Unlike most of my blog topics, "L George Designs" found me; I didn’t find it. I remember the morning like it was yesterday, too, because it was such a bad time in my life. My health was a complete disaster and I had just finished a three-day IVIG infusion to treat my GBS/CIDP. The infusions were dreadful and left me feeling weak, nauseous and frail. I was feeling especially sorry for myself the day I received a box and a note from Reggie Carson.
Reggie (who is a mover and shaker in the fashion biz) had sent me the most beautiful necklace, bracelet and earrings from Lisa George, a new jewelry designer. He explained in his note that the gift was "just because" and he wanted to "pay it forward." His eloquent words and random act of kindness made me weep. It was just what I needed at such an impossibly difficult time in my life.
I wore the jewelry on television that same night and took a picture of it and sent it to Reggie. Reggie passed it along to Lisa and she immediately noticed that the bracelet was quite big on me, as I had lost a lot of weight during my illness. The next day, she privately messaged me on social media and asked if she could adjust the bracelet to fit me and well, that’s how it all began.
Over the course of the next couple of years, Lisa and I began a friendship based on fashion, but it would turn into something much deeper when I realized the kind of women she was. Lisa is a two-time cancer survivor, who on a really bad day (like the one I described in the beginning of the blog) made her way to a bead store and lost herself for five hours making a necklace.
That’s really not so unusual for a designer, but Lisa had spent years upon years honing her on-air radio hosting skills; making her way to the top of the food chain in her respective career, designing jewelry was the furthest thing from her mind. That day, though, she was captivated by what she was doing: she lost herself in the process, allowing herself an escape from the cold, hard reality of cancer.
That night, Lisa wore the necklace she made out to dinner and not only received a lot of compliments on it, a public relations guru suggested she enter the piece of jewelry into a competition called "The Perfect Necklace." So, on a whim she did — and she WON. That was just three years ago. Since then (with a lot of hard work and determination,) Lisa’s designing trajectory is the stuff NASA dreams are made of, launching itself at warp speed into the fashion stars.
Lisa’s jewelry is a direct reflection of her physical, emotional and spiritual state. It’s bold and strong, because she’s fought her way through cancer. It’s raw and unique, because of her understanding of life’s fleeting nature and it’s precious and delicate, because Lisa’s heart and spirit ebbs and flows through her pieces as she tries to figure out who and what she is becoming: after her illness, after her radio career and after everything she thought life was about simply changed.
Lisa’s "Precious Metals" are statement pieces: she creates necklaces, bracelets and rings that work in tandem with one another. The main concept behind her line is to build a jewelry wardrobe, not just buy a one-off piece. Whether you choose gold, silver, gunmetal, precious gems etc., everything’s interchangeable and works well together. I love jewelry that’s functional and fashionable.
My favorite way to wear my "L George" collection is to layer and mix metals, which is what we wanted the spirit of the blog to reflect. With beautiful clothing from one of my favorite boutiques (HiNT Miami,) we added a soft flare to Lisa’s already strong pieces. Fall is always the best time to combine different colors, textures and prints.
Whether you’re stacking, wrapping or just wearing one piece from Lisa’s line, "Precious Metals" is the perfect celebration of fall fashion and that’s why it’s one of my favorite things.
Shireen Sandoval: Describe your line in three words.
Lisa George: Edgy, wearable, statement pieces
SS: What is your one must-have statement piece?
LG: "The Kyle." It was one of the first pieces I designed and has remained in the line from the beginning. It is the staple of the collection. It is the piece you build off for your own personal "L George Collection."
SS: I love the new rings you’ve added to your line. Tell me about them.
LG: So many of my customers have been asking when will we be doing rings. We introduced them this season. I wanted to complete the "L George" look with a ring that was wearable everyday but still makes a statement. Many women have asked over the years if we can add certain color chains, change crystal colors etc. They want to personalize their pieces, so I took that concept and created our new ring line. We offer a choice of several crystal colors depending on the style. Our first collection is only offered in antique gold, but we have had several women asking for different metal choices. I see silver and gun metal rings in our future.
SS: What piece are you always wearing from your line?
LG: "The Kyle." It is a simple layering piece that makes a statement. I tell women it is the best piece to start their individual collection because you can wear your own personal jewelry with it and we design collections always keeping that style in mind as a starter piece.
SS: When styling the jewelry looks for the blog, what did you want to convey?
LG: I wanted to show how interchangeable the pieces can be from season to season. Nothing really goes out of style with the line and most styles work well with each other
SS: One of my favorite creations of yours is the hand bracelet. What was your inspiration behind this design?
LG: Several years ago when I was living in New York, I went on my first solo vacation to Grand Cayman. I ended up staying four years and never returning to my "old life." It was the most magical time of my life and it has stayed with me all these years. I think that was just a little Cayman island life coming out.
SS: Talk about how you mix metals and colors. It’s almost as if you design with no rules, yet it all seems so stream-lined.
LG: Well, it actually started as a fluke. We began by staying solid with our three main finished, gold, silver and gun metal. One day, we actually sold out of one color and we just started playing around with different textures and finishes on one piece. I designed a five piece set for the next show and those pieces sold more than any other style. The Mixed Metal collection was born!
SS: Despite being based in Atlanta, you spend a lot of quality time in Miami. Do I see a move in your future?
LG: Well, it is funny that you should ask. I have been missing the water quite a bit in the last year. I think after my second breast cancer diagnosis last Christmas, I took a hard look at my surroundings and thought about what makes me happy. The water and beach has always been a big part of my life and I have not had much chance spending time there since starting this business three years ago. So you never know.
SS: When you’re not working, where would I find you and what would you be wearing?
LG: Honestly, I keep things simple these days. When I worked in radio you could’ve found me at every restaurant opening, concert, etc. Now, I just like an easy relaxed environment with good friends, great conversation and sipping great wine on a patio somewhere. I like wearing my favorite jeans, a fun top and of course, great shoes. Jewelry-wise, you’ll always see me wearing some sort of "L George" bracelet look. Although the rings are fast becoming my "can’t leave the house" piece!
Shop the blog jewelry looks at www.lgeorgedesigns.com or the blog wardrobe at www.HintMiami.com
Twitter: @LGeorge_Designs
Instagram: @lgeorgedesigns
Facebook: L George Designs
Twitter: @HiNTMiami
Instagram: @hintmiami
Facebook: HiNT Miami
Twitter: @ShireenSandoval
IG: @ShireenSandoval
ssandoval@wsvn.com
www.shireensandoval.com
Photographer: James Woodley
Twitter: @BritFloridian
IG: @BritFloridian
www.James-Woodley.com
Styling/Co-Producer/Assist: Jackie Kay
blog ideas: Jackiekay211@yahoo.com
Hair & MUA: Tabitha Rey
IG: @makeupbytabs
makeupbytabs@yahoo.com
Hair: Jess Stuver
www.zenzensalon.com
Editor: Matthew Auerbach
MattAuerbach@yahoo.com