Chicago stylist and certified Style Coach Vany Hernandez shares her spring and summer picks from Petite Protea — for the woman who wants to show up with purpose and presence.
At Petite Protea, we believe that the right accessory doesn't just complete an outfit — it communicates something. About who you are, what you value, how you want to move through the world.
So when we have the opportunity to collaborate with someone who has built her entire career around that idea, we pay attention.
Vany Hernandez is a certified style coach and personal stylist based in Chicago who works with high-achieving women to align their wardrobe with who they are today and how they want to show up. Through her V.A.N.Y. Style Method™, she helps women move from feeling disconnected and outdated to feeling confident and excited about getting dressed. Her work is about empowerment — and we couldn't think of a better lens through which to see our collection.
We sent Vany a selection of pieces and asked her to choose her favorites for Spring and Summer. Here's what she picked — and why.
Meet Vany Hernandez
Before we get to the picks, a little more about the woman behind them.
"As a Style Coach, I immediately thought of the women I serve: high-achieving women balancing full lives who want to look polished and intentional without overcomplicating getting dressed. They value quality, femininity, versatility — and they're building wardrobes that align with who they are today."
That philosophy — intentional, versatile, values-led — aligns closely with why Petite Protea exists. Every piece in our collection is handmade by women artisans around the world, ethically sourced and fair trade. They are built to last, to be worn often, and to mean something. Which makes them, as it turns out, exactly what this Chicago wardrobe consultant looks for.
Follow Vany on Instagram: @stylebyvany
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Vany's 5 Picks for Spring & Summer
In Vany's own words — with a little context from us on the makers behind each piece.
01 — Layered Petal Gold Hoop Earrings
$150 · Sopro Jewellery · Handmade in Portugal from recycled sterling silver, gold-plated
"I love these earrings because they instantly elevate even the simplest outfit. Whether you are wearing a linen blouse and denim, a summer dress, or heading to a networking event, they add polish and personality without feeling overdone. They're the kind of piece that makes you feel put together in seconds."
From us: These are a bestseller for a reason. Handcrafted in Porto, Portugal by Sopro Jewellery from recycled gold, the Layered Petal Hoops are petals stacked into a hoop — organic, sculptural, and endlessly wearable. Exactly the kind of piece a good personal stylist puts on a client's short list: versatile enough for every occasion, distinctive enough to remember.
02 — Naturally-Dyed Silk Scarf
$45 · Laila Textiles · Handcrafted in Chicago · 100% Habotai Silk · Naturally Plant-Dyed
"A silk scarf is one of the most versatile accessories a woman can own. You can wear it around your neck, tie it to your handbag, use it as a hair accessory, or even style it as a bracelet. It's an effortless way to add color, texture and femininity while making familiar outfits feel fresh again."
From us: Made right here in Chicago by our collaboration partner Laila Textiles, this 100% Habotai silk scarf is naturally plant-dyed — available in Rosewood and Spring. Each one is entirely one of a kind because natural dyeing means no two are ever exactly the same. A Chicago stylist's dream recommendation: one piece, five ways to wear it.
03 — Folded Heart Pearl Gold Necklace
$60 · Sopro Jewellery · Handmade in Portugal from recycled precious metal
"This is the type of piece that becomes part of your signature style. Delicate enough for everyday wear yet special enough to stand on its own or layer with other pieces, it brings a subtle elegance to everything from a simple tee to a polished blouse."
From us: A ribbed gold disc folded softly into a heart, centered with a lustrous pearl — handcrafted in Porto from recycled precious metal. This is exactly the kind of piece a style coach reaches for when building a capsule wardrobe: the necklace that becomes yours. The one you put on without thinking and feel quietly incomplete without.
04 — Pembetatu Warrior Beaded Cuff Bracelet
$72 · Sidai Designs · Handmade in Tanzania · Maasai beadwork on recycled materials
"I love recommending one piece that feels a little more expressive. A bracelet or cuff adds interest and confidence without requiring much effort. It's perfect for the woman who wants her style to feel intentional and sophisticated while still reflecting her personality."
From us: Pembetatu means "three" in Swahili — and this cuff is three bands of bold Maasai beadwork woven by women artisans in Tanzania using a craft tradition that stretches back centuries, on recycled materials. As Vany says: expressive without effort. We'd add: full of story. The kind of piece that does the work without being asked.
05 — Odette Natural & Black Stripe Beach Tote
$200 · Indego Africa · Handwoven in Rwanda · Locally sourced raffia palm fiber
"The right bag does more than carry your essentials — it supports your lifestyle. I always encourage women to invest in pieces they'll reach for often and this tote does exactly that. It effortlessly accompanies everyday errands, weekend outings and summer adventures while adding texture, polish and intention to even the simplest outfits."
From us: Natural raffia with two bold black stripes and a scalloped black edging — handwoven in Rwanda through our fair trade partnership with Indego Africa using locally sourced raffia palm fibers. The Odette moves from daytime to beach to dinner without missing a beat. It is, as Vany puts it perfectly, a bag that supports your lifestyle. And the women who weave it? They deserve every compliment it earns.
“Style isn’t about having more. It’s about choosing pieces with intention — pieces that support your lifestyle, express who you are, and help you show up with purpose and presence.”
— Vany Hernandez
Certified Style Coach & Personal Stylist, Chicago
A Note From Petite Protea
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
At Petite Protea, every piece is chosen with the same intentionality that Vany brings to her work as a style coach and wardrobe consultant. Quality over quantity. Meaning over mass production. Pieces that last — made by hands that are treated with respect.
When you shop with Petite Protea, you're not just building a wardrobe. You're making a choice about what your purchases support, whose hands made what you wear, and how you want to show up in the world.
We think Vany would approve. 🌿
Connect with Vany Hernandez:
📸 Instagram: @stylebyvany
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