Category: Fashion

Interviews from the Kevan Hall Fashion Show at Universal Studios Backlot, October 17, 2009

October 17, 2009 was the chic fashion event of the season. The luxurious setting at Universal Studios backlot was the perfect backdrop for Kevan Hall’s couture fashion show. With a bevy of top models, diamonds, luxury handbags, high fashion eyewear, and beautiful footware, Kevan Hall created a coveted collection of fashion art in its most perfect form. I had the opportunity to interview some of the key players that evening—Gregory Arlt (MAC Makeup), Tod Hallman (runway show producer); and celebrity guests Tammy Farrell (Miss California 2009), and Natasha Henstridge.

Interviews by Kaylene Peoples (bolded)

Miss California 2009 Tammy Farrell (Pre Show)

What designer are you wearing tonight?

Kevan Hall naturally. I love his designs! I’m really looking forward to the show.

What was it like as your reign as Miss California?

I stepped into controversy with Carrie Prejean. It’s been a huge honor with all the media attention. It has helped me in so many ways than it would have had I won on my own. I was able to be an advocate for causes that I really believed in. For the first time we had world news. The world was watching what was going to happen with this pageant.

What are your plans now?

I just finished my screenplay and I’ve been shopping that around. I am working on my second one now. I’m also an actress. I started filming my first movie, and I hope there will be more to come.

Gregory Arlt – Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC

What are you doing for the Kevan Hall show?

It’s really based on the 40s. She’s sort of a well-traveled woman, ultra chic, absolutely perfect. And she might have been driving in her convertible. So she has a little bit of a wind-swept look. The hair might have gotten a little shape from being in the car. The makeup might have gotten a little stronger. So we gave her a really chic cat eye and a very strong, deep rich blood-red lip.

Any makeup trends for this winter coming up?

Absolutely! There are so many that we’ve seen. Two of the strongest trends I think are definitely a lip. We did see a lot of reds on the runway, a lot of burgundies, wines, sometimes bright orange lips . . . definitely a stronger mouth, sort of 50s—a cleaner eye. And then the opposite direction, we thought definitely a smoky eye. But it wasn’t your typical black eye. It was a little more sort of gray. We saw almost a metallic gray or ashy gray, kind of light your beautiful eye shadow, which I love. But it was a little bit more undone—it wasn’t perfect. Kind of like a smoky eye but still really chic.

Runway Show Producer – Tod Hallman

I’ve known Kevan, going back to when he was at Halston in New York. And when he came back to Los Angeles, he did his first show, and I was a guest. I was like, “I want to work with Kevan!” So I have been producing his shows since 2005.

What is the inspiration for this show?

Since we’re at the Rusnak reveal of three North American luxury cars—the Rolls, the Porche, and the new 4-door Pandemera . . . it is just breathtaking—I spoke to Kevan and I said, “Since we’re going to be working on the show, we needed to combine your inspiration in the end to the auto theme.” So he decided on Elizabeth Parke Firestone. She was the daughter of the son of Firestone Tires. She was a magnificent dresser, breathtaking. And she felt it was important for her to look great because she was always on her husband’s arm. Kevan has moved forward the classic look that she wore back in the 50s, 60s and 70s for today’s modern woman. And when Kevan comes up with his inspiration then my wheels start churning, about what I can do visually. I am a concept person, so it’s always great working with him.

Interview with Natasha Henstridge (Post Show)

What did you think of the show?

I’ve always been a fan of Kevan Hall’s work because I think he cuts so beautifully for the figure of a woman, which I have. I loved all the opalescent, iridescent, classic, gorgeous, unusual colors that he used in this season. Colors, that I’d never even seen before, but in a beautiful, classic, subtle way. I think it’s a fun, nice thing to see come back. What I really enjoy about fashion are things that are classic with a modern twist. I saw a lot of that in this collection.

I kind of agree with you, the way that he does design for women with curves.

You don’t see A-Line in Kevan Hall’s stuff, and I’m a big fan of A-Line things, flapper things. But you have to know what works for your body, and his fashion and his styles work for a woman’s body.

