Menu
Menu

Category Archives: Designers

Headlights On: Interstellar Love Craft

Here at Nomad, one of our most important endeavors has been our collaborations with budding young designers. We are so lucky to have had our path cross with that of Rochester-based Marisa Krol, the talented crafter and visionary behind the handmade metal jewelry line, Interstellar Love Craft. Known for simple yet elegant geometric pieces (some of our faves include silver triangle studs, and brass lotus drop earrings), all of Marisa’s delicate creations seem to fly off our shelves. Read on to hear more about what inspired this crafter to get crafting, and peek a behind the scenes video by Mike Giardino of Pallette Films here.

photo copy 5

Marisa visits the truck in NYC!

 

When did you begin creating jewelry?

I began creating jewelry about 4 years ago.  I had just returned from 4 months of travel/volunteering in South America and felt very compelled to create adornment and take my creative pursuits more seriously.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Many places.  Through spontaneous thoughts, dreams, experimentation, quiet moments, busy surroundings full of life, the brilliant creatives and friends I keep company with, through hope that somehow creating beautiful things makes a positive difference, discipline, and trust that for now, I am supposed to be making jewelry.  It is where I feel I belong.

How has your process or style evolved over the years?

It feels more intuitive then ever before.  I think I was more fearful in the beginning and uncertain.  Now, I feel more relaxed and comfortable in my own skin.  I think that is apart of growing older period, and the work I believe, reflects that.

Has any one single person been an influence on your brand? If so, who?

I can’t say a single individual has had that kind of overwhelming influence on my brand.  I can say a certain type of woman has–she is strong, creative, savvy, intelligent, style-setting, a revolutionary type.  She is herself, paving her path as only she can.  She is in every woman, and I make adornment for her to remind her of these qualities.

1470383_630561103649988_142507841_n

via www.facebook.com/pages/interstellar-love-craft

67076_630561106983321_306669897_n

via www.facebook.com/pages/interstellar-love-craft

1455105_634170539955711_397685336_n

via www.facebook.com/pages/interstellar-love-craft

 

 

Continue reading ...

Headlights on: Fitzgerald Forbes

The newest addition to the Nomad designer lineup has arrived just in time for the holidays and is already flying off the shelves. Meet the husband and wife design team of Fitzgerald Forbes. Based in Santa Barbara, California, the lovely handmade baubles created by this duo are classic yet unique, natural yet modern. Read more to find out about what inspires these two, and visit the truck and pop up shop to snag the lovelies of their Cast Natural: Grain Collection.

When did you begin creating jewelry?
While I was studying Architecture at RISD, I had the desire to translate my design concepts into different mediums.  Jewelry and Metalsmithing offered an introductory studio that I registered for during my junior year.  It was a great experience that allowed me to create wearable, volumetric objects.  My work has evolved into a casting process, but is still directly influenced by my architecture background.

Where does your inspiration come from?
Architecture and Apparel Design have been the main sources of inspiration.  Between the two disciplines, there is a correlation with the act of construction and the focus on lines that inspires me and keep me moving in and out at different scales.  Traveling has also become an important point of inspiration.  Our Travel Inspiration Collection is an on-going series of the photographs that I take while we travel.  After looking at the photographs, it will be evident that I am drawn to three-dimensional patterns, shadows and abandoned landscapes to name a few.  In addition to the Travel Inspiration Collection, my tumblr also serves as a collection of found inspiration that I regularly add to.

_MG_0170

Stack Rings in Bronze & Brass – $15

How has your process or style evolved over the years?
Process has always been something that I have approached with a meticulous, labor intensive mentality, often incorporating writing along with material investigation.  Through the years, my style has become more minimal and simplistic in form, but still carries a strong emphasis within the details.  The details add a complexity to the minimal forms that in turn adds a richness to the pieces.

Has any one single person been an influence on your brand? If so, who?
Our brand was developed as an outlet for us to express ourselves as designers.  Our designs are informed by materials and driven by process.  However, one of the most influential components to our work and our process has been traveling.  We spend a lot of time experiencing new places and meeting new people.  Traveling has helped us reflect on our goals and the message that we want to relay through our designs.

Is there anything else you want to include?
As a brand, we are intrigued by every aspect of living; where people live, what they surround themselves with and how they express themselves.  We are currently exploring other materials and processes at different scales.  This has been an exciting beginning and we are eager to continue moving forward.

