Fashion - Chicago Fashion Designer, Harlem Winston of Nubian Ego
Fashion - Chicago Fashion Designer, Harlem Winston of Nubian Ego
http://andreaandmetoo.blogspot.com/2010/11/fashion-chicago-fashion-designer-harlem.html
With the twists and turns of copper, brass, aluminum, silver wire and the application of natural stones (carnelian, agate, aventurine, lapis lazuli, and Swarovski crystals), Harlem Winston is able to create some stunning custom handcrafted jewelry pieces. Based in Chicago, emerging jewelry design talent, Harlem Winston, is an elementary school teacher (who educates future leaders to make a better world), and also utilizes her talents and passion as the creative force behind her jewelry brand, Nubian Ego.
She designs beautiful statement-making jewelry. With its intricate twists and turns, Harlem's designs are simply beautiful must-haves to accent any wardrobe. She says she feels "truly blessed" to fulfill both of her life's dreams. She hopes the people who purchase her jewelry feel like they have just bought the one thing they needed to pull their outfit together. Harlem says her collection is a fresh alternative to the commercial jewelry seen in most stores.
When I asked Harlem to describe her jewelry collection, she stated: "Nubian Ego is eye-catching accessories that spark conversation. It is a style of jewelry ranging from dainty and whimsical to bold and breathtaking. It includes a little something for everyone. Some of my favorite creations are those statement pieces that stop people dead in their tracks. My passion is handpicking beautiful stones and beads and watching them be transformed into beautiful jewelry pieces. When one of my clients reports back and tells me that people ask them, "Where did you get that?" I know that my job is done."
As a teen, Harlem knew she wanted to make an impact in the fashion industry with fashion accessory design being her niche. She says she has a reputation for taking a simple outfit and turning it into something unique with her choice of bold accessories. While growing up, Harlem says she would buy pieces of jewelry and transform them into her own vision.
Harlem attended Chicago State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After that, she attended Olivet Nazarene University where she earned a Master's of Art in Elementary Education. And, in 2008, she completed her studies by becoming a national board certified teacher.
Harlem Winston describes her journey into jewelry-making as one of "Divine Intervention." In December of 2006, she lost her younger brother, due to a sudden heart attack. She and her younger brother were very close, so she took his death very personally, and fell into deep depression over the loss. She says she began to meditate and look to spiritual guidance, and eventually got back to her daily routine. But, she still felt a sense of great loss, and that something was missing from her life. Harlem says, "I remember one day sitting in my home and noticing an advertisement for jewelry-making classes at a local retailer. It was as if I was meant to see the ad. I decided to get up one Saturday morning and attend the class. Now, looking back, it is as if someone actually made me turn to that ad."
One of the first pieces she made was a four row Swarovski crystal bangle, and when she wore it, people wanted to know where she bought it. She even had an offer from her stylist to buy it "off her arm." Harlem ended up making another piece for her stylist and, well, Flirt Jewelry and Accessory was born! She started out hosting home jewelry parties (where she sold mass produced jewelry items). She says the products sold well, but the jewelry did not capture her creative vision. That experience motivated her to branch out and try her hand at designing her own collection of more unique, one of a kind pieces.
Starting out, she worked with beads and stones and different types of metals. Eventually, Harlem was introduced to wire work, which is now her specialty. She states: "Nubian Ego to me is the evolution of Flirt Jewelry and Accessory! It's that, 'Yeah Girl', 'Go head on' factor that women want when they wear certain pieces." Feeling sassier this time around, Harlem describes her collection as bold, unique and free, and in many ways it's closer to what she wanted for her original concept. She also says, "No ensemble is complete without a dash of Nubian Ego."
Harlem credits one of her mentors, Tanishia Savage of Nail Fetish, Inc., a high school friend, with sharing her knowledge of business in order to help her keep a vital business in today's economy. Another mentor was Madame Pilar of Kreative Souls, who gave her pointers on business, and what it was like for her in the jewelry industry. She is also inspired by designer, Mona Muhammad of Knotty Loop Creations.
Her advice toup-and-coming designers is: "A fashion designer has to have knowledge of self, creativity, be innovative, have business savvy, and be willing to take risks." She goes on to say that you must be able to accept constructive criticism, and know that everyone will not love what you create. She says you need to be able to step out of your comfort zone and create -- not only for yourself, but what the people ask for. Harlem's design philosophy is: "No holds barred." "It is exactly what you make of it. Don't be afraid to explore new materials and looks. Love it or hate it, a true fashionista leaves people talking about them."
Harlem'sfavorite celebrities to design for would be Sade, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Marsha Ambrosius, India Arie, Maxwell and Musiq Soulchild. Harlem was featured at the Randolph Street Handmade Market. Look for her in the Shopswagg event on November 13th at Vision night club.
In the future, Harlem expects to have a freestanding Flirt Jewelry store featuring expansions in her line, and to have her line in other boutiques locally and world wide.
Prices range between $17- $200. You may connect with her on Facebook Nubian Ego, and Flirt Jewelry & Accessory or her website.
Article also appears at: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-designers-in-chicago/chicago-fashion-designer-harlem-winston-of-nubian-ego
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