Her Heart's in the City: Soria Z. Jewelry is Inspired by NYC + Her Mom
After a brief detour working for someone else, Natalie Nguyen followed her dream and became a jewelry designer.
-Lucia Peters and PJ Gach, BettyConfidential.com
Looking over Natalie Nguyen's jewelry line, Soria Z, you'll notice that the silver pieces are elegant-almost ethereal looking and versatile. Her pieces can easily go from day to night. It's cazy to think the woman who creates these oh-so lovely pieces almost spent her life in a corporation!
"A few years ago, I set out on a 'creative journey' you could say," says Natalie. "The majority of my career has been in corporate business but I knew that I always loved to create and design. When I was younger, I would make jewelry with almost any type of material I could get my hands on!"
"A few years ago," Natalie explains, "I reconnected with that creative side of myself and started taking jewelry workshops and courses in metalsmithing and fabrication, wax carving and stone setting in various studios in the city in addition to classes at FIT."
Right after that, the New Yorker by way of South Carolina (Natalie has lived in the city for over eight years) decided to go into business for herself. First order of business? Think of a good name! "Soria Z. was named after my mother," says Natalia. "Soria is her middle name and Z is the first letter of her last name." (By the way, Soria is pronounced Sor-ee-ah.)
On the left, the original Soria Z.; on the right from the top down: Soria Z.'s Enso pendant, Snakeskin ring, and Key earrings. Check out these and more fab pieces - and nag a few for yourself - at BettyConfidential Shop!
Natalie tells to story of her inspirational mom: "She was born in the Philippines and moved to New York City when she was 21. Growing up, I would see vintage pictures of her dressed in the latest '70s fashion trends and hear stories from my aunts about their time in the city. I was so inspired by her decision to come to the US and her life in New York and I knew from a very early age that I wanted to live there one day as well."
Soria Z jewelry made its debut last year at the Mzia Shiman Spa on 59th and 5th Ave.
How does Natalie describe her line? "The vision that I wanted for the jewelry collection is fine jewelry that is effortless in the sense that it is refined, contemporary and understated with versatile every day pieces designed to be worn alone, layered, or stacked to complement another piece. Most of the pieces are sterling silver and 18k gold."
What inspires her? Natalie says, "It's amazing how much beauty and inspiration you find and see in your surroundings each day--you just have to look! Much of the design is inspired by everyday life in New York City, international travel and love for creative style. I get so energized being around vibrant people who are passionate about what they do--whether it's art, fashion or music--there is no shortage of that here in the city."
Snag some of this gorgeous swag for yourself at BettyConfidential Shop!
Lucia Peters is BettyConfidential's Associate Editor.
PJ Gach is Senior Editor: Style + Beauty.
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