Slay By Mila: Jersey City Upcycled Jewelry by Camila Aguilar

Slay By Mila Shop isn’t just another jewelry brand. It’s a local success story built on upcycling, artistry, and the powerful bond between a mother and daughter.

Founded in 2019 and rooted in Hudson County’s creative scene, this business transforms discarded pieces into fresh, expressive accessories. Each piece captures personal stories and the evolving spirit of the communities that inspire its founder, Camila Aguilar.

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The Origin Story of Slay By Mila Shop

Before she became a jewelry designer, Camila Aguilar spent her days in the world of makeup artistry. That early focus on color, texture, and facial features opened the door to another form of expression: jewelry as wearable art.

The transition wasn’t a sharp turn. It just felt like a natural expansion of her creative toolkit.

Originally from Argentina, Camila has lived across New Jersey and New York. She’s absorbed the style, energy, and cultural mashup that define this region.

Those influences—Latin American flair, East Coast edge, and metropolitan sophistication—show up in the pieces she designs today.

A Mother–Daughter Venture With Creative Roots

When Slay By Mila Shop launched in 2019, Camila and her mother shared the dream. Together, they sourced materials from New York City’s iconic Garment District, searching for crystals, beads, and findings that felt meaningful, not just decorative.

Each gemstone and charm was chosen with intention, often reflecting a client’s personality, story, or milestone. That collaborative foundation still shapes the brand.

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Even though Camila now runs the business solo, she credits her mother’s early encouragement as the bedrock of her confidence and entrepreneurial drive.

From Upcycled Accessories to Statement Handbags

As Slay By Mila Shop evolved, its focus on sustainability grew stronger. What started as a creative project turned into a full-fledged upcycling mission, giving discarded pieces a second life and sparing them from landfills.

For Camila, that environmental ethic is inseparable from her artistic process. She often scours thrift shops and secondhand markets, reclaiming forgotten jewelry and accessories.

She takes these finds apart, reimagines them, and rebuilds them into one-of-a-kind designs that reflect her style and the client’s story.

What You’ll Find at Slay By Mila Shop

Over the years, Camila has crafted more than 500 unique items, each with its own personality. Her current offerings include:

  • Bracelets – From minimalist strands to layered, charm-adorned wrist stacks.
  • Earrings – Bold, statement pieces and delicate designs that can dress up or down any look.
  • Rings – Customizable pieces that often feature crystals or symbolic stones.
  • Friendship bracelets – Nostalgic yet modern, designed to celebrate relationships and shared milestones.
  • Upcycled handbags – A rapidly growing part of her line, featuring thrifted bags revamped with patches, chains, and charms.
  • Those handbags, especially, reflect Camila’s latest streak of experimentation. Large, everyday items get transformed into portable art with attitude.

    Custom Orders: Jewelry as Intuitive Storytelling

    For many loyal customers, the real magic of Slay By Mila Shop lies in its custom work. Camila doesn’t just take instructions—she listens, asks questions, and then designs intuitively, letting color, texture, and symbolism guide her hand.

    Clients bring her memories, milestones, or even just moods they want captured. She builds pieces that feel deeply personal—bracelets that commemorate a move, earrings that echo a favorite landscape, or rings that mark a new chapter in life.

    A Social Media–Savvy Brand on the Rise

    Slay By Mila Shop has carved out a strong presence online, using social media to showcase new releases, behind-the-scenes previews, and pop-up schedules. A dedicated website is on the horizon, a natural next step as the brand expands beyond word-of-mouth and local markets.

    Still, Camila stays grounded in her community. You’ll often find her at Hudson County pop-ups, chatting with customers, explaining the origin of her materials, and building the kind of relationships that just don’t happen with a simple “Add to Cart” button.

    Jersey City’s Creative Ecosystem and Slay By Mila Shop

    Jersey City’s small business scene inspires Camila. The local maker markets, street fairs, and indie boutiques reflect the same values that drive her work: authenticity, diversity, and sustainability.

    As visitors explore the waterfront, wander through arts-driven city districts, or check into stylish Jersey City hotels, brands like Slay By Mila Shop help shape the city’s creative identity. For travelers wondering where to stay in Jersey City or locals showing friends around, discovering homegrown makers feels just as essential as finding the best coffee shop or skyline view.

    Why Slay By Mila Shop Matters to Local Culture

    In a region defined by movement—commuters getting to Jersey City, artists hopping between boroughs, new residents arriving from around the globe—Camila’s work serves as a reminder that style can be both personal and sustainable.

    Her designs reflect the same mix of grit and glamour you’ll spot in the streets and studios of Hudson County.

    If you’re mapping out things to do in Jersey City for a weekend, supporting local pop-ups, or just hunting for jewelry with a story, Slay By Mila Shop has something a bit different.

    It’s not just about accessories—it’s a slice of the community’s changing story, one upcycled crystal or reimagined handbag at a time.

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    Here is the source article for this story: This Jersey City Resident Upcycles Jewelry

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