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How did your career as a multimedia artist, creative director begin?
After modeling in New York for some time, I decided to move to Paris spontaneously. I had always loved photography and art so when I moved to Paris, it's nostalgia and adornment inspired me to wander through the city capturing mundane moments that felt ephemeral yet beautiful. I was also painting at the time so it all shaped a very raw aethetic. I would do mixed media collages with the images I took, creating a narrative of that moment in my life. It was a good year where I met creatives, and artists who were very devoted to thheir passion, driven by the city itself and its unfrendly air. I somehow believe that was what first exposed me to my sensitivity.
Tell us about your Rockaways-born, Mexico-made jewelry brand, Odissea!
After moving back to New York to retake my studies, (at parsons again!) I went for Graphic Design and visual communications. As our final assignment we were meant to create the identity for a brand. One weekend I went to the rockaways with a guy I was dating at the time, who really inpired me -- he collected art, objects and had a very unique way of seeing life. We walked along the shore in a freezing February, and I stumbled into the iconic black scallop shells, which we don't have in Mexico, so they were quite amusing. I took some home, assembled them into a pair of earrings my grandmother had given me, posted them on instagram and that was the beginning.
What’s your favorite part about the New York creative community?
In New York you can be whatever you want. There's no context to anyone because we are all a melting pot from all over the world, and I think thats quite beautiful here. Eveyone is here for a reason, hustling, creating and being who ever they believe they are which is a freedom that many of us don't feel back home.
We love that you work so closely with the artisans who create your jewelry pieces in Taxco and Mexico City. What has it been like collaborating with these master artisans who use silversmithing techniques passed down through generations?
Seeing the work and dedication that goes into every single piece has been very eye opening. Sadly, consumption has become very impersonal. Back in the day jobs were recognized by skills and knowledge for it's craft, nowadays many people dont really care about quality, and values have changed, companies mostly focus on profit, cutting on perserving the beuty of it.
I believe that when you know where something comes from, it carries a deeper and more peronal meaning. I am trying to teach this through Odissea, for people to understand who i behind our pieces, and that you are suporting local talent.
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Do you have an everyday jewelry piece from the Odissea line?
Ahhhh, it's so hard. I don't... I change pieces every day. They are all so different and special I tend to change them depending on my mood, or occassion. I guess the one I do wear the most is the Grace Signet I made for my mom and I. It's named after my grandmother, and it has a 0.5ct green sapphire because green is my mom's favorite color and we engraved hers mine and my brother initials in it. I have also been wearing a lot the Samuel ring and always have an ear huggie on me.
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