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Q&A;: Leighelena
Texas style is rarely praised in any context other than South by Southwest (SXSW), but its native accessories designer, Leigh Elena Navarro, makes a strong case for the lone star's fashions. An Austin transplant by way of El Paso and then New York City, Leigh grew up immersed in Texas fashion with her mother taking her to local fairs and teaching her the processes behind enamel at the age of five. Her mother still helps Leigh today, applying her technique with enamel to Leigh’s line, Leighelena. Her line has the warmth and personality of a family operation with hand-crafted pieces made from exotic skins and unique details like block clasps. It also feels personal because Leigh’s designs are inspired by her clients’ feedback and pieces that she doesn’t find in the marketplace. Her sense of humor is appreciated too, when she describes her line as “jewelry that is sophisticated, but like [her], Leighelena does not take itself too seriously!” We recently talked to Leigh about the foundation of any jewelry collection, how a pair of Western boots can outdo a pair of Louboutins, and catching one of her designs on Barbara Walters.
What is the Texan idea of style?
Texas is such a great melting pot of wonderful ideas: We can pair a fun accessory with jeans and boots for dinner and a night out and just as easily take an outrageous, over-the-top look and make it work for lunch with the girls.
What is the foundation of any jewelry collection?
1. An heirloom: A piece of jewelry that someone in the family cared for enough to pass on.
2. A beautiful diamond: Not the biggest or most expensive, but one that you saw and wanted immediately, and got!
3. A great pair of earrings: Something that a girl can wear to dinner, on a beach vacation, and to an important work function.
4. A beautifully crafted Leighelena bracelet!
Leighelena has a lot of cuffs. How would you encourage wearers to pair them?
I say put a bracelet with everything! Our wearers span a broad spectrum: many think our jewelry works for a night out and many think it works for a day at the office. I say, do both; just have fun wearing it!
Do you style your own jewelry and clothing with any rules of thumb?
I will not wear anything that is uncomfortable. If a woman is wearing a pair of exquisite 4.5" Louboutins that she has barely conditioned herself to walk in, her discomfort is more apparent than the beauty of the shoe. If a woman can confidently walk into a restaurant or a meeting in the right pair of beat-up western boots, it is much more impressive.
With regards to using exotic skins, do you select them based on any criteria like sustainability or rarity?
With the exception of a few core skins, we change all of our skins seasonally. I want to find the most beautiful, luxurious, and affordable materials possible for our clients. They could be sustainable or even post-consumer, sometimes they will be exotic, and other times it means that I have never seen it in another place!
What pieces from the spring collection are mainstays in your wardrobe?
I am wearing black crocodile on a wide cuff, safari python thin, and black anaconda enamel cuffs. The enamel cuffs are my favorite items I make, and my mom and I enamel every piece.
How do you see Leighelena evolving?
I have many ideas, and we are very excited to start really elaborating on our Crowns Jewelry System. This is a sophisticated interchangeable line of jewelry that is well made and still handcrafted!
Who have you been most excited to see wearing your jewelry?
I love seeing my jewelry on, literally, everyone; it is the greatest satisfaction, like, for example, when I’m in an airport and spot someone wearing a Leighelena piece. That said, I have a picture of Barbara Walters hugging Oprah, while she’s wearing the camel lizard wide Jigsaw bracelets. That was a thrill!
Wide Jigsaw bracelet in stingray, available at Mark Shale.
-- As told to Marissa Muller, Marketing Coordinator
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