Shop Local - Iris Jewelry

By: Kym Whitney

Before launching her jewelry line, Iris, Mary Anne Tubbs worked for over a decade in the NYC Fashion Industry for Vogue, Giorgio Armani, Gilt Groupe, and Tory Burch. Life dramatically changed in 2016 when she traded in her fashion career and fancy shoes for motherhood and sneakers. While she loved her new "career" as a mom, she wasn't quite ready to leave the Fashion world altogether. Having a love of jewelry and seeing a need for accessories that could be dressed up or down, Mary Anne created Iris to help busy moms feel put together, fashionable, and confident no matter how magnificent or mundane the occasion. In 2018, Mary Anne officially launched the business from her kitchen table in Charlotte, North Carolina, and she hasn’t looked back. While Iris has expanded exponentially, the reward for Mary Anne comes from creating new partnerships, investing in the community and giving back to charity.

 In 2020, Mary Anne, her husband, and three boys moved across the country to Newport Beach, landing in the Port Streets neighborhood. The change in geography led to new inspiration (hello beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets) and new business opportunities for Iris. In 2022, Mary Anne, Emi Rigby (The Date Stand), and Wendy McManigal (BeautyCounter) came up with the idea to host neighborhood pop-up markets as a way to bring visibility not only to their small businesses but to support other local, women-owned businesses throughout Newport Beach and Orange County. Their quarterly events, known as the Port Streets Pop-Up Market, have rapidly gained in popularity, and they are now looking at new venues to expand their presence. 

 Working alongside nonprofit organizations and charities has given Mary Anne the most fulfillment. One of her proudest accomplishments has been partnering with the Free Wheelchair Mission Organization to create a necklace that raised over $40,000 in charitable proceeds to provide wheelchairs to the disabled in third-world countries. Currently, she is partnering with a nonprofit organization, Holding Hope, to create a bracelet that will benefit women who need financial help pursuing surrogacy. 

 Mary Anne's goal for 2024 is for Iris to establish a partnership with two philanthropic charities or organizations that focus on spreading God's love to the masses.

 Message to the Community: 

 “Support your local businesses. We live in a special place here in Newport Beach, where there are so many creative entrepreneurs. Get to know them and what they stand for. Ask about their story, as I’m sure they’d love the opportunity to share it. Sure, it’s easy to buy from big box retailers, but every time you buy from a small shop, you are supporting someone’s kitchen table dream like mine. I genuinely appreciate every single sale that I make, but I value the relationship made even more."

When Mary Anne isn’t busy making jewelry, she can be found with her husband Hunter, watching their boys (twins Woodson and Durham, seven years old, and Anderson, five years old) play sports or enjoying the beautiful California sunshine at the beach!=

To shop Iris jewelry, visit www.weariris.com and follow along on Instagram @wearirisjewelry to stay updated with new product drops and pop-up market dates.