Creative In Conversation: Jeweler Ariel Gordon

For Los Angeles-based jeweler Ariel Gordon, her motto, “extra is extra,” is completely evident through her beautiful stackable items; in spite of everything, why put on one piece when you’ll be able to put on an entire array of jewels? There are stackable paper-thin rings, eternity bands, gold bangles, zodiac-inspired necklaces and customized pendants, to call a couple of — and right here, it’s inspired to throw them on eclectically.

Designed to be worn and cherished day by day, Ariel’s items are versatile and classy — and it’s the place the basic (cue diamond tennis bracelets and signet rings) sits alongside the up to date (see the enjoyable hand-painted enamel Fridge Magnet Preliminary Pendants). The outcome? Jewellery that appeals to a variety of ladies, and this features a lengthy record of well-known faces, too, from Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lawrence and Charlize Theron to Kate Bosworth and Beyonce. Now that’s a mixture of cool, highly effective girls — a model trait whoever the client.

Ariel shares extra about her model, profession highs, and the way she’d like her firm to evolve.

Felicity Carter: What’s your first reminiscence of fashion?

Ariel Gordon: I’ll at all times keep in mind watching my stunning late mom, Myrna decorate. She had this tremendous huge and vibrant vitality that lit up a room. Regardless of her outfit, she at all times wore her pink lipstick with huge rhinestone earrings and frilly socks. It was her signature look. I realized my motto of “extra is extra” from her. She wore her jewellery and equipment with such confidence, and I hope to instill that very same type of vitality and wonder in items I design in the present day.

FC: Inform us about the way you made your method into the trade?

AG: My first job out of faculty was for a advertising and marketing agency based by Caroline Graham, who’s a titan within the journal world. She was the West Coast editor of Self-importance Truthful, The New Yorker and Discuss Journal beneath Tina Brown. She taught me a lot about advertising and marketing, PR, occasion manufacturing, correct etiquette, and a lot extra.

After that, I labored in leisure PR for a couple of years earlier than pivoting in direction of jewellery. What started as a passion rapidly become a ardour. First, I returned to high school to study jewellery fabrication, metalsmithing, and stone setting. Then, I began soldering items and carving waxes from my eating room desk in my Santa Monica residence. Concurrently, I apprenticed with Maya Brenner for six years, the place I realized the ins and outs of the enterprise.

Humble beginnings, to say the least, however gradual and regular, it gave me the expertise I wanted to match my ardour for jewellery design with my have to create a worthwhile and sustainable enterprise. A powerful PR and advertising and marketing background helped construct the model from the bottom up.

FC: How would you sum up the aesthetic of your model?

AG: Stylish however accessible. I need a lady to really feel like the perfect model of herself when she’s sporting my items. I would like her to really feel each assured and cozy, fashionable however not too fancy, informal however nonetheless refined. I would like her to know that her jewellery is certainly ‘advantageous,’ but it surely is not so valuable that it could actually’t be worn day by day. I would like my jewellery to develop with a lady and develop into her trademark look.

Every bit I design is meant to mirror a particular second or individual in your life—treasured objects that maintain private, sentimental that means. Each bit has superbly handcrafted parts (suppose hand engraving, enamel, birthstones, and many others.) , however there’s additionally a playful factor to them. They don’t seem to be meant to be taken too significantly however as an alternative designed to be worn all day, day by day. I do not take mine off for months on finish, and I would like them to develop into part of the lady sporting them…and the tales they inform.

FC: Which was the primary piece you designed, and the way did it come about?

AG: My Love Knot Ring helped to place my model on the map. It gained plenty of traction with the press (suppose Fortunate Journal and Every day Sweet… RIP). I believe it resonated with clients who wished one thing that was each elegant and straightforward for on a regular basis put on—the kind of piece you by no means must take off. I nonetheless love sporting mine as a pinkie ring.

FC: You’ve had so many profession highs; which is your favourite?

AG: It was most likely my second with Gwyneth throughout the Goop pop-up in San Francisco a couple of years again. Goop has been an extended and constant accomplice, and we have had super success collectively. It’s so gratifying that Gwyneth herself has develop into a pal of the model. So it was unimaginable to lastly be capable to join along with her on a private stage and rejoice our partnership.

FC: Who’s your buyer?

AG: Our buyer is each lady. We have created a set that appeals to a broad vary of girls. For instance, we have now each accessible entry worth factors (for a youthful buyer who’s simply attending to know the model and desires to dabble in advantageous jewellery) all over to the grandmother who desires items to rejoice the grandchildren she holds expensive. I really like seeing girls of all ages and all stripes sporting AGJ, and I particularly love seeing them in layers and stacks that they’ve collected and worn over time. I really like the concept that the items I make may very well be handed down as household heirlooms.

Girls not need to watch for presents or grand gestures from others to construct a jewellery assortment—they’ll do it themselves. This buyer usually buys herself jewellery as a tangible image of a cheerful event in her life. Since so many Ariel Gordon Jewellery items could be customized or personalized with hand engraving or birthstones, I promote so much to those women. It’s so satisfying to design and make one thing that turns into part of somebody’s chosen uniform.

FC: That are your prime selects for the time being?

AG: At any given time, I’ve received a LOT of bijou on. So right here’s what’s in my present rotation:

Two necklaces – An Imperial Disc Necklace that’s engraved with my youngsters’ names (layered with an Enamel Fridge Magnet Charm and an Opal Strawberry) with Diamond Twine Pendant

4 rings – a single Paper Thin Ring on my thumb, Moniker Ring on my pinkie (with my married initials), and my engagement ring (AGJ designs naturally) stacked with a 22k Victorian marriage ceremony band I sourced for my Heritage Collection

5 bracelets – Diamond Hex Tennis Bracelet, Grande Link Bracelet, Twine Bangle, Endless Bangle, and Pearl Orbit Bangle. A stack that’s chunky and main in all the perfect methods.

Six earrings – Heart Helium Hoops all day day by day stacked facet by facet with my Skinny Tire huggies (with a couple of Twisted Petite Hoops and Junior Pave Hoops in my cartilage)

Two anklets – A Cuban Layering Anklet. One for every foot.

One toe ring – Skinny Tire Ring

FC: How would you want your model to evolve additional?

AG: The pandemic has been a wild experience for any small enterprise like ours, but it surely’s been unimaginable to see the model proceed to develop yearly. I might love to increase our attain to new markets—and new clients—globally. I take pleasure in working with new companions on tasks and collaborations that permit us to dabble in different product classes that make sense for the model.

See extra on arielgordonjewelry.com.