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Another fabulous brand to join The Accessories Council at our Spring show (starting THIS SUNDAY!!!), is MUJUS. Designed by Paola Delgado, this fair-trade company combines the artist’s traditional, Peruvian roots with her current, urban life. Just before the Spring show, Paola shares with us her design inspiration, as well as her design process.

JA New York: What inspires your designs?

Paola Delgado: I am inspired by the deep, contrasting scenes from my home country of Peru with my new home in Brooklyn. My father is an engineer and I believe that has had in influence on my designing of sculptural and architecturally inspired jewelry. Another big inspiration for me is the women that I want to dress. I try to think which of the materials and the styles that I use would suit her best? How would she wear it?

JA New York: Walk us through your design process.

PD: I start by watching trend reports, looking at the clothing that the woman I design for would wear, and searching out new sculptures. Alongside of this I am also constantly taking photographs and sketching while I travel (Peru, Vietnam, Ecuador, Argentina, etc.). Once I have made some final decisions, I usually draw more concrete sketches of the pieces I want to design with and send tech sheets to Ecuador. My team there then prepares these pieces for me so when I go on my design trip my drawings are ready to be made a reality.

JA New York: If you weren’t a jewelry designer, what would you be?

PD: I think I am and will always be an entrepreneur of some sort. It is hard, difficult work, but I love it.

JA New York: What’s your favorite gemstone/metal to work with?

PD: Any unusual material. Anything unique. I’m always looking for something new to design with.

JA New York: What’s your biggest (non-jewelry) weakness?

PD: Purses

JA New York: What is on your desk now?

PD: Computer, iPad, pliers, business cards from potential customers. Whatever fits!