JCK Asks…Alex Woo



Love her letters? You’re not the only one.

Live-tweeting TV shows: It’s the new chat board. Every Monday at 8 p.m. (EST), stylephiles take to Twitter to obsess over the outfits on The Carrie Diaries, The CW’s ’80s-set prequel to Sex and the City. On the premiere, young Carrie (AnnaSophia Robb) wore a sweet little gold “C” necklace—the precursor to SATC’s Carrie nameplate—which costume designer Eric Daman quickly ID’d via tweet as Alex Woo’s. “Carrie Bradshaw is a style icon,” says Woo. “I am thrilled that my Little Letter ‘C’ is ­speaking to such a big part of her character!” Not surprisingly, the prime-time placement has led to a bump in sales of the Little Letters. And we suspect it’s only the beginning for Woo, whose delicate jewels run the gamut from A to Z and beyond.

Alex Woo letter C
Alex Woo’s 14k gold Little Letter “C”

Number of years in the biz: 10

Family and pets: My husband and son can make me smile on even the toughest days.

Describe your personal style: Classic, modern, and bold. I like to pair the trends of the season with ­timeless pieces that really can be worn year after year.

First piece you ever designed: I was probably 8 years old or so. It was a two-tone pendant—silver and brass. I hand cut the metals with a saw and then made it shine on a polishing machine all by myself.

The single piece of jewelry you’re most proud of: It’s like choosing a child—I don’t really like to play favorites. I love them all for different reasons.

First job ever: Helping my dad sell jewelry during ­holiday weekends when I was in middle school

How did you get started designing jewelry? My father is a master bench jeweler, so I was raised with a definite appreciation for gems, precious metals, and fine craftsmanship. But it wasn’t until I enrolled at Parsons to formally study jewelry design that I truly discovered my passion for it.

Alex Woo Little Penguin in Sterling Silver
Little Penguin in Sterling Silver

Jewelry you’re wearing right now: My Little Lotus in 14k yellow gold. I find myself always reaching for it when I need a little bit of peace.

Five items on your desk right now: iPhone; magazine(s); sketchbook; coffee; a photograph of my son. (When I look at that, it’s like a little moment of Zen.)

Exercise regimen: “Just Dance” on the Wii U—it’s my new enjoyment with my son.

Woo and her son
Woo and her son

What did you have for breakfast? A large coffee and a Chobani Greek yogurt

Guilty pleasure: I love Top Chef! My favorite part is the Quickfire.

Drink (daytime/evening): Coffee and water are staples.

First website you check every day (not your own!): Gmail

How do you unwind? At night, I like to read my son a story before bed. Although these days he’s reading to me! He’s turning 4 soon and insists on only doing big-kid things, so I let him take charge.

If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing? I can’t imagine not being in the design industry. But if I had to choose, it would be something along the lines of a travel and food writer. It would be pretty amazing to be paid to travel the world, eat new food, and experience new cultures.

Little Seasons Sea Turtle in 14k gold
Little Seasons Sea Turtle in 14k gold

Little and Little Big Number in 14k gold
Little and Little Big Number in 14k gold

Favorite place you’ve visited: Morocco. I felt like I was traveling back in time, especially when I slept in a tent and rode a camel at sunset in the Sahara Desert.

Chobani yogurt
(Courtesy of Chobani)

Preferred news source: I read everything on my iPhone.

Favorite movie: Sabrina. When I went to study abroad in Paris, I even took the “Sabrina” cooking class at Le Cordon Bleu. I love Audrey Hepburn—her personality, her style, all her Givenchy outfits in the movie.

Superstitious? I do believe in lucky talismans and in sentimental objects that hold meaning. My life path number is 8, and in the Chinese culture, 8 is also a very lucky number, so that is a number I wear often in my daily life.

Morocco
Morocco (iStockphoto)

Speaking of lucky numbers… In 2011, a few Green Bay Packers bought my Double Numbers for their wives; the following year, a few of the NY Giants’ wives ordered their husbands’ numbers. And [Baltimore Ravens’ linebacker] Ray Lewis’ mom purchased my double numbers when I first launched the collection. So three years in a row family members of players who won the Super Bowl had purchased my numbers. Coincidence?

Top: Woo photographed for JCK by Emma Hopson

More JCK Asks… on JCKonline.com:
+ JCK Asks…Wendy Brandes
+ JCK Asks…Arman Sarkisyan
+ JCK Asks…Katey Brunini

 

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