MELISSA: You have many job titles from designer to musician that would be listed on your CV. What role defines current day to day?
BRIANNA: When people ask me that question “What do you do for a living?” I panic. I don’t know what to say anymore. I answer “Um, a lot of stuff?” Jewelry, DJing, consulting, the list goes on.
MELISSA: Which job role or skill is your favorite? And how did you get started in each?
BRIANNA: Whatever I am working on at the current time is my favorite. I usually love the ones that generate the least income the most. When it becomes the thing that earns you the most money, it becomes the most stressful.
I got started doing all these things because I just started doing them! My personality doesn’t let me just do things as a hobby. Everything I do I tie to an enormous amount of stress and pressure. I start doing things for fun or as an outlet and then this personality trait just brings on the pressure.
MELISSA: Of all your roles, past, present, and future, which has been the most challenging, rewarding and creative?
BRIANNA: The most rewarding thing about all my various positions is when you make or create something and see someone wearing it – or if you see them just enjoying what you have created. That’s special.
MELISSA: You’ve designed for both women’s and men’s fashion lines. How does the design process differ? Which did you prefer?
BRIANNA: Men are really fun to design for in a conceptual woman way because you’re thinking “This is how dudes should dress to be hot”. But, women are more fun to design for because women shop. Men don’t have as much fun with getting dressed.
MELISSA: What design companies have you worked for?
BRIANNA: I had my own men’s company for a while called Basic Rights. Before that, I worked for Reformation for 6 years. I started consulting when I still had the men’s company, which was 3 years ago.
MELISSA: How would you describe your personal style?
BRIANNA: I guess it would fall between a dress-up box and something a little boy would wear to school. It’s very comfort-driven. I definitely don’t wear uncomfortable shoes or anything that is fussy. I like color a lot.
MELISSA: What accessory in your collection are you currently obsessed with?
BRIANNA: My jewelry, of course! I recently got my ears pierced so lately I’ve been obsessed with earrings.
MELISSA: How did you come up with your jewelry line and what was the inspiration behind it?
BRIANNA: When I pulled images of jewelry I loved, almost all of it was ancient Egyptian or Roman museum pieces. I thought it would be cool to incorporate those design details with other aspects. I am also very superstitious and gravitate towards the Yin and Yang, St. Christopher and pearls.
My creative director Andrea described my taste as very 90’s surfer. So overall our aesthetic became Roman-influenced pieces with a 90’s surfer vibe.
