Young Dominican Architect becomes a successful Jewelry designer Edgar Lopez should be another inspiration to all Dominicans and proof to the world of the Dominican creativity that is live and vibrant in every part of the island. I recently meet Edgar’s work by pure coincidence, and soon thereafter I realized that I needed to get more information about him and his work. When I visited his blog I was amazed by his creativity, designs, amazing use of colors. This young architect is living his dreams and doing what he likes the most, designing for all the beautiful ladies out there. I contacted Edgar soon after I visited his website and asked him for an interview. He gladly accepted my invitation and has been in touch with me ever since. Here is my interview with Edgar Lopez, a Dominican pride: Carlos: How did you go from architecture to designing Jewelry? Edgar: After studying architecture, I met some people connected to the world of fashion, and worked sporadically in a number of events, and then it started with accessories as a hobby because I have always been creating things since before college. Then I was doing things to give away, and since I continued making them I had so many that I did not know what to do with them and I started selling them, people liked it. I was invited to a TV program, and before I realized it, I was super involved in something I liked, and then I decided to take it more seriously and decided to study. I started with basic manual things after doing courses at Altos de Chavon, followed with silver work, and then I went to New York. I am still learning a lot. Now that I have a more formal education, I continue to develop concepts with more defined lines. Carlos: Did anyone in particular influence you? Edgar: More than one person I think I was influenced by circumstances or places, the color of nature, flowers and things I see influence me in the street constantly. Carlos: Your work is very eccentric, are you currently selling outside of the Dominican Republic? Edgar: I would not call it eccentric. It is a very detailed and elaborate work. I am currently selling in The Dominican Republic and New York. My goal is to cover formally the American market, because I also have many customers in many places around The United States. Provided by:
Carlos: What kind of materials do you use to create your jewelry? Edgar: I do not put limits when choose my materials. That depends on the inspiration of the collection is doing at that moment. I can go from using semi-precious stones and metals such as silver, to less conventional things such as resins, polymers, etc. Carlos: You did some training outside of The Dominican Republic, what did you learn outside of the Dominican Republic that helps you in your Jewelry business? Edgar: I learn some gold work with some Italians. In NYC I did fashion design accessories, apart from short workshops on some techniques I've been implementing in my designs. Carlos: You are now teaching what you know to others, what made you take this responsibility? Edgar: I've always liked to teach. This is a process that fills me with satisfaction and above all makes me stay in touch with people, I learn a lot from that too, that fills me with joy to see if I could help others to fulfill a dream, a goal or have a way of doing business with something you like. Carlos: What is the price range of your creations? How can people contact you if they are interested in your products or services? Edgar: I find it very difficult to talk about price since I am not a businessman; I am more creative and an artist. The selling of my creations is the responsibility of business people. However, there are all kinds of prices, from some very affordable things to cost much more. There are many ways to contact me; it would be for any of my profiles on social networks such as http://facebook.comm/edgarlopezdesigns http://myspace.com/edgarlopezdesigns Via mail: ragde14@hotmail.com or ragde14@gmail.com and soon my website will be available to the public. Carlos: Where do you see Edgar Lopez within 5 years from now? Do you have special plans for the future? Edgar: Well, in my future goals are to expand my business to other countries, as well as to be known around the world the same way people know me here in The Dominican Republic. I also want my name to become a brand. Furthermore, I want a design school where I can educate people in all creative processes from the conception of an idea to bring it to reality, where not only can teach those who can pay for it, but it may have for those programs who cannot, and to help the artisans in my country to be able to get the same thing and put all the talent they have in going further. Provided by:
Carlos: Thank you very much for taking my questions. I wish you success in all your endeavors. Edgar: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to bring my work through your website.
Edgar has also informed me that will be releasing his gentlemen’s line as well soon. I can’t wait to see what he’s got for us. If you want to know more about Edgar Lopez, you can check his biography.
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