STYLE + SUBSTANCE // SOPHIE ZEMBRA

The best way to describe Sophie Zembra, our first style + substance powerhouse of the year is "veni, vidi, vici".

She moved from Paris to Miami "con furore" opened ANTIDOTE in Wynwood because it felt right and conquering our  hearts  with the perfect equilibrium of "sustainable chic" and acquired the title of "the girl of Wynwood" (according to her Instagram). 

Sophie is the embodiment of chic and young and fresh and happy, the store is the impeccable mirror of her personality and taste, but, as usual, it all happens when someone is motivated by a purpose, a passion, there's no style without substance.

Style + substance = empowerment. Are you on board?

SZ - Totally 100% percent

Your personal style in three words

SZ - I don’t really have one style: it depends on the day, it depends on my mood. But in three words: freestyle; Parisian; chic/casual

I find it extraordinary in how little time you moved to Miami and opened one of the best stores in town: what drives your entrepreneurship?

SZ - Thank you for one of the best store in town J

My boosts are the meetings, the people!! Entrepreneurship it s an human adventure and in conscious fashion even more. My passion drive me in the good as in the bad times. I believe in life and dreams, I'm a dreamer that's why I am an entrepreneur. And to be an entrepreneur you need a bit of unconsciousness. 

Do you feel like sharing one secret?

SZ - Buy only what you like and what you feel good about. Never follow the trend follow only your feelings!!!

Your relationship with fashion: single, married, it’s complicated or …

SZ – It’s complicated by time I love fashion and by time I hate fashion!!!

What’s the one thing a woman should do to feel powerful?

SZ - Be yourself, listen to yourself. Women are raised without taking their word into account. So you have to listen to yourself and believe in your own power !

When did you find your confidence?

SZ – I’m still not confident enough in myself, but entrepreneurship helps me a lot. 

How do we get rid of the princess/cute/pretty/pink stereotype?

SZ - By creating new princesses: without stereotype!!!

You look at your closet holding your morning coffee ready to get dressed: personal uniform or outburst of creativity?

SZ - I like a personal uniform with a touch of creativity. 

Which irritates you more and why: “Sustainable fashion is boring” or “Fashion is frivolous”?

SZ - “Sustainable fashion is boring” I have heard this too many times, and it’s not true. People aren’t being curious and just follow big brands/company but now we have a new wave of designer who mix esthetic and sustainability with brio. SUSTAINABLE FASHION IS DEFINITELY NOT BORING!

STYLE + SUBSTANCE // ERIKA EHRMAN-REPOLA

She is a producer, an entrepreneur, a mother and a designer embracing fashion for a woman who is +50. I have noticed Erika Ehrman-Repola on Instagram, once again, for her elegance and discreet elegance, for her natural beauty and unfrivolous sensuality. She agreed on being featured, so please meet another fierce 'shero' who reinvented her life at 50. 

'Elegant, eclectic, bohemian'

Style + substance = empowerment. Are you on board? 
EER - YES 

Your personal style in three words
E - Elegant, eclectic, bohemian 

On shopping with a purpose
E - I love textiles and texture, so I am often inspired by that first, I prefer to buy items that are not overly trendy, and feel unique.
 
Do you feel like sharing one secret?
E - I hate spending a lot on clothes. My dirty little secret is that … sometimes I find pieces at Forever 21 and integrate them into my wardrobe. People have no idea and are often complimentary and think  it’s some high ticketed designer piece. It’s all in how you style it and wear it, sometimes I even cutout the tags and no one knows. 

Your relationship with fashion: single, married, it’s complicated or …  
E - I am happily and newly divorced and it has made me fall in love with fashion all over again, because I dress exactly how I want and experiment more too. 

What’s the one thing a woman should do to feel powerful? 
E - With regard to fashion, feeling comfortable in your own skin and what you are wearing. If you don’t feel good in your clothes, you don’t feel as empowered. I designed my line of dresses with that ideology in mind, I don’t want you to be a slave to your clothes. You should not have to starve yourself, or go to spinning class five times a week to feel sexy or beautiful to fit into a dress. It’s a state of mind, and it’s about being comfortable first and foremost, and then whatever you wear will look amazing, because you feel confident. 

When did you find your confidence? 
E - I think as I was about to turn 50. I thought I look pretty damn good for my age and I felt sexier than ever before. 

