Rae Frye

About Rae Frye

Rae Frye is the founder and creative director of Cival, an independent fine jewelry studio and retail storefront based in Milwaukee. With a formative background in photography and digital rendering, extensive experience in jewelry design and creative business management, Rae brings a multidisciplinary approach to creating pieces that feel personal and intentional.

She specializes in custom fine jewelry, heirloom redesign, and vintage restoration, with a focus on making high-quality design more accessible through thoughtful sourcing and reuse. Her work is grounded in the belief that jewelry should reflect the individual—how they live, express, and move through the world.

Rae is currently leading the development of Cival’s new flagship storefront and studio in Bay View, a project that transforms a raw commercial shell into a fully integrated retail and production space. Built in collaboration with a local team of designers, architects, and contractors, the store reflects her commitment to community-driven growth and experiential retail.

Through Cival, Rae continues to explore how small, design-focused businesses can create meaningful impact—economically, creatively, and locally.