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Q&A with Jewelry Designer Dana Lorenz:

I recently sat down with jewelry designer Dana Lorenz to discuss her cutting-edge lines FENTON and FALLON.  I also uncovered how she translated her unique, signature style into a fabulous collaboration with one of the world’s most accessible fashion brands: J.Crew.

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I read that you were trained as a painter.  Did you initially think that you wanted to paint professionally?

I have degrees from the University of Iowa and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where my focus was Painting and Drawing.  I never wanted to immediately begin a career/life as a painter- I had a body of work but I always knew I wanted to have more life and experience behind me to put into the work.  I still paint, but will rediscover it at some point soon I’m sure.

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When did you first fall in love with jewelry and what about it do you love most?

I have always loved jewelry and accessories. They are these little special beings that can have so much power to change your look and your mood

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How would you describe your overall personal style?  What role does jewelry play for you when getting dressed every morning?

I dress very classic and uniformly. I buy the same ready to wear items over and over again. When I find things I love in quality and look, I become obsessed!  So jewelry and accessories play a huge role- they are the fantasy.  My great Aunt Lal had the same fixation.  She had the same double-faced sheath in black, navy and grey that she had custom made for her from I Magnin, Bonwit’s and Marshall Field.  It was like a canvas for her jewelry.

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Can you describe your creative process and inspiration for all of your jewelry? Are there any correlations or crossovers with the painting process?

Well, I feel my jewelry pieces can be very layered, very collage-like, as are my paintings.  I think a knowledge of composition is important regardless of what you are producing, be it a painting or a necklace.

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Tell us about your FENTON line.  What was your goal for this collection and who was your target market?

FENTON started as a personal endeavor, so the whole collection was and still is about pieces I would want to wear.  I’ve heard that our customer base has a real personal attraction and attachment to the jewelry so it’s wonderful to hear they respond to all of the nostalgia and reference I put into the collection.

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After launching your higher end luxury line FENTON, what inspired you to then create the lower priced line FALLON? What are the fundamental similarities and differences between the two collections?

FALLON was a response to the many buyers in love with FENTON, but either couldn’t buy due to price point or because we have such a tight exclusivity with FENTON.  It takes inspiration, mood and references from FENTON but is definitely its own entity.

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How would you describe your collections’ design aesthetic and what are your signature styles?

FENTON is more advanced in materials, assembly techniques, and overall aesthetic, and the bulk of the research goes into FENTON.  FENTON is a collage and mix of unexpected materials and has a more “statement” feeling in size and scope.  The pieces almost look one-of-a-kind.  FALLON takes mood from FENTON, but is mostly graphic and layerable pieces that are more everyday and easy.

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How the collaboration with J. Crew come about?

I met Jenna Lyons at a dinner party Ikram Goldman took me to at Maria Cornejo’s house in Brooklyn.  We had such a great time and instantly connected.  Deep into the conversation she realized I designed the collections and told me she had been trying to find pieces from my website.  And the collaboration was born.

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What attracted you to J.Crew and what are you goals for the collection?

I have been approached by other companies, but the J.Crew quality in the jewelry is remarkable.  I simply did not want my name on a cheap looking product.

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How would you describe J.Crews style and did this inspire your designs (edgy warrior vs. plain preppy) to fit a J.Crew customer?

We really went for it with edge.  More chain, more spikes, more everything.  They let me do my thing, and it became more about clashing with the clothes, which was cool!

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What are your future goals or projects in the works for FENTON, FALLON, and FENTON/FALLON J.Crew?

I have just been nominated for the CFDA Swarovski Accessory Designer of the Year, so right now I’m relaxing and enjoying that.

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What is your best recessionista tip for women who love jewelry-your jewelry-but have to buy on a budget?

Take the simple strands of pearls and chains, ones that you might think are boring and old and layer them up.  Take a choker and wrap it around your wrist- take risks and try new things with you old pieces!

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Visit FENTON and FALLON online now.