BLACKBURN AND SWEETZER

When I met Racquel Honore, she looked hot. This is a woman who can pull off wearing an electric blue, curve-hugging jumpsuit. It was actually during the 3rd Street Summer Stroll; Racquel was at Aero & Co., which sells her jewelry collection, ANKH by Racquel. I immediately loved the collection, so much so that the husband bought me some ANKH earrings for our anniversary. I have already worn them like crazy and gotten compliments every time. I instantly liked Racquel, too, who has a great vibe and is a true creative - artist, designer, stylist, and DJ.

The jewelry collection speaks uniquely for itself, with its use of gold-filled, silver, and multi-hued painted chains - mixed and matched, dangled, and criss-crossed - like nothing else I’ve seen out there. It’s fashion-y and elegant, wearable and incredibly well-priced with most pieces between $50-$150 (available on Racquel’s site, umbrellanoir.com and in-store at Aero & Co. in the hood). I would gladly wear every single item in the range. Now, for some As to my Qs:

You’re not only a jewelry designer, but have a significant portfolio as a stylist. When did you start styling?
I started styling while I was living in New York and running a small vintage boutique inside an electronic record store on Ave B. I was actually pregnant at the time! That was 1999. I saw that lots of stylists liked my aesthetic and I became curious to do my own shoots so I started assisting. I continued doing styling while I lived in NY and currently work on various projects here in L.A.

At what point did you start designing jewelry? What was the impetus?
When I really think about it, I started designing jewelry in high school. I was always crafty and enjoyed expressing myself through the arts, drawing, designing my dresses for all the dances, etc. I took a metalsmithing class in college as well. But somehow my interest in design fell by the wayside when I decided to study communications and film studies. I started designing again in 2005 which is when this collection ANKH was born.

How do you see your overall aesthetic?
Hmm. My aesthetic is free spirited and individualistic. I run wild but then am always drawn back to a classic feel, hence, always heavily influenced by vintage inspiration. I am a true bohemian; my influence is across between the ’60s and ’70s and the ’30s and ’40s. Sprinkle in a little futuristic visionary mindset and voila! C’est moi!

When you’re designing jewelry, do you design for yourself or do you have a specific type of person in mind?
Ha. I design for everyone. I seek to create things that intrigue, dance, inspire, and have character. My designs seem to appeal to all ages and genders and I love that!

From the pop art to the multi-hued chains, I love the vintage vibe of your jewelry; I also appreciate that it’s not ‘vintage-inspired’ in the same way so many lines are, but is singular in the interpretation of these influences. Where do you see your ideas and creations coming from?
My creations come from my attempt to reinterpret nostalgia, history, sentimental things, music, and abstract things like graphics. In addition to styling and designing jewelry, I love to spin records and do graphic design. I designed my website to echo the feel of the jewelry collection, as well as my styling aesthetic.

Can you tell me a bit about your cultural background? How do you think it plays into your work?
I was born and bred in New Orleans, migrated here from New York and then claim L.A. as my new home (for now). I can’t begin to explain how my life in those richly cultural places has influenced every inch of who I am. New Orleans is such a mysterious, magical place, and I guess my sense of uniqueness would most be attributed to being from there.

What are you currently working on?
I’m working on my new collection for spring ’08. I think I’m going to call it Vagabond (working title). I am also working on translating the vision and aesthetic into the fine art realm, incorporating drawings, graphics, and even sound into the mix.

Excluding your own, what piece of jewelry do you lust after?
While doing research for my newest collection, I came across a book of art deco jewelry. I never knew I could lust after jewelry the way I did when I saw this book! Pieces with an abstract rich feel and all of it is made of the finest materials. So luxurious yet crafty!