Lady LUX

Next week Olia Designs will debut their newest collection for Fall/Holiday entitled “Paleolithic.” With an abundance of raw-cut geodes, it doesn’t take a lot of guessing to figure out the namesake. The geode pieces in snowy white or creamy grey, are accented with wintery golds and garnets and flowing from gold chains, giving the holiday line a touch of glam rock.

“I love materials that look raw and finished at the same time, that is why I love working with the geode agate,” Olia said of her new collection. “The oxidized brass and silver give the jewelry such an unusual look that is a little rough around the edges, but I kept it feminine by adding fine wire work and delicate chain details.”

Founded in 2003, this will be the designer Olia Gitman’s seventh holiday collection.

Known for her modern, yet one-of-a-kind pieces, it’s hard to believe it was only a decade ago when Olia was walking to work on Wall Street.

Upon graduating from college, with a degree in computer science, Olia became an analyst for government bonds.

“I knew it was not the right thing for me but I had no idea what the right thing was,” Olia said.

Determined to ditch the stressful career, she took advice from something she read.

“Something I was reading, I can’t remember if it was a book or an article, said that people usually like doing what they did as a little kid… because at that age there are no profit motives,” she said.

It wasn’t hard for Olia to put her finger on her new vocation.

If you ask Olia’s family, they’ll probably tell you that jewelry making is in her veins. The Ukraine-born designer moved to the United States when she was 10 years old. That same year she became an entrepreneur.

“My parents always joked that I was the first one to make money in America,” Olia said.

Sitting by the window, Olia collected beads and made whimsical necklaces. She took jewelry classes but she had no intention of becoming a business, until her aunt stepped in.

Her aunt would bring Olia’s designs to work with her, selling her necklaces to friends for five dollars.

“She was my sales rep,” she laughed. “It’s funny… because to this day I don’t like the selling part.”

It wasn’t until 2003 when Olia, once again, decided to take a stab at her childhood hobby.

“When I started doing it again, it was a very natural transition,” she said.

Now, counting seven years in the business, Olia couldn’t be more content.

“I enjoy what I do more than anything and it makes me so happy that its been seven years already and the time has flown by,” she said. “It gives me more and more proof that doing work you love really can be a sustainable, growing experience with endless possibilities.”

Check her web site next week at oliadesigns.com for a peek at her newest collection for Holiday 2010/2011, Paleolithic.

Tagged in: lux exclusives,

Radar