How do we get rid of the princess/cute/pretty/pink stereotype? 
E - Celebrating all types of women and styles. I think being unique, embracing individuality whatever it is, might normalize it and help. 

You look at your closet holding your morning coffee ready to get dressed: personal uniform or outburst of creativity? 
E - Depends on the season. In the spring and summer I love to wear colors and patterns and I often live in jeans and dresses. In the winter, I find I don’t wear as much color, but I love texture still, so I often have a furry something, a sweater or coat, and my favorite pair of red booties. I try to have at least an accent of color somewhere. 

Which irritates you more and why: “Sustainable fashion is boring” or “Fashion is frivolous”  
E - I am not sure I find either irritating. I think both statements can be true or false depending on context. Sustainable fashion, if done right, can be interesting. Fashion can be frivolous, but it’s also about self-expression and it’s about showing personality, even if it’s a uniform. Frivolous makes me think of excessive amount of the same things, but if you can afford a great piece and it makes you feel good, it gives you that extra pump of confidence, then why not? 
 

STYLE + SUBSTANCE // Valery Demure

Valery and I never met personally, but when you read the interview you'll realize why she stood out in my Instagram feed. There's no seeking for attention, she is a polyhedral woman who can show at the same time strong opinions and romantic gestures, she is an entrepreneur, a mother, a wife and a relentless supporter of creativity and artistic inclination. Exquisite and unique taste make her special. 

style + substance = empowerment. Are you on board?

VD - Always, always although empowerment happened late to me

Your personal style in three words

VD - black, playful and bejeweled

A mother, a collector, a curious wanderer of all things beauty: how you do it all

VD - Still not sure! I have a great husband who takes care of all things at home and who follows me in all my adventures.

On shopping with a purpose 

VD - I never really shop for a purpose unless it is food shopping, I am always up to discover a great object, a beautiful texture, a mix of rich colors etc.  I am a wanderer.

Do you feel like sharing one secret?

VD - I can share a secret, for every thing, I like to go off the beaten track...shops, restaurants, places, friends etc. I love the unexpected.

Images below come from www.valerydemure.com

Your relationship with fashion: single, married, it’s complicated or …

VD - Can’t live with it, can’t live without it, a love and hate relationship

What’s the one thing a woman should do to feel powerful?

VD - To have the patience, the honesty and courage to truly know herself

When did you find your confidence?

VD - Very late in life, after years of soul searching and therapy, although I have always spoken my mind, and I have always been quite assured in my taste for all, music, arts, fashion, food, men etc.

How do we get rid of the princess/cute/pretty/pink stereotype?

VD - What stereotype ? cute ? pretty ? pink ? I have no idea what you are talking about… princess, …yes who does not want to be treated like a princess ?

You look at your closet holding your morning coffee ready to get dressed: personal uniform or outburst of creativity?

VD - Instinct only instinct...a gut feeling… no personal uniform … always a little fun detail…fun socks, cool handbag, one of a kind vintage sunglasses but never never over the top, not craving for attention. I tend to dislike attention seekers, I find them rather sad.

Which irritates you more and why: “Sustainable fashion is boring” or “Fashion is frivolous”

VD - Of course Fashion is frivolous however it is such an important part of any culture, and although I can find sustainable fashion clothes and accessories a little too plain, I like the philosophy behind sustainability very much and I think sustainable fashion is evolving fast and it will be become more and more exciting. I am a firm believer too that we must preserve and support, promote craftsmanship all around the world, to me Craftsmanship is an essential part of any culture. I am less interested in the idea of Fashion than the one encompassing true craftsmanship and forward thinking design.

The one item every chic girl swears by

Tell me what comes to mind when you hear the word “turban” and I’ll tell you who you are. No, that was another story, but not really.

I think of Joan Crawford, Old Hollywood femme fatale, pool, a martini and some good Norman Parkinson or Richard Avedon portraits.

Then think for a moment of Mia Farrow in “Great Gatsby” and her head covered in a cascade of crystals (and also Robert Redford and then I go out of contest).

Then, in order of appearance (in my mind, I mean) it’s India, elephants, the British Empire, the Tour of the World in 80 Days, then Scheherazade and Arabian nights. Come down from the magic carpet and bam, Margherita Missoni and it's real. 

