Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Lopez.
Angelica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ever since I was old enough to dress myself, I loved to step outside the box with fashion. In high school, I started to really appreciate and grow fond of all things vintage. I loved the idea that all of the clothes and jewelry had a story to tell and a previous life to showcase. Not to mention the environmental benefits that come along with recycling fashion. The one thing that always stood out the most to me was the jewelry! I began collecting an abundance of vintage jewelry, all from different time periods and cultures. I would then start mixing and matching styles and reworking pieces to my own liking. I began wearing my creations around town and the response was immediate. People would stop me all the time to ask where I got my jewelry. At first, I was too shy to tell anyone that I made it myself, but once I got over my fear and told the first few people, orders started rolling in. I began to gain a core clientele and my business grew greatly just by word of mouth. After high school, I attended The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, where I studied Product Development and learned how to create a brand, build a business, and fine tune my craft.
Has it been a smooth road?
My journey into the jewelry world has been surprisingly smooth. For me, everything has happened very organically. I followed my passion and everything began to fall into place. I am a huge believer in manifesting your dreams. When I was young, I began curating an abundance of what I loved, timeless and unique jewelry and fashion. I then immersed myself into the industry where I began managing a boutique, taking jewelry classes, and graduating fashion school. I had a very clear vision of what I wanted and the work I wanted to do. I worked towards my goal every single day and learned to trust the process along the way. There were tons of crazy hours and sacrifice that went along with having a full-time job, running a business, and going to school at the same time, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I am forever grateful for the first few clients I ever had and for their ability to see my passion and help me gain the confidence I needed to pursue my dreams. There is no greater feeling in the world as a designer than when someone sees your vision and appreciates and supports your work. My advice for anyone starting out is to always follow your passion and to never give up. There is a lot of competition out there but if you are doing what you truly love with confidence and authenticity, you will be successful.
We’d love to hear more about American Gypsy.
American Gypsy is a line of sustainable, earth-friendly jewelry that combines a love for vintage and bohemian culture. Working with components from around the world, from past and present times, each piece is carefully thought out and uniquely crafted by me here in Dallas. Currently, my brand has two collections, the OG – Original Gypsy Collection, which showcases one of kind, statement jewelry using materials collected from countries such as Thailand and Africa. And the newest addition to my brand, the New Age Collection, which features a mix of 14kt gold and sterling silver dainty, layering pieces perfect for everyday wear. I would say that I am best known for my technique of uniquely mixing styles. Both of my collections, which are totally different, balance and play off each other, giving my clients that perfect layered look. I am most proud of my authenticity. Being raised and a living majority of my life in Southern California, I have never lost my roots. Now, as I call Dallas home, I still remain true to my California vibe which shows true in my work. I am also extremely proud to be able to partner with local charities and organizations around the world to give back to our community and to those in need with revenue generated from sales. That alone is probably one of the most gratifying feelings in the world.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
I would start by telling all young women to go after their dreams, to dream big, and to dream differently. Growing up, I knew the typical nine to five job just wasn’t for me, I also didn’t want to work for a huge corporation either. We need to teach young women that it is okay to be different and to follow their own path and passions in life. Going against the grain might be scary at first but nothing great ever comes easy. The beginning of your career is always the hardest and requires the thickest skin. You will hear a lot of no’s, but you have to take it with a grain of salt and always remember that every no is just redirecting you to another yes. Stay positive!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.americangypsyjewelry.com
- Email: angelicalopezdesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: americangypsyjewelry
- Facebook: americangypsyjewelry
Image Credit:
Katie Allgire
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