L ifestyle /C ulture
Jews of Philly Fashion: Kimby Kimmel and Amy Fink
P H I LLY FASHION
JESSE BERNSTEIN | JE STAFF
It’s the newest edition of Jews
of Philly Fashion, introducing
you to the Chosen few who
dress our city. They might mix
wool and linen, but they’ve got
some strong opinions on mixing
stripes with florals. In this space,
we’ll talk to designers, sellers,
buyers, influencers, models and
more. This week, we spoke to
Kimby Kimmel and Amy Fink.

AMY FINK AND Kimby
Kimmel share quite a bit. They
both graduated from the former
Akiba Hebrew Academy in
1988, both send their children
to the now-Jack M. Barrack
Hebrew Academy today and
both found themselves looking
for something new during the
pandemic. When it seemed like nothing
would ever be the same, the
longtime friends looked to
each other for support and
inspiration. What came out was Ilyan
Jewelry, Kimmel and Fink’s
private jewelry company
(the name is pronounced
“a-lion”). As they don’t have
a storefront, customers can
view the jewelry by appoint-
ment only, and they participate
in trunk shows and private
charity events. Fink studied
gemology at the Gemological
Institute of America; Kimmel
learned about custom jewelry
design from her mother, Nancy
Hankin Schwartzman, and
co-owned a stationery and
invitations business for 20
years. Fink and Kimmel, friends
since they were 14, spoke about
inspiration, their favorite
pieces of their own and TikTok.

What’s the last book you read?
KK: “To Kill a Mocking
Girl: A Bookbinding Mystery”
by Harper Kincaid. The author
is a good friend and roommate
of mine from the University of
Miami. AF: The last book I read was
“Mrs. Everything” by Jenifer
Weiner. I love all her books.

What clothing trend would
you like to see make a
comeback? KK: I would love to see
scarves make a comeback.

There’s nothing like a colorful
Hermès scarf worn with a
From left: Kimby Kimmel and Amy Fink
blazer or thrown over a white her big birthday many years ago
T-shirt and jeans.

and I have always loved them.

They go with everything.

Best piece of jewelry you own?
KK: It’s not necessarily What’s the best quality in a
the best piece that I own, friend?
but definitely a favorite
KK: The best quality in a
and meaningful piece: my friend is someone that is honest
emerald-cut blue topaz and and there for you through the
gold ring that my mother made good and the bad. Amy and I
for me for my bat mitzvah.

have been friends since ninth
AF: The best piece of jewelry I grade at Akiba Hebrew Academy
own are my Cartier tri-color trinity and I can definitely say that she
rolling bangles. My aunt gave them is that kind of friend. There’s a
to me at my big birthday. They lot of history there and so much
were given to her by my uncle on more to be made.

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JEWISH EXPONENT
Courtesy of Kimby Kimmel and Amy Fink
What would you be doing
if you weren’t in the jewelry
business? KK: If I weren’t in the
jewelry business I would just
continue to live my best life
surrounded by people I love.

What item of clothing should
more people be wearing?
KK: Loafers. They’re the
perfect shoe to dress an outfit
up or down.

What person’s style do you
admire? AF: I love Sarah Jessica
Parker. She is so talented and
creative in her style. She is
extremely fashion forward, but
always has a classic and elegant
flair. What talent would you most
like to have?
KK: I would love to be able
to paint or learn how to do
graffiti art.

AF: Anyone who knows
me knows that I am a terrible
dancer. I have no coordination
and wish I did. My daughter
is obsessed with TikTok and
always asks me to make them
with her, but I feel too self-
conscious. l
jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM