Designer: Katie deGuzmanMaterials: Recycled BrassDimension: 1" wide, 1 ½" adjustable openingOrigin: USA K/LLER COLLECTION is based in the Hudson Valley and run by chief creative officer and co-founder Katie deGuzman. Katie graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City in 2002, where she studied furniture design. After graduating, she progressed into the jewelry industry designing for Alexis Bittar, Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry, and more, and then founded K/LLER in 2010 with Michael Miller. In 2018 deGuzman became the sole owner of K/LLER. K/LLER COLLECTION revolves around an interest in natural forms, architecture, alchemy, androgyny, and juxtaposition. The collection—an amalgam of oxidized, rough-hewn metals delicately cast over skeletal organic material—releases an unapologetic, gutsy rebel yell. Eolithic materials—like horn, distressed leather, crystals, porcupine quills, cactus, and feathers—fuse deconstruction and sculpture, decay and renewal, androgyny and femininity, sophistication, and bohemia. Gritty yet sleek, each piece is timeless. Every piece of K/LLER COLLECTION jewelry is hand assembled and packaged in Kingston, NY. All materials are responsibly sourced in the USA and the ankole horn collection is responsibly sourced in Uganda. The majority of the jewelry is cast from recycled metal, and the porcupine quills and horns used are by-products from the farming industry. The globally recognized brand has been carried in Helmut Lang international flagship stores, Barneys New York and is currently carried in more than 50 stores worldwide including ABC Carpet & Home. In October 2014, K/LLER COLLECTION was the grand prize winner of the 2014 CFDA/Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge, and in October 2015, K/LLER COLLECTION was announced as one of the ten finalists for the 2015-2017 CFDA + Lexus Fashion*Initiative. K/LLER COLLECTION was one of the 10 brands in the 2016-2018 CFDA {Fashion Incubator} business development program.
