Never in my wildest philanthropic dreams could I have conjured utilizing fossilized walrus and wooly mammoth ivory to provide clean drinking water to over 5,000 people for the next 20 years. Well, that is exactly what Monique Peán is doing through her unique approach to business and her creative jewelry. Monique was kind enough to spend some time with me at Couture 2011, and discuss her journey and inspirations into the future of her company and her designs.

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OMG, I don’t even know where to begin! I just returned from Las Vegas after having visited the Couture and JCK jewelry shows and I am still running on pure adrenalin. My schedule was jam packed with everything from official interviews, job interviews and networking. Gotta get out there!!! Right people?! But, I have to tell you, during my years with Gucci, the shows were both tiring and full of good times with my industry friends, yet for the first time this weekend, I was FREE. I was not confined to the Gucci private suite at the Wynn, with appointments from 8 to 8. I was able to explore the show like never before. It reminded me of the first time I went to Milan while I was working for Giorgio Armani. I will never forget when they told me I could go to the warehouse and pick out whatever I wanted. I was truly, “A kid in a candy store”. I was an explorer, having discovered the tomb of treasures. The floor of the show was an actual treasure chest. I could have spent a week there and not have seen all there was to see. Of course, there are my favorites and in the coming days I will share with you the many designers that I met with, and who made such a profound impact with me, spirit, mind and soul.  Yes, jewelry and the people who create it can do all of that; at least it can for me. If I had a wish to fill, it would have been to take all those jewels home. Damn, if only I had that kind of disposable income or that celebrity status to get away with that! Oh well maybe one day, right?!

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