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Q1 Pease tell us your brief profile and working career. Why did you become a designer?
I think the question is more like, "How did I become a designer?" A friend of mine suggested we start bijou X when she saw a bracelet I had made for her daughter. I had recently stopped singing professionally and was looking to reinvent myself. My only criteria at that time was that what ever career I chose, I had to create. Her suggestion was perfect for me. I found designing jewelry much like writing a song. |
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Q2 Would you tell us about the brand? What is the concept behind it?
bijou X was inspired by an antique, brass medal that I found lying in an old display case in an antique store in Philadelphia. After returning home, I restored the piece, polished it and found something beautiful. After learning that many of the American companies that had manufactured these pieces had closed in recent years, I decided to give the few remaining ones my support by using their increasingly rare designs in my work. I also design pieces using antique and vintage stampings, some of which are no longer being made.bijou X incorporates all I love about designing jewelry: preserving jewelry history while reinventing it. My concept is to design timeless jewelry with a modern edge.
Q3 What is your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration is the first time I took something discarded and forgotten and gave it life again. |
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Q8 Who is your dream collaborator?
My dream collaborator would be Dutch designer, Tord Boontje. It would be fun to blend his delicate shapes with the elegant, antique tool-and-die designs of the 18th and 19th Centuries. I've always loved his work. I affectionately call it 'Antique-Lace Modernism'. |
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Q9What do you think the fashion/jewelry industry in Japan right now?
I love the vibrancy and use of color in your fashions, especially the fashions of your pop culture. I've read that Koakuma Ageha with its' "little devil" look is 'in' right now. Having experience in rock culture, I've been a fan of the Harajuku Girls. The "little devil" look seems suited to my jewelry because of its' overt femininity. Frills and scrolls go beautifully together.I also enjoy anime and manga. I know that Takashi Murakami is bringing his wonderful art to fashion with Louis Vuitton and from an American perspective, his style is indicative of Japan's modern style in fashion and art. It's wonderful.
Q10 Do you usually wear jewelry? What kind of style do you like?
Yes, I wear jewelry, especially necklaces and bracelets. I tend not to purchase fine jewelry because I find my tastes are always changing and I like to take a risk on something daring without investing a lot of money. Because I appreciate design of all periods, I find that my jewelry tastes are vast. I adore vintage Miriam Haskell and Scandinavian designers, Else and Paul Hughes but I also love Tarina Tarantino, Kimberly Baker and, of course, bijou X !
Q11 What is your favorite food? Any good restaurants?
My Scottish-descent mother raised me on homemade soups and stews. No matter where I eat, a bowl of soup is my first choice on the menu. But I enjoy dining at 'Aqua' in Las Vegas and the restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. |
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I've always had a passion for everything artistic and have pursued creativity in everything I do. After graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Theatre Design, I pursued a career as a rock singer/songwriter, performing in cities such as New York and Philadelphia with my band, Denny and the Dropouts. I had the honor of working with Andy Wallace, who engineered Nirvana's 'In Utero' album and Wally Gold, who wrote, "It's My Party" for Leslie Gore. While researching costume jewelry manufacturing in 2005, I was fascinated by the stampings and filigree components typical of American tool and die houses in the 19th and 20th centuries. After discovering that many of these companies have ceased production, I decided, as a designer, to support these beautiful resources by utilizing their unique and increasingly rare designs in my work. I individually hand-make each piece of bijou X jewelry. Each vintage or vintage-tooled stamping is lovingly restored, polished and lacquered to protect the finish and then combined with sterling silver or 14K gold-filled chain, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and sterling and gold-filled components. |
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Q4 Currently which stores carry your brand in the world? Price range?
My jewelry can be found in stores in the United States and purchased online at www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com and www.myspace.com/bijouXstudio. My pieces range between $49. and $79. retail.
Q5 What kind of jewelry style is the trend for this season?
It's difficult for me to determine jewelry trends when my designs borrow from the past. I know I'd love to see more metals being used as the focal point in jewelry. In the United States, the trend is jewelry adorned with wildlife and foliage, especially for teens and young adults. Romantic shapes such as scroll work are very popular, too. Because tunics and mini-dresses are so the rage, look for necklaces and earrings in longer lengths.
Q6 Which celebrities are wearing?
Be the first! Actually, I believe everyone's a celebrity to someone. |
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Q7 Which celebrities do you think suit the most?
I hope all of them would love what I do, including George Clooney but I can see my pieces on Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett and 'Ayu’. |
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Q12 Would you tell us about your next collection? Any future plans?
Because a lot of my work is done using vintage and antique pieces, I never know what I'll uncover, so my designs are almost spur-of-the-moment. With my vintage-tooled pieces, like the ones shown here, I'm still finding unusual designs from American tool-and-die companies that inspire me. I also have plans to design and hand-cut my own modern variations of stampings from sterling silver.
Q13 Where do you go for shop?
My dream places to shop are Barney's and ABC Carpet and Home in New York City but right now, I'm very content to shop at Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Crate&Barrel.
Q14 Do you have any advice for the young people?
Love what you do! |
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