Do you have other designers that you are a fan of as well?

I do have a few. I love Zac Posen; Versace also cuts for a woman’s curves; Dianne Von Furstenberg. Again, these are just designers that work for me. There are so many designers that I adore that don’t work for my body.

Tell me what you’re working on now?

I just finished a movie. It’s a little sweet family movie, a Hallmark movie called You Lucky Dog. I’m kind of trying to be “Mommy and Me,” but on a much lower budget (she laughs). It’s very sweet. Kind of like a dog bringing its family back together. Before that I did Eli Stone, Crazy Keeper for a couple of years. Crossing my fingers to do another TV show. I like to just kind of stick around and be in town.

Kevan Hall’s Spring 2010 Collection “The Getaway” – Once Again Earning His Title as “The Red Carpet Designer”

Kevan Hall presented his Spring 2010 evening and ready-to-wear collection during Rusnak’s “Night of Luxury” in the grand plaza of Spartacus Square on the Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot, Saturday, October 17, 2009. The feeling of privilege and opulence abounded as I scanned the sea of elegant tables, smelled the aroma of fine food and drink, and took in the distinguished guests dressed to the nines. Rolls Royce revealed its newest car, the “Ghost” for 2010, among other couture vehicles, including the unveiling of Porche and Jaguar. Miss California, Tammy Farrell, among other celebrities (Haylie Duff, Nick Zano, and Natasha Henstridge) were in attendance. Before the main event, I spoke to the head stylist and runway show producer to get a feel of the night’s upcoming main event. They hinted at the smoky eye look and thecarefree essence of the heiress, driving in her convertible sports car with her hair in the classic up-do, in this case, a classy beehive with a slightly windblown look. The producer emphasized his desire to bring to life Hall’s vision. In my opinion he succeeded.

As with every Kevan Hall collection, the clothes were breathtaking, bringing me back to old Hollywood. Well, the Spring 2010 collection was no different . . . ahem . . . except, dare I say, “evolved”? Each beautiful gown and elegant suit embodied nostalgia reminiscent of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, etc. The show was indeed bigger than life. The white jersey jumpsuit with black silk organza touring duster was one of my favorite pieces. Another signature piece in Hall’s collection was the azalea pink silk taffeta siren gown with bow. In keeping with the one-shoulder trend as seen on many a catwalk this season, the white chiffon one-shoulder gown with black lace crossings was also a favorite. And let’s not forget the attention to detail that Hall gives his creations. The indigo stretch georgette crisscross dress was finely crafted to accentuate a woman’s curves—another Hall trademark.

It would be unfair to point out only my favorites, since every piece in this collection is beautiful and truly embodies Hall’s ode to the iconic woman. With clean lines and tastefuldiamond accessories and a palette of unusual spring colors, Kevan Hall’s Spring 2010 collection can only be described as other-worldly.

What was the inspiration for your collection?

The inspiration was Elizabeth Parke Firestone, who was the Firestone heiress; and I figured since we were doing this in this venue with the beautiful automobiles, to look to this incredible icon that collected couture. So, with couture, thinking about her life, thinking about the 50s all the way to the 70s . . . just beautiful couture-inspired gowns and suits.

I loved everything about it. I loved the styling that went along with it. What I noticed particularly—and you did this in most of your collections—were your choices of iridescent colors. Can you tell me a little bit about some of the fabrics you used?

We used a satin-based organza. It’s a fabric that I hadn’t used in many, many years. It has a very light, airy kind of feeling to it, and then again back to my color sense. People are really responsive to colors. The iridescence is something that I always do. I love soft, luxurious fabrics.

Why did you choose Universal Studios?

We had the opportunity to partner with Rusnak group. When I saw the setting, I thought it was just perfect to take it out of a white box and put it into this really wonderful open-air ambience and create a whole great evening.

Initially, I saw your very first collection as the creative director for Halston. I’ve been in love with your talent ever since. I have seen you just catapult into this amazing iconic—I know a word you use for your own inspirations to your collections—designer. What’s next for Kevan Hall?

