This blog is an exercise in vanity for sure, but it doesn’t have to be about me ALL the time, right?  I miss editing and interviewing and whatnot, so I’ll be incorporating some fun, hopefully interesting stuff with OTHER PEOPLE (gasp!) into the site. First up? Jewelry designer Jennifer Merchant!

I first came across Jennifer Merchant‘s bold jewelry designs while browsing One-Offs Yippee! and noticed almost everything I liked was from her collection. Corian jewelry? Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that? I decided to be nosy and ask the Savannah College of Art & Design graduate and Minneapolis resident a bit more about herself.

Tell me a bit about your transition to full-time jewelry designer and entrepreneur.

My transition to full time was sort of an accident. I had been waiting tables to pay the bills, and I ended up losing my job… Best thing to ever happen to me! It was the kick in the pants I needed to really put my all into my business. I am an all or nothing kind of girl, so I decided instead of trying to find another menial job to ‘pay the bills’ I’d jump head first into selling my jewelry!

What has been the hardest part?

The hardest part has been trying to run my business with pretty much no money to put into it. Luckily, I’m creative and have found a way to make beautiful jewelry out of really inexpensive materials. I print my own tags, take my own photographs, use only social media to market… someday soon I hope to be able to farm out some/all of these tasks so that I can focus more on creating! All in due time…

That’s a lot to keep up with! What keeps you going?

Knowing that I am really going after my dreams, I am finally going for it instead of being afraid to try. Even if it ends in failure, I know that I am giving it my all, and I have no regrets! Also, I remind myself daily that working for myself is so much more rewarding than anything else I have done, even though I’m a tough boss!

What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of what you do?

The confidence I gain with each little success, and the lessons I learn from each failure of running my own business. Doing what I love, and feeling like I am finally contributing to the world has made me a much happier person. What I love most is inspiring others to go for their dreams too.

Tell me a bit about your personal style.

I’ve often been told I look like I’m “from another era.” I would say my personal style takes a vintage 40’s feel and mixes it with sleek modern elements. I love juxtaposition and duality in design, and it seems to carry through my personal style and overall personality.

I see a lot of architectural shapes in your designs. Where does that come from?

I absolutely adore art deco! Architecture, furniture, oh and the jewelry! A lot of people say that some of my designs are very ‘80s, but really I was inspired by the simple forms of art deco design. My pieces give off the ‘80s vibe because of the bright colors, and also much of ‘80s design was inspired by art deco, so I take it as a compliment.

I’ve always loved the clean lines and strong shapes of Art Deco. What else are you into?

I love music, dance, and performance. As a kid I was always singing, and I was on a competitive dance team all through high school. If I wasn’t going for my dream of being a successful jewelry designer, I’d be trying to make it as a performer. A couple years ago I was the lead singer for a cover band called Soul Surreal, and earlier this year I did a small production called Tails of a Bitter Waitress, so clearly I still find time to ham it up once in a while!

I love anything that is creative, I just have this undying need to create and express myself, regardless of the medium. That’s one of the best parts of working for myself, I get to do everything!

I can totally relate, I’m a huge ham! And creativity is essential to running a business, so what’s next for Jennifer Merchant Design?

Building my brand, and getting into more brick and mortar shops and galleries!

I am also continually trying to push the boundaries of what is considered ‘fine jewelry’ and I hope to start incorporating more metal work in with my acrylic and corian designs. Currently I work almost exclusively in alternative materials, but I was trained as a metalsmith, and I look forward to returning to my roots a bit, when I can afford it! The price of gold and silver sure has gone up!

Where do you see yourself and your business in a few years?

Currently I work out of my home, in the next few years I hope to expand into a proper studio space! My biggest goal is to get my work into Vogue Magazine–many of my pieces are made from past issues layered between sheets of acrylic. I also hope to be showing in more gallery type settings, as I feel much of my jewelry is more wearable art than just an accessory. And, in the next year or so you should be seeing my jewelry in stores nationwide, and *fingers crossed* in other countries as well!

With that kind of talent and work ethic? I have no doubt.