Now stop and find the fil rouge.

Because all the different scenes have a thing in common that is strength, confidence, power, authority, royal privilege, or in one word badass.

The turban is sensual, mysterious yet determined and matter-of-factly. It’s not a beanie, not a hat, you step in a room, you don’t quietly enter, no words are needed, or, no caption needed in social media language.

You are part of a clique, a circle of trust, this is the year of the turban, it’s a thing, or at least, I made it a thing and, once again, via Instagram I met le.Conturbanti this bombastic duo that eats, prays and loves turbans and I got fascinated. You will get more on their story in the book, (including what the work means for non Italian speaking friends) but now I can’t wait to share my first outing with a le Conturbanti turban.

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Packaging says it all 

I had received it a week before, it was dangling on the living room table, on my easel, on top of a pile of books. I would put it on, wrap it and it was so easy to wrap that I thought I was doing something wrong (thank you self-esteem for always having my back).

A couple of times I wore it tied in the back, so incredibly Jackie Kennedy that I thought I was plagiaristic, I was knocking her off.  But, I thought it was a OK to go, and I left the house in whatever I was wearing from the day at work and went. 

I swear, I dragged myself in a 2-mile radius to pick-up Japanese take-away the first time and to Publix the second. My thought process was if I get even just a nod from the places the most remote from where my imagination would spot me wearing a turban, it's good. The reaction was positive and, hello Mr. Self-Esteem, people were strangely nicer to me than usual, women and men.

With general rehearsals passed magna cum laude, the time for the premiere was as short as two days after. Because I was late and the whole outfit had started with the turban, I ended up not having time to put make-up on before leaving, one more time, the rearview mirror at the traffic light is my bitch.

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You HAVE to read the whole shenanigans HERE 

What I learned:

Don’t over think: boom, boom and done;

1.   The messier the hair the better, I know that my hair … invented messy hair meets crow’s nest meets bed hair, but if your hair is curly, you are 1 step ahead in the game;

2.   You’ll see your reflection in the windows while you walk or on the pavement and you’ll be baffled and for a split second unable to connect the two together;

3.   People will look at you, they will ask to take pictures of you, they’ll compliment you, they’ll ask you “who are you wearing” like an array of clones of Joan Rivers on the red carpet;

4.    What do you do? You take it all in, say “thank you” smiling and blushing, air kiss, hug, pose for a picture, while thinking that Angelina Jolie does that every day of her life and you deserve your Angelina moment, all brain, smart and a turban (if you have her long legs, work them too!)

5.   Even if you are intimidated, scared, apologetic inside because you are not used to all of the shenanigans going on, don’t you ever let fear slip through the cracks: the show must go on;

6.   Go back home, rewind and enjoy with a smirk while you put your winning cannon to rest;

7.   What now?

8.   You are awesome, you’ll feel the adrenaline pumping while you prepare the outfit for tomorrow when you’ll step and repeat;

9. Are you pregnant? Take it from my glowing preggo friend Keturah: "Just ordered a gorgeous chic turban from Le Conturbanti, makes me feel less shabby and more chic" and remember kids in that womb form 9 months know everything that's going on and you gotta start them early with the notion of " chic ".

Dana Bronfman: unconventional and quietly bold sustainable jewelry // style + substance

It was just after a few Tweets that Dana and I clicked and I knew she was someone who I wanted you to know.

She is young and talented, a skilled artesan, she  traveled and lived in different countries, she is an artist and a woman of business, she was brought up knowing that to give back is the best form of living.

I stop right here not to spoil it, but be ready to land in NYC ,  do a fast tour of the world with minimal carbon footprint and a good deal of diamonds. 

FB - Did you always want to be a metalsmith and a jewelry designer?

DB - I didn’t! I was a very artistic young girl. My interests spanned from wanting to be an architect, to psychology, to philanthropy because giving back has always been important to me. But I ended up becoming incredibly inspired by my travels abroad and studying art history in Spain.

It all came together for me on a visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico. There I discovered that being a jewelry designer was an actual career—up until that point, I didn’t know anyone who made jewelry. I became passionate about architecture, which inspired me to create drawings and three-dimensional designs.

I started to become so fascinated in jewelry with a strong sense of style. Those that told stories always made me stop dead in my tracks wherever I saw it along my journeys, and it helped me decide I wanted to create styles of my own.