What’s next for Kevan Hall? I am continuing to branch out on my brand. We do have a new collection called “Kevan Hall for Paul Stanley,” where I have a partner and we’re doing day dresses. Of course, we’re selling more mainstream. They’ll retail at specialty stores and in Bloomingdale’s, and then I also just launched a collection called “Kevan Hall Studio,” which is cocktail dresses at a great, affordable price for women that would love to own the clothes that they can’t really afford, the couture pieces.

For women like me. (Both laugh)

So we’re branching out.

EM & Co’s Eveline Morel: Los Angeles’s Pied Piper Who Spreads the Word about Local Talent in Fashion and Art

Eveline Morel is the owner of EM & Co, and she absolutely loves anything that has to do with fashion and creativity.  She hosts local art openings and local fashion shows and supports local talent in whatever they do. She spreads the news. Morel has always lived with fashion, fabrics, and fibers. She learned to knit when she was eight. Her grandmother was a dressmaker and pattern maker who taught dressmaking at one of the local schools.

“I pretty much just grew up under the table playing with the scraps of fabric.” -Eveline Morel

Eveline was born in Romania and lived there for the first eight years of her life. She learned her first sewing terms in Romanian. She knitted her first scarf when she was eight, and in high school she knitted her own sweaters and made her own skirts. Deciding she didn’t want to be a starving artist, Eveline went to school and got her MBA; but even in business school, Eveline’s nickname was Miss Fashion. In the 80s, she would take a business suit and make it stylish and fashionable. After learning the ins and outs of business, which involved learning how to run a business, working with creative people, putting events together, etc., she started making clothes for herself, and people started asking her where she got her clothes and could she make clothes for them. She decided to take those pieces to a store. They sold and she realized that she could design for a living. Eveline’s experience went from working in showrooms, to buying outfits, to working with designers. She realized that she needed to launch a collection.

How did you move into owning a boutique?

It was a fluke, essentially. I ended up becoming a partner of a boutique not too far from here. That was my first experience. I realized how important it was to have that direct contact with your customers. With boutiques, it’s about the space and how it inspires people. That includes lighting and everything else. That just grew on me. I felt right at home. Then I decided to open my own store and really have the vibe that I wanted and make sure I had enough space to host artists. And that’s kind of how it all started.

What are some of the exciting things you’re doing now?

This is the seventh season that we are hosting a fashion show. We do it every LA Fashion Week. The name that stuck is “Up Next – Emerging LA Designers.” They are always LA designers because it’s important to really support local talent. And there is a lot of talent in LA. We feature anywhere between three to five designers. When we see a designer that has that je ne sais quoi , we love spreading the word! And we’ve gotten pretty good at spreading the word. People are listening to us. We have over 4,000 people on our mailing list alone. So every time we send out something, more and more people get to hear about it.

What are some of the other things you host?

Every month we host local art openings. We feature designers, everything from photographers, to installation, to painters and artists. That’s something we’ve done for the last three years. In between that we also work with our customers and make them look fabulous.

What’s special about EM & Co as a boutique?

It’s really about the mix. It’s a mix of local and global designers, one-of-a-kind pieces, and pieces that are handpicked. We don’t just go into a store and get the top selling items and just buy those. We look at what’s going to fit the customers . . . what’s going to look good . . . what’s interesting. That’s how we approach things. It’s about the service, too. We make sure that people feel comfortable, that the store feels inviting, that you feel at home here. We always have a bottle of champagne in the fridge, and we keep it fun.

I attended a few events at your boutique . . . a Vivienne Westwood trunk show, which I really enjoyed . . . they’ve been pretty exciting with DJs and celebrities. Where do you see EM & Co in five years?

We always joke about it—and maybe there’s a little bit of truth in that—world domination! (Eveline laughs.) Actually, in the short term, we’re launching our online boutique. And eventually we are going to have stores in other locations. We’re probably going to have some pop-up stores in the US and a few locations around the world. But we’re always going to keep the same values and to keep what drives us, which is “think global and act local.”

