SHE WENT ALL IN TO LAUNCH HER JEWELRY LINE

Ever notice that some of the coolest businesses were born out of sheer necessity? For example, the backup battery that charges your phone because we've all been stuck without a wall to plug our phone into. In the case of Kylie Nakao, the search for functional jewelry that wouldn't blow her life savings or leave her fingers green was the spark she needed to create her own collection. The Parsons School of Art & Design graduate quickly whipped up some prototypes that were purchased right off her fingers. Problem solved! Kylie dubbed her line of affordable, cool, customizable pieces Tarin Thomas and has been rocking the jewelry scene ever since. 

Read on to discover why Tarin Thomas' founder, Kylie Nakao, is our Daring Creative of the week.

In a few sentences, please tell us about yourself:

I am a Japalian (half Japanese, half Italian). But seriously, I am a Canadian who moved to New
York to attend Parsons and have been there ever since! I’m loud, obnoxious (haha), ambitious, strong-willed and creative. I have been addicted to New York and all it has to offer since the day I stepped foot in the Big Apple.

When did you decide to pursue your current career path?

I had always wanted to work in fashion but it all clicked while working as a buyer and
merchandiser in a boutique in NoLlta. The shop had an amazing collection of jewelry that did extremely well, which lead to realizing that there was an opening in the market for timeless, versatile and affordable rings made with semi precious/precious stones and metals.

How did you go from idea to execution?

We started with logistics; created a name, secured a domain, set up an LLC. Because of my buying background, our first thoughts were to invest in gemstones; from there the designs flowed naturally. I knew marketing and visual assets were a crucial part of creating the brand, so I had my graphic/web designer boyfriend step in and help create our logo. Then came web – luckily my brother had a knack for technology and helped the website get on the way. While buying I created a lot of relationships is various designers and stores, who were the first stockist we worked with. As time went on, we brought on PR, in house sales, and a team of aspiring business, design and photograph assistants. We can now be found the US and in Canada in 23 stores with many exciting and new opportunities to come. As we continue
to evolve and grow our brand, only time will tell.

How does the city you live in influence your creativity?

New York is the center of the universe, a city that is so stimulating and has a huge sense of
energy. Not one day looks or feels the same, visiting galleries, dining at amazing restaurants, running the east river, biking through Battery Park, hanging on a rooftop pool, road tripping to the beach, shopping some of the best designers/stores, New York has it all. People watching and street style, are the number one thing to get my creative juices flowing.

In your words, what does it mean to be a “creative”?

Having a vision and bringing it to life, one of my main creative outlets is Tarin Thomas. But creativity comes in so many different shapes and forms, whether it is in designing, being financially creative, having a creative voice, when
preparing a meal or in my style.

Has rejection ever affected your creative process?

Rejection is a great thing, in order to excel and succeed you must face and overcome obstacles. Rejection makes you work harder and be more persistent, forcing you to coming up with creative ways to beat it.

In thinking about the things that you have created, is there something that
you hated but the public may have loved - and perhaps purchased?

I really love all of my pieces, but I do have my favorites. Because of our variety of stone and metal combinations across many different styles it allows each person to create a stack that suits their style. I tend to stick to wearing neutrals, black diamonds, white diamonds & smoky quartz and mixing both silver and gold metals for a minimalist yet balanced look.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to pursue the
same career as you?

DO IT! Be prepared to work hard and be extremely
dedicated. Its NOT all glamor, I get true satisfaction out of working hard
and doing whatever it takes to take on a new opportunity. Networking
and using your resources is a key element in creating success!

What has been the pit and peak of your week so far? (a low and a high
moment)

Lets start with the peak: having spent the week away at my Canadian cottage with my close friends & family, a place that I have been going since before I was born.

Pit: attending the funeral of a dear friends brother who passed far before his time.

Who is someone famous that you think is killing it at the moment? In other
words, is there someone whose career you admire.

Alexander Wang. A fellow Parsons alum, who has not only been tremendously successful in building his own name-sake but has gone on to creative direct and collaborate with one of the most prestigious design houses and influential retailers.

Finish this sentence:

I want people to remember me as: Fearless and determine, but also fun-loving.

If I only had 24 more hours to live, I would: I would arrange for all my loved ones and closestfriends to be delivered to Lindquist Beach in St. Thomas, we would have a delicious seafood feast, my brother would play guitar by the beach bonfire and we would all sing along and celebrate until the sun rose.

If I had to choose a theme song to represent me it would be:  Everything from the ‘Now and Then’ movie sound track!

For more on Tarin Thomas jewelry, visit the website and follow along on Instagram @tarin_thomas.

Photos courtesy of Kylie Nakao.