When Carolyn Rafaelian was a design student at the University of Rhode Island, she visited the Newport mansions as many of us have. After the tours she wrote in the guest books how inspired she was and that her goal was to be successful enough to buy one some day. Some crazy dreams do come true.
Rafaelian created her own business Alex and Ani in 2004 naming it after her two daughters and inspiring her to create a legacy for herself and her family.
Although her father ran a modest jewelry business in Cranston all of her life, her eye for trends, innovative designs and positive energy have catapulted her next generation business from modest success into the stratosphere. In 2012 she won the Rhode Island Small Businessperson award and Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the year award for New England products.
That year she purchased Belcourt Mansion and Sakonnet Vineyards with an eye toward her growing lifestyle brand image. In 2013 the company advertised on the Superbowl using Belcourt Castle as a backdrop. She is recreating the run down and aging mansion much as Larry Ellison and David Ford are doing on the other side of the historic and storied neighborhood.
Alex and Ani has stated a commitment to keep manufacturing in the United States and support national charitable causes such as Team USA, the American Cancer Society and endangered species such as the American mustang.
The ongoing restoration of Belcourt is a story in itself involving an expansive solar roof, geothermal climate control and computer assisted restoration of the century old moldings and special features. In the old inscribed crests found throughout Belcourt Castle visitors find the latin phrase “Sans Crainte” which translates to “without fear”. A fitting tribute to Rafaelian’s bold accomplishments and vision thus far.
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Read the NY Times article on Belcourt and Rafaelian