Is that your logo?

Yes, it’s pretty much our mantra. Think global, find the best designers from all around the world, bring them under one roof, but at the same time always support the local talent: musicians, artists, designers. It’s important to do that. I know because having been a designer myself, I think it’s not just important to look outside, but to always make sure that you’re taking care of what’s in your backyard.

You’re unique as a boutique owner. I hate to even call you that because you’re so much more. You’re an entrepreneur and a businesswoman, you have the experience as a designer, and you know what goes into creating a piece and the work that goes into creating a collection. You’re able to run a successful boutique in a time when our economy is so unstable. What is it about you that makes you able to do all of this and keep it thriving?

It’s the passion for beauty and the passion for working for people. It makes me happy, literally brings me to tears just to hear a customer say they got so many compliments from [something they purchased here]. We’re touching someone’s life in a way. It’s not just selling goods and making the money, but it’s really abouttouching someone’s life. Clothing is a necessity, but it’s also something that inspires. It’s art. A lot of it is also just focus and looking at what is important—at the end of the day, what is it that we have achieved. Where do we want to go and how do we get there. I’m a pretty focused person.

Highest High

When I went to the Yelp page and read the reviews. All of a sudden reading what people were saying about their experience at the store, I nearly cried. Here’s someone writing a page on her experience and how positive it was. So that’s when I realized that we were making a difference and people are actually hearing some feedback. Of course we have a lot of fun, so everyday pretty much, there’s always a high or a good thing happening . . . pretty much everyday.

Lowest Low

There hasn’t been a time I can say. It’s just part of doing business. You’ll always have some times that aren’t exactly what you expected, but that’s all just a part of owning a business. When things happen, I ask, “What can I learn from this?” I see them as lessons or temporary setbacks to maybe alter the course. So far I don’t really have a low, and I hope I never do.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to own a boutique?

It’s all about the mix and that it’s serious business. Ultimately you have to be able to approach it as a business and give it the necessary structure and business approach. At the same time, everything has to work together, the product and your knowledge of the customer.

EM & Co is located at 7940 W. 3 rd Street, Los Angeles, CA. Visit their online boutique at www.emandco.com.

Erin Wasson Backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York Spring 2010

The model-turned-designer premiered a hippie girl-inspired collection catering to the “physically fit.” Except for the occasional loose-fitting blouse or sweater, there were mostly midrift-baring silk shirts, skinny white-washed, side-studded jeans with that oh-so familiar rocker flair since the label’s launch a couple of seasons back.  Photographed by Arun Nevader.

View Erin Wasson Backstage

Ash Gupta Studio 838 October 2009 Recap

In October, Studio 838 covered Downtown LA Fashion Week. Studio 838 photographers Alex Barakat, Thomas Connors, and Gilbert Mojarro shot runway, red carpet, and backstage. They captured the glamour and excitement of the MOCA Geffen shows and the debut of the Cao Cosmetics line. Ash Gupta attended the finale night, reuniting with friends Apollonia Kotero, Max Ryan, and Sandra Vidal.

Early in the month, Ash and the studio shot the experimental editorial,”One of Us,” at the Custom Hotel (featured in the current issue). Miss Latvia and Christina Djadenko were photographed as well and will be featured in a European publication.

Ksenia Sukhinova, the reigning Miss World, returned to Los Angeles and walked in the Valentino show. She took time out to shoot again with Ash Gupta, who is the first photographer who photographed her within the United States. Another Eastern face, Monika Jakisic, was shot for Croatian Maxim.

Ash rounded off the month by shooting a 16-page fashion editorial for British magazine The Collective, featuring 12 looks with a “fine art” spin on fashion. Themonth concluded with a shoot of hot, young Hollywood face, Collin Blake, for IQ Magazine.

See the Image Gallery

Barbara Rosin of Ventidue: A Creator of Unique Leather Designs with Her Own Unique Flair!

