In Spades

My everyday jewelry game consists of dainty pieces with eye catching details, so when I came across Thatch, it was as if the clouds parted – I fell hard. Owned by eternally stylish sisters Lisa Garrison and Jade Terminella, each piece is handcrafted in San Diego. I stopped by their Point Loma studio to chat with the talented ladies of the team and get a behind the scenes look at the intricate details that go into creating these gorgeous pieces.How did Thatch start?
Thatch was created by two sisters that have been buyers in the industry for 10+ years. We began our career in 2004 by launching a small chain of upscale women’s boutiques: Lola. In 2013 we sold our brand to transition into the manufacturing side of the fashion world.

Simple adornment has always been a part of our daily uniform. Creating a line of clean, modