Contemporary Jewelry in the Latin American and Latinx Diasporas / Paula Mendoza, Vanessa Fernández, Rosario Navia and ALLIGATOR JESUS in Conversation with Karla Martínez de Salas, Head of Content, <em>Vogue Mexico and Latin America</em> - The 92nd Street Y, New York
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92NY Center for Culture & Arts

Contemporary Jewelry in the Latin American and Latinx Diasporas

Paula Mendoza, Vanessa Fernández, Rosario Navia and ALLIGATOR JESUS in Conversation with Karla Martínez de Salas, Head of Content, Vogue Mexico and Latin America
Paula Mendoza, Vanessa Fernández, Rosario Navia, ALLIGATOR JESUS, and Karla Martínez de Salas

Latin American influence in the contemporary American jewelry industry is growing and artists of Latin American descent are inspiring trends shaped by the history, economics, culture, and aesthetics of the region.

Join us for a conversation with established artists and jewelers from Latin American and Latinx backgrounds as we explore their personal processes and experiences. In this breakthrough conversation, we explore: What shapes these artist’s vision? Where are their influences drawn from? How do the cultures of North South and Central America interact to create their own trends in jewelry? And more.

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This event is sponsored by De Beers Group. De Beers Group is a proud sponsor of 92NY’s 2024 Teen Gems program.
This program is part of the Gilda and Henry Block School of the Arts.
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Paula Mendoza

Paula Mendoza is a renowned jewelry designer born in Bogotá, Colombia. Initially studying Social Communication at Universidad Sergio Arboleda …

Paula Mendoza

Paula Mendoza is a renowned jewelry designer born in Bogotá, Colombia. Initially studying Social Communication at Universidad Sergio Arboleda, she soon discovered her true passion for jewelry design. To refine her craft, she attended the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, where she took the course Jewelry as Sculpture, helping her develop a unique artistic vision.

In 2005, Paula launched her debut collection, Pescando Ando, and subsequently relocated to Washington, D.C., where she crafted custom jewelry for diplomatic clients. In 2011, she moved to New York, establishing her showroom and introducing her designs to the international stage. After gaining widespread recognition, Paula returned to Colombia, where she continues to run Paula Mendoza Jewelry from Bogotá. She now splits her time between New York and Bogotá, with iconic stores in both Bogotá and Medellín, and plans to open additional locations worldwide.

Paula’s designs are inspired by Colombian indigenous culture and nature, blending traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics. Her use of circles in her jewelry symbolizes the balance between cause and effect, and her commitment to preserving indigenous heritage is evident through her co-founded initiative, Looking for the Masters. This project collaborates with artisans and indigenous communities to preserve pre-Columbian history. Paula’s work has been worn by high-profile celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, and Rihanna.

In 2013, her designs were featured in Beyoncé's XO video, further solidifying her brand in the fashion industry. Her jewelry has also appeared on the covers of major fashion magazines globally. In 2014, Paula was recognized among the 100 Colombianos del Año by President Juan Manuel Santos and the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce and was honored as one of the 100 most influential Colombians abroad. She was a CFDA finalist for Best Designer in the United States in 2015 and received the Colombianos Estrella award in 2019 for her international influence. Most recently, in 2020, Forbes named her one of the 50 most influential creative personalities in Colombia, alongside notable figures such as Fernando Botero, Doris Salcedo, Sofía Vergara, Esteban Cortázar, and Shakira.

Paula Mendoza Jewelry continues to grow, with plans to establish additional retail locations around the world.

Vanessa Fernández

Vanessa Fernández is a Miami Born, Cuban Armenian American Jewelry Designer and Bench Jeweler …

Vanessa Fernández

Vanessa Fernández is a Miami Born, Cuban Armenian American Jewelry Designer and Bench Jeweler. She completed her BFA at VCU arts, school of Fine Arts. After graduating she was brought on as an intern with the design team from John Hardy located in Bali Indonesia with head designer Guy Bedarida. Shortly after Bali, Vanessa moved to Paris and began working with the design team at Lorenz Bäumer, Louis Vuitton in Paris France where she was responsible for creating high jewelry renderings. She was then contracted to partner with Christies & Tasaki in Tokyo Japan for a project led by Hidetoshi Nakata & appeared in several fashion publications, including Vogue and Elle throughout the following years.

Vanessa has a private, full jewelry studio in Miami where she designs and renders by hand, sculpts wax models, alloys pure with a custom alloy, casts, finishes and crafts her pieces entirely by hand. Vanessa creates bi-annual collections while simultaneously creating custom works for her private clientele including private brands she consults for.

Vanessa designs and creates by hand custom works as a private jeweler to The White House’s Office of the First Lady and Office of the President of the United States as well as the Department of State.

The Brand: VF as a brand aims to create one-of-a-kind, high end, sculptural jewelry collections bi-annually. Sustainability and ethically sourced materials including conflict free diamonds, ethically mined gold and colored gemstones is top priority for the brand. Her collections are created with an absolute passion for excellence in craftsmanship & creative design heavily informed by months of research and experimentation.

Vanessa crafts custom pieces for a range of private clientele throughout the year. Her goal is to provide an intimate experience for her clients by guiding them to purchase fine colored gems and unique diamonds from only the most excellent and highly respected resources.

She ensures the brand remains sustainable by always offering gold sourced by artisanal and small-scale mining organizations who meet the standards for responsible practices via fair mined certifications and considers it vital and essential to the longevity & success of the brand to have this option available to her clients.

Her designs are inspired by her love of minimalism, and pureness of material. She remains mindful to create both sculpture and ornament, engaging with her materials, pushing herself to create works that challenge her as a goldsmith. Her goal is to design jewelry that appears effortless regardless of the control and precision they demand when sculpting.

The tactility and warmth of her pieces play an essential role to the experience of wearing them, aside of design she feels there is nothing more vital to the jewel than the way it interacts with the skin. Whether it hangs off the ear or hugs the finger, she believes comfort is essential. Vanessa is not interested in the dainty or delicate jewel, but rather the bold and colorful. Creating movement within her sculptural pieces is imperative, convincing you that what is firmly ridged simultaneously appears smooth and malleable, she is inspired by the seductive power and fluidity of gold as a material.

Rosario Navia

Rosario Navia is an Argentine-American fine jewelry brand based in New York City …

Rosario Navia

Rosario Navia is an Argentine-American fine jewelry brand based in New York City.

Rosario founded her eponymous brand in 2019 with a focus on bespoke, later launching her first fine jewelry collection in October of 2020. With sculptural, diamond-forward designs, Rosario brings a fresh perspective to diamond essentials. She draws from her decade-long career as a merchandiser in New York City’s fashion industry and her background as a GIA Graduate Gemologist to create dynamic and cohesive collections that build upon her distinctive aspirational yet effortless style.

With names like Mara and Fabi, her collections pay homage to her strong Latin family who has shaped her.

Each Rosario Navia piece is meticulously designed and handcrafted in New York City using 18 karat gold, platinum, and hand selected natural diamonds. Rosario Navia was honored by the Natural Diamond Council as an emerging BIPOC brand.

ALLIGATOR JESUS

From a showroom/studio in Downtown Los Angeles, Alligator Jesus custom designed works are made in the USA and brought out of the underground …

ALLIGATOR JESUS

From a showroom/studio in Downtown Los Angeles, Alligator Jesus custom designed works are made in the USA and brought out of the underground and into the mainstream. Often garnering press and internet breaking moments for his A-list clientele, the studio is committed to giving all clients memorable works of wearable art and elite treatment to meet all needs. Established 2004 in Miami, founder/artist Alligator Jesus, combines his passion for art and design into handmade pieces as he believes in creating work that is unique and special, not mass made or commercially produced.

