the nogoodforme.com interview: Stephanie Simek

Stephanie Simek is a lady with many plates spinning, a hand in a whole slew of pies, and whatever other fun little metaphors you can come up with to suggest dizzying busyness. She and her beau Adam Keller run Portland's Rererato, a live-in music & art & film & video & everything else space created from a former Hare Krishna temple. They're also collaborators on polymorphous art project Baby Bird, and Stephanie's now in the midst of developing a series of "science project-inspired photographs and objects." All in the meanwhile, the 25-year-old New Jersey transplant has recently launched a jewelry line, featuring a series of sterling silver necklaces whose eyelash pendants are made of 100-percent-real human hair. Eek!


Tell us all about how you started your jewelry line. It's still very new. I designed the Eyelash Necklace a few months back as part of a series of objects, photographs, and installations I'm working on called Systems, Functions, Circuits, Dreams. So the jewelry-making process just sort of evolved out of that experience. Since then, I've designed more pieces and am watching it slowly grow.

What was your original vision for the line? Translating beautiful moments and feelings into wearable pieces. I also think a lot about reinterpreting and experimenting with different materials.

What are the greatest inspirations for your work? Lately, it would probably be elements from my dreams.

Who are some of your favorite fashion/jewelry designers? Lately I've been admiring the work of Dragana Perisic and Yuki Mitsuyasu. Also, some of Moschino's quirkier pieces.

Who are your style idols? Michel Gondry

What's your favorite clothing item lately? I have a small collection of one-piece jumpsuits I wear constantly.

Who's your favorite band? Luna

What music do you like to listen to when primping? Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet on cassette.

Are there any bands you find particularly inspiring to listen to while working on your designs? Sometimes I listen to music, but I have a tendency to tune most things out when I am focusing.

Favorite makeout music? See above.

Any advice for girls/boys out there dreaming of launching their own jewelry line? Go for it! Make it an obsession. Produce as much work as you can. It also helps to create an extremely affordable lifestyle, so you can spend as much time working as possible.

Posted by Liz in Interviews
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