C + I head jewelry designer Casey takes us behind the scenes of our new Garden Party collection — one of our most special collections to date. Feminine and filled with color, these crystal creations were inspired by vintage castings and ladylike looks of 1940′s Hollywood, but modernized by their unexpected mix of colors.

To find out more about this amazing collection, we sat down with Casey to talk about the what inspired this girly Garden Party trend and learn a bit about how a designer brings an idea to life. So read on to get the ‘inside scoop!’

What was the inspiration behind the new Garden Party collection? It was inspired by vintage castings we found, as well as old photographs of very dressed-up women posing outdoors, surrounded by colorful flowers.

What three words would you use to describe this line? Feminine, floral, and vintage.

What’s your must-have piece this spring? The Multi-charm Garden Bracelet — I love how eclectic it is.

Who can you picture wearing the Garden Party collection? British actress Felicity Jones comes to mind right away. Maybe I’m reading too much into all of her ‘Masterpiece Theater’ characters, but her whole look is soft and pretty — very girly, yet she has a commanding edge about her which I love. That sense of femininity with an edge is very Chloe + Isabel!

Which materials did you use the most, and why? Light green and pink crystals were a biggest color influences. It was important to hone in on colors that were used in vintage wallpapers and china. Also, we wanted to explore metals with an aged look but keep in mind there always needs to be a ladylike touch in our jewelry. That is where the colored pearls and stones came into play.

What sets this collection apart from other C + I pieces? The colors in Garden Party give it a softer feel than many of our other collections. It’s very springy and vibrant.

What pieces from previous C + I collections can the Garden Party collection be layered and combined with? Any of the bracelets can be layered in with our deco bracelets from Holiday, which also used vintage castings. Or, I would take a pendant and layer it with one of our various long chain necklaces, like the Two-Tone Long Chain Necklace.

What kind of woman is this line designed for? This is for a woman who likes really feminine pieces, yet enjoys a hint of retro whimsy when she accessorizes.