BEHIND THE HEART OF THE SAGE VINTAGE’S CHARMING DESIGNS
Jewelry has a special way of carrying memories, emotions, and stories that transcend time. For Kate Sullivan, the founder of The Sage Vintage, those stories are at the heart of her brand. Nestled in the peaceful beauty of Idaho, The Sage Vintage is a celebration of individuality and creativity, one charm at a time. With its signature charm necklaces, adored by celebrities like Gigi Hadid and SZA, the brand has established its own distinct space in the accessory world. But behind this glittering success is a deeply personal journey that began with a grandmother’s cherished jewelry box and a lifelong love of vintage treasures.
“When I was younger, my grandma would always let me rummage through her jewelry collection and take home my favorite pieces every time I visited,” Kate fondly remembers. Those childhood moments, filled with the sparkle of heirlooms and the warmth of family, were the foundation for what would later become The Sage Vintage. Originally, the brand began as a vintage clothing business, but in 2020, when the world slowed down, Kate found herself pulled in a new direction. “One day, I stepped into a vintage shop and found piles of affordable vintage jewelry, loose charms, beads, and such—it instantly reminded me of being at my grandma’s house,” she shares. That serendipitous moment ignited her creativity, and she began repurposing the vintage finds into new pieces. “I posted my first couple of necklaces online, and things kind of snowballed from there!”
The first piece Kate ever designed holds a deeply personal meaning. After losing her childhood dog, she wanted to create something that would memorialize her beloved pet. “I think the first piece I ever designed was a beaded necklace with a vintage dog charm and a halo above its head,” she says. “That piece ended up being something very personal and meaningful to me, and I still have it to this day.”
Kate’s creative process is intuitive, fluid, and driven by inspiration from the changing seasons. She starts by laying out an assortment of charms on her work table, experimenting with how they fit together before committing to a design. “It’s a bit impulsive and not overly structured!” she admits. Her eclectic taste and love for storytelling are woven into every piece. Instead of following fleeting trends, Kate gravitates toward items that spark her interest, regardless of whether they’re her personal style. “I’m naturally drawn to items that excite me or capture my attention aesthetically, even if they’re not things I would wear myself,” she explains.
Her pets, especially her dog Sage–whom the brand is named after–are another surprising source of inspiration. Their presence is embedded throughout The Sage Vintage, from the playful toile print featuring her dogs and ducks to the whimsical stickers tucked inside each package.
Behind the scenes, sourcing vintage elements is both a craft and an adventure. Kate has carefully cultivated a network of vintage and deadstock suppliers, often traveling the country to scour their warehouses for unique pieces. Still, she finds joy in the unexpected discoveries that come from spontaneous trips to vintage shops. “I love hunting through vintage and antique shops to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces,” says Kate.
As demand for her jewelry has increased, Kate has found inventive ways to balance the scarcity of vintage materials with the growing interest in her creations. Rather than compromising on her signature style, she thoughtfully blends old and new elements. “Once I run out of a popular vintage item, I’ll recreate something similar or incorporate new elements to keep the designs fresh,” she shares.
The Sage Vintage’s distinct aesthetic, which Kate describes as eclectic, nostalgic, and self-expressive, has struck a deep chord with its online admirers. “I can’t overstate how much social media has contributed to our growth,” Kate reflects. The brand’s evolution is undeniable, with its pieces now gracing the shelves of major retailers like Anthropologie. “When I started this business, I never imagined it would become my full-time career, let alone that I’d see our jewelry in one of my favorite stores.” For Kate, this milestone has been nothing short of surreal.
As for what’s ahead, Kate is excited about expanding beyond jewelry. “We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for this year, including some home items in the future” she reveals. Kate is also revisiting her vintage clothing roots with a collection of fish-themed sweaters available for pre-order this month. And on the jewelry front, a new collaboration with one of the brand’s original partners is already in the works.