“I’m a very determined person. If I’m not doing something for myself, what a waste! With all my resources, I thought, this is the time!” -Barbara Rosin

Barbara Rosin is the creator of the leather label Ventidue. She recently came from Verona, a city in northeast Italy, near Venice. This is a part of Italy that has been involved in creating and cultivating leather products for years. New to designing, Rosin just started making her leather collection about a year ago, and her garments are refined and edgy. She uses metallics and uniquely and skillfully treated leather. Rosin combines leather with jersey, cotton, and organza to create her own unique flair. According to Barbara, the leather has a memory and keeps the shape of the wearer’s body. For example, a leather jacket keeps its memory forever. She loves leather for this very reason.

What is your design process?

The process is really simple and natural. I love to design and I like a simple style, while at the same time I love the combination of some particular fabrics, in this case leather, jersey, cotton, organza, etc., combined with metal.

Metal, now that’s different. I noticed you have metal studs on your handbags.

Yes, especially metal. I use it with the leather to create more detail. Everything is completely different if you use materials that are unusual.

Do you make your own patterns, like your pleated skirt, for instance? I’ve never seen a leather pleated skirt before.

This is actually a big job I did with Eveline from EM and Co. It was an amazing combination. I think it’s a particular skirt that everybody can wear. It looks one way in cotton and a completely different way in leather. You can play with the look by combining a simple white tank top or a blouse to make it more elegant. With leather it’s versatile. For instance, a leather jacket is something you can wear everyday. But if you put studs or wear with metallic leather pants, or even accessorize with shoes or bag, it can pull the look together. I love this collection for this reason. Every single piece you can put your personality and play with it a lot!

What would you say is special or unique about your particular designs?

I try to give more personality to my pieces. We did leather leggings in metallic. There are particular materials I use to make my pieces more unique.

I hadn’t seen very much metallic in leather before I saw your collection. How did you come up with that concept?

It’s because I come from a part of Italy where they have been working withleather for a really long time. I’ve been around this material all my life. It’s very natural for me.

As I look at some of your handbags, I don’t really know how to describe them. It’s leather with an edge. Tell me about how you came up with that idea.

As I was cutting leather for something, there was all this excess material that was just going to waste. Why did I have to throw all this beautiful excess away? The kind of ageing of this leather is fantastic. So we took the excess, put metallic on top, and it was amazing. This is the reason that my handbags were born.

So it’s kind of almost like being “green,” recyclable.

Yes, and I love the idea because you can customize it more because of the room inside the bag. You modify to [accommodate] what you need. For instance, if you need something very short for evening, or if you need something very big for daytime, you create it accordingly.

You left Italy to come here. Are you permanently living here now, or do you go back and forth?

How can you play with this kind of leather? I have to go back and forth because the quality of leather is difficult to get here. Unfortunately, you cannot have this kind of effect—it’s a different kind of labor. In Italy they do amazing stuff with leather to make it very soft, like butter. You can have these kinds of effects only with Italian lamb.

Did you have any obstacle while trying to create your designs?

I’m lucky because I received great feedback when I presented my pieces. Economically speaking, it is not a good time to start a business, but I’m very strong and very determined.

What are some of your price points?

A leather jacket or leather skirt retails for $400, bags are around $400, and leather tops around $180. Shipping it from Italy, you have to pay extra; so I think it’s reasonable.

Highest High

I was really impressed with the people who have helped me. Not to take away anything from Italy, but here in the United States and particularly in Los Angeles, a lot of people are really nice and amazing. Everybody was super helpful. I was like, wow! I’m so happy. There was so much support.

Any Lows?

The economy is bad, but if you believe in yourself, you can keep going. When you get low, you just need to wake up and go for it with everything you’ve got. Because if you believe it and if you are lucky enough to have a partner, don’t think about the negative; just be strong and remember that tomorrow is another great day.

How has the economy affected your designing?

Everybody thinks that the leather will cost too much. I just explain that it’s something new, so it doesn’t have to be expensive.

What advice would you give to an aspiring designer?

