Ten Minutes with Leslie Homan of Femme Metale

Leslie Homan embodies her jewelry line Femme Metal; she’s a rocker chick. Femme Metal is the eight-year-old love child of Homan’s affair with rock-and-roll, fashion, and precious metal. Using sterling silver and semi-precious stones, Homan creates unique and inspired pieces for the fashionistas who chose to make their own trends. Homan also has a line of men’s accessories called Heavy Metalwerks worn by celebs like Johnny Depp, Dierks Bentley, Zulu, Ronny North, The Members of Lit, and Scott Wieland. After eight years in the market, Femme Metal has proven itself as a forceful entity with its consistently inspired couture and fine jewelry line. From her own grandmother to Gwen Stefani, Leslie Homan has given every woman’s inner rocker a chance to rock out.

Oligoville: Describe the concept and inspiration behind Kitsch ‘n’ Kouture and Femme Metale.

Homan: The creative force behind Femme Metale is (me!) Leslie Homan, a former model, Hollywood makeup artist, and wardrobe stylist. Creativity has always been in my blood. I’ve been designing my own clothes and accessories since I was very young. With many high school and college jewelry classes under my belt, I decided to put this knowledge and my love of fashion to work. In January 2000 with a passion for fashion, Rock & Roll, and precious metal, Femme Metale was born.

In March 2008, I launched Kitsch ‘n’ Kouture as a means to deliver that Femme Metale feel to a broader audience. Kitsch ‘n’ Kouture delivers killer style at a painless price. The whole collection has a pop culture sensibility with a big splash of whimsy.

Oligoville: Can you describe your products, their price points, and who your target audience is?

Homan: Femme Metale is a complete line of sterling silver jewelry. Our target audience is anyone who wants to feed their inner rock star or glamazon. Femme Metale appeals to all ages and is worn by people worldwide. Price points are from $50 to $300.

Kitsch ‘n’ Kouture is a wonderfully fun campy costume jewelry collection that is nickel and lead free. The Kitsch ‘n’ Kouture styles are inspired by pop culture and tattoos and anything else I think would make fun, interesting, and unique jewelry. My newest pieces in the collection are Victorian inspired. These items will launch February 2009. The price point for the pop culture collection is $30 to $45. The Victorian collection, “drippy” chains and heavily crystal encrusted pieces range from $60 to $180.

Oligoville: How did you transition from a model, makeup artist, and stylist to a jewelry designer?

Homan: I was modeling when I was in my twenties but never really liked it. I thought being behind the camera would be so much more fun. I took several makeup classes and loved it. I freelanced for may years doing makeup and styling but grew tired of chasing my income so decided I needed a change—something that, once it was going , would be consistent. I have always designed my own clothes and jewelry and loved the creativity. I finally decided to take my high school and college courses in jewelry and put them to use.

Oligoville: What skills, techniques, and knowledge base have been essential in becoming a successful jewelry designer?

Homan: I have a fairly diversified background in fashion, art, design, jewelry, makeup, as well as business management. The combination of these skills and talents has been crucial to my success.

Oligoville: How did you make your brand known to such a large base of celebrity clientele?

Homan: I was unable to afford any kind of PR or expensive advertising so I hounded the press and the media relentlessly—it paid off.

Oligoville: What does it mean in practice to be a Licensee for Hustler Hollywood?

Homan: Because Hustler is not in the business of jewelry design, they looked for someone with the talent, experience, and ability to develop a line of jewelry for them. The jewelry I designed was what they were looking for to expand the Hustler name in the marketplace. The licensing deal is both a means for Hustler to become more of a lifestyle brand and it also instills confidence in my brand name.

Oligoville: How would you define your own style? What do you wear to out on the town vs. out to brunch?

I don’t have a specific style—never have. I dress according to my mood for the most part. Depending upon the event, I will do girlie rock-n-roll to designer, to retro or any combination of those styles. For brunch I tend to be a little less dramatic, preferring perhaps some nice jeans, a funky top and cool shoes. I have a serious Italian shoe problem.

Oligoville: Whether in design, production, or marketing, what have been the greatest challenges you’ve faced? Greatest moments of success?

Homan: I’ve faced great challenges in the area of production. The silver market is extremely volatile.

One of my greatest successes is when 944 Magazine did an interview of me with a full page spread. Also, the six pages in Tattoos For Women magazine. I remember the day I turned on the TV and saw my jewelry on LA Ink, Miami Ink, and America’s Next Top Model. Another success is having my designs worn on the runway at the Sheiki Collections Runway Show during LA Fashion week. Also when I found out that Sheryl Crow purchased one of my pieces for herself at one of the boutiques that carry my jewelry.

I met comedian Margaret Cho [Editors note: Jealous! I’m obsessed with Margaret Cho!] at a tattoo convention where she purchased a few of my pieces. Other celebrities who wear my jewelry, include Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Kate Moss, Gwen Stefani, Paris Hilton, and Kelly Ogden of the Dollyrots.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring jewelry designers?

Homan: Inspiration, determination, and perspiration. It’s a lot of hard to work to launch a jewelry line. It’s even more difficult now because the market is flooded with new jewelry lines, including celebrity lines.

Oligoville: If you were not a designer, what would you be?

Homan: This is tough—probably something to do with animal rescue, welfare and rehabilitation.

Leslie is continually designing fresh new sterling silver jewelry to adorn the world’s style leaders and trendsetters. With over 320 completely original items there is something for everyone.—As stated on the Femme Metal Web site. With over 320 items and a list of celebrity clients that include Angelia Jolie, the style-sky is the limit for Ms. Leslie Homan.