Duarts N Jem is two amazing women making their way onto the Jewelry scene and into hearts of fans everywhere. Aljaira “Jaira” Duarts and Jazz Jem are a collaboration team on a mission, to bring simple, sophisticated, one of a kind pieces to make fans of their line, feverishly swoon… The dynamic force has hit the design scene and within a year is already seeing the fruits of their labor. With stores such as Attire, Lundeen’s, Frocks & Rocks, Grace Ellay, LF Robertson, LF SoHo and online stores such as Wasteland and Karmaloop, Clamoring to get their hands on these beautiful pieces from their collection. (See full list of stores below) These two are also the pioneers of the Metal Studded iPhone cases. These cases fly off the shelves and I can attest to being a very happy customer with a case of my own. But it’s not just the iPhone case I love. I love the pieces that I’ve purchased from Duarts N Jem, such as the Bar necklace and Studded cuff with ring. I also admire the fact that they use a variety of materials such as Brass, copper and crystal. The quality and the craftsmanship of each item are amazing. I love supporting up and coming businesses and this was one I couldn’t pass up. So sit back, grab some chamomile tea and enjoy this interview with Duarts N Jem.
NCK: So, I heard through the grapevine that you had a clothing line before. Coming from a background of clothing design, what made you two team up and create Duarts N Jem?
Jaira: I knew that I could make it happen with Jasmine and I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I knew that I needed Jazz as my other half to make this dream work.
In the year that we've been designing we've accomplished so much. We had no other choice; this is what we wanted and we push everyday to get it. Our only option was to make it happen.
Jazz: I felt the same way as Jaira. In our last line, it was primarily clothing but we also designed jewelry and we noticed that our jewelry was outshining the clothing line but that wasn't the focus. We were both making jewelry and the response that we received from the customers was amazing. It was at that time that we knew that we wanted to pursue the jewelry line.
How did this dream come to pass? Why did you decide to start this jewelry line?
Jaira: I'm the type of person that can wear a white t-shirt and it will be my accessories that make the outfit. I can wear the same thing over and over again and you would think it’s a different outfit just because of the accessories that I'm wearing. In the end, it came down to accessories that we wanted but weren't finding.
Jazz: We also wanted to make well rounded, bold yet simple pieces within the collection, because the worst thing you can do to a girl is make something that she would like to wear and she tries it on in the store and she looks at it and wonders, how am I suppose to accessorize this? Your accessories aren't supposed to force you to question how to accessorize.
Not Every women has that designer mindset that's why designers are designers because they create products that a girl can easily put together on their own. You just find what you like best and incorporate it into your lifestyle. It should be effortless.
How did you come together with this current collection? What is your creative process as a design team?
Jaira: Currently the designing is mostly Jazz. With this new brand we have set defined roles, I’ll focus more on the business side while Jasmine is the main designer.
Jazz: Yes, but at the same time as a designer and partner in this company I consider what Jaira thinks. I’ll come to her with my ideas, show her the items that I’ve been working on and we work together to create that special piece. Jaira will wear the jewelry, gives me feedback and lets me know about the functionality of the jewelry. Feedback from the stores, from each other and our customers is very important.
Your studded cell phones cases are very popular, How did the cell phones cases become a part of your line?
Jaira: I made the cell phone case about two years ago for myself. I wanted something different and my mother kept telling me I needed a case for my phone but the styles that were available just weren’t what I was looking for. So, I decided to make one. Jazz saw my handmade studded case and thought we should sell them but I declined...we never brought it up again.
Until one day while working with our sales rep, I was on the phone and she immediately asked about the case. I already knew where this was headed. The sales rep wanted to add the cases to our current items that we were selling in stores, but I had to think about it. After going back and forth, I decided to move forward with making them.
The cases became one of our top selling items. We decided to work on some different styles to supply our stores with a little variety.
Other companies started coming out with a similar version, what stood out about our brand is that we screw on the studs and most other companies glued them on. The quality of our cases is different as well. We offer silicone not plastic, which wraps around the phone and protects it and also keeps the screwed studs in place.
Jazz: Our cell phone cases have helped us to get orders of our jewelry line as well. Currently we don’t know of other companies that offer Jewelry and iPhone cases. Your phone is an accessory, so why not combine the two.
We noticed that the stores that offered our line of accessories had a tech section, so your clothing, accessories and tech accessories go together. We’ve worked with stores that had to add the category of “Tech” because they offer our iPhone cases in-store.
What inspired you to use the organic materials for your jewelry collection?
Jazz: I have allergies and skin irritation with certain materials so I wanted to ensure that our customer could wear our pieces. I wanted to be able to tell the customer, how to wear and care for our pieces, to let them know how the material will oxidize and that customers with sensitive skin can wear these pieces as well. Our pieces are Nickel free and Lead free. Women with sensitive skin want to wear the same accessories as friends or seen on television, so we wanted our product to be mindful of those customers.
What do you love most about designing the jewelry and iPhone cases for your line?
Jazz: Getting our collections into stores that we never thought we could. I love the challenge. The jewelry speaks for itself so I’m not worried about that.
Jaira: I like it because it relaxing and what Jasmine said, “Getting it into stores that we never thought we could.”
What is your demographic when designing?
Jazz: I’ve never even thought about it. When I’m designing jewelry I don’t see a particular girl in mind. But when it comes to the image of the brand, I can see that clear as day. That’s the most important thing to us because we just want everyone to wear our jewelry.
Jaira: It’s everyone. The girl that works. The girl that loves to go out. The girl that loves to stay at home because that is what we are. We are an example of what our girl is. As a designer, you should be your own target market.
Do you offer custom pieces through the store or personal pieces?
Jaira: We currently offer custom pieces as well.
Jazz: Personal orders are welcomed but custom pieces will be done exclusively in collaboration with a store. We have an opportunity to make hats but it’s still in the development stages. Hats have been something we’ve talked about for a while and we are currently in the creative process.
Where can we find your collection and what’s next for Duarts N Jem?
We have some shows coming up and the official launch of the brand, you'll be hearing more about very soon. Currently you can check our website for updates, store locations and online sites, where you can purchase our collection.
Well, we are certainly looking forward to all the success to come for Duarts N Jem! Thank you so much for your time and I’m sure the readers of NCK will be looking out for you as well.
I would like to thank Jaira and Jazz for allowing me a few minutes of their time for this interview. It was so refreshing to sit down with two women that are clearly on a mission to make a name for themselves in the jewelry game. They have truly inspired me in so many ways and this should be a true testament for young ladies thinking of starting their own business. With hard work, prayer and a plan you can achieve so many of life’s opportunities. I look forward to what the future holds for them. Be sure check out their website, follow on Twitter and Instagram!
Website:
www.duartsnjem.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/duartsnjem
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/duartsnjem
Where to Shop for Duarts N Jem:
Attire Gossamer Grace Ellay
5879 Washington Blvd 1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd 1615 Silver Lake Blvd
Unit B Ste 101 Los Angeles, Ca 90026
Culver City, CA 90232 Venice, Ca 90291 323.664.0568
NO.A Lundeen's Frocks & Rocks
374 East 2nd Street 9726 W. Washington Blvd 203 W. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca 90012 Culver City, Ca 90232 El Segundo, Ca 90245
213.626.6155 310.842.8400 310.647.6256
LF Robertson LF Orange County LF SOHO
106 S. Robertson Blvd 278 Forest Ave 149 Spring Street
Los Angeles, Ca 90048 Laguna Beach, Ca 92651 New York, NY 10012
310.271.2727 949.497.9194 212.966.5889
Find Duarts N Jem Online:
Wasteland Karmaloop/MISSKL
www.shopwasteland.com www.misskl.com
*This interview was recored and transcribed by Jana'e Holmes
