When I first discovered Venessa Arizaga’s eye-catching designs, I instantly fell in love! The designer makes incredible accessories that are often embellished with 3-D charms, witty sayings, or movie quotes. I wear my “As If!” bracelet every day – Clueless, anyone?! In addition to designing women’s jewelry, clutches, and hair accessories, Venessa also makes products for men (think cuff links, pins, and key leashes.) All of her jewelry is handmade at her studio in Brooklyn, New York. Venessa graduated from Parsons in 2003, and she then began her career as a designer at Tuleh. She then went on to become a designer for Carolina Herrera and eventually the Design Director for Zac Posen; I also worked at Zac Posen’s offices when I had the amazing opportunity to intern there last summer. After working with many notable designers, Venessa still yearned to create her own brand under her own name, with a unique aesthetic. Then, her incredible brand was born! Her jewelry has been worn on several of my personal style icons, such as Natalie Portman and Dakota Fanning. Arizaga’s quirky, unique designs have been featured in Teen Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Nylon, Dazed, Seventeen, and Elle UK, amongst others. I am so excited to feature one of my favorite designers on The Zeitgeist, and I cannot wait to see what Venessa accomplishes in the future.
When did you realize you wanted to become an accessories designer?
It happened very naturally, and there was never a single moment I can remember where I set out to make it my thing. I would visit my family home in Puerto Rico about four times a year after each fashion week presentation. In my downtime there, I would always make jewelry from found objects, shells, and beads– whatever I could get my hands on or brought with me to work. It was a therapeutic way for me to unwind and truly relax. I would then give these pieces to my friends to wear, and I would wear some of these myself, and buyers for some stores in New York took notice. Then, I started selling my pieces. One thing led to another, and let’s just say that making jewelry is no longer therapeutic; it’s a full on business with a big demand and I’m lucky and blessed to do what I love.
How did you get started in the industry?
My start came from a fashion background, as I worked for Carolina Herrera as assistant designer for several years and also as Design Director at Zac Posen for two years. This led to an understanding to both the creative and business sides of fashion. I took what I learned from these two amazing fashion houses by following the same principles of design and seasonal cycles, but I try to have a little more fun, inject a little more happiness, and take things a little less seriously design wise than what I experienced in the past.
What is the best thing that has happened to you since founding your brand?
A lot of things really! Can I name a few? I get to work for myself with my husband, an amazing design team that feels like family (some of them are actual family!) and I get to hang with all of them, along with my to dogs all day at a beautiful studio in Brooklyn. Also, I have been able to save up and buy a home in Puerto Rico, which I plan to move to in the very near future and create my collections from there.
What were some of the challenges you faced in starting out, and how did you overcome them?
Money and space! My first order when I started my collection was from a big name store and was quite large and is still the single largest order ever placed. We had to find a way to fund the production, create the production, hire help, and learn how to ship packages. It was all very DIY at the time where I was the designer and made every piece; I honestly was not prepared for such a fast start and large order. It was thousands of pieces! My mother helped me make the pieces, and my husband silk screened all of the jewelry boxes with my logo on our living room floor, and he also packed all the orders. Our cozy two-bedroom apartment became our office and shipping facility where we worked for two months straight, 18 hours a day We slept surrounded by stacks of boxes and jewelry.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
From everything around me here in New York and Puerto Rico. I get the best of both worlds: In New York, I’m able to soak in the amazing styles I see every day on the street and feel the pulse of creative energy that is all around. In Puerto Rico, I get to take in the vibe of not taking anything too seriously, being happy, healthy, enjoying nature, the ocean, vibrant plants, sunshine, and the sheer tropical beauty of the island. Two very different islands but both very influential; they create a nice balance!
Although your jewelry has been spotted on everyone from Ashley Benson to Dakota Fanning, do you have a dream celebrity who you would most like to see wearing one of your amazing designs?
Two people: Rihanna & Dr. John.
What piece of advice do you have to share with young entrepreneurs?
Work harder than everyone else around you. Also, know going into that when you work for yourself, you will work harder than you ever have before!