Alligator Jesus has made work for clients including: Madonna, Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma, LiL Nas X, Doja Cat, Usher, Ye, Alicia Keyes, Robert Pattinson, Naomi Campbell, Paramore, Zendaya, Megan Thee Stallion, Sean Paul, Kourtney Kardashian, Uma Thurman, Denzel Curry, Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Oli Sykes, Bring Me The Horizon, Ozzy Osbourne, Jonathan Davis, Asia Argento, Boys Noize, Ghostemane, Oliver Tree, Tommy Cash, Jared Leto, Ashnikko, Peaches, Willow Smith, SosMula, Zillakami, Alexa Demie, Dame Dash, Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day, Takashi Murakami, Machine Gun Kelly, Kazumi, Ciara, Summer Walker, Nadia Lee Cohen, Suki Waterhouse, 070 Shake, Lily Rose Depp, Run The Jewelz, Danny Elfman, Dave Navarro, LiL Aaron, Kim Petras, Sematary, Insane Clown Posse, $uicide Boy$, Snoop Dogg, Marilyn Manson, Mary J Blidge, Doechii, Prayers, Pussy Riot, Poppy, 9Mice, KaiAngel, Billy Porter, Spike Jonze, Karen-O, Kat Von D, Krizz Kaliko, LiL Xan, Prayers, Lindsey Stirling, Little Big, Cruella Morgan, Jimmy Edgar, ModSun, Yung Gravy, Vic Mensa, Victoria Monet, Avril Lavigne, Royal And The Serpent, Chloe Cherry, Shaun Ross, Angus Cloud, Demi Lovato, Ramirez, City Morgue, LiL Jon, Jordan Clarkson, Maggie Lindemann, Siiickbrain, Gary Baseman, Eyedress, Miguel, Flyana Boss, Ahol Sniffs Glue, TheMostFamousArtist, Cannons, Saudi Prince Fahad Al Saud, Amber Luke, Otto Von Schirach, Baseck, Channel 5, Greta Van Fleet, GVLLOW, Teezo Touchdown, Struggle Jennings, Tony Williams, LiL Texas, 100 Gecs, Cannons, Jake Paul, Ouija Macc, Lil Mariko, 3 TEETH, Partiboi69, Emma Norts, Candy Ken, Jordan Firstman, FreekaTet, Kito, HVDES, Iann Dior, Trippie Redd, Big Klit, Riff Raff and many more.

Karla Martínez de Salas

With a major in Marketing and Business Administration from the University of Arizona, Karla Martínez de Salas started her career as an assistant …

Karla Martínez de Salas

With a major in Marketing and Business Administration from the University of Arizona, Karla Martínez de Salas started her career as an assistant in Vogue US to later become an Associate Fashion Editor in 2002 where she collaborated with recognized publishers such a Grace Coddington, Tonne Goodman, Camilla Nickerson and Phyllis Posnick.

From 2005 to 2010, she was Fashion Director for T Magazine of The New York Times where she learned not only from the fashion industry, but also from the world of interior design, art and travel. Later, she became the Fashion Director of Interview Magazine where, for a year, she specialized in photography and design to become the Fashion and Accessories Director of W Magazine in 2011.

In 2015, Karla moved to Mexico City with her family, where she started working as a freelancer in Cooperativa Shop, an online store based in the United States that specializes in Latin designed ready- made pieces. She also collaborated with Armarium World, a website who offers styling services as well as renting fashionable garments.

She became Editor in Chief of Vogue Mexico and Latin America in June 2016, and since then, she has continued with the exclusive editorial line of the title, where her projects have established new alliances in the market.

Following her role as head of Vogue Mexico and Latin America, she has been interviewed multiple times by major publications such as El Heraldo Mexico and Business of Fashion NY and Spain, where she has explored her expertise as an opinion leader in the direction of the fashion and luxury industry. She has also appeared in television and radio with recognized tv hosts such as Martha Debayle, Eddy Warman, Eddy Smol and Oscar Madrazo where she has shared her achievements and projects during her first year in Vogue Mexico and Latin America.

She was recently included in the BoF US list of the 500 international fashion leaders and since then, Karla has been in charge of the magazine’s management. Vogue Mexico and Latin America was also awarded with best editorial content for Mexico’s Fashion Digital Awards.

Karla Martínez de Salas is a key player in Project Paz, a New York based non-profit organization created 7 years ago, whose goal is to create extracurricular activities for low-income children in Ciudad Juarez, in order to promote peace.

Karla has worked with influential personalities such as: Patrick Demarchelier, Kim Kardashian, Alex White, Annie Christensen, Edward Enninful, Fabien Baron, Jacob K, Karl Templer, Marie Amelie Sauve, Melanie Ward, Olivier Rizzo, Stefano Tonchi, Steven Pan, Tim Walker and Virginia Smith, to name a few.

Karla Martinez de Salas continues to reflect her extensive knowledge in the publication of each Vogue Mexico and Latin America issue and will continue to consolidate and enrich the presence of the Fashion Bible in this fashion growing region.

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