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

Hi Elle, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea to start my own brand came to me some 3 years ago. It was shortly after the holidays, during which my hubby gifted me a beautiful watch from a renowned French jewelry Maison. I loved it but nevertheless played with the idea to get a bangle instead (stacked wrists have always held a special place in my heart). So I visited their Beverly Hills’ flagship store to look at the beautiful options. While of course the jewelry was stunning, I left the store (with my gifted watch) thinking that none of the bangles struck me as novel – if I felt that way, surely others must too. To me, jewelry is highly personal. A few days later I arranged my stack and I couldn’t stop thinking about what kind of
piece I would add to it if I could. If I could. And I began to think I could and I should! I started sketching and quickly had several ideas for fabulous additions to wrist parties. Being in L.A. with a background in jewelry and a love for impeccable design, it all fell into place. At this point I was exclusively focusing on bangles. The name Bangelle popped in my head early on, way before I saw any of the prototypes: Bang+Elle makes Bangelle! Brilliant idea I thought, it was meant to be! And the fact that it rhymes with Chanel made it even better. What were the odds that after playing with the words bangle and my name, I ended up with a great name for my jewelry line? Hit the nail on the head!

What should our readers know about your business?
My jewelry line Bangelle is dedicated to 18K handcrafted bangles and bracelets, all made here in Los Angeles. I design bold and solid pieces that elevate an effortless stylish look. The first collection started off with solid gold bangles in varying sizes. I wanted to create unisex, ageless and timeless pieces of jewelry to accentuate the wrists. A brand created exclusively for heavy-handed, gold loving, bracelet-obsessed jewelry lovers, who can’t get enough of and for their stacks. Stackability was at the core of the brand when I envisioned it: I wanted to make perfect bangle additions for already stacked wrists. Especially at the beginning this was a major driving force: what would someone respond to who already calls all the fabulous staple pieces their own? In my opinion in comes down to impeccable (and fun!) design paired with superb quality. We proudly have every piece handmade locally by master jewelers. Above all that means tight quality control and timely revisions. I visit the workshops in downtown weekly and am part of the process from the very beginning to completion.
Getting here has been an exciting and nerve-racking experience, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Like starting any business, there were and are lots of challenges. Initially it was finding a reliable network of craftsmen, vendors, photographers… Not to mention the gold price and rising costs overall that have affected everyone. There is a lot that goes into starting such a venture from scratch. But all along I was confident that with passion, persistence and patience (that’s the tricky one) Bangelle would take off.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Having friends and family visit always promises to be a great time. Thankfully there’s lots to see and to do here! One of the unique things about Southern California is the array of different (natural) landscapes: the ocean, mountains, deserts, forests, bustling city vibes… So we’d get our fair share of outdoor time with a nice hike, probably at Griffith or Elysian Park. One of my favourite spots is Bronson Caves, where they shot the intro to the Batman series from the 60’s. It’s not taken care of in anyway, it’s basically a hole in the rock formation but still very cool; the hiking spot is gorgeous and if you go at the right time, you might be the only person there. It can be incredibly serene.
Next, we’d spend some time in downtown. The Arts District with its culinary delights and walkability is lovely. My favorites are Manuela, Cha Cha Cha and Propaganda. Grab a coffee at Concierge, a great coffeeshop originally from Berlin. Another great spot is Row DTLA. An urban creative space with independent shops, restaurants, concept stores, pop ups… It’s unique, well-thought out and typically not crowded (it also happens to be home to ‘the world’s best pizza’, according to owner Chris Bianco. Yes, the pizza is amazing and yes, it gets crowded). To get a little culture in, I’d also make sure we visit Disney Hall. Ideally of course to hear the LA Phil (Gustavo, why must you leave) or one of the many visiting artist. This architectural masterpiece is well worth visiting in its own right.
Next on the list might be Pasadena. It’s great place to spend a chill day; lunch at Granville with spectacular views followed by a visit to the Huntington Library. It’s a beautiful botanical garden with a rich history and its own museum. Pasadena has developed into quite a food haven, all time favorites are Perle (lovely French) and Houston’s for some old school classiness. If I just want a quick bite, Tacos1986 is my go to place (the Pasadena location is good, the one on La Brea is bomb).
A little shopping on Melrose is likely also going to happen. Grab a smoothie at the Farmer’s Market for some retro vibes, it’s a classic. While there, stop at Monsieur Marcel for a glass of Rose and fries. Finish the day in Mid City with a delicious meal at Terroni’s.
L.A. is also a great spot to start day trips from. Hopping in the car, going up PCH and spending a day in Malibu/Santa Barbara is just wonderful. The desert is also a special place to me; maybe it’s growing up in northern Europe that makes deserts so exotic and cool to me, I love it. A quick getaway to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree is always a good idea. One of the most magical things you can do in the winter is to take the tram up and go hiking in an icy winter wonderland. And best of all, after you’re done, the tram takes you right back down to wonderful moderate weather. You can’t ask for much more.
A week is not a whole lot of time and not enough to discover all there is. I’d convince them to come back soon and plan on staying two weeks the next time around!

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?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout on 3 different levels. First and foremost I’d like to thank my family for continuously backing me and my idea. Acting on my dream and starting my own jewelry line has been a real rollercoaster and I couldn’t be happier when I look at the collections now. Having them beside me with words of encouragement, practical advice and unwavering support has been an integral part of Bangelle’s story.
Next, to all the amazing (independent) jewelry designers out there – thank you! Established brands but especially emerging designers show continuously all that is possible. Seeing other success stories is so motivating, it makes you want to become better yourself.
And last but not least I think L.A. deserves a shoutout, too! The city breathes creativity and attracts talent from around the globe. Nothing comes easy but being in the right locale definitively plays a role. There’s an electrifying energy here that’s contagious. Plus, being an entertainment hub, there are always events, shows, shoots and red carpets – a great place for my bangles to shine!

Website: https://www.Bangelle.com

Instagram: @bangelle.jewelry

Image Credits
ITJ Group
Staystudio BKK
Bangelle

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