Ten Minutes with Michelle Chang of Michelle Chang Jewelry

Simple doesn’t have to mean dull. Especially when the simple bauble you’re sporting is from the Michelle Chang Jewelry line. From a cool cartoony elephant with sparkly eyes to a pair of blue-eyed sidewinders to a graffiti-ish puffy heart, Michelle’s jewelry speaks softly but still makes quite a statement. Turns out size doesn’t really matter after all–at least not when it comes to style. Hear more from Michelle below.

Oligoville:  In five words or less, Michelle Chang Jewelry is. . .

Michelle: Organic or geometric, and current.

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

Michelle: There isn’t one.  Since I’ve been in business, I’ve had everyone from college students in LA to Midwest housewives buy my jewelry.  I think the jewelry is simple yet current and not overly trendy which appeals to a broader customer base.

Oligoville: How’d you end up as a designer?

Michelle: I was very artistic as a child so it was inevitable that I went to college as a fine art major, but I graduated with a degree in design.  Since college, I’ve always worked in creative fields: architecture and interior design, illustration, and now jewelry.

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

Michelle: I officially launched my line about 2+ years ago when I decided to transition from illustration to jewelry.

Oligoville: What fashion trends do you hope have staying power? Which do you hope are on their way out?

Michelle: I think that even if something is trendy, if the quality is there and it’s not overly done, it can be worn for a long time.  Currently many accessories seem to be bigger than ever, and some that are too over the top and simply impractical to wear will not be around very long. In other words, the oversized trend will get to a saturation point very soon.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Michelle: It can be anything or anyone. I see things on a daily basis that are inspiring to me—a painting, a design on a belt buckle, flowers on a tree, or even subway rails.  As for who—other designers and artists whose work I admire as well as friends with impeccable taste.

Oligoville: What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Michelle: I wake up, and after a bite to eat and walking my dog, I get on the computer to answer customers’ queries, and perhaps to put up new listings and organize my orders. Then I take a break to play squash or tennis. Afterward, I work the rest of the day even into the evening if my energy allows or if deadline is pressing.  A few days a week, I go to the jewelry district in NYC to get my castings done and to get supplies.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Michelle: I have tennis and squash racquets, clothes, painting supplies, and tons of shoes. I love boots in particular.  Now I’m wearing my staple outfit:  boots, T-shirt, and jeans.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag right now?

Michelle: Right now my bag is full of jewelry supplies, molds, and castings—I just got back from the jewelry district—and a few copies of Time Out New York and New York magazines so I can see what’s happening in NYC and to keep up with the trends.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned.

Michelle: Like most businesses, there are many ups and downs.  Sales are either too slow or too fast.  When its slow, I worry.  When its too fast, I’m a bit panicked.  But I’ve gotten used to managing my time more wisely, which is key when you have your own business.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Mchelle: Definitely what I find most rewarding is the creativity and the independence.  I make what I like and if people like what I make, they buy it.  I love offering a product that I’ve made with my own two hands. It’s the greatest feeling to be able to make a living from doing just that.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Michelle: I hope to employ a small group of people to help with production and the business side so I’ll have more time for designing and expanding my line.

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Michelle: Before launching your business make sure you have enough products and inventory and that you have a handle on the running of your business.  You don’t have to quit your day job, but be prepared to work very hard.  I’m sure everyone’s heard this a billion times but it’s true: you need to spend money to make money and believe in yourself.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Michelle: Some of my favorite music:  The National,  Beck, Bach, Decemberists, Shearwater, Mazzy Star

Oligoville: Any last words?

Michelle: I’ve been lucky enough in my life to have always loved my work.  Work should not just be work.  It should be your passion.

FASHION BY THE RULES: FLOTUS

Jason Wu, Thakoon, Alaia, Naeem Khan, Isabel Toledo, Narciso Rodriguez, Issac, Donna Ricco, Moschino, and J.Crew have been linked to the First Lady of the United States. Michelle Obama has single-handedly restored glamour and fashion to the White House, to Washington D.C. and with it some of the home grown fashion talent from New York and her hometown of Chicago.

With her statuesque carriage and with extreme grace and charm, she has certainly made the fashion community take notice. I applaud her daring and varied choices and shake my head at others. Mrs. Obama is far from a model type body but makes up for it with her height, bravado and her unconventional tastes. As we have seen, she is a fierce supporter of sleeveless tops and dresses as well as fitted waists, but we can’t forget her love for accessories!

Another thing we have noticed is that she certainly is not shy when it comes to designer names, and by no means does she confine her choices to designer names that are well known or even on the lips of the most seasoned fashion addicts. She has certainly let it be known that she will wear what she pleases and will buck no interference from her critics or any fashion types. I believe that her sartorial choices are greatly influenced only by Ikram Goldman and from her eponymous store in Chicago. Ms. Goldman has obviously been extremely helpful in shaping the image of Mrs. Obama and to very favorable opinion.

I would only suggest a couple of things that might enhance her overall look and the biggest would be to lose the belt. Her love of “the belt” does her a great disservice as she is very short waisted and constantly makes her waist appear to right under her chest. One of the other ideas I have so that when she wears a fitted sheath dress, the color should not be too bright since she, like most women who have had children, is a bit broad in the beam and she does have a butt, all of which is fine except she must leave a room or a stage as well as enter.

Even with these minor flaws, I find her to be refreshingly non self conscious and with a great flair for her presentation as First Lady. Give me one Michelle every 4 years and then we might be known as a country with good taste.

Celebrity Style – 6 Spectacular Spring Fashion Items

Spring is here! So are you thinking about what you can do to break out of your winter blues to put on a happy spring face? Oligoville has put together 6 spring items that can bring life and the latest trends into your closet, inspired by your favorite celebrities.

1) Let the breeze in with Cut-outs & Shredded Details. You’ve probably seen the cut-out leggings that are over-the-top, but blouses and jackets are taking up the trend in a more tasteful way with intricate designs and cut-out patterns. Gwen Stefani rocks the shredded shirt with the details on the shoulders and a solid tank. It’s a good new pattern to invest in, if you aren’t one to go for traditional prints and florals.

2) Romp around town in a quick and casual Romper. If you thought onesies were just for toddlers, think again. Retailers such as Forever 21, Zara, BCBG, and Marc Jacobs have created fun and flirty rompers that are great for day or night. They are coming in formal button ups with collars, halters,  or sleeveless in fabulous spring colors or classic black and white. J-Lo, Nicole Richie, and Jamie Lynn Spears all have sported a romper or two and show us that the most important fashion tip when wearing a romper, is to emphasize your waist.

3) Dress down with Distressed Denim. Now that the temperature is rising, distressed denim with shredded detail, holes, and more can be worn without tights, and people will definitely take advantage this spring to dress down their favorite fanciful frocks. Celebs all over favor the destroyed jean look, and it’s perfect for running errands as it adds effortless details. Miley Cyrus sports a bleached and torn dark skinny jean with a plain off-the shoulder top. Two simple pieces and very little accessories later, she looks complete and ready to go. Victoria Beckham also keeps her distressed denim casual with a tank, military hat, and aviator sunglasses.  A lighter wash makes Posh’s look great for a spring day.

4) Continuous Return of the Boyfriend Blazer. The boyfriend blazer was hot for fall and winter, and won’t be going away anytime soon. Pair your favorite light blazer with shorts, leggings, distressed denim, heels, or flats. Boyfriend blazers add a hint of city-style to any outfit. Want celeb inspiration? Check out Megan Fox sporting some boyfriend blazer styles.

5) Add spring bling with Metal Hardware Sandals. Fall-time brought us sequined shirts, embellished shoulders, and bedazzled bibs, but for spring why not add that bling to your footwear? Heidi Klum, Kate Moss, and Nicky Hilton all sport the metal-embellished Steve Madden sandal that is great for warm spring days and comfortable for all-day wear.

6) Strap up the  Gladiator Bootie Sandals. Still thinking you want to wear your fall booties? Well, gladiator bootie sandals can be the right mix for you. Popular last summer and spring, gladiator sandals took our feet by storm, but this season a new version has popped up, leaving a hybrid between an ankle bootie and sandal. Sandra Bullock chooses a neutral bone suede bootie sandal (that compliments her nude colored trench) and rolls up her distressed denim to show off the gladiator design.

Out of the six spectacular spring trends, here’s hoping you will find at least one that’s right for you!

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