FB - You have been traveling and living in different places, do you think that was the catalyst to your philanthropic interests?

DB - I do think that traveling and living in different settings opened my eyes to the fact that not everyone lived the way I did. I was lucky enough to have been raised in a family that taught us the value of giving back from day one, which is always something that was important to me. I think having different experiences in multiple areas of the world allowed me to understand that giving back was not only a nice thing to do, but that it was absolutely necessary, and gave me the sense of independence to be able to believe that I could perhaps make a difference, however small.

FB - You use reclaimed precious materials, conflict-free diamonds, recycle scrap to the best of your capacity it all sounds a work of high levels of craftsmanship.

DB - Thank you! I design with my heart, and make sure that everything is created from extremely high-quality materials by extremely talented craftsmen which is done right here in the diamond district of New York City, so I can work with my jeweler face to face and oversee the process each day.

FB - We first have connected on social media for our penchant for the slow fashion movement, how did you decide to follow sustainable practices?

DB - While in jewelry school, I learned about how destructive diamond mining, and gold mining even more, is to the earth, and the often harmful toll it takes on the workers who work in the mines who are rarely trained on the necessary safety precautions while working in the mine.

After learning about the toll jewelry takes on the earth, in keeping with my commitment to society, I knew that I couldn’t ignore what I had learned and felt committed to not only working with recycled metals, but to practicing sustainability however possible. I believe it is a responsibility of mine to help educate the consumer about the process behind their jewelry.

FB - To be a sustainable brand you need strength and courage to maintain the principles of transparency and ethics, have you ever found resistance or obstacles?

DB - Yes, it’s not easy. It limits who you can work with and from where you can source materials, but it also means that you want to work with people you can trust and allows you to work with better people and resources as a result. I think it’s mostly important to be transparent and authentic and practice what you preach instead of just jumping on the sustainability bandwagon, which many larger jewelry companies do. I try to keep my carbon footprint as low as possible with my brand and across other areas of my life as well.

FB - How do you balance being a woman in business with being a talented, skilled and highly qualified artist?

DB - While it is challenging to find balance, I am very lucky that I live in New York City, which is constantly reinventing itself—the city is so full of beauty and inspiration and has such a strong, motivating energy. I believe it was Picasso who said, “Inspiration exists, but has to find you working,”—and I completely agree.

I travel often to keep my eyes and environment fresh, so I never get too comfortable in any one place for too long, and am always exposed to new forms of beauty and inspiration. I have my best ideas for designs while I am doing something business-related. Each of my designs inspires another, and I love the challenge of seeing how many pieces I can design out of a key concept.

Additionally, I’m lucky enough to have a strong community of industry veterans and experts who I feel comfortable seeking out for advice, and while I love the creative aspects of design, the technical aspects drive me crazy, so I work with master jewelers who can bring my visions to life with more precision than I could while I’m working on another aspect of my business.

“I travel often to keep my eyes and environment fresh, so I never get too comfortable in any one place for too long, and am always exposed to new forms of beauty and inspiration. ”

— D. Bronfman

FB - Take us within your #wearrealjewelry and the choice of leaning towards a minimalist life. Is it a move to counteract the imaginary collective that associates wearing jewelry with adding accessories and diverging from minimalism?

DB - #WearRealJewelry is not focused on having or wearing fewer accessories, but is about understanding and valuing the story behind a material object and its material value as an added bonus. I believe that jewelry made from high quality materials is more sustainable because it lasts longer and can be passed down through generations. These pieces hold meaning—something a cheaply-made accessory cannot.

So, it’s more about wearing less that you don’t love, and wearing more jewelry that really means something to the person wearing it. I have a story on my own blog at www.DanaBronfman.com about the meaning behind #WearRealJewelry if you want to learn more!

FB - I am fascinated by the concept of jewelry being quietly bold, can you help me visualizing it?

DB - My designs have a boldness to them. Through edgier shapes and unconventional color combinations, the pieces are also understated through matte and hammered finishes. So while they have a distinct point of view, they are not “loud.”

I think this concept reflects itself in the women who wear my jewelry—they like to think of themselves as slightly unconventional and take pride in being individuals with their own unique sense of style. I believe they agree with me that being understated and original is chic, not flashy.

And now tell me if you are not in love with Dana!

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