An Interview With Candice Georgiadice
Passion and Purpose: First, a brand has got to have that fiery passion inside that inspires the designer to create. It’s the inspiration that lights them up, what they get from doing what they love, and the purpose behind why they are doing it. It’s the purpose behind what keeps the persistence going to create and that can live within a product that can be felt from one to another. The purpose is in the why and why the brand is created and what is being provided. When you have a purpose you are able to have your wearer connect and relate to a brand on a deeper level. And when it can also solve a problem that the wearer is seeking it is remembered.
Many in the fashion industry have been making huge pivots in their business models. Many have turned away from the fast fashion trend. Many have been focusing on fashion that also makes a social impact. Many have turned to sustainable and ethical sourcing. Many have turned to hi tech manufacturing. Many have turned to subscription models. What are the other trends that we will see in the fashion industry? What does it take to lead a successful fashion brand today?
In our series called, “5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful Fashion Brand Today” we are talking to successful leaders of fashion brands who can talk about the Future of Fashion and the 5 things it takes to lead a successful fashion brand in our “new normal.”
As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Michelle Valadon.
Michelle Valadon draws inspiration from nature, the gothic elements of architecture, gothic couture elements in high fashion, and the romance of times past. She creates quality and versatile, gothic, fine jewelry that has a bit of dark romance, edgy, and slightly vintage aesthetic style. She brings her designs to those that seek something that is not readily seen everywhere and that identifies and expresses their individual style. Not only as a fashion statement, but she also brings what signifies a deeper purpose and symbolism to each collection of pieces through the materials she uses and the designs that are created.
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 childhood “backstory”?
First of all thank you for asking and for your invite to include me in Authority!
I was born and raised in Southern California. I somehow always had a fascination with a European ambiance, history or items from another time, and the arts. From an early age, I knew my path was to be in something artistic. It was a way to express myself my appreciation of the beauty around me. I also found that traveling, listening to music, and dancing allowed me to connect to my imagination to visualize and create.
Can you tell us the story about what led you to this particular career path?
I lived in Dallas, Texas for about 7 years working as an assistant photo art director for a few well-known home fashions and fashion companies after my attendance at Pasadena Art Center College of design. I studied graphic design, where I learned that design had to have a purpose and a meaning behind it. There I learned about sacred geometry, which has come to play a critical role in my design. At one time, I had the interest to be a fashion designer, then my interest shifted to photo art directing and styling, and then to a jewelry designer with combining these interests. There was a jewelry store I discovered in Dallas that featured independent designers that I never knew existed in the market. It opened up my eyes to all the possibilities. But most of all it was my attendance at a gothic nightclub, where I loved to go dancing which was what brought inspiration to me and paved my way. The ambiance of old-world charm the club radiated, made me feel like I was transported back in time. I would dream up designs that I was not able to find and express and experiment with my own style and vision of something that I wanted to bring to the market someday. I then wanted to know about the industry, so I enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America where I received training and gained knowledge in jewelry and gemstones.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
It’s been a journey and an experience to achieve what I have envisioned in my mind and see it come to life. It’s learning to explore ways to bring that human emotion element into my creations and not the mechanical feel that can be lost, leaving it cold and emotionless. Since jewelry is an emotional product I want to stay true to this while maintaining an emotional connection with the products that were created. It’s what my jewelry is about and it is part of that story. I’ve been fortunate to work with some amazing and very experienced individuals who are as passionate about their craft. I work side by side with them to achieve the desired look, often combining the computer as a foundational base and old technique processes. I have had a few creations done entirely by hand, ones with intricate carvings to old techniques done by giving textured examples of old swords and European stones to reflect the uniqueness of a piece. It all seems to come together when creating these designs from start to finish. They all fall into place from being intentional to becoming unintentional as a serendipity experience has a greater meaning and symbolism behind it.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I believe in connecting with others in the industry and building upon those relationships with those you work well with. As I mentioned in the last question, my collaborations with whom I work to bring a piece to life are always a joy to work, as well as, an exciting process. I’m flexible and open-minded to suggestions as I work with them yet stay true to the vision it needs to be.
The other is being inspired and incredibly excited about what I create and connecting to my inspirations. It’s when I go out into the world and allow my visual sense of the beauty of nature and the specific elements from the past to inspire me. It’s trying a new idea out and exploring it. I find I’m persistent and intrigued to see how an idea I came up with will turn out. It’s the need to consistently stay inspired that lights me up!
