<Get haute tips from fashion trendsetters with our Style Scoop Interviews!>
In the latest Style Scoop Q&A, we chat with FIDM Fashion Design student Erika Walton (pictured above), whose sensational jewelry designs were recently featured in Women's Wear Daily. Learn more about Erika and her designs by visiting her website Alter Ego Jewelry.
Name: Erika Walton
Job Title: Jewelry Designer, Entrepreneur
Year and Major: 2nd Year, Fashion Design
City: San Francisco
Sites you must visit daily: I love going on:
fornarina.com, custo-barcelona.com , marcjacobs.com, and heatherette.com
Your favorite lifestyle publication: Really any of the gossip publications, but also Nylon, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Jane.
Favorite designer: Marc Jacobs, Heatherette, Betsey Johnson, and Salinas of Brazil. I love Salinas swimwear! (shown above)
Favorite Style Icon: My Mom. When she was young she followed trends, but she still knew how to be herself.
The most beloved item in your wardrobe: My jlmarks dress. It has a triangle top with a halter, and light colored patches with ruffles on top and bottom.
<Guy and girls, check out jlmarks online! (shown above) She is a graduate from FIDM's Fashion Design Program!>
Dream purchase for the summer: Wedges, lots of high wedges.
Tell me about your business: Alter Ego Jewelry is the result of three years of hard work. What began as a project making car bracelets for my friends and family, has grown into a full-fledged jewelry business with retailers worldwide. Many of my retailers, though, are in California.
What types of jewelry do you specialize in: I specialize in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
What is the philosophy behind your jewelry: I think I focus my jewelry mainly on characters from my childhood. I find these characters resonate better with me, and I've found a similar attraction among my clientele. Beyond that, I try to make my jewelry fun and whimsical, so I often enjoy using bright colors. However, I often find myself attracted by darker, more mature designs as well.
Who is your clientele: I see a broad range of enthusiasts. Guys and girls can wear the car bracelets, while girls both old and young enjoy the toys.
Do you get your supplies wholesale: Fine gems and pearls, I do. Vintage beads from old necklaces, watches, and keys I will often buy from flea markets, ebay, garage sales—anywhere.
Are your pieces mainly one-of-a-kind: I do mostly one-of-a-kinds. For example, I did a Sylvester and Tweety Bird bracelet for a girl who had ordered five of them. And so I did five of that character, but the fantastic part was the subtle difference in each of them.
So in a few, maybe the characters were a little different, or in others, I surrounded the character with a whole bunch of different beads—each had its own unique characteristics. I think little things like that are important because we as human beings are all different. I really want to try to help people to be more open-minded.
Future Plans: The future of Alter Ego Jewelry is extremely positive, and I'm grateful for that. We've expanded to 30 stores now, and I'm excited to be offering my line overseas for the first time. The feedback from our retailers has been phenomenal, and right now I'm enjoying myself more than ever.
On a personal level, I look forward to interning at Heatherette someday, and ultimately starting my own deluxe boutique. As owner and operator, I would offer a wide selection of boutique style products (i.e. clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories) along a diverse range of price points. The boutique would also include its own nail salon, waxing bar, massage and tanning salon.
Within five to ten years: Owning multiple stores. Serving Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and Dubai.
Other comments: Absolutely! All FIDM students past and present are eligible for a wholesale discount from Alter Ego Jewelry!! I love you guys!
-- Alaythia
Comments