Lillian Shalom is a Los Angeles-based jewelry designer, who founded her eponymous label in 2011. Lillian Shalom’s creations have been worn at the Met Gala and featured in Vogue, V, CR Fashion Book and L’Officiel, among others. And celebrities the world over, from Lady Gaga to Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Rita Ora and Erykah Badu, adore her. The designer, who has just had her first baby, gives FashionNetwork.com an update on her career and projects.
FashionNetwork: In your most recent advertising campaign ‘A Second Before Awakening’, you showcase your collections in video and music. What direction did you want take to show your brand ?
Lillian Shalom: I’m really lucky to be surrounded by incredible artists from different disciplines. My friends, the Mauriello twins, Michael and Thomas directed the video and created the original soundtrack as well. Everyone involved in the creation of that video we’re friends, so it was really fun and exciting to create with people you love. I don’t often shoot moving images, so it was very rewarding being able to see my pieces on film because they have a lot of movement, like my armor pieces, and different dimensions.
FNW: Is music as much a part of your life as jewelry?
L.S: Music is a huge part of my life. My first love was music, before starting my jewelry line I played music. Piano and bass, and always have to have music on. Many pieces I create are inspired by music, lyrics, song names, moods the music evokes.
FNW: Your jewelry is loved by musicians and artists in general, like Erykah Badu, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. How do you go about creating a piece for an artist?
L.S: Depending on the artist, I’ll either work directly with them or their creative team. With Erykah, it’s a one-on one-conversation and collaboration. The more communication the better; you always want to make sure you’re visualizing the piece as the artist is.
FNW : At last year’s Los Angeles Fashion Week, you took part in a talk on the relationship between jewelry and hip hop. What would you say about the place of jewelry and hip-hop artists today? Are artists taking more risks in choosing their jewelry today?
L.S: Artists are absolutely taking more risks today. I think jewelers are also pushing the envelope experimenting with different materials, cross referencing different disciplines into jewelry. I think it’s a very interesting time anything goes, which is funny because it’s become a bit like the Wild Wild West.
FNW: Why do you think today’s younger generations have a greater desire to wear jewelry?
L.S: Historically jewelry has always been a form of communication. Communicating your status, communicating your wealth, communicating how you want to present yourself. I think people, especially the younger generation, possibly do the social media are expressing themselves more and more visually and jewelry plays a huge roll in that expression.
FNW: Your creations are partly inspired by your roots and origins. What is your relationship with your origins?
L.S: I was born in Los Angeles, but my parents are immigrants from Iran. I don’t know if my work directly pulls from my roots, but it’s possible that ancestry plays a role in my admiration of extravagance and opulence.
FNW: At the same time, you grew up in Beverly Hills. Does living in Los Angeles allow you to be more daring in your creations?
L.S: Absolutely!! Living in such a diverse atmosphere you have more of an opportunity to push boundaries. Depending on my travels, I see a difference in the reaction and responses I get from strangers about my jewelry. Sometimes confusion, intrigue. Definitely always a good conversation starter.
FNW: Have other jewelers inspired you?
L.S: I mostly look for inspiration in non jewelry related categories. Architecture or scientific imagery. However I do love researching ancient and antique jewelry for inspiration.
FNW : Your jewelry is sometimes copied. How do you perceive those who copy?
L.S: We’re living in such a wild time, where we’re constantly bombarded with visuals, so I can see how creatives might accidentally be inspired by something and it comes off as copying. However, there are times when it’s just a blatant replica. It’s unfortunate, especially when a bigger brand copies your work. I don’t take that well, but it comes with the territory I guess, and just try to come out with more unique work.
FNW: How do you see your brand evolving over the next 10 years?
L.S: There’s a lot shifting in the world right now, it’s absolutely affecting designers and creatives. I don’t know if current events impact my work too much because when I’m creating I inject myself in another world. Whether it be a time period or a style. If I’m working on elements from the Art Deco period, I submerge myself in that era, music, fashion, film, even foods.
FNW: The awards season has started. Do you have any celebrity-based projects for this season?
L.S: Nothing that I’m aware of yet, fashion is very last minute! I usually get a call a week, maybe even days, before an event to create something.
FNW: Are you interested in the ethical issue of jewelry production? How can you move this forward?
L.S: Because all my work is made in Los Angeles, I’m involved with all aspects of the creation of my pieces. I know where my materials come from and who’s making them; with that I can control the ethics in my creations.
FNW: What’s your next dreaming project that you want accomplish with your jewelry brand?
L.S: Currently, just taking everyday one day at a time. I’m working on my new collection, hoping to launch in the next month or so. I also just had a baby so I’m currently focused on getting my work done to the best of my abilities, and keeping her happy and fed!
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