An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Challenge the status quo — We live in a time where so much new technology and ideas are surrounding us. Sometimes it is far easier to follow what has been done before rather than disrupt it. Perhaps it is because of my architectural background that values design and problem solving, I was propelled to be critical of the status quo. This process has helped me build a brand that shares my ethics and values.
As a part of our series about women who are shaking things up in their industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jenny Wu.
Jenny Wu is the founder and CEO of LACE by Jenny Wu, a leading 3D printed jewelry brand specializing in fine statement and wedding pieces. In addition to LACE, Jenny is also the principal at the Los Angeles based, award winning architecture firm, Oyler Wu Collaborative. Her trailblazing multidisciplinary work has been widely recognized for its unique, experimental designs and groundbreaking approach to production.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
Like many first-generation immigrants, I was instilled at an early age a clear understanding of what it takes to be successful. I had to study hard, go to an Ivy League school, then get a good job. Those were the steps I took growing up. After I graduated from Harvard with my master’s in architecture, I worked for several great architectural design offices working on beautiful, high-end projects, yet I didn’t feel totally satisfied. After several years in New York, my partner and I decided to move to Los Angeles because we were eager to start our own practice so that we can experiment with our own unconventional designs. We designed and built artistic installations out of unusual material such as rope, fabric, and steel. Much of our early career in Los Angeles was about figuring out how to realize our own work by fabricating the projects ourselves. This close relationship between design and construction has fundamentally helped me rethink and challenge the status quo.
Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?
I started my architectural firm, Oyler Wu Collaborative in 2006 with my partner, Dwayne Oyler. Eager to test our ideas, and impatient in our desire to see the effects of our work, we transformed small projects with modest budgets into a testing ground for our ideas. For the first 5 years of our practice, our work consists largely (although not entirely) of projects that we have built physically ourselves. This way of practice completely disrupts the traditional role of the architect who typically designs and produces drawings for a contractor to build. As a young practice, it allowed us to build a portfolio of experimental design projects that would otherwise not happen. Eight years ago, when I started my second company, LACE, I took lessons learned from my first company and applied it towards how I set up my second company. I wanted to reconsider how products are being manufactured and avoid the incredible waste that traditional manufacturing creates. When I started my jewelry brand, LACE, I decided to use 3D printing as the main production method for the entire collection. At that time, very few companies were using 3D printing to produce end products but mainly for prototypes and samples. I worked with the top 3D printing companies globally in producing my designs which was a tremendous challenge since most of these technologies have not been used for jewelry before. After a year of experimentation, we were able to produce our first collection Fall of 2014. We have discovered that this production process has allowed us to completely change the business model of a very traditional jewelry industry. We were able to produce pieces based on demand and not bound to a large minimum order. We are also able to constantly improve on our designs and introduce new materials that have never been used in jewelry. Ultimately, we are making high design more accessible and sustainable to consumers.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I still remember the time when I tried to “print” my first necklace. The latch of the necklace had to also be 3D printed in the same material. We probably redesign and print the latch at least 100 times since it would be either too tight which would be difficult to take off or too loose which would make it difficult to stay on. I wore one of my prototypes to an event and remembered the embarrassment of my necklace falling off when a friend greeted me with a hug that unlatched the necklace. I learned that it was important to test your own work extensively and learn from your mistakes. Sometimes I think it would’ve been so much easier to source hardware from China but once I see the mysterious, unique quality of the final piece, it makes it all worth it.
Can you share 3 of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.
Do what you love — I have built a career in architecture and design working on projects that I believe in. Despite how challenging it is at times, I wake up every day being excited about the work I’m doing, and it has made the hard work worthwhile.
Challenge the status quo — We live in a time where so much new technology and ideas are surrounding us. Sometimes it is far easier to follow what has been done before rather than disrupt it. Perhaps it is because of my architectural background that values design and problem solving, I was propelled to be critical of the status quo. This process has helped me build a brand that shares my ethics and values.
Find allyship — In the past 10 years, I have made amazing connections and collaborated with so many incredible people. Opportunities have only happened when I build genuine relationships with others. This is probably the best aspect of being an entrepreneur!
We are sure you aren’t done. How are you going to shake things up next?
We launched a couple of years ago our first engagement ring collection. The bridal jewelry industry is typically an industry that was off limits to small brands due to high inventory and production costs. Engagement ring designs are often based on what is most expedient and cost effective, leaving very little room for Intricate details and unique profiles. Because we can craft elaborate details in the computer digitally as well as “print to order” by demand, our small boutique brand is able to grow organically and deliver unique statement pieces. We are also able to make small edits to our designs to fit our customer’s requirements. I think it’s a very exciting time to shake up the bridal industry and create pieces customers really love.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by ‘women disruptors’ that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?
In 2021, women make up only 13% of the entire additive manufacturing (3D printing) industry. This is an incredibly low representation for women in a fast-growing industry. When I first started, it was difficult to find allyship since there were so few women in leadership positions. This tide is shifting, as many amazing women in this industry are actively building a strong community of women to support each other.
How can our readers follow you online?
https://www.instagram.com/lace_jennywu/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oylerwu/
https://www.tiktok.com/@lace_jennywu
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Female Disruptors: Jenny Wu of LACE On The Three Things You Need To Shake Up Your Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.