Do it. Sit down, make your design, try to speak with a lot of people and try to make your project happen. If you take the time, you can meet with the kind of people who can help you. So, if you feel you have something . . . do it! I love that my pieces can make women happy all around the world.

Which designers inspire you?

My inspirations come from everywhere—my family, traveling, Italy. I do love Thierry Muegler, but I consider everyday life an inspiration.

You can find Ventidue at EM & Co in Los Angeles, CA. Also visit www.emandco.com to purchase Ventidue online.

Tatiana McLane: A 16-Year-Old Fashion Designer of the Victorian-Inspired “Queenie 4 Ever”

“To other teens out there who would like to be a fashion designer like me or have a dream or passion, keep going until the end, because you can make it as long as you believe in yourself. This was once my dream, but because I pursued it, it is now my reality.” -Tatiana McLane

While most 16-year-old girls are hanging out at the mall, Tatiana McLane, the designer of Queenie 4 Ever is creating beautiful Victorian-inspired clothes for the upcoming seasons. Tatiana started designing at nine years old. It’s hard to fathom, since I was skateboarding and still playing with Barbie dolls at that age. I certainly couldn’t design an outfit, much less sew a hem. I always found it fascinating when my mother would make me a dress from a pattern and watch it materialize. But to imagine a child of nine creating an outfit from scratch, and bringing it into being, that is a sight to behold. Tatiana has had her vision for seven years and has been quite successful at keeping that vision alive. Her designs have been worn by Jessica Simpson, Hilary Duff, Missy Elliot, Macy Gray, and others. She has been featured in several publications: La Weekly Style Council, East West Woman, Music Connection, and Skratch Magazine. Her mother, Venice Wong, is the co-creator of the Queenie 4 Ever label and a huge support to Tatiana.

What made you want to start designing clothes?

It all started when I was nine years old. My parents are both music attorneys, and so they work in the music industry. I would go along with them after school when they had meetings. My mom helped [the clients] rearrange their outfits. I always thought it was really cool, and I wanted to help.

A lot of designers I’ve interviewed have told me they used to sew clothes for their dolls. Did you do that at all?

Not really. I had Barbie dolls, but I mixed and matched their clothes.

Are the clothes that you wear to school things that you make for yourself?

Well, I have to wear a uniform because I attend a private school. But I do design my own clothing.

How do you go about designing an outfit?

First, I do research. I find pictures. I roughly sketch it, show it to my pattern maker, and pick out the fabric.

Can you tell me what makes Queenie 4 Ever unique? Who inspires you?

I’m inspired by Japanese and Victorian fashion. I like Audrey Hepburn. I really like Vivienne Westwood because her designs are really cool and she uses plaid and I like plaid.

You’re wearing a very adorable pink taffeta, black lace dress. What would you call it, and how did you come up with that design?

I just found the fabric and I really liked it. So I started with the fabric and I thought of Victorian tea parties and how they spend time during the spring.It has an exaggerated bow . . . I really like bows. Right now I’m showing my spring collection.

You have to come up with a collection twice a year. What inspired your spring collection?

Victorian-inspired collection that has ruffles and lace bows. I just choose a color and decide what would look good with that.

You said you’re in a private school. How do your friends accept youbeing a designer?

I was featured in my yearbook. It was called “Hidden Talent.” There were three students featured, one who flies airplanes, another one who did river dancing, and then me, a designer. A lot of people found out about me through that. I thought it was pretty cool that they recognized that I was a designer.

Could you walk me through your first outfit that you designed atnine years old?

I was at a charity event my parents went to. They probably had clients there. I met one of the Back Street Boys, Howie Durrough. I started talking to him and I told him I was a fashion designer. I can make you anything you want. He said he wanted a jacket and a man’s dress shirt. I told him I could do that. My mom was pretty surprised that I did that. But I ended up making a sky blue pinstriped shirt and a jacket. We sent it out to Florida.We flew out after the package, and I got to see him wear it on stage. That was my favorite moment as a fashion designer.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you plan to attend fashion school, or do you even need to?

