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Fierce and fabulous is how I would describe Bangelle(www.bangelle.com), a prominent jewelry brand known for its 18K gold bangles created by the lovely and highly talented Elle Pirmoradi. The three-year-old company is called BANGELLE. Bold. Beautiful. Bangle. Bangelle (bangle + Elle, say bang-ELLE) is the result of the designer's passion for stackable bangles and her inspiration for creating a beautifully designed piece of unique and gorgeous jewelry. We had the opportunity to pop by her studio, and it's incredible in aesthetic, just like her jewelry. Elle always loved the "Cartier look" but wanted to create something original. Therefore, she started designing. The result was beautiful bangles that featured Elle's personal aesthetic in addition to what her client wants. Elle even adds a touch of leather to her own stackable set for that effortless look or the casual chic L.A. style: the mundane fused with high-end. Creatively, she loves straight lines, and symmetry is so important to her designs. Elle sketches each piece, and the result is beauty. The bangles come in gold, white gold and rose gold.
Bangelle is a line made exclusively for heavy-handed, gold-loving, bracelet-obsessed jewelry connoisseurs. Elle has incorporated symmetry, angularity, and definition into the idea of Bangelle and that would be the signature style of the brand. Whether you wear them alone or stacked, both ways are standouts.
The Uni is a fabulous Bangelle bangle to play off of. Then you can add playful and eclectic pieces in order to stack. The Uni is an 18K solid gold high-shine bangle, handmade in Los Angeles. At approximately two ounces of gold, this piece has a powerful, weighty feel to it. The concept and the dimensions make this a unisex piece, as it compliments wrists of all sizes. Stack it with the Dainty, the Luxe, other bracelets or simply wear it on its own. This stunning bangle exudes quality and elegance. You can even stack it with the Dainty Diamond or the Abacus, which is their most playful piece yet. The cuff is also a stunning piece and is set in 18K gold and features 3 movable white diamond pavé balls. Other gemstone options and custom orders are available to your individual taste. Overall, her work is truly wearable art.
Elle's first professional rendezvous with the jewelry industry was at the hands of a renowned jewelry designer in Beverly Hills. From there, her love and appreciation for jewelry deepened. Fast forward 10 years: add a love story, two kids, and having lived in Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin, and Bangkok. Different locations, people, customs, architecture, and styles all influence her work. "I am lucky to have called many different places home, and being of Persian descent, I am a natural transplant." "My creations are the result of all these influences paired with the desire to make my version perfect," emphasized Elle. Her travels inspired her love for design by wanting something that made her feel complete or whole.
Brand
Local artisans in Los Angeles handcraft all of Elle's designs. The line features a timeless, sleek, and luxurious look that you will not see elsewhere. Solid 18K yellow, rose, or white gold bangles in ladies, gents, and unisex options make up the collection. These are wearable pieces, day or night, dressed up or down. The uncompromising design is as beautiful as it is vital, just like the person wearing it. While stunning, the bangles look fantastic when layered with other pieces as the perfect addition. There is something uniquely satisfying about a bundle of bangles gently rattling. What is Elle's ideal stack? "My perfect stack includes Cartier's Juste un Clou, Hermes' Kelly and Collier de Chien, a fun tennis bracelet for some sparkle, and Bangelle's Dainty and Uni. Elle envisioned this look long before she saw her first Bangelle prototype.
It's all about combining the mundane and the luxurious, ranging from the Dainty's one ounce to the Big Bang's four ounces (!) of 18 K gold per bangle. These are weighty pieces by choice; hollow and high-end are usually mutually exclusive for Bangelle. Gemma Magazine had the fantastic opportunity to chat with Elle about her inspiration, the magic of stacking, and her design process.
What inspired you to start your own jewelry company? Tell us a bit about your background.
I relocated to L.A. in the mid-2000s after completing my classical piano education in Europe. Shortly after, I began college and ultimately graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychology. At that time, I took my passion for jewelry to a professional level. Parallel to attending college, I became the right hand of a renowned jeweler in Beverly Hills. I learned about the many parts of the trade: designing, manufacturing, and customer care. The design part was especially intriguing to me. During this time, I realized that this was my calling. Even though I moved on and focused on school, started a family, and did many other things, I kept designing pieces throughout the years.
What made you decide to go with bangles?
Bangles have always held a special place in my heart; I find them sophisticated, luxurious yet understated, and suitable for daily life. You can layer them, and they accentuate wrists (which I find very attractive). My jewelry and design background has been a part of my life for many years. Before I founded Bangelle, I visited a famous French brand's flagship store in Beverly Hills to look at their bangles and bracelets. Of course, everything was stunning, but nothing struck me as novel or unique. Jewelry and personal style are highly individualistic to me. That got me thinking about what type of pieces I would be drawn to. That's pretty much how it started. I began sketching, and my whole creative orbit was wrist candy. So, I doubled down on the idea, and in my opinion, bangles deserve more attention.
How would you describe the style of your brand?
Our brand is defined by its timeless and unisex style, offering sleek, novel-looking 18K bracelets and bangles handcrafted in L.A. 'Think of a stacked wrist, think of Bangelle.' The nonchalant yet posh California lifestyle heavily influences the brand: casual luxury brought to life by superb local craftsmanship. Think of elevated street style, stacked wrists, edgy and chic. This style is not just a trend; it's a statement of inclusivity and longevity.
How have your travels influenced your work?
Traveling and experiencing different cultures is a privilege. I'm of Persian descent, grew up in Germany, and have spent much of my adult life between L.A., Paris, Bangkok, and Berlin. These cities are creative, diverse, loud, and full of inspiration. All of the above influence my work, infusing it with a global perspective and a rich tapestry of cultural influences.
Pragmatically speaking, traveling forces you to be efficient, even more so when you add kids to the mix. I happily travel with less and make sure whatever I bring, I use extensively. I love marrying luxury and the mundane. That means looks that work day to night- a nicely stacked wrist is a great way to quickly turn your look a bit fancier. Finding and wearing the pieces closest to your heart makes you feel at home, no matter where you are.
What types of materials do you work with?
We use 18K gold in yellow, rose, and white metal options. Many of our pieces are just that: solid gold. In some of our more playful designs, we also use precious and semi-precious stones, such as in our most playful piece yet, the Abacus, which features three movable pavé diamond balls.
Do you follow trends?
That's great about high jewelry: you don't have to chase trends; those come and go. We strive to make classically beautiful pieces of timeless 18K gold. And gold has never gone out of style. Our pieces are symmetrical, not because it's a virtue, but because I believe our eyes are drawn to it. I've been fascinated with the golden ratio since I was little. Incorporating universal standards of beauty paired with the finest materials allows me to step beyond what might be in vogue now and trust my vision.
Have you always been highly creative?
I'd say yes across different fields. I've been playing classical piano my whole life, and music still plays a significant role in my life. I've also enjoyed designing, drawing, sketching, and making many different things for years. As my husband would say, I like to tinker… I took a bit of a detour by studying Psychology here at UCLA, but yes, I'd consider myself pretty creative.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a jewelry designer?
Patience is possibly the biggest challenge for creatives. When I create a new collection, I typically start with paper and pencil, which is old-school, I know. Translating this into 3D renders and crafting the samples can be daunting; you've already seen the new pieces in your mind for a while, but the production process naturally takes time. Perfection doesn't come easy or fast. The wait is well worth it once you touch and feel the pieces. Your vision turns into tangible beauty.
Do you incorporate sustainability into your designs and material sourcing?
Sustainability has many different faces; I choose to have all pieces handmade here. In that sense, I support local businesses. This reduces our carbon footprint because our pieces are not shipped halfway around the world to save on costs. This also allows me to oversee working conditions - there is a reason why things can be much cheaper in other locales. However, I believe it makes for the best results if you're part of the process throughout - I go to the workshops downtown weekly. Since I'm based here and L.A. is such an influential cultural hub, producing locally makes sense.
How do you want your clients to feel while wearing Bangelle bracelets?
Jewelry aficionados who love bracelets and bangles, particularly, have lots of fun with the line. Based on experience, a Bangelle bangle is typically not the first: many clients have well-known staple designs and are looking for a novel and beautiful addition to their stack. There is something understated yet luxurious about a sturdy bangle. I want my clients to feel their best: confident, comfortable, empowered, and attractive.
To keep up with Bangelle: www.bangelle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bangelle.jewelry/
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