Meet Carla Labat | Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carla Labat and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carla, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started CAMILLE K in 1995 with a desire to share my vision of what jewelry could look like both as wearable art and as a modern statement. To say that I was influenced by many years spent in France, is an understatement. I took my cues from the vintage treasures that I found mostly in the Paris Cligancourt Flea Market and decided to give them new lives as fashion accessories. I was warned about how hard the jewelry industry is, but as with any passion, one forges ahead a little blind but full of desire to create something beautiful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Jewelry has always been part of my DNA makeup! I joke that I came out of the womb wearing it! I began my creative life in dance and theatre. Everything onstage has to be bigger than life so it came as no surprise that upon entering the jewelry business, I liked the idea of creating statement pieces. The jewelry began as vintage French passementerie combined with American ingenuity that developed into bespoke accessories worn as statements. I developed a clientele little by little around trunk shows and fashion shows so that women and men could see how these jewels translated into a chic modernity. I am still very proud of my early days working entirely by hand in the traditional couture fashion, that gave new lives to these trims and treasures. Everything about developing a brand is about building blocks– being consistent and clear about your direction. When moving from hand made to manufacturing, I was always very sure about having the jewelry made in the United States. I learned a lot by trial and error and that to find a manufacturer that can hear your ideas and see your vision is as important as the quality of their work. Starting small with clear design ideas that translate your vision, your dream is key. It makes me happy to think that I have brought my idea of beauty into people’s lives. My clients have inspired me and in turn, I hope that I inspired them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I split my life between Santa Barbara, CA and Paris, France. In Santa Barbara, I would take them shell hunting at low tide, on a walk inside the magnificent gardens at Hanna Walska Lotusland, lunch oceanside at the Miramar Beach Bar, shopping at two of my favorite shops, Folly and Domecil , then drinks and dinner at a new favorite restaurant, Gala. In Paris, we would start with a morning stroll on the left bank along the rue Bonaparte to the Seine river for the sunrise, then back to the Deux Magots for a coffee and croissant. Lunch would be on the right bank at Halle Aux Grains then on to the Hôtel Drouot auction house to bid on some spectacular jewelry . Later on, drinks at the Hotel Lutetia and dinner at Le Duc. Somewhere during the visit we would have to shop at Schiaparelli in the place Vendôme, and make wish lists in all the jewelry houses located there .

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As an artist, it is often difficult to see that you have something special to offer–there is always that ever-present critical eye that is both beneficial and tricky! There were two people who saw and appreciated my jewelry and helped me to see it as something that was unique to the market. First to support my efforts was Cate Mowell and her PR firm. Cate got me from creating one-of-a-kind pieces to my first foray into manufacturing. Cate then introduced me to brand wizard, Cayli Cavaco Reck in New York who helped me to elevate my company and take myself seriously in a way I hadn’t before. I gained a lot of clarity and confidence working with her. I would be remiss in not mentioning my daughter, Camille Katherine, whose name I borrowed for my brand and whose style influenced several of our lines.

Website: www.camillek.com

Instagram: camillekjewelry

Image Credits
Amica Magazine Todd Heapy