FInally!…. I have been wanting to blog about the talented Carly Paiker since I started 3Heartsoflife. Not only is she a young entrepreneurial ball of talent, but a friend of mine! I met Carly a few years back through a mutual friend. That friend would tell me stories about Carly from back in high school; girls in her year putting in jewelry orders for her to hand-make which would match the colour and style of their ball dresses – Dont you love it… it was in her blood from a young age!
As we get to find out more about Carly, she furtherdelves into her history and passion in Jewelry design, and how it goes as far back as her grandparents who owned a textile factory!…This girl was MADE to live out the dreams she has set for herself..read on!
Meet Carly
Growing up on the sun drenched, laid-back beaches of Perth had a profound effect on the artistic flair in Carly Paiker, and continues to resonate in each of her collections. Completing a Degree in Industrial Design equipped Carly with technical knowledge, yet her ardour for creating and delivering beauty and happiness led her along a more whimsical path.
Believing in herself and following her dream to create an effortlessly stand-out accessories brand, Carly carved her way through the stylish enclaves and boutiques in Perth.Presenting her first collection moulded purely on her passion, Carly instantly impressed, her designs snapped up within one week to be stocked in many of Perth’s most fashionably exclusive stores.
Carly Paiker has never looked back.
She has grown, her designs have evolved, all the while she remains true to herself and her vision.
The vision to create a brand with a definite sense of self, for the women who wears it in all its splendour – feminine, strong and beautiful – and continues to impress.
What lead you to get in to Jewelry design?
I studied Industrial Design at uni, but always had a love for jewellery design especially mixed materials. My grandparents owned a textile factory in Cape Town and as a child I would receive bags and bags of samples of trimmings, beads and cuttings that I would piece together to make these elaborate handmade necklaces. Later on during university, I started by creating handmade pieces from stones, leather and charms that I had sourced on my travels and soon realised a demand for these as they would sell straight off my neck! The business rapidly evolved and before I knew it I was showing my first collection at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week in Sydney.
What Do you love MOST about your work
I love that I get to spend my days working on a brand that is so highly personal as I have created it from purely a passion and nurtured it into a thriving business. Each design has started as a sketch, and its truly magical seeing it come to life in a sample, and then be marketed and sold to customers whose lives it brightens up. That is something that never loses its magic in my eyes and motivates me every day
Where do you draw your inspiration from when starting to design for a new collection..
Inspiration takes on many forms. It may start as a chance finding in tannery of a new imported leather from a far flung destination, or it may be more abstract, a vintage door handle found in a flea market or design set in cobblestone tiles. Often I start the collection with a character in mind, I picture a girl she is always strong and free spirited, she loves luxury yet she is approachable, she often travels and but is at home anywhere she goes. Each season the character is different, her clothes, her hair, her loves and hates but in essence she is always strong.
What differentiates you from other Designers
Every single piece of my collection comprises of unique components, designed and custom manufactured for the Carly Paiker brand. There are many jewellery labels out there and it is an extremely competitive market, but I think this is where we as a brand we stand apart from many of our competitors. One piece may consist of leather imported from a tannery in Vicenza Italy, and then pieced together with hardware designed by myself and hand made by skilled artisans in Indonesia and set with a Swarovski crystal from Austria. This unwavering devotion to the design of the pieces sets us apart from other labels who may grab components off the shelf. I also have a fierce devotion to my brand and any decision I make is carefully considered as to how it will affect my brand.
What is your favorite collection/pieces you have designed
It’s difficult to play favourites but the Triple Leather Wrap bracelet holds a special place in my heart. It signifies a real leap in my business, it was a new direction at the time of launching in 2010 and pushed my brand into new exciting realms. It has stayed a customer favourite, being reincarnated in new exciting leathers every season.
What is your best selling piece/s?
Our signature leathers cuffs are a very strong seller for us, they have become synonymous with the Carly Paiker brand. The Aztec String Friendship bracelets are a new addition and have been received incredibly well. We recently introduced the ‘LOVE’ bracelets as a different option, and have reworked this style in our Winter 13 and Summer 13/14 collections.
Have you encountered struggles/hardships creating your company.. i.e what have the biggest difficulties been?
The growth of the business is exciting, but with it comes many challenges and obstacles. Letting go of some control so that it can grow is always hard, I find it very difficult not to completely manage every aspect of every project but at this stage its not always possible. Juggling the business financials with my incredible impatience can be difficult… I have learnt I have to be patient and the understanding of how important it is to do things at the right time for the business and not for myself.
What’s next/What can we expect from you in the future?
This is just the beginning for the Carly Paiker brand! We have plans to expand into other categories of accessories with a strong focus on our signature leathers and luxury materials.
You can check out the Carly Paiker jewlery range online HERE
Tales of Ezra 