I want to go to Stanford to study East Asian language because I have a huge interest in Japanese. I take Japanese and I really love it. I want to use that to go over there and put my own boutique here and also in Japan. Because then I could speak both languages and it would help me in business.

What is your ultimate goal as a fashion designer?

My goal is to get my designs worldwide, and not just the internet. I want to physically be there.

What advice would you give a young aspiring designer like yourself?

You should follow your passions, and when somebody tells you that you can’t do it, you should prove them wrong because you will feel proud of yourself. And your family and friends will feel proud for you.

Tatiana also volunteers and sponsors several nonprofit organizations: A Place Called Home, P.A.L.S. Class Act (Musical Theater Scholarships), Dorough Lupus Foundation, and Angel Way Maternity Home, and more. Visit www.queenie4ever.com to learn more.

Vilaiwan Fine Jewelry – Semi-Precious Wearable Art That Complements a Woman’s Charisma!

When I put the right pieces on the right client and I know that is her piece, I get goose bumps because it will complement her face, neckline, complexion . . . it will frame her face and hair. When I put the right piece on, we both feel it and know it. It’s as if that piece was created just for her. That’s the highest point for me because I feel like I completed my job as a designer. It confirms for me that’s why I’m doing this! -Jo-Jo, Vilaiwan Jewelry Designer

Polthakorn Viboonviriyawong, aka Jo-Jo, was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. He watched his mother start and build a successful diamond business. His earliest creative memories are of his mother (Vilaiwan) asking him to use his own designskills to help design new settings for her jewelry. As a result of this new-found passion, his mother sent Jo-Jo to the United States to turn that passion into a career. In honor of her support, Vilaiwan Fine Jewelry was born.

Jo-Jo received his Master’s from FIDM and graduated number one in his class. While there, jewelry became his passion. His vision is that jewelry is not just an accessory, but it is art that makes a statement of personality and energy. His designs are inspired by vintage styles. Vilaiwan designs have made the flower the centerpiece of its design and its signature. Jo-Jo hand-makes each piece and uses his relationships in the jewelry business abroad to secure the best materials. You will not find pieces like his anywhere else in the world. This also means that most of the Vilaiwan collection cannot be mass-produced.

Tell me about your background

I got my Master’s Degree in Interior Design. After that, I wanted to have something of my own before I was 30. I started to make jewelry. I gave a piece to one of my friends and she wore it to an art exhibition. Long story short, we made a connection, and we were able to put some of my jewelry in the museum store. Everything started from there. From the first to the third collection, I saw the opportunity. I created a website. We immediately got published in Dailycandy.com. Everythingblew up after that. We got 20,000 hits in two weeks. I was able to sell my first production in ten days. From there I started to learn about the business, like how do you connect to stylists, stores, you have to have a rep to deal with buyers, and people contact you from everywhere in the world.

So you had a fast snowball success!

It was something that happened at the right moment and the right time. Luckily, I ran into the right channels.

How would you describe your jewelry?

My jewelry is more of an art. It’s definitely not something that’s teeny-tiny with a small little sheen. I definitely create a statement. I design with my heart and my soul. You can definitely see it in the pieces—they’re like an art piece. It is jewelry, but it also complements your bone structure and your appearance. I put a lot of emphasis on the bone structure.

What are the materials you use?

They are all semi-precious. Luckily, I have the benefit of my family diamond business to help with that. We have very rare stones to mix in our one-of-a-kind collection. The structure part is plated with either 14 carat white gold or 22 carat gold. This way the client won’t have to worry about the pieces getting tarnished or creating a rash. We think about every single detail and every aspect of the jewelry.

I have seen the jewelry. It is very beautiful. You said you want to complement the bone structure, but you have some very interesting, intricate designs. Can you give me an example of what inspires that?

