Suzanne Kalan On Celebrity Style, Fine Jewellery & Everyday Diamonds
The city that comes to mind when I need creative inspiration is LA. The landscapes, the weather – it’s who I am, and it really sums up my style. The laid-back lifestyle complements my aesthetic: my designs are comfortable and wearable every day, but easy to adjust from day to evening. Just like LA.
It’s always a hugely memorable moment when I launch somewhere new and then build a long-standing business in that place. Opening my own boutique at Harrods was a highlight. Launching on NET-A-PORTER, Mytheresa, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols Dubai, Seddiqi – they were all pinch-me moments too.
London is another of my favourite places. When I’m there, I shop at Harrods and Selfridges. I have great personal shoppers in both stores who know my style. Last time I was in Selfridges, I managed to get the extra-large bubblegum-pink Andiamo bag in full Intrecciato. It’s such fun, such a statement, but at the same time a forever piece.
One of my proudest career moments was winning a Gem Award many, many years ago. What makes it so memorable is that, 15 or so years later, the design I won it for is still one of our bestsellers.
I am always happy when I see anyone wearing my jewellery. I love seeing a stack of my bracelets, or one of my pieces mixed in with their other jewellery. I love seeing Charlize Theron in my pieces – she is one of my style icons, and she looks so chic in my designs. Also, Jessica Chastain, Florence Pugh, Sofía Vergara and Jennifer Lopez – they’ve all been huge for me.
The first piece of jewellery I owned was a wide gold bangle given to me when I was around one year old. It’s heavy, and I was only allowed to wear it for special occasions. I still have that bangle.
Now my personal collection is huge. I’ll match the jewellery I wear that day with my outfit and accessories. I mix old and new collections, and I wear a lot of jewellery from our men’s collection, which is launching very soon. I love the oversized styles and the edgy feel. I have a lot of my mother’s jewellery, or jewellery that my parents gave me, that I take out from time to time – and I often use stones from these to redesign them into new styles.
Every day I wear a stack of my 36” necklaces – the Classic Tennis and a Block Chain. I also wear the Classic Triple Row bangle. It’s so subtle but such a statement.
When I started the brand many decades ago, I was known for beads. I’ve started using them again recently. Great stones, fantastic colours and so limited – I can’t leave the house without these beads mixed into my layers. With the LA weather, they’re perfect.
I love to wear my bracelets piled up – the more, the better. I’ll wear white gold and diamond, or I’ll do yellow gold and diamond, and maybe some emeralds or a touch of rainbow sapphire, depending on the look I’m wearing that day.
A piece of jewellery that instantly elevates a simple look is my classic Fireworks 36” tennis necklace in white gold with white diamond baguettes.
The one piece I can’t imagine being without is my Audemars Piguet watch. I have the Millenary watch in rose gold and white gold.
One of my favourite parts of my job is resetting stones. I recently reset the centre-stone diamond from my engagement ring into a pinky ring – setting the stone in a gold ring with baguettes all around it. Over the years, I have created some incredible bespoke designs for our clients, using stones they love and that are meaningful, or stones that have been in their family for generations.
I do most of my shopping online at Mytheresa and NET-A-PORTER. They have amazing edits, staples across so many brands, and great service. I also go into Bloomingdale’s in South Coast Plaza and Nordstrom when I’m in OC. I go to Bergdorf Goodman when I’m in NYC.
To discover new local brands I love going to Goop and Elyse Walker in LA – or Dover Street Market if I’m downtown. In terms of LA brands I’m loving, SPRWMN leather and SLVRLKE denim are up there.
I’ve always loved Dries Van Noten and Bottega Veneta. To me they embody effortless style – now and always. I also love Libertine. It's classic and chic, but with an edge and design details that I love.
I have collected some incredible fashion pieces over the years – rare and timeless pieces from the likes of Chanel, Hermès and Dior. I love going back through my own archives and using bags or wearing pieces I bought years ago that now look even chicer and more timeless. I also have a lot of my mother’s jewellery that I will sometimes mix in and wear with my own designs.
I’m known for dressing casually but looking chic. I wear a lot of R13 Denim. When I find a good jean from R13, I buy it in all the colours. I also love Gabriela Hearst – her styles are so elevated yet effortless and look great on everyone.
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When it comes to more accessible pieces, I love The Frankie Shop. I discovered the store on Crosby Street a few years ago. I make sure to stop by every time I’m in New York, and I always pick up great pieces like knits and outwear. I love the oversized feel.
My best fashion investments are without a doubt my Chanel jackets. I have quite a few and, from the cuts to the details, they work for everything from formal occasions to low-key events. They make every outfit.
I have a lot of pairs of leather pants. They’re from a few different brands – Frame and SPRWMN are my favourites. They’re my go-to for dressing up or dressing down. I like to buy items that I can wear for different types of occasion, I don't want to be limited in when I can wear something.
The beauty product I can’t live without is my Natura Bissé Diamond cream. We work closely with the brand – they even did a diamond facial where I sourced diamonds for them to use as part of the treatment in the London Dorchester Hotel Spa – and I also use Valmont Face Serum every day. The make-up I couldn’t live without is my Victoria Beckham eyeliners. I have so many of them.
My favourite place in LA is my house. I love to entertain in style. Beautiful table settings – I put so much thought into them and collect settings and glassware. To me it’s not about cooking – I'll hire a chef, order food, or I’ll cook an easy dinner – to me it’s about creating the perfect evening and bringing together a group of my friends.
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