Nice jewellery and timepiece creator Chris Aire not too long ago rocked the Grammys along with his eponymous model. Two-time Grammy Award winner LL Cool J lit up the distinguished awards carrying a cool $9.5 million value of the revolutionary celeb jeweler’s diamond designs. Compared, fellow two-time Grammy Award winner Shaggy showcased over $500 thousand value.
Often called the “King of Bling,” the modern creator of timeless, trendsetting luxurious items not solely adorns the music and movie trade’s A-list, together with Angelina Jolie, Clint Eastwood, and Dr. Dre. however he additionally accessorizes among the NBA’s most notable stars.
Christ makes all the things from signature dog-tag pendants and impeccably-crafted watches to distinctive socially-responsible bespoke diamond ring commissions. His legendary RED GOLD® assortment made historical past as he was the primary jeweler to stage a jewellery runway present at New York’s Vogue Week in 2004, that includes supermodel Naomi Campbell.
African-born Aire moved to the US as a teen and attended faculty in California. He labored at a restaurant and slept in his rusty previous BMW earlier than establishing store at varied L.A. hotspots to search out his “dream clientele.” His modern and dramatic timepieces, like his jewellery collections, at the moment are extremely revered amongst tastemakers, watch, and luxurious jewellery aficionados worldwide.
Celeb journalist Angela Sara West chats with Chris concerning the well-known followers of his model, success secrets and techniques, legendary Crimson Gold® assortment, and the way his prestigious pioneering items have modified the trajectory of the watch and jewellery trade.
We’re a novel luxurious model that helps folks specific themselves of their most original methods. We offer distinctive customized offline-and-online buying experiences to discerning clients worldwide and elicit their loyalty by way of distinctive content material, elevated curation, unique presents, and exemplary service.
You’ve gotten an interesting ‘rags-to-riches’ story. How did it really feel to comprehend your dream of launching your eponymous model?
Humbling. I do know it’s all by grace. I by no means take it with no consideration, which is why I preserve working and difficult myself six days every week to higher myself than I used to be yesterday.
Who/what influences your work?
The Divine influences me by way of artwork, music, tradition, desires, creativeness, nature, and our shoppers. I spent most of my adolescence in Africa, so the tradition is ingrained in me. I discovered invaluable classes about who I’m and my relationship with the world. It uncovered me to pure magnificence, unbelievable artwork, music, and self-discipline. These classes encourage all the things I do.
Grace. The power to see issues earlier than their bodily manifestation. I see the world uniquely from Chris Aire’s perspective and embrace issues many individuals miss or take with no consideration. All our items embody this uniqueness. They’re created meticulously with consideration to element in an impressive manner. This power resonates with our shoppers, coupled with our enterprise motto, “CAF” (clients are household). We deal with them with the utmost care and respect, which retains them returning.
How have your modern concepts and creations influenced the jewellery and timepiece trade?
I consider I’ve influenced the trade in a major manner. Over-sized watches and jewellery, aka “Bling,” have been at one level taboo, however as we speak are mainstream and have generated billions of {dollars} in extra income for all the trade. Our Crimson Gold® model was a game-changer for branding within the watch and jewellery trade. We’ve influenced how some older manufacturers method branding and subsequently elevated the world’s rose gold and pink gold gross sales.
Your gorgeous signature RED GOLD® assortment’s resonated properly with male clientele.
We began the model in late 1988 and painstakingly labored to create consciousness for nearly a decade with restricted monetary sources. Like each necessary factor, it took a whole lot of effort and sources from idea to creation and advertising. It was not till early 2000 that we hit a tipping level with celebrities embracing the model, and the flexibility to speculate more cash into advertising and promotion, that it caught on like wildfire.
I’ve so many. I really like all the things we create for various causes. My favourite items proper now embody the NBA 75 Biggest Gamers rings. It allowed us to create one thing for among the best athletes who’ve performed basketball within the historical past of the NBA. They carry a whole lot of which means. The total particulars are encapsulated within the design of the rings. Every ring was inscribed with all 76 names, together with customizing each with the non-public info of every participant.
Shaggy’s custom-commissioned ring, which we delivered to him proper earlier than the Grammys, depicts a slice of his unbelievable story. Additionally, we made the Floral Fantasy $40 million diamond gown fully in 18-karat amber hue gold and diamonds from our Crimson Gold® model. One other favourite is the $10 million diamond halter wholly made in platinum, 18-karat amber hue gold, and diamonds from our Crimson Gold® model. It was the primary time a whole gown was created with valuable steel and diamonds. And the Don ring we not too long ago made for DL Hughley, which is easy and stylish.
You’re large on sustainability, inclusion, range, and social duty. You actively assist African non-profit organizations and assist communities in your homeland to empower the underprivileged to attain their desires.
Some could disagree, however it is a perception I maintain expensive to my coronary heart. We’re all related and the surroundings. It’s evident in all the things we do. We’re concerned in charitable work in Africa, serving to educate and supply clear water. Within the US, our non-profit, Aire for Life Basis, helps communities and empowers folks by way of artwork.
What can followers anticipate out of your latest assortment?
We’re placing the ending touches on our lovely new assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches. They are going to be out there on our revamped web site quickly.
What modifications have you ever witnessed within the jewellery trade not too long ago, and the way do you see it evolving?
One of the vital modifications is the recognition of lab-grown diamonds. Often called CVD and HPHT diamonds, increasingly more folks on a funds are requesting them. We are going to proceed to see growing demand for them going ahead.
What’s up subsequent for Chris Aire?
We’re increasing our on-line presence and hope to serve folks worldwide by way of a hybrid method that features digital and stay interactions. Covid-19 modified how the world conducts enterprise, and we wish to adapt to the altering enterprise surroundings.
Chris’s ideas for the highest engagement ring!
- Do your analysis. There’s a standard false impression amongst some shoppers {that a} greater diamond or gemstone is at all times higher. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to have a diamond or a gemstone that’s solely a few carat and is simply as invaluable, if no more so, than a five-carat stone of decrease high quality.
- I’m an enormous fan of high quality over amount, however I additionally respect those that need issues a little bit greater however can’t afford the upper price ticket, so that they go for the decrease or lesser grade. No matter you like, make sure you get the standard your jeweler or provider promised.
- For those who go for pure diamonds, guarantee they’re GIA licensed, as GIA-certified diamonds are usually graded extra precisely. Examine the certificates quantity with the inscription in your diamond girdle to make certain they match up.
- When you have time, have your ring custom-made. An engagement ring will not be one thing you purchase on daily basis, so make it much more particular by having it designed into an heirloom piece. Each love story is exclusive, so why not seize it in considered one of its most necessary symbols?