Monday, November 7, 2011

Handmade in Silicon Valley II: Camille K

by Christine Suppes, Editor At Large




(Editor’s note: this is the second in our series ‘Handmade in Silicon Valley’. Our goal is top show our readers that not only the finest high technology in the world is produced in the Valley, but a flowering of gifted fashion and accessory ateliers exist here as well).

This story is about a love affair with France,craftsmanship, and couture. Carla Labat’s grandmother was a hat maker in Pennsylvanian the 1880’s. A photograph from that time popped into Carla’s head when she was visiting the Paris Flea Market. Looking at gold bullion passementerie, she believes her jewelry line CAMILLE K (named for her daughter)was born. She began collecting gold and silver bullion trims, pearls,beads and rhinestones. Twenty-two years later, Carla now has a chic Parisian-infused atelier in the heart of Silicon Valley. Her contacts with the French embroidery companies are extensive and her current collection features necklaces, chokers, brooches and bracelets utilizing original Prevost trimmings, the same Prevost that Chanel used when her company was young.




Carla says that every piece of stone,buckle or embroidery she has collected for nearly 25 years in France represents people, places and eras. She is married to a Frenchman, and her beautiful daughter Camille is the brand representative. Camille K Couture has been featured in Allure, San Francisco Magazine and other luxury publications.


Camille K is available at http://camillek.com/












Photos Courtesy of Camille K