Superb jewellery and timepiece creator Chris Aire not too long ago rocked the Grammys together with his eponymous model. Two-time Grammy Award winner LL Cool J lit up the distinguished awards sporting a cool $9.5 million price of the revolutionary celeb jeweler’s diamond designs. As compared, fellow two-time Grammy Award winner Shaggy showcased over $500 thousand price.
Generally known as the “King of Bling,” the revolutionary creator of timeless, trendsetting luxurious items not solely adorns the music and movie business’s A-list, together with Angelina Jolie, Clint Eastwood, and Dr. Dre. however he additionally accessorizes a few of the NBA’s most notable stars.
Christ makes every little thing 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 school in California. He labored at a restaurant and slept in his rusty outdated BMW earlier than establishing store at numerous L.A. hotspots to search out his “dream clientele.” His revolutionary and dramatic timepieces, like his jewellery collections, at the moment are extremely revered amongst tastemakers, watch, and luxurious jewellery aficionados worldwide.
Movie star journalist Angela Sara West chats with Chris in regards to 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 business.
How would you describe your lovely model?
We’re a singular luxurious model that helps individuals categorical themselves of their most unusual 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 provides, and exemplary service.
You’ve an enchanting ‘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 maintain working and difficult myself six days per week to higher myself than I used to be the day prior to this.
Who/what influences your work?
The Divine influences me by way of artwork, music, tradition, desires, creativeness, nature, and our purchasers. I spent most of my youth in Africa, so the tradition is ingrained in me. I realized invaluable classes about who I’m and my relationship with the world. It uncovered me to pure magnificence, unimaginable artwork, music, and self-discipline. These classes encourage every little thing I do.
The key to your phenomenal success?
Grace. The flexibility 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 vitality resonates with our purchasers, 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 revolutionary concepts and creations influenced the jewellery and timepiece business?
I consider I’ve influenced the business in a major manner. Over-sized watches and jewellery, aka “Bling,” had been at one level taboo, however as we speak are mainstream and have generated billions of {dollars} in extra income for your entire business. Our Crimson Gold® model was a game-changer for branding within the watch and jewellery business. We’ve influenced how some older manufacturers strategy branding and subsequently elevated the world’s rose gold and pink gold gross sales.
Your beautiful signature RED GOLD® assortment’s resonated nicely 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 variety 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 extra money into advertising and promotion, that it caught on like wildfire.
Your huge break got here when legendary NBA Corridor of Famer Gary Payton ordered platinum basketball pendants, charms, and bracelets for his crew, seeing you turn into THE go-to jeweler. That are a few of your favourite items?
I’ve so many. I like every little thing we create for various causes. My favourite items proper now embody the NBA 75 Best Gamers rings. It allowed us to create one thing for a few of the biggest athletes who’ve performed basketball within the historical past of the NBA. They carry a variety of that 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 unimaginable story. Additionally, we made the Floral Fantasy $40 million diamond gown completely 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 complete gown was created with treasured metallic and diamonds. And the Don ring we not too long ago made for DL Hughley, which is straightforward and chic.
You’re huge on sustainability, inclusion, variety, and social duty. You actively help African non-profit organizations and assist communities in your homeland to empower the underprivileged to realize their desires.
Some could disagree, however this can be a perception I maintain pricey to my coronary heart. We’re all linked and the surroundings. It’s evident in every little thing 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 individuals by way of artwork.
What can followers count on 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 obtainable on our revamped web site quickly.
What modifications have you ever witnessed within the jewellery business not too long ago, and the way do you see it evolving?
Probably the most important modifications is the recognition of lab-grown diamonds. Generally known as CVD and HPHT diamonds, an increasing number of individuals on a finances are requesting them. We’ll 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 individuals worldwide by way of a hybrid strategy that features digital and dwell 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 typical false impression amongst some customers {that a} larger diamond or gemstone is all the time higher. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to have a diamond or a gemstone that’s solely a few carat and is simply as precious, if no more so, than a five-carat stone of decrease high quality.
- I’m a giant fan of high quality over amount, however I additionally respect those that need issues a bit larger however can not 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.
- If you happen to go for pure diamonds, guarantee they’re GIA licensed, as GIA-certified diamonds are typically graded extra precisely. Evaluate 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 is just not one thing you purchase daily, 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 one in every of its most necessary symbols?
