Today we’d like to introduce you to Allston Shore.
Hi Allston, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sisters Allston Pate Shore and Emerson Pate are the co-founders of Parsons & Lu, a Southern-rooted brand built on creativity, shared vision, and timeless design. At Parsons & Lu, handmade jewelry meets thoughtfully curated art and home decor—each piece created or collected with intention to bring warmth, beauty, and meaning into everyday life.
For over a decade, Allston co-owned Snaffle Bit Bracelet Co., designing jewelry alongside one of her closest friends. After moving back to her hometown and starting a family with her husband, Royall, and their two pups, she felt called to begin a new chapter—one grounded in craftsmanship, connection, and the joy of creating something lasting.
Her sister, Emerson, the younger half of the Parsons & Lu duo, moved back to the Lowcountry after college, where she had spent years making jewelry behind the scenes for Allston. When her sister asked her to join forces on a new venture, it felt like a natural next step. What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into a shared passion, blending their styles, stories, and love for handmade pieces into something truly their own.
Parsons & Lu is also a tribute to the remarkable women who inspire them. Their great-grandmother, whose maiden name was Parsons, and her daughter—their grandmother—lovingly known as Lulu, were artists, adventurers, and women of quiet strength. They passed down a love for the outdoors, for creating by hand, and for living with heart. Parsons & Lu is more than a name—it’s a way of honoring their legacy and inviting others to carry that spirit forward, through pieces that feel timeless, personal, and made to be treasured.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been pretty smooth so far, though not without its moments of uncertainty. Investing so much into a new business—both financially and creatively—can be intimidating, especially without knowing what the outcome will be. But taking that leap has been part of the joy!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We make and sell jewelry, as well as curating a collection of home decor and accessories. Our focus is on creating handmade necklaces that feel both timeless and personal. We love working with natural materials—stones, shells, pearls—and turning them into pieces that carry intention and story. While we also curate art and home decor, jewelry is truly at the heart of what we do.
Right now, we’re most proud of taking the leap to actually start the business, rather than just talking about it. What sets us apart is that we’re sisters who share a deep love for creativity, and we handmake all of our jewelry ourselves. Every necklace and item we send out is crafted with care and attention to detail, so each piece is as perfect as it can be.
Our goal is to create jewelry that’s wearable every day but still feels special—pieces that reflect our Southern roots, tell a story, and are made to be treasured.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Our favorite childhood memories were spending time with our grandmother, whether it was swimming in her pool, playing outside or just being at her house. She always had a way of making everyday moments feel special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.parsonsandlu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parsonsandlu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580418344196