I have faith in myself and in a higher power. It’s also my persistence that keeps me going. I’ll be honest and say it’s not been easy and rather frustrating. I’ve learned a lot about myself and learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t. It’s like we are literally shaped every day like a diamond in the rough through our experiences. I’ve learned to always have a backup plan and go with my intuition. I’ve had some amazing people that I’ve met and have worked with, and I’ve met some not-so-nice people that have not been supportive and very self-serving. I’ve had some barriers and obstacles along the way. Regardless, I’ve kept moving forward and finding ways to see what I can do to solve the issue and believing I have a quality gift I was given to bring to others.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
The jewelry designs I create represent something that is more intricate like the days when jewelry had that special essence with its carefully thought-out designs, quality and craftsmanship before mass production came into play. I believe in bringing jewelry like the days of once ago with the same approach of using feminine motifs to symbolic elements that describe a woman’s essence. I use solid precious metals of gold and silver with oxidized patina and textures to give that old-world charm, and precious to semi-precious stones in a fun edgy way. All designs are made in the USA and have a European influence. It’s jewelry that isn’t just about a beautiful unique piece but also that it can have significance to what it brings to the wearer. There’s a deeper meaning behind the pieces I create as to what it represents. Collections and pieces that are made carry a symbolism of their own by the name that is given, stones that are chosen, and the type of style/design of that piece. I also use sacred geometry, which is a spiritual meaning of shapes; it’s the law of where beauty is derived from and is the formula of creation. My designs represent a fashion statement that is stylish, fun, and edgy yet its purpose is for women to connect, embody, and embrace their femininity. It’s also to feel a sense of empowering confidence that is very magnetic.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that was relevant to you in your life?
I have a few that have all helped me with my frame of mind and one is “What your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve” by Napoleon Hill, as these are words of wisdom from a brilliant man that was highly successful. It’s helped me as a reminder to see where my focus is at. There are various biblical scriptures I go by that have helped and brought a sense of reassurance. There was another that I saw many years ago somewhere in a fashion magazine that stood out to me and still to this day, “When you’re mysterious you’re mesmerizing”. It signifies the intrigue of a woman when you leave enough for others to want to know more.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Do you see any fascinating developments emerging over the next few years in the fashion industry that you are excited about? Can you tell us about that?
I’m excited to see developments in the fashion industry report that gothic couture is making its way back. I have read articles about this trend and seen elements appearing on digital outlets like a runway show of Dior’s fashion next season. It is seeing high-end fashions in luxurious black silks, satins, velvets, leathers, and laces that I’ve seen making their way back as a form of a statement. This usually circulates back from previous decades by the leading fashion houses. It’s a style that is captivating to both niches and to the mainstream. My brand and jewelry fall in alignment with this style and I’m excited to see this showing up in various attires such as dark weddings to evening attire and to everyday wear.
Can you share how your brand is helping to bring goodness to the world?
I’m hoping to bring a product that can empower the potential and confidence of my wearer. I want this to be a reminder to embrace the femininity (soft power) that women possess or that hasn’t been awakened and that it is something powerful that they are not aware of yet. Not only as it makes a statement to be worn, but it also transforms the way you feel, and how you show up inside and out. It is the symbolism that connects you to your femininity, harmony, and balance to whom you were created to be. When we feel good about who we are we have the capacity to reach more of our full potential, we also give others that freedom too to be themselves to express themselves.
Can you share with our readers about the ethical standards you use when you choose where to source materials?
It’s important for me to use credible and ethical resources in the industry from which I buy my materials. I have resources and connections to gemstone dealers and precious metals that have been in business for decades and are known to be credible in the industry. I was introduced to them by mentors in the jewelry industry business and independent designers and casters who used them as well. With my knowledge and continued research about stones, I know what to look for. I always ask about the origin and I desire to know everything about the stone. It’s an important selling point especially if there is a story behind it and also to make sure it’s an ethical piece. I find sourcing to be exciting as when I pick out a stone I come from knowing what I’m looking for by what I envision the stone looking like in my design and other instances where the stone creates the design. All pieces are limited editions and made to order once bought giving a sense of specialty and to cherish for a lifetime or recycled for the value rather than short-lived to a landfill.
Fast fashion has an advantage that it is affordable for most people, but it also has the drawback that it does not last very long and is therefore not very sustainable. What are your thoughts about this? How does your company address this question?
With jewelry, it also depends on personal style, their sense of personal identity, and what speaks to them when they try on that particular item while making those decisions. It’s those that understand quality vs. quantity. With more affordable pieces, it’s not meant to last but to have a short period of time to own. It also has a different feeling and looks that can be seen and felt. The jewelry I create it’s meant to be cherished for a lifetime with the attention to quality and craftsmanship in the way it’s made and also the materials that are used. Authentic stones have an identity and energy to them that can be felt and seen. Artificial stones do not have this. The feel of some certain metals doesn’t have the sheen or texture as precious metals do. It’s very important for me to have a quality-made piece using all authentic materials from ethical sources that will last and bring out the special qualities the wearer can connect with. It’s the specialty and the attention to detail from the moment it’s envisioned to the last stone set. There are limited quantities made to maintain a special one-of-a-kind feel to the pieces rather than the mass-produced products that tend to bring the lack of specialty to an item.
Thank you for all that. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful Fashion Brand”? Please share a story or example for each.
As I noticed with successful brands they tend to have these 5 elements that are interconnected and built among each other:
Passion and Purpose: First, a brand has got to have that fiery passion inside that inspires the designer to create. It’s the inspiration that lights them up, what they get from doing what they love, and the purpose behind why they are doing it. It’s the purpose behind what keeps the persistence going to create and that can live within a product that can be felt from one to another. The purpose is in the why and why the brand is created and what is being provided. When you have a purpose you are able to have your wearer connect and relate to a brand on a deeper level. And when it can also solve a problem that the wearer is seeking it is remembered.
Uniqueness: It’s when a brand can understand and deliver what they can offer and bring something that is different that stands out for their wearers. It’s bringing fresh ideas that are not readily seen everywhere that suit a purpose with personal style. I feel it’s bringing an item that the wearer can personalize or identify with that excites them. It’s something that speaks to them and where they feel a connection in their own personal way that reflects with their style and how they feel as they wear it. Usually, something that feels more specialty has a sense of uniqueness that a wearer seeks. Custom items can offer specifically something that can truly be personalized that makes it unique to them. I offer bespoke items as well as offering to change out stones or metals for those who may want something specific for sentimental reasons from designs that carry a uniqueness.
Brand story and Identity: When brands have a story and narrative for their products and to their messaging, it connects to their audiences on a greater level creating powerful connections and an identity that is relatable. It takes them to another world or a message that speaks to their souls. It identifies who they are and serves a greater sense of connection to their audiences with the products and to themselves. I find it important to create a story that others can identify with and provide a message that is powerful and that one can connect and relate to.
Evolving and versatility: It’s when a brand can evolve through the changes of what is trending and adapting to that as well as stay true to its core values and to its style. It’s finding ways to incorporate that style in being versatile in possibilities and pushing through.
Customer service or creating connections: When brands care to bring service to those by providing support and listening to their customer’s needs and wants, results in satisfaction. It’s an important integral part of a business to deliver something that is desired and design around that to the wearer. It’s a part that is forgotten and overlooked but when it’s not it can serve a purpose for the client who feels heard and in the design process results in solutions and something desired. I have found it to be helpful to know what others seek so I can provide that solution in the design and combine it with my creative inspirations.
Every industry constantly evolves and seeks improvement. How do you think the fashion industry can improve itself? Can you give an example?
I feel the fashion industry could be more open-minded and not be closed to possibilities of various creativities and ideas. To only focus on what mainstream outlets are doing and not be open to niche markets means missing out on those possibilities. I find niche markets like mine can bring something new and fresh to the market in which people seek something different and new. It’s what distinguishes the trends, varieties, and aesthetics of the decades. It’s why stylists go to niche outlets seeking ideas.
Within the jewelry industry, there could be better disclosures on details on ethical and sustainable practices as to origin and info on stones and materials. I know this is something they are working towards improving.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
There are several yet I’ll name a few. One is to appreciate design from the past and where it comes from. Two appreciate the beauty around us and that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes instead of discarding the possibilities. The last is for women to embrace their femininity and to see there is power in that instead of perceived weakness.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can go to my website www.michellevaladon.com
Also can follow me on:
https://www.Facebook.com/MichelleValadonDesign/
https://www.Instagram.com/MichelleValadonDesign/
https://Pinterest.com/MichelleValadonDesign/
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Modern Fashion: Michelle Valadon On The 5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful Fashion Brand Today was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.