Find Jennifer Merchant Designs:

In shops

Design Collective, I Like You, and Parc Boutique (Minneapolis, MN)
Shop SCAD (Savannah, GA)

Online

One-offsyippee.com
JenMDesigns.etsy.com
JenniferMerchantDesign.com
You can also connect with Jennifer on Twitter and Facebook.

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I’ve been obsessing over this ultra soft tie-dyed tee from Brush Factory since last month’s PopShop. In typical Tamia fashion, I didn’t realize how much I liked it until AFTER the event–the same thing happens with guys. First meeting, I’m “Hey, what’s up” all nonchalant, then the second time I see the same guy and he’s the foinest dude I’ve ever met.

Brush Factory tee; H&M pants; Steven shoes; vintage jewelry

I don’t know why I just told you all that, ’cause all I really needed to say was “I got the shirt and I love it.”

Stop by this month’s PopShop (back at 1301 Main Street) this evening for more great shopping from local crafters and designers!

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My friend Catherine, one half of the team behind the delicately quirky accessories line Hark + Hark, was nice enough to gift me a necklace from their current collection at last weekend’s PopShop. I hemmed and hawed before finally choosing this lovely purplish drusy pendant, and have been wearing it nonstop ever since.

You can’t buy the exact same necklace I have (it’s, like, unique and special and stuff JUST LIKE ME), but you should definitely check out some of my other favorites, available at Hark + Hark on etsy.

Gold mine pendant, $45; udon necklace, $50; wiry branch necklace, $35

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I’ve worked with the Dress for Success 4th Street Boutique before, most notably on Style Tour and the Christmas window (I heard the Art Museum might use the long red Mandarin Jacket from the window in some sort of exhibit!). A while back, the latent editor in me came up with the idea of 4th Street Finds, an online mini-magazine of sorts showcasing the best of the boutique!

Each week, Susi and I have way too much fun playing dress up with the mannequins (we’ve named one of them Lucy, the other remains nameless for now) and taking pictures for the next week’s features,” including $50 outfit, Vintage Corner, One Piece Two Ways, and more! The features are posted on the 4th Street Boutique Facebook page, and you can head down to the shop for some guilt-free shopping if you see something you like.

I’ve already got my eye on the green Mandarin Jacket (it looks FAB with leopard print) and I may or may not get that tortoiseshell-look belt the next time I’m at the boutique. That’s why you gotta move fast!

For the scoop on the best of what’s in store, make sure to like 4th Street Boutique on Facebook.

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I’m not sure how I first came across shoe designer Anita Moser‘s designs, but I know it was love at first sight.

Really, how could you not love fluorescent yellow peep-toes and slouchy purple leather boots?

And the production process? Amazing.

Dip-dyed shoes! Almost makes me want to take a cobbling class. And the toe on those brogues is PERFECT. Check out the rest of the collection here.

Sidenote: Even though I’m no longer publishing the magazine, I still seem to feel the need to editorialize everything. I have a spreadsheet bursting with designers, illustrators, entrepreneurs, etc.,  so y’all might be subjected to the fallout every now and then while I get all the “editor” out of my system. I hope that’s okay!

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I love designer collaborations. From Target to Topshop, high-end designers have been successfully partnering with mass-market retailers for the better part of the past decade, delighting consumers with champagne taste and beer budgets (comme moi).

Designer Jodi Arnold, best known for her contemporary line MINT, is bringing her aesthetic to the masses with a line for The Limited. Known for interesting embellishments, unique prints, and attention to detail, her fall collection for the brand features appliqued tops, tailored skirts and trousers, and a black and white embroidered tunic that will surely find its way into my closet.

BOY by Band of Outsiders SKIRT, La Garconne; Ann Demeulemeester SANDAL BOOTIES, Brown’s Fashion; Noir EARRINGS, Shopbop; Comme des Garcons JACKET, Farfetch; Topshop TROUSERS; Louboutin HEELS, Brown’s Fashion.

So here’s the deal: I have a few ideas, but I need some more suggestions on how to wear the tunic. Thanks to Cincy Chic, I’m giving away a $25 gift certificate that can be used at any The Limited location. Leave a comment on this post with a suggestion for how to style the tunic to be entered into the drawing for the $25 gift certificate! I’m thinking it would be an easy piece to mix with other prints since it’s black and white–what do you think?