The pieces are inspired by nature: flowers, trees, leaves and their textures and colors . . . or even textures of stone and wood in flooring . . . even fountains and the rain. When I’m referring to the bone structure and the appearance of the client, how could I bring up those ideas and concepts’ shape and form, based on my inspirations and be able to collaborate and combine and create something that actually flows with the bone structure of a human being, and make it look like something that really frames your face or neckline? It raises the look of eleganceand complements the charisma of its owner. The answer is every piece has to embody something that complements those particular elements. That’s why it’s called jewelry. You want to wear the necklaces. You don’t want the necklaces to wear you.

So your line is only three years old.

Yes, I feel really grateful for all the great response that I got, including all the press, clients, and fan base. I feel really fortunate for that.

You had a lot of success in a very short period of time. Where can we find your jewelry?

You can find it on our website. We do exhibitions with museums and high-end boutiques. Every 3-4 months we launch one-of-a-kind collections not announced on our website—only announce it to those on our email list. When I’m in Los Angeles, I schedule private appointments with my clients.

How do you go about actually designing these pieces?

I sketch, and every time I go back to Thailand, I get a chance to look at the stone market or the suppliers affiliated with my family diamond business. From there I can see if there are any stones that can fit what I’ve sketched. I will literally make at least one piece myself, and then I have a little team make a couple of the pieces. The maximum number of pieces per design is only five pieces. But every 3-4 months when we do our one-of-a-kind collections, that’s only one piece per one design.

Are they collectible or individually named?

Yes, we named them based on flowers in Thai or ladies’ names in Thai. It gives you a more meaningful association with the piece.

Is there anything challenging about creating your jewelry?

The challenging part for me is finding the right materials to match the design. Sometimes the structure’s not right or the number of the wiring was wrong, but once you complete it, it’s like a miracle. Because when it’s finished, you know it’s right. I get ecstatic every time I create and finish a new piece. I have to put each piece on a person, because I have to make sure it sits right on the neck. So when it’s completed, it’s a miracle to me. What can be challenging is making sure that the finished product actually looks like the picture I had in my head.

Could you list some of the semi-precious stones you use in your jewelry?

Yes. We use ruby, jade, quartz, emerald, rose quartz, yellow topaz, blue topaz, corals; and sometimes we even mix the stones, for example, ruby and emerald.

Everyone’s got inspirations, right? What jewelry designers inspire you?

Honestly, I don’t have any jewelry designers that inspire me. I see some of the pieces from other artists. I really admire them. But I am mostly inspired by different shapes and forms of art, like architecture or even a flower arrangement . . . even acolor scheme that moves me. I have been taking a lot of pictures lately of the floor with shadowing and different textures of concrete; the sand; the ways that nature grows; the odd shades of pink; etc. I prefer that to a real object or shape and form.

Highest High

When I put the right pieces on the right client and I know that is her piece, I get goose bumps because it will complement her face, neckline, complexion; it will frame her face and hair. When I put the right piece on, we both feel it and know it. It’s as if that piece was created just for her. That’s the highest point for me because I feel like I completed my job as a designer. It confirms for me that’s why I’m doing this!

Any lows?

Sometimes it can be challenging. I might have a design, but I can’t find the right stone for it. Or I found the stone, but the execution didn’t materialize the way I wanted. When those moments come, I just take a break, go for a walk or jog, and then return to it later. By the end, it always works out somehow.

My parents taught me that any job that you do, there will always be problems; but you’re lucky to get the chance to solve the problems in the business that you love and have a passion for. So for me, I have no complaints.

What advice would you give to another aspiring jewelry designer?

1. You really have to follow your passion. You really have to be honest with yourself. If you want to be a fashion designer, jewelry designer, or a singer, it’s what’s deeply inside screaming for you to do it. Follow that and never give up. There will always be obstacles where things aren’t as smooth, but just don’t give up. Be passionate about it; and in the end, it will pay you back. The difficulties are just a test to see if you really want to go through with it.

2. Be open-minded. When you become a designer, it’s like being an artist. You have an ego. But if you become an open-minded person, it will be much more fun while you are enjoying learning everyday from everything and everyone. There are a lot of things in this world that you don’t know and it benefits and can inspire you.

To learn more about Jo-Jo’s jewelry, visit his website at www.vilaiwan.com.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples