Designer Bio:
Cynthia was a girl leading a typical lifestyle growing up on the movie sets in Los Angeles around very talented and famous people like Clint Eastwood on a daily basis. She was abruptly transformed into a frontier woman at the tender age of 16 when her parents moved to Alaska. She later took a government job at the Gates of the on the Arctic National Park on the edge of the Koyukuk River, where she built a house of visqueen that she decked out with Persian rugs and the finest satin sheets...embracing the best of both worlds.
Upon returning to her roots in L.A., she visited Palm Springs Ca. were she settled, fulfilling her need for the combination of nature and elegance. While in the area she played a major role in the construction and design of a project from the ground breaking to the interior decorating and landscaping on a 10,600 sq. ft. six acre estate.
Now back in L.A., she has based the production and marketing of her accessory line. She commutes back and forth to work on her lodge, a landmark property high on a summit with a view of Mt. McKinley aka Denali. She is turning it into a romantic retreat to be filled with large European antique furnishings and beautiful fabrics. It will be intriguingly different from the Alaskan lodge norm. With an innate sense of design, her accessories pieces must also have the distinction of being totally unique, all of which, are of course one of a kind.
1. What inspired you to get into accessories design?
Feeling the need to wear an accessory different form the rest, very earthy, each piece with it's own expression.. I wanted something totally unique and yet classically chic....so I began creating my own.
2. Where did you go to school and what was your major?
As a child and a young woman, I attended both public and private schools in the Los Angeles County School district. I was privileged to be exposed to schools of dance as well as being instructed in good horsemanship....I also attended school in Alaska and some college courses in Dallas, Texas.....My major was drama and later some classes in real estate marketing.
3. Describe your philosophy about fashion?
My own fashion sense has always been towards the more natural and subtle lines, with comfort in movement. As far as accessories, I feel you can really make a full fashion statement with an outstanding accessory, even if you are wearing nearly nothing at all. A simple backdrop draws focus to center stage..center stage requires strategic planning. Strategic planning can result in a star billing! The perfect accessory will be awarded with being in a league all it's own.
4. What words of wisdom can you give to aspiring designers?
If you feel it, express it. To have your visions become tactile is a very satisfying and gratifying experience....Go for it...don't just think...it do it!!
5. Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
I have always been both exhilarated and soothed by nature. Forever absorbing and appreciating the way the colors, shapes and textures compliment each other on our planet earth and in our universe. I love being deep in a silent rain forest or standing on the shore feeling the earth tremble from the pounding surf. Firework shows, wild roller coaster rides and the Aurora Borealis fascinate me. I get a feeling of something far beyond and yet so close in the total calmness of the pitch black night being lit by the glowing moon. Watching magical shimmering liquid mercury flow or standing at the mouth of a huge river as it empties itself into an ocean of unfathomable proportion, has left me in awe. From all these life's experiences, I gather my visions for my designs.
6. What is a typical day for an accessories designer like yourself?
I have surrounded myself with very beautiful, graceful, elegant, stylish and playful Afghan Hounds. Usually there is a long walk with these wonderful creatures that are called 'sighthounds'. We together take in as many sights and sounds as we can on our journeys. When they go down for their naps, very much like that of a cat, the jewellery is physically produced. There are intervals of stopping and starting on the pieces, on going..late into the night. The Afghan Hounds eat when I eat. They are social and loving creatures and very much want to be a part of the day. Never pushy, just included, if possible. Otherwise very dignified and patient while they wait for the work to be finished. Many times more than one piece will be worked on in the same day..We have very long, full days.
7. Which accessories designers have been important points of reference for you?
Mikimoto..For combining the natural smooth simplicity of the pearl with the stunning brilliance of gems.
8. If you had the opportunity to design an accessory for one person who would it be?
I have always admired the late Princess Grace of Monaco's sense of style and that truly would have been an honor...In today's world I would like to design something for the actress Jessica Alba. I see a natural, classy, ethnic type of beauty in her, while at the same time having a playful quality of sweetness and innocence with a true love of everyday life.
9. Can you tell me about your collection?
My jewellery collection is a lot about contrasts and yet, at the same time similarity's. The impact of vibrant colors partnered with soft earth tones. The usually faceted, sharply cut stones falling upon the obviously very smooth, warm and powerful presence of the fossilized materials.....All of which have been gathered from their natural state on different parts of this earth, after thousands of years in the making and then being familied into a newer upbeat fashion statement. Many of the pendant sets (the 'sets' include matching earrings) are two sided (earrings as well). One a rather elegant side and the other with a more relaxed casual feel, so all you have to do is take the one set... simply flip the pendant and you are good to go...day or night. They have been on quite a journey to be worn by only you and admired by many....For they are all, of course, as are you, one of a kind.
10. Where can we find your collection?
My pieces were to be found in Kaviar n Kind on Sunset in Beverly Hills and at Laura M jewellery in Malibu. I had also placed them in Santa Barbara on State St. That was four years ago.... I stopped producing the jewellery to design and help work on very large sculptures of Granite, wood, ice and bronze with a master sculptor. I just started again putting my jewellery designs into a reality, in the last two months. I will be concentrating on some more formal pieces with more fluidity and movement, consisting of multiple smaller pieces, as well as continuing with the more solitary pendants. I am preparing to put them back on the market in Malibu and possibly Beverly Hills. In the meantime the pieces can be found on: Sculpted Elegance on Facebook
