Category Archives: DC Designer Spotlight

Trendsetter Jewelry Designs takes pride in its its high quality jewelry that’s  handcrafted in the USA. Iris Perry, the designer, uses a variety of hand-selected natural gemstones, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, copper, brass, and precious metals. Her jewelry is made with love, making you feel special by personalizing metal tags with “TJD by Iris” on each piece and supplying a label with the name of the piece and the material used to create it. Meet Iris Perry of Trendsetter Jewelry Designs.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from nature, geometry, architecture, historical themes, emotions and everyday objects.

When and how did your company come to life?
In December 2008, I found out that I was going to be laid off.  In that same month, the company that I was working for had a craft show.  So, I decided to sell some jewelry pieces that I made. The following year in April, I started my company.

What’s your ultimate dream for your company?
My ultimate dream for my company is for it to be very profitable and for people to identify my jewelry on the street!

What do you sell?
I sell handcrafted fashion and artisan jewelry!

Where can I find your product?
I sell my jewelry online at www.trendsetterjewelrydesigns.com. I have some of my jewelry collection in the Magnolia Salon in Rockville, MD.  I encourage people to host home shows and do other types of shows throughout the DMV.

Interview conducted by Kristine Thomas, founder and owner of DewdropDC. Check out the blog here.

Lola Ro inspires you to follow your dreams. On the road to getting her master’s degree, she decided to pursue her passion—creating jewelry. She now puts her energy into her business and dreams of making it big—real big. Have a look at her collection and see why she will succeed.

Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration was derived from where I am originally from – Nigeria. I met my best friend there making jewelry as a hobby. Nigeria is known for its intricate and unique jewelry making techniques. I became fascinated by it and thought I could mix its traditional look with contemporary style to create one of a kind pieces. I decided to take a couple of classes from the local jewelry artisans in Lagos when I visited Nigeria for vacation. I got hooked and I have been making jewelry ever since. Other places I get my inspiration from are magazines, TV shows or fashion trends. The whole idea is to create one of a kind jewelry that creates a little drama and makes you look exotic and unique.

What do you sell?
I sell statement jewelry which includes unique necklaces, bracelets and earrings. I also make customized jewelry based on the customer’s specifications.

When and how did your company come to life?
After taking all my jewelry classes and at the same time preparing for my master’s degree, I felt comfortable with jewelry making. I decided to make my first collection of about six necklaces which I named “Asi-ko” (in Yoruba language, a tribe in Nigeria) which means “season” or “contemporary.” The understanding is that women select their attire and accessories based on the function or ASIKO, or season of the year. It could be for a wedding celebration, Thanksgiving holiday, and so on.

My friend encouraged me to sell my pieces to a boutique in Georgetown. So after some convincing, I made an appointment with the owner at Celine De Paris and he bought all my pieces. I was so excited and decided to pursue it as a business, which has been a great move for me!

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Do you have a Louis Vuitton bag you want to swap or sell? Or are you looking for said bag but don’t want to pay full price? SNOBSWAP can certainly help you. This online site lets you swap, sell or shop for all things designer. Meet the dynamic duo behind this  online marketplace, sisters Elise Whang and Emily Dang.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Elise: I was on the hunt for the perfect pre-owned Chanel handbag that lasted for months and I found myself daydreaming about a website where I could swap the other purses in my collection for a Chanel bag. And that’s how SNOBSWAP got set in motion.

Emily: Elise told me about the concept of SNOBSWAP and I immediately signed on. The idea of an online marketplace to sell, swap or buy luxury designers for less is every woman’s dream come true. Most of our friends faced the same dilemma, a closet full of clothes and bags and nothing to wear.

When and how did your company come to life?
We debuted SNOBSWAP in beta to friends and family in 2011 and it has gone viral. We have thousands of members and fans so we thought it was time to celebrate and introduce SNOBSWAP to the larger public.

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Get your vintage on! Elan Renegade Vintage sells pieces from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and yes, the 90s! Courtney Burton, the vintage curator, is a college student on a budget and has created a business to sell her fabulous finds to fashionistas also on a budget. Visit her shop on Etsy and you may want  to think twice before hitting the mall.

Courtney Baron, owner of Elan Renegade Vintage

When and how did your company come to life? 
I am utterly addicted to clothes, but as a college student, tuition comes first. My new budget requires me to limit my fashion expenditures. In an attempt to remain stylish I discovered the wonderful world of thrifting which eventually spurred my love for vintage clothing. I use the shop to show other fashionistas on a budget that acquiring a perfect wardrobe doesn’t have to mean shelling out hundreds of dollars. Shopping vintage is more affordable and definitely results in more unique pieces.

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Charmed Boutique is a fashionable, yet affordable and contemporary mobile and online boutique for women, mommies, and little girls offering a variety of styles.  Meet the lovely owner, Savannah Powell.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspiration from EVERYWHERE! I’m also a first grade teacher, so my students inspire me in so many ways. Through their individual personalities and their artwork, I’m always on the hunt for pieces that remind me of them.

When and how did your company come to life?
I had been thinking about opening a boutique for years.  Growing up in a small city in the south, there weren’t too many places I could go to get fun and eclectic or even fashionable pieces at reasonable prices.  When I moved to DC with my husband, I decided it was finally time to bring my constant thoughts to reality.

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