meet stephanie

Our next guest is my favorite creative soul; a true pioneer and entrepreneur. She’s so creative that whenever we’re out at a social event, she gives herself a new name and occupation but seems to forget to tell me. So there I am looking for Stephanie, when really it’s Rachel, the comedian from New Mexico that’s currently on tour, that I’m looking for apparently. All jokes aside, my cousin Stephanie has the most creative drive I’ve ever met in a human being. Always willing to try something new and out of the box and never scared to take a risk. She is a true inspiration. Whether it’s baking something sweet, planning the perfect party, or making custom jewelry, you truly never know what Stephanie is going to be working on next.

I’d like to thank you again for joining in on this special winter edition for conversations with! 

Hi Steph! 

So, with being such a creative person, where do you find your inspiration? 

Oh gosh, everywhere. I would say it always starts with a mood. If I am feeling a certain way, listening to a certain genre of music, dreaming in my fantasy world. I would say I live in a different world 20% of the day. 80% I can be present and stay here on earth, but that other portion of time is literally thinking “Greece. Metallic. Mediterranean. Linen Pants. Tan guy with a low-cut linen shirt and dangling silver necklace. And then it just evolves…”

What made you want to go into the jewelry world? 

I have always been creative. I don’t even know the exact day, the time, the moment, (year 2009) but it was this feeling of, I want to make something that I haven’t seen before and need to see it in a tangible way. I like being able to make whatever I want to wear, so it began for just making jewelry for me of course. And then I realized, people should be wearing cooler jewelry. I love styling people, making a LOOK, so I guess the rest is history.  

For our readers who don’t know this fun fact, Stephanie’s designs have been on the likes of Alesso and Milky Chance (to name drop a few). Who is your dream client? 

I think this is a no brainer and you probably know the answer to this one already….. the one, the only. Stefani Germanotta. Lady Gaga. I mean we share a name, only her spelling is cooler. When I first saw her, I felt like she was a mirror image of me, representing everything I am, inside and out. She is daring and she is fashion. Especially with her mind, we would make something so dope I just know it.

Just like authors, do you ever find yourself in a creative block - uninspired to create? If so, what helps you get out of that rut? 

Oh yea, that’s been actually something I have been living it for about a year sadly. I downsized apartments a few years ago and that really took away from a designated studio space. But I am getting my way out of that block. Quicksand is how it feels at times. It’s like a terrible feeling of something you KNOW you have in you, but you just CAN’T express it. My issue is I want perfection, or I won’t do it. With so much visual content available, I am finding the influx to be overwhelming to my process. So, as you also know about me, most would probably say is their least-favorite personality trait about me, I will hermit and ignore all. I will get into MY ZONE and that’s when my best work comes out. No outside interference. Originality is my whole entity, so if it is forced I can’t get behind it.   

Have you ever had to deal with your designs being copied from a larger corporation? 

Originality, again! Oh yes. It sucks. Not a good feeling. When I was working for a wholesale company designing, I wouldn’t even know some of the designs I created were even sold. I randomly was at a Saks Fifth Avenue store and saw a necklace I designed, and seeing it on the display makes your skin tingle with joy, but the no recognition is disappointing for sure. And then it being in the market, having it be copied is so common. I think the handmade artisan world is so sacred and kept close because of how much it means to the artist creating those pieces. It is scary to let the world see, and then if it is copied, it feels like something from your body is taken. It is “flattering” to an extent, but it is something I have trained myself to not take personally.

What’s the craziest request you’ve ever had from a client when planning an event?

This summer I had the most epic client ever. She was planning a safari theme party. No real reason for a soiree, she just wanted to throw a party under a swooping, translucent sailcloth tent with animals. LIVE animals. Ironically, she was talking to the right person. Earlier in the summer I hosted a mini tea cup piggie party for my niece and nephew (mainly for me) so this was my forte. I probably spent a week getting quotes and sourcing zebras and elephants, turns out they are not legal here on the island. Oh well, I found her life-size golden chimpanzees and giraffes. Can’t wait to do her next event, I’m going to propose the idea of a French circus? Keep you posted. 

When planning a major event like a wedding, what type of vendor do you always recommend to clients that you think every wedding needs? 

Oh, that’s a tough one! Hardest one for last. So many vendors are incredible! Since we do tented weddings mostly, I would say you need to think about the silliest, most important stuff such as, the bathroom! With those signature cocktails flowing, your going to need to have a place for your guests to relieve themselves, reapply HausLabs gloss and take selfies. Outback Porta Pottys located in Brookhaven is your go-to for luxury bathroom trailers. They have so many size options, reliable service, and never fail. Don’t forget, you want your wedding to be the shit!

Thank you so much again for joining in on this special segment for conversations with. I can’t wait to see what you do next!