Two long-time jewelry artisans create a distinctive brand that riffs on nature, architecture…even social media

By Laura D.C. Kolnoski • Photos By Premiere Digital

All jewelry created by Red Bank’s Poor Cat Designs may be handcrafted in New Jersey, but the distinctive contemporary designs attract a glittering, avid fan base from all over the world. Poor Cat’s collection of platinum, 24-karat, and 18-karat yellow gold, 18-karat white gold, 18-karat pink gold, and sterling silver charms capture the richness and innate energy of precious metals. Perhaps that’s why the ever-evolving line is favored by Bruce Springsteen, Hillary Swank, Jon Bon Jovi, Stella McCartney, members of Lady Antebellum, Brian Williams, his daughter Allison Williams, and the entire cast of her popular HBO show Girls.

While its owners have been in the jewelry-crafting and marketing business for years, the rise of social media quickly spread Poor Cat’s fame beyond a local fan base. Krista Karagias worked for jewelry designer Joseph Romanowski at his original Goldtinker shop in Deal for 15 years, learning designing, marketing, and selling jewelry, as well as running personalized jewelry services. Romanowski, who has over 40 years experience designing and making jewelry, began creating the Poor Cat line in 2008. The following year, the two partnered in the brand, becoming co-owners and crafting a line of original designs.

Just as their jewelry is steeped in symbolism, so is the name they chose for the new venture. The rainy night before his sister passed away, Romanowski found a soggy kitten on his doorstep. After a futile attempt to find its owner, he adopted him and named the cat Felix. When Felix would look at Romanowski with a sad expression as he left the house, he would reply, “You poor cat.” They are still together.

Romanowski had forged friendships with local celebrities and personalities over the years through Goldtinker, which formed the basis of the current A-list clientele. Today, he designs most of the jewelry, while Karagias primarily handles marketing and daily operations, complemented by Poor Cat’s team of six jewelry stylists.

A multitude of charm collections, which can be personalized, are offered in better than 20 categories, including jeweled, Zodiac, Spiritual, Love & Friendship, Cats and Dogs, Equestrian, and Hobbies. A “Miscellaneous collection” is available, too, as are imaginative and thought-provoking chains, rings, bangles, key rings, and Jersey-centric designs. The iconographic symbols depicted on the charms are infused with meaning; in addition to ideas from clients, Karagias and Romanowski get design inspirations from nature, architecture, and everyday objects. Charms are strung on different types and shades of leather and colorful fabrics. A testament to the brand’s popularity, Poor Cat’s promotional items bearing its iconic logo on hoodies, T-shirts, tank tops, water bottles, and yoga pants are hot sellers.

“We are constantly looking at the line and coming up with new ways to wear it,” Karagias said. “Our designers are always coming up with ideas, others are customer requests. Our jewelry has a hip appeal to many, including children. We have a powerful social media presence and an almost cult-like following on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest,” adding that word of mouth is one of Poor Cat’s most valuable sales tools. Its Facebook page has more than 12,800 likes, and there are now 1,120 followers on Instagram and 290 on Twitter, “all organic who choose to join us. We don’t pay anyone to get followers for us. We’re flattered by all our customers and fans, not just the famous ones.”

The business is relocating a few doors up the block this summer into a smaller space with a longer lease. The new layout, “designed with lots of TLC,” Karagias explained, will be better outfitted as a permanent home. Meanwhile, Romanowski is consolidating his Goldtinker business—which had a location in Rumson as well as Deal—into a single location at 24 Broad Street Red Bank. Poor Cat also opened a new location on Hoboken’s lively, chic and trendy Washington Street late last year. •

Poor Cat Designs
69 Broad St., Red Bank / 732.842.3121
716 Washington St., Hoboken / 201.850.1307
info@poorcatdesigns.com