Jennifer Miller
Growing up in a family of fashionistas in the '70s was a wild ride that paved the way for my career in fashion.
My parents, David Navarro and Beverly Miller, founded the one-of-a-kind jewelry house Navarro alternatives. Their work was frequently included in their best friends Harriet Selwyn’s Fragments and Willi Smith’s WilliWear at fashion shows in NYC and Los Angeles photo shoots. The four of them were the original Mod squad and family members by design. Harriet met Willi after he moved to New York in the mid-60s and hired him to work at Talbott in ’68. Harriet was my mother’s best friend and one of Willi’s mentors early on.
I remember my very first job interview at the ripe age of 14. I lied about my age to get my foot in the door. I had nothing but vintage Levi’s purchased at Limbo on St. Marks Place and construction boots in my closet, but my mother lent me a linen suit from her massive collection of WilliWear. I wore it loud and proud, telling my future employers that I was wearing designer duds by my uncle Willi Smith! Today I’m the founder and creative director of Jennifer Miller Jewelry with five stores between New York and Florida.
Willi Smith, Rosemary Peck, Harriet Selwyn, and others relax poolside at the home of Carol and Jerry Isenberg in Hollywood Hills, California, 1976
Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
Willi Smith in pool at home of Carol and Jerry Isenberg in Hollywood Hills, California, 1976
Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
David Navarro styling Toukie Smith at Harriet Selwyn fashion show in Los Angeles, ca. late 1970s Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
Photo of the “Mod Squad” taken in the New York City apartment of Harriet Selwyn, 1970. Top left to lower middle: Unidentified man, Harriet Selwyn, David Navarro, Beverly Miller, Willi Smith, and Sandra Burton Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
Letter sent from Willi Smith to Beverly Miller and David Navarro, 1986
Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
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Front and back of postcard sent to David Navarro and Beverly Miller, ca. early 1980s
Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
Front and back of postcard sent to David Navarro and Beverly Miller, ca. early 1980s
Courtesy of Jennifer Miller