Comment entries must be received by midnight EDT on August 8, 2010. Jodi and her team will be at The Limited’s Kenwood Mall location on August 18th from 6-9pm, so maybe I’ll see you there!

Old school collabo?

This particular collaboration brings back a forgotten memory: years ago, back in my college days, I saw a lovely printed blouse in a vintage shop. I picked it up to check the label, and to my surprise, the tag read DESIGNER NAME for The Limited!

I can’t remember the designer’s name to save my life–I’m almost positive it was a female designer–but it was definitely a name I recognized. I’m guessing the blouse had to be from the late 80′s, possibly early 90′s… That was the first time I remember seeing evidence of a designer collaborating with a retail brand–before H&M, before Topshop, before anyone.

Was The Limited that far ahead of its time? Any ideas on who the designer might have been?

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The inaugural edition of Cincinnati Fashion Week ended on a high note last week, with a show for emerging designers at Suite at Blackfinn on Thursday and el grande finale (I like to mix French and Spanish—I call it Sprench*) fashion show Friday evening at the Hyatt.

I attended an AIGA event about the future of design on Thursday evening (possibly more on that later), but I arrived at the fashion show just in time to see the Lisa Malanij and Lindsey Lusignolo collections strut down the runway. There was a certain dichotomy on display: Lisa’s collection would surely look at home on the likes of punk-pop divas like Rihanna and Ciara, while Lindsey’s vintage-inspired flapper dresses and satin gowns practically cried out for Dita von Teese. Divergent styles, indeed.

I tried to keep going, but was so tired from a full day at work + the design event that I didn’t even bother to change out of my flats (me! in a club!)—I drank my Shirley Temple, took a few not-so-great photos, grabbed some Chipotle, and headed home.

Friday was the “big dog” event, complete with VIP section, an appearance by Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, and runway finale by Cincinnati-bred designer David Meister.

I volunteered to work the VIP section, but things got a little wacky with the guest lists not being printed properly (was anyone else reminded of that “Kell on Earth” episode with the Chado dramz?), so I was recruited to man the VIP area in the main ballroom. I tried to focus on taking pictures and convincing myself that my shoes felt as good as they looked as I checked people’s wristbands, but it was all for naught.

Vendors were set up in the main lobby, and the line to get in was loooong.

The crowd waited (im)patiently for the show to begin, while the event hosts ham it up on stage.

I nabbed a seat early, but wound up spending most of the show on the floor at the foot of the runway with a few other photographers. People kept asking me if I was a photographer. I almost lied and said yes, but I figure I should at least get a real flash before I start telling that fib.

The show started with St. Louis-based TrashBiscuit and included 12 designers, including Cincinnati collective The Brush Factory (remember the article about Rosie in issue #5 of Style Sample?), Grace Mae, Arbitrage, Mila Pershyna, Daequan, Anne Pachan, Lisa Malanij, Amy Kirchen, Laura Dawson, Amy Longo, and David Meister.

This vest and dress were my favorite pieces from The Brush Factory’s collection–which received enthusiastic applause, though their music was apparently changed sans notification–and I’ve already checked into having a custom version of the dress made. Hey, they had the flats right there!

Trash Biscuit was fun, colorful, and raunchy–like Richie Rich’s wet dream.

Are you telling me that Lisa Malanij look isn’t perfect for a Ciara video? Emily, call her stylist stat!

David Meister’s collection was elegant and refined, as expected. My personal taste is much less so, but the dresses were lovely nonetheless.

I was too pooped to hit the after party (getting old…), so I finished** my wine, hopped on my bike (probably not the best idea since I was operating on an empty stomach), and wobbled my way home.

Any other Cincinnati Fashion Week attendees out there? What did you think?

*Or should it be Franish?
**By “finished,” I mean I drank half of the glass and left the rest behind. I’m kind of a lightweight.

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We talked about the design process and product line from Nati Evolvement in Part 1 of the interview. Now it’s time to find out who’s buying their stuff and what else the guys are up to.

