What’s In Her Bag: Aubrey Vanderbilt Cecil Baliles

One of my favorite movies as a kid was Richie Rich. This was a Macaulay Culkin-starring role following the success of Home Alone, and at that time, I had my first celebrity crush. I’m not sure if it was an actual crush or more of an infatuation with his career and the movies he was in; in fact, I practiced the Home Alone classic ‘aftershave mirror yell’ scene more times than I’d like to admit.

It was at that time that I was also first introduced to The Biltmore Estate, which was the fictitious home of Richie Rich. It wasn’t until many years later that I learned that not only was this a working estate, but also one that was open to the public and had multiple hotels on the property. It went on my bucket list to see The Biltmore Estate and stay on the property.

I’ve now visited and stayed at The Inn on The Biltmore Estate a handful of times, and recently we took a fall trip with our kids to share one of our favorite places. Guess what? Our kids are now as obsessed as we are!

A Family Tradition

I call it serendipitous because a few years ago, I recognized that a follower had commented on my photos from our visit to The Biltmore Estate, and then realized that she was affiliated with the estate. Aubrey Vanderbilt Cecil Baliles is a fifth-generation family member and an active part of the business, serving as both an owner and a board member of The Biltmore Company.

Aubrey works diligently to usher the Estate into the next generations and keep it alive, while also building a jewelry brand, Avermore, that takes inspiration from her family’s heirlooms and values of preservation and craftsmanship.

On our last trip to The Biltmore Estate, we had the pleasure of meeting Aubrey, seeing her jewelry, and learned more about the Estate and what goes into maintaining it. We left with the best memories, and Millie declared it to be her favorite place on Earth! No, really, just ask her or anyone she knows; it’s at the top of her list, and she cried when we left!

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Your bags today?

Your family’s history is deeply intertwined with the Biltmore Estate. What are some of your earliest memories of visiting or learning about Biltmore, and how has that legacy shaped who you are today?

It is the only thing I have ever known. We live and breathe Biltmore. I grew up on the Estate, so it has always been a part of my life. I was very fortunate to live on a farm. Although some may not see it that way, it is still an actual working estate.

I grew up riding horses, dirtbikes, and having the ability to connect with nature! We learned to love and respect the land just as much as the House itself.

In many ways, I feel a ton of pressure to live up to the legacy left before me. I want to be able to leave my mark on the Estate and help guide her for the next generations.

George and Edith Vanderbilt are often described as visionaries ahead of their time. In what ways do you feel their spirit or influence shows up in your work or outlook on life?

A word that jumps to mind is their vision for craftsmanship. As we all know in today’s world, true craftsmanship is missing. That is one of Avermore’s core values. I want craftsmanship that can “last the test of time for generations to come,” as my grandfather used to say. He meant this for the House itself, but I have taken that and applied it to the durability of our jewelry.

The Biltmore is a symbol of art, design, and preservation. Do you see parallels between maintaining an estate and preserving the craftsmanship that goes into fine jewelry?

Absolutely! First, as we have always said, we make a profit to preserve Biltmore. Preservation of a house this size takes an incredible team effort, and we have some of the best of the best.

George famously went through several iterations of sketches while building the house to ensure it was perfect, and I feel like I apply that same ethos to Avermore today. I am a bit of a perfectionist, but I truly want each piece I design to be passed down to the next generation just as Biltmore has been passed down in my family.

Avermore feels like more than just a jewelry brand: it’s a story told through design. How did the idea for Avermore first take shape, and what does the name represent to you?

Yes! It is a story told through design. The idea first took shape on a mishap.

My mother was wearing Edith’s emerald ring to a wedding, and the stone broke loose. Thankfully, it was at the reception and fell into the butter of the butter plate. (can’t make this stuff up)

My dad popped it in his pocket and continued the evening. A few years later, after my second child was born, I was searching for purpose, and my husband, Kyle, encouraged me to sketch out designs for this loose emerald. It opened a whole new world! I am proud to say all our products are made right here in Asheville, NC.

You mention drawing inspiration from Biltmore’s architecture, art, and history. Can you share an example of a piece that directly ties to an element of the estate?

Yes, the Stuyvesant collection was inspired by an heirloom bracelet we have in the archives. The craftsmanship is incredible, but it is a dainty bracelet that was originally made for a child. So I took that idea and built upon it.

Another is the Commodore, named after Cornelius Vanderbilt. It is the left lion as you walk into the front doors of the House. The Oak Sitting collection came from the ceiling pattern of the Oak Sitting Room. This is the room between George and Edith’s bedchambers where some of their most intimate conversations were had. To summarize, every piece from Avermore has a nod to the foundation of our family business.

What’s been your most meaningful or memorable moment since launching your jewelry line—perhaps a story of a client or creation that stayed with you?

I designed a one-of-a-kind set inspired by Edith’s bedroom, featuring vibrant purple garnets paired with yellow sapphires.

The client was so moved by the piece that he later commissioned several more creations for his wife. Over time, he became both a mentor and a dear friend—someone who truly understood Avermore’s mission and deeply respected the craftsmanship behind it.

If you could borrow any piece of jewelry from history for one night, what would it be, and where would you wear it?

This is incredibly hard to pick just one item, knowing all the amazing pieces of jewelry from around the world, but I love Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara (linked), made by Garrard.

It is absolutely amazing and an actual work of art. I am also obsessed with some of the Vanderbilt jewelry created by Boucheron. I got the opportunity to meet with the Boucheron archival team and see some of the items my family had purchased at one point. I also love that Boucheron has repurchased many of its archival pieces.

What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday?

Sunday is my favorite day of the week! It is a family day that starts with breakfast together and church. We then always go to Green Sage, a local Asheville restaurant that features clean ingredients. After that, it’s time to walk our dogs and go on an adventure with the kids. We usually finish Sunday with dinner at my parents’ house. My mother is an amazing chef!

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

Agriculture is a huge passion of mine. Before my career as a designer, I was a leader in our agricultural business, which sits at the very heart of what Biltmore is, and was crucial to George and Edith’s vision to create a self-sustaining estate.

Today, our diverse ag business includes Angus Cattle, Berkshire Hogs, sheep, and a variety of hydroponic produce, and other products grown right here on the estate. It is a way that we get to immerse our guests in our story more authentically and stay true to our core mission.

What song instantly puts you in a good mood?

Spring 1- 2012 by Max Richter and others. I love to listen to instrumental music. There is something so beautiful and powerful. It is also what I listen to when it’s time to sketch or be creative.

What’s a small luxury you can’t live without?

My Hydroflask water bottle and my Eminence skincare routine!

If you could invite three people, past or present, to dinner at Biltmore, who would be at the table?

My grandfather, William Cecil; my great-grandfather, John Cecil; and then, lastly, my great-great-grandparents. I would want to see if they are proud of me and proud of our family for how we have been able to keep Biltmore Estate in our family.

I would love to talk to Edith and understand how she was able to preserve Biltmore after George’s untimely death. I would want to hear more of George’s childhood. With John Cecil, I would love to learn more about his childhood and how he decided to move to Asheville, North Carolina, to marry Cornelia. Lastly, with my grandfather, I would ask him about his time in boarding school and how he helped put Biltmore on the map.

Then I would ask everyone for direction or guidance in my career, what to watch out for, and what route to take.

What’s the one piece of advice, or mantra, you come back to when you need grounding?

• Always stay humble; you are no better than anyone else.
• At the end of the day, give the glory back to the one who gave it to you.
• Leave a legacy for your children to build upon.

What’s in your bag today and why?