Processed with VSCOcam with t1 preset

Cast Natural: Grain Necklace// Textured – $45

 

23__MG_0133

Cast Natural: Grain Bracelet (Large) – $70

 

 

Continue reading ...

Designer Spotlight: Ragen Jewels

We here at Nomad have had the pleasure of working with some of our favorite ladies at one of our favorite jewelry lines, Ragen Jewels. Ragen is a jewelry design brand featuring charmed necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. What is most interesting about the collection pieces is their easy “stack ability” aspect – we love stackers! Most of the pieces are symbolic statements, protecting and validating the beauty if the wearer. 🙂 Read on for more on Ragen Jewels in our interview with designer Negar Nadimi, and drop by the truck to snag your own!

When did you begin creating jewelry? 

 About 2.5 years ago I came back from a trip in the Middle East and I was so inspired by the artistic presence and designs there that I started to design my first charm necklace. As soon as I started wearing the piece, I got compliments and requests from friends to make them pieces as well…. it all grew from there. 

Where does your inspiration come from? 

Geographically from southern Europe and the Mediterranean culture. The gold from the sun, all the hues of blue- turquoise to the darkest navy, from seagulls and starfishes to the belief in evil eyes. And from all the charms I got as a kid as gifts…my first piece was a ladybug, which I still own and wear with my fine jewelry.

How has your process or style evolved over the years?

It s always about meaningful symbolism…the colors and the metals are contrasts…I try to design pieces that are soulful and playful at the same time. So each piece varies as everyone’s state of mind and mood varies all the time.

 Has any one single person been an influence on your brand? If so, who? 

All the women in my family growing up… and of course growing up in southern France couldn’t help being influenced by all the chic women stacking gold and charms as bracelets or necklaces, it all impacted my esthetic for wearing jewelry.

photo

photo copy

photo copy 2

Continue reading ...

Headlights on: Karma for a Cure

This month, we’re launching a new featured designer series to give you some up close insight on the unique, creative, and impressive designers we carry on board our truck. This week’s Headlights On showcases Karma for a Cure – the inspiring hand-drawn t-shirt line by NJ native, Margaux Minutolo. Read on for our behind the scenes interview with Margaux and visit our truck to purchase your Karma for a Cure today!

When did you launch Karma for a Cure? I launched the brand through our e-commerce website on December 3, 2012. Our official launch event into NYFW was in Feb 2013.

Where does your inspiration come from? My inspiration to create Karma for a Cure came from my father’s battle with prostate, lung and brain cancer. I wanted to create a brand that meshed fashion & philanthropy on a daily basis. A brand that was wearable, comfortable. high-quality, and that created awareness in an artistic way. This brand is for my fellow “philanthropic fashionistas” who want to give back to charity and look fabulous while doing so.

How has your process or style evolved? My process has evolved in so many ways. Each design I sketch not only has to relate to a cause, but it has to follow future fashion trends and, most importantly, it has to be unique. Like a piece of artwork, my designs have a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. My style has evolved into two customers: an edgy, downtown New Yorker and a bohemian free spirit.

Has any one single person been an influence on your brand? My father has been a huge influence on me and my brand. He was a talented painter when he was younger, which immersed me into art at an early age. Growing up with a father battling cancer since I was 12 years old, gave me a natural passion to support charities and families going through similar hardships. Last year when my father was diagnosed with stage 3 inoperable lung cancer, it was one of the hardest battles my family has faced. His strength and positive mindset to fight cancer gave me the inspiration to create Karma for a Cure.

What do you hope for the future? I hope to continue designing pieces that create awareness for a younger generation. It would be amazing to build an army of supporters who join the movement in spreading good karma worldwide. I wish to inspire other individuals and companies to give back, no matter how much…every bit counts.

Anything else you would like to include? This brand is not only a dedication to my father, but a dedication to every survivor, supporter, or lost solider. Wishing you all positive and happy karma, xo. 

Heart of Gold Tank featured in our #ootd via Instagram

karma1

Free Spirit Tee via karmaforacure.com

Heart of Gold Tank via karmaforacure.com

Heart of Gold Tank via karmaforacure.com

 

Continue reading ...