Who’s a Nati?
So who’s buying Nati Evolvement gear (and getting the possibly naughty notes)? People all across the country and around the world who wear Nati on their sleeve as an outward display of their pride for their hometown.

“It’s amazing to see our online orders come in from San Fransisco, Philadelphia, New York and other places around the country as people still want a way to connect with home and show their pride in our city.”

They get a lot of emails, texts, and MySpace messages with stories about people connecting away from home because they recognize the Nati line and realize they have something in common–something they never would have known about otherwise.

Part of the Community
It’s those types of stories that feed their interest in community outreach.

“…In many ways we still pride ourselves on our involvement in community events and partnerships. That’s really what we’re about, promoting the positive things taking place in our city and helping to spread the gospel.”

They’re also passionate about providing small businesses with the tools they need to succeed.

“We also get really excited about those companies who help to change the landscape of things in the community, from a neighborhood restaurant to a community festival and anything in between.”

They do other stuff, too
The guys do more than t-shirts, you know. From logo design and business cards to uniforms and menus, they offer full branding services, and say they especially enjoy working with people who are passionate and focused on their business objectives.

“Building off of their passion for what they do and their vision we get almost as excited about the project as them and take that energy into the design process.”

Much of their design business has come from word-of-mouth referrals and people who have seen their t-shirts. I speculate that each time someone walks down the street in a Nati Evolvement tee, it’s almost like a walking advertisement for their work!

“We’ve had the great fortune to work with some great new restaurants including Lavomatic and The Rookwood Bar & Restaurant and a new place called Senate that you should see this fall.”

They’ve also created designs for the Midpoint Music Festival, the local Unicef chapter’s TAP Project, the Eco Go Go fashion show–anything that helps them connect with people dedicated to improving the community.

What’s next
So what’s next for Nati? In addition to web design, Adam is also a videographer and they plan on expanding that side of the business, which will be increasingly important as more mobile devices support video. There’s a new website in the works with two sidAdd New Post ‹ The Style Sample — WordPresses–one for design, one for clothing–which should launch by the end of the month, and they’ve been working on launch splashes with Tyler from MTV’s Taking the Stage. They also want to expand the children’s clothing line.

“Cincinnati’s a great place for young families and we want to ensure that even the little ones have some sweet Nati gear.”

You can get your Nati Evolvement at Denim and Park + Vine in Cincinnati, or online at www.GetNati.com. Stop by and say hello on MySpace or on their blog at getnati.blogspot.com.

Read these, too:
Interview with: Nati Evolvement Part 1
Style: A Lovely Day
Red, Pink and Blue Fashion Show

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Last week, I received an email from Cincy Chic about a trunk show at Cincy Designer Shoes in Hyde Park. Naturally, my raging shoe obsession compelled me to make my way over there to check things out.

The trunk show was for LaDuca, a line of shoes created by Phil LaDuca, who has designed shoes for everyone from Penelope Cruz to Uma Thurman. The man knows his stuff–I’d been there less than two minutes before he determined my shoe size and correctly picked the most Tamia-ish pair of shoes from his fall line!

Thanks to the graciousness of Phil and the wonderful staff at Cincy Designer Shoes, I tried on shoe after gorgeous shoe and was consistently surprised and delighted at how comfortable they were.  And I mean seriously comfortable, not just “yeah, I could walk a few blocks in these” comfortable. As it turns out, LaDuca also produces a line of dance shoes, so the built-in shock absorption and arch support dancers need translates nicely to the fashion line.
It didn’t hurt that the lovely staff at Cincy Designer Shoes is just as helpful as they are stylish. Pictured here (all wearing LaDuca shoes, of course) from left to right: Flora Schwartz, boutique owner Carrie Cameron, Jamie Shugarman, and Rae Cameron (Carrie’s mom!).

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by. If you go this week, you might see me picking up the free pair of LaDuca shoes I won in their raffle! Free shoes = happy me!

Read these, too:
Fantasy Shopping: Shoes
Style Psychology 101: Ugly But Cool Shoes
Shoe Yearning: Got ‘Em!

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