A(r)mor Jewelry is an extremely intricate,  phenomenal jewelry line. Fashion forward with amazing pieces from rings, to ear pieces, and the ones I completely adore, there body jewelry. I had a chance to take some time away from Sandee Shin, Creative Director/Owner of of A(r)mor Jewelry to get to know her and her line. Let me tell you this, Sandee is the most patient, friendly, and absolutely generous type of person. I was able to play with Sandee’s pieces and utilize it on a blank canvas just to express her art, I chose a white background for a subtle romantic look to show off these pieces. Hope you guys enjoy this !

1) How did you come up with the name Armor Jewelry ?

I have to say coming up with names is such a difficult thing to do! However, in this case, it was just organic. The name is based on the words armor, because the pieces are like body armor, and amore because each piece is made with much love, Simple right ? Even though the name is spelled ARMOR, it’s pronounced like ARMORE (minus the E).

2) What encourages your design from each season ?

I am constantly doing research or finding influences for my next pieces. I try not to limit my thinking to just fashion, but to think of it as art. Living in a place like NY, you get influenced by so much on a daily basis. There is so much life here, that it’s hard not to be motivated. Having that constant push and keeping myself on my toes is what helps me to go beyond.

3) What inspires you ?

Everything, I know this is very broad, but it’s very true! I get inspired from watching movies, listening to music, people watching, the world really is my oyster .

4) Where are you located ?

Located in the grand NYC !

5) If you had an opportunity to do a collaboration, whom would you choose ?

Oooh I’d probably have to say ACNE. I just love what they do and what their brand represents. Even though they have such a minimalist approach, I think they are one of the best. Their well0constructed silhouettes speak for themselves.

6) Who are your personal favorite designers ?

There are so many wonderful designers our there, and it’s always difficult to answer, but right at the top of my head I’d say, Helmut Lang, ACNE, Margiela, Alexander Wang, Carine Wester, Preen, Pleasure Principle, Opening Ceremony… I could probably go on and on.

7) How did you get started ?

I’ve always been a strong believer in accessories. My daily outfits are kept very minimal and simple, but I always use accessories to give the outfit just a little flare. I had this drawer that was just a hodge-podge of material. One day I just decided to go through it, and see what I could create. I just started to mix and match the materials. After that, I was hooked. I never had any formal training in jewelry making; everthing up to now has been a trial and error thing for me. But I’d like to think of that as a good thing.

8)Did you work for any other fashion lines prior to Armor ?

I have also been a lover of fashion, but I never worked in the industry. Prior to A(r)mor, I worked as an art director at an ad agency.

9) Do you have a Brand Philosophy ?

A(r)mor is an arsenal of high fashion jewelry that dances between understated minimalism and highly conceptual edge of fashion. It is a unique sculpture for the body that reflects the lifestyles of those who aren’t afraid to push boundaries.

10) How would you describe A(r)mor’s personal style ?

I design for myself. But that is the philosophy for me behind each piece. If I don’t see myself wearing it, then I won’t design it. I am confident in what I like and dislike. This is how I would perceive a women who likes to wear A(r)mor as well. She would be confident woman who knows who she is and what she wants. She is simple in certain ways, but has the little quicks about her that make her special.

11) Any advice for fashion lovers attempting to start up there own business ?

Just go for it. If you’re really passionate about what you’re doing, you will pour everything you’ve got into it. Sometimes you fail, but when you succeed, oh man, that victory tastes so sweet. The only person who can stop you is you. You really are your own worst critic.

12) So we hear each piece is made with love to order ?

From picking the materials, to making the piece, it is all 100% me. Because each piece is a personal work for me I construct with attention to every detail. I just want to ensure that when a buyer receives their piece, it is made with the utmost quality.

13) Where could online viewers purchase your beautiful items ?

All of the pieces are available on the brand website, ARMORJEWELRY.COM, you can also check out the stock list section to view in store boutiques that currently carry the line.

14) What’s an average day in the office like for you ?

Wake up. Emails. Surf the net and visit my daily stops, or as I like to call it “morning coffee” Work out. More emails. Design.Construct. Construct. Construct. Glamorous isn’t it ?

15)What should we expect in the future ?

I have a few upcoming projects that i can mention, but I am very excited for them! For now, I am just taking this one-day at a time, and trying to continue to let A(r)mor grow.

16) & of course, how much do you looooove Art of Clean =) ?

I have nothing but amore for Art of Clean !

Model: Crystal Leland

Photographer: Paul Do

Hair & MU: Jadyn Ngo

So I was able to find some time and steal Jonathan, the creative director and founder of Mor’s Footwear away from his busy, hectic schedule to introduce you guys to his line. Mor’s footwear is pretty rad, the shoe looks awesome yet very sleek and clean still with very high quality. Being able to find out of what’s to come for the next season actually has me psyched because Jonathan is extremely talented and capable of doing the unknown. Extremely friend guy with a creative eye.

1) What made you decide to use your last name for the footwear’s name ?

Well, the name is mors… (my name minus one ‘s’) which means ‘death’ in Latin and its an Island in Denmark too. It looks good on a shoe label as well… or maybe I’m an egomaniac.

2) What are your inspirations when it comes to designing your products ?

I take inspiration from all kinds of places… 80s sports stars, nature and vintage sci-fi are just a few.The important thing is to combine it all into a cohesive, stylish product.

3) Where are you based out of ?

London, UK

4) How did you get started ?

I started out as a footwear designer for adidas and designed for a few big sports and fashion brands before deciding to start out on my own.

5) So how long have you been in the game now ?

7 years

6) Where do you see your company in the next 5 years ?

Well respected and known for a high quality, well designed product.

7) If you could have a collabo with anyone, who would it be ?

Someone creative or known for quality, maybe an artist like Andy Warhol (yeah.. I know he’s dead).

Do you have a brand philosophy?

Creating high quality, stylish footwear with a fresh perspective.

9) What should we expect to see from you this fall ?

The fall range is really exciting. There’s elk suede premium runners, high top elk skin runners…Arctic fish skin sneakers too. All the leathers are sourced from the arctic, exclusive, tactile and rare.

10) What made you decide to go into the shoe industry rather than clothing?

I’ve always been into sneakers and I’m just doing what I love.

11) How do your shoes differ from other well crafted shoes?

Mostly in the kind of materials we use, I go to great lengths to make shoes in the highest quality, most interesting leathers there are (like arctic elk or fish skin). As the season’s progress, you’ll see mors stand out on its own more and more.

12) What’s an average day like for you as the company director?

Emails, emails, emails… sometimes I get to do some sketching too.

So I was able to grab some time from JULIE over @ Creative Recreation, even with there hectic schedule. I wanted to give you guys some more info behind Creative Rec and where they’re from, what they’re about, etc. Check it out !

1. Where is your company Based from ? Creative Receation’s main office is based in Los Angeles, CA . They also opened up a NY office in Soho about a year ago

2. How did Creative Recreation get started ? Creative Recreation was started out of Orange County by Robert Nand and Rich Cofinco. Their vision was to create a shoe that catered to those that live a life with style….to create a versatile, fashion forward shoe that could be either dressed up with a suit, or dressed down with casual jeans for those that lived a life with style

3. Where did the name of the company come about ? Creative Recreation:  Characterized by originality and imagination, a refreshment of ones mind or body through activity that amuses and stimulates play.

4. How long has Creative Rec been around ? Since 2002

5. What influences the designs ? World travels and the desire to continue to be the best footwear company in the market

6. What is your personal favorite in all of the collections ? For Spring 10 we are really excited about the Testa from the Choice Collection as well as the Essentials category, for men and women, which is a new launch for us this Spring!

7. What should we expect from you guys this year ? Get ready for Creative Recreation designers to take the brand to a new level. We are introducing 2 new styles for our Choice category for men for Fall, as well as a killer women’s line-up comprised of heels, wedges, sandals and boots for Fall 10

8. What’s an average day in the office for you like Julie ? I would say that I never have an “average” day part of the joys about my job is that every day is different, which keeps it super interesting. On a daily basis though, I correspond with key editors and stylists, plan events, oversee our social media and online outreach, attend network events and build strategic and genuine relationships and partnerships for Creative Recreation. I also help with the branding of Creative Recreation, implement new marketing initiatives, and lots of other fun things!

So here is a few sneak peaks on what’s to come this spring, as well as a few items that I will be using in our next few shoots because we Love Creative Recreation. Thanks a lot JULIE !

Continue Reading