4 Rad Outfits From An Artsy Jewelry Designer

Photographed by Maria del Rio Tell us about what you do.
"I’m a designer and owner of FARIS. Currently, we make jewelry, but I anticipate more in the future."

How and why did get into jewelry designing?
"Accessories have always been important to me and I knew I wanted to be a designer, but was unsure to what capacity. I would always sew, bead, build, and draw and I constantly take classes to learn something new. Jewelry stuck with me. The ability to make something beautiful with a small amount of material that is meant to last forever resonated. It was something I could do in my basement. Once I got my first torch set up, it was an addiction. I was working at an architecture firm in S.F. and my steno pad was filled with jewelry ideations. I would sketch ideas at my desk, and make them when I got home. It’s something I get lost in and really love it."

Faris hangs out in Kai-aakmann pants, vintage Oakland A's tank top, Assembly blouse, Martha Davis wedges, and a drugstore baseball cap.

Photographed by Maria del Rio You grew up in Seattle, but what originally brought you to Oakland?
"I’ve always loved the Bay. My dad grew up in Potrero Hill so we’d visit a lot growing up. A few friends moved down after high school and I loved to visit. My last year at UW, I was offered a finance job in San Francisco, so I packed my car up and drove down. I knew it wasn’t my dream job, but San Francisco was my dream city."

Photographed by Maria del Rio Tell us how your jewelry aesthetic plays a role or influences your personal style?
"I think my personal style and jewelry aesthetic are more infused with each other than influenced by one another. There are moments of boldness and modernist edge, humor, and proportional play. As intentional as I am with both my style and jewelry aesthetic, I try not to take it too seriously."

Photographed by Maria del Rio You’ve mentioned your parents are very creative folks. Have they had a large impact on where you are now and why?
"Of course, they’ve had a huge impact. Both my parents worked for Knoll in the '70s and '80s. My mom was a showroom designer and my dad was a salesman. For the past 29 years, they’ve been running their own furniture showroom in Seattle. Good design is always a topic of conversation. That same investigation of aesthetic and function drives a lot of my designs today. Even more importantly, they are small business owners. They gave me a lot of confidence to quit my full-time job and start a business that I love."

Photographed by Maria del Rio We love the tropical modernism of your latest collection. Tell us how that came to fruition.
"Last year, I went to Honolulu to visit a friend, and to my surprise, I was really drawn to a lot of the architecture. Really only the buildings of the '50s and '60s but they were beautifully regional and slightly familiar. Exterior sunshades were graphic facades, interiors were airy, and exposed structural detailing was cared for. Even the decorative cinder block walls and environmental graphics drew me in. I found out later that the aesthetic was termed Tropical Modernism. Inspired by my trip, my latest collection echoes that theme. I have a big pineapple ring that is definitely a statement piece and banana earrings that wrap up your ears. I think it’s really fun but still sophisticated."

We’re obsessed with your haircut. Tell us about it!
"It started as an in-between-grow-out style after I shaved my head a couple years ago. I was channeling RiRi. I wasn’t intending on keeping it much longer than six months. I always felt hair grows back so it’s meant to change up. But, this style has stuck with me for a while now, and is slowly becoming a signature. It’s low maintenance, versatile, and not to mention — the same haircut I had when I was five."

Photographed by Maria del Rio How would you describe your style?
"Classic, playful, and sometimes underdressed but always fashion-forward."

What are you favorite brands right now?
"Building Block, Black Crane, Assembly, Marni, and Dries Van Noten."

Faris roams the streets in vintage jeans, a Kenzo sweatshirt, and Dries Van Noten sling-backs.

Photographed by Maria del Rio Let’s talk about this rad Building Block bag…
"Hands down, my favorite purchase of 2013. Beautiful leather, smart, with adorable details. The rubber cord is genius in durability, comfort, and aesthetic. It’s pretty perfect."

You recently have been traveling back and forth between Seattle and the Bay — which one do you prefer?
"Oh, man, that’s hard. My heart is in both places. You really can’t beat summers in Seattle, but I definitely prefer the winter in the Bay. Both are great cities and share a lot of similarities."

Photographed by Maria del Rio Where can we find you when you’re not in the studio?
"I’m such a homebody these days. I love to be at home, cook, relax, and hang out with my dog."

Who are some of your favorite local designers?
"Martha Davis, Job & Boss, and Ali Golden. All have become supportive and inspiring friends of mine."

Faris lounges in a Raquel Allegra top, Theyskens Theory trousers, and Bruno Magli wedges.

Photographed by Maria del Rio You are big on deals — any secrets for shopping on a budget you can share?
"Who doesn’t love a good deal? Jeremys in San Francisco and the Nordstrom Rack in San Leandro are my secrets. I have found some amazing things there. But beware: Only buy things if you love them, not because they’re cheap. It’s never a good deal if you don’t love it."

Photographed by Maria del Rio What are some of your favorite Bay Area shops?
"Aside from my previously mentioned secrets, I love Hawthorne, Oakland Surf Club, Rand + Statler, Azalea, Voyager, and Magpie + Rye — they're also my current and soon-to-be stockists. For vintage, I like James Rowland, Painted Bird, and Wasteland."

Photographed by Maria del Rio How has your style evolved over the years?
"My style is forever evolving, and it'll probably transition to more like my mother's. I started from B-girlish, to trendy, to boho-ish, to preppy, to simple, to eclectic, and colorful. I switch up my style daily. I think handcrafting my accessories and the attention to detail that’s necessary has heightened my love with beautiful craftsmanship."

Photographed by Maria del Rio We love how you play with dimensions and size in your wardrobe — what’s one rule of thumb you follow when getting dressed?
"I am having a moment with proportions right now. The bigger the better. But, I think as a general rule of thumb, just have fun and be comfortable. I don’t mean comfort in the sense of heel height — I’m just shy of five feet so I’m the first to throw on five-inch flatforms — but more on a level of confidence. I think remaining playful while dressing allows you to take risks while being comfortable."

Faris is a gorgeous wallflower in No. 6 Store pants, Assembly top, vintage Adrienne Vittadini head scarf, and Vera Wang leather flatforms.

Photographed by Maria del Rio Who are your style icons?
"Solange, Edie Sedgwick, and my mom."

What’s one thing you’d never be caught dead in?
"A Lakers jersey, specifically, Kobe."

Photographed by Maria del Rio These No.6 pants from Totokaelo are rad – what about them drew you in?
"The color, initially. Then, the pattern as I got closer. The fabric when I picked them up and the fit when I tried them on. They’re the fanciest pajama pants, ever."