve never met, wearing pieces from the line that they love, it’s truly the best; they are who I design for.

This interview has been lightly edited.