JA New York: What inspires your designs?
Lisa Kim: Strong women. I see them all around me every day – I know so many of you in my network of family and friends.I grew up reading myths and fantasy stories. I always identified with heroes (male or female) who had to face their challenges and be transformed by them. I love the idea that a regular person like you or me can choose to rise to an occasion and become someone greater than before. Heavens knows that we can’t be that way all the time – we are human, after all – but I love this transformation. I do what I do to externalize this transformation and to remind women of their own incredible power.
JA New York: Walk us through your design process…
LK: I draw. I don’t always start with the jewelry right away. I love to draw women. I will draw a woman first to capture an idea of her before I build a jewelry story around her. When I get to the jewelry itself, I will draw multiple iterations of a design and select the drawing that speaks strongest to me.
Sometimes I design around a gemstone. I have the heart of a troll when it comes to gold and colored stones. If I come across a gemstone that sweeps me off my feet, I will create a story around it.
I fabricate my cuff bracelets with chasing and repoussé. I start with a design pattern but that design is subject to change on a whim when I sit to hammer it out, which makes each piece truly one of a kind. The rest of my work is produced by casting or a combination of casting and fabrication.
JA New York: What was your favorite part about exhibiting in the New Designer Gallery at the July 2015 show?
LK: Honestly? I loved being part of an all-female New Designer Gallery! This was a first, if I’m not mistaken. We know what women want!
I also loved meeting so many people at the show (including you!). It was a great way to connect with members of the industry and to let them know you exist. Igot face time with buyers that I otherwise didn’t have access to before the show. I know that buyers are quite busy and the best way to get on their radar is to meet them in person at a show like this.
JA New York: If a theme song played every time you walked into a room, what would it be?
LK: Survival by Muse.
