Looking into the L.A. designer’s colorful world
It seemed appropriate that we were clutching a bag of jelly beans when we visited Andrea Fohrman at Las Vegas Market Week. Spread across a velvet tray was an array of her Kat earrings in shades as varied and enticing as our cellophane-wrapped treats: bubblegum pink opal, strawberry rhodonite, lime green chrysoprase, tangerine carnelian, chocolate moonstone.… If there’s a unifying theme in Fohrman’s designs, it’s color. In fact, when asked to define the style of her newest collection, she replied with three words: “Color, color, color!” Read on for her, ahem, colorful replies to our questionnaire.
With Sidney, Grace, and Beckett
Age: 38
Number of years in the biz: 10
Number of employees you oversee: Five, plus many subcontractors
Family and pets: Sidney (hubby of 13+ years); Grace, 7; Beckett, 4; Tucson (British Golden, love of my life)
Describe your personal style: I am all about dressing casually but tailored with a pop of some unexpected texture and/or color.
Tucson
First piece you ever designed: Big cocktail ring with lots of filigree and prongs
The single piece of jewelry you’re most proud of: I “updated” the engagement ring my husband gave me 14 years ago, and it is my most favorite piece of jewelry I wear to date! (It took him a while to believe I used the same stones.)
Favorite gemstone: Always has been and always will be opals—both kids born in October
Fohrman’s filigree cocktail ring
Best piece of advice you ever received: “Think less, feel more.”
Worst piece of advice: “Think less, feel more.”
First job ever: Bagging groceries at Marin County local Woodlands Market
How did you get started designing jewelry? Walking [past the jewelry shops] across the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Firenze to class every day.… I was hooked.
Fohrman’s favorite gemstone: opals
If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing? Blowing glass
Jewelry you’re wearing right now: An armful of colorful friendship bracelets made by my kids mixed in with my Kat collection bracelets of round and oval stones with colorful trim
Five items on your desk right now: Production envelopes; Sharpies in every color; drawing tools; random stones in a tray; the book Love Is in the Earth, describing metaphysical properties of minerals and stones
Five songs on your playlist: “New York City’s Killing Me,” Ray LaMontagne; “Love Interruption,” Jack White; “The Funeral,” Band of Horses; “Montezuma,” Fleet Foxes; “I and Love and You,” the Avett Brothers
Exercise regimen: Ashtanga, hike, Bar Method
What did you have for breakfast? Three shots of espresso over ice
Guilty pleasure: FrütStix Dark Chocolate Creamy Strawberry Bars
Drink (daytime/evening): Chardonnay, Dark ’n’ Stormy
Fohrman’s Luna Moon pendant
First website you check every day (not your own): WWD.com
Scent: Auric Blends Fine Perfume Oil
How do you unwind? Late-night strolls with my dog
How does living in L.A. inspire you? It’s easy being inspired here—the Pacific Ocean, the majestic cliffs and mountains, the sunshine, and people willing to put their own spin on a trend to make a style their own.
Superstitious? I used to be extremely superstitious, but I’ve realized that as long as you learn to read the signs, you have nothing to fear.
© 2012 Hachette Book Group
Books you’re reading: Bossypants and Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself with my daughter!
Book you’ve been meaning to get to: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Preferred news sources: Huffington Post and Real Time With Bill Maher
Main means of transportation: Unfortunately my car—a negative in L.A.
Favorite movie: Tie between Fletch and Fletch Lives
Who would play you in your life story? Kate Hudson
Personal motto: “There is little success where there is little laughter.” —Andrew Carnegie
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+ JCK Asks…Colette