For Don’t Let Disco, the New York-based brand known for its collectible, nostalgia-inflected beaded pieces, that evolution now takes the form of fine jewelry.
The debut collection in 18k yellow gold and sterling silver builds directly on its established visual language rather than departing from it. Centered on undrilled rock crystal orbs inspired by Victorian “Pools of Light,” the pieces reinterpret a historic setting technique that suspends the stone without piercing it, allowing light to pass through unobstructed. Carnelian, Citrine, Unakite, and Moqui Stone ground the translucent crystal, while sparing diamond placements introduce sharper points of contrast.
The expansion reflects a deliberate shift toward permanence, both materially and strategically, as the company translates its core codes of color, tactility, and emotional resonance into heirloom-grade formats designed for long-term collectability.
Below, founder Ashley Moubayed discusses the timing of the launch, the technical precision required to execute the undrilled settings, and how the move aligns with the brand’s broader vision for sustained growth.
Don’t Let Disco has built a strong identity around collectible, memory-driven beaded pieces. At what point did you know the brand was ready to enter fine jewelry?
It felt like a natural next step for us. We’ve always worked in beads, creating pieces that feel personal and collectible, so moving into fine jewelry was really about elevating that same language. The timing just felt right to explore more precious materials and expand the scale and longevity of the work, while staying true to the way we build meaning into every piece.
Your brand has long blended precious and found materials. How does introducing fine jewelry expand that ongoing dialogue?
Fine jewelry lets us take the ideas we’ve been exploring in beads—like color, texture, and how a piece feels when you wear it—and translate them into a new set of materials. By working with gold and carefully chosen stones, we’re continuing that conversation, just in a more permanent, heirloom-quality way.
What initially drew you to the Victorian “pools of light” reference point, and how did you reinterpret it through a distinctly Don’t Let Disco lens?
I first came across pools of light in antique jewelry and was struck by how the crystal spheres don’t just reflect light—they gather it and soften it, creating this subtle, glowing effect. For Don’t Let Disco, we took that idea and translated it into our own language: each orb is treated like a small unit of light, still capturing that glow, but now wrapped in 18K gold and integrated into pieces that feel like a natural evolution of the brand.
How does working in 18k gold and sterling silver shift your design, development and manufacturing processes compared to your hand-beaded work?
It’s a very different process. Each orb has to be handled with extreme care, because it’s undrilled and the metal has to hold it securely without scratching or blocking the light. Finding a jeweler who could execute this level of precision was a challenge, since many contemporary jewelers aren’t trained in this older technique. But that meticulous handwork is part of what makes these pieces feel so special.
As a 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and 2024 Fashion Trust Award recipient, how has this moment in your career influenced your approach to brand expansion and long-term legacy?
Being recognized by the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and Fashion Trust definitely gave us validation, but more than anything it gave us clarity. It pushed us to think more intentionally about longevity—about what we’re building beyond a single season. Expanding into fine jewelry is part of that mindset: creating pieces that feel lasting, collectible, and aligned with the brand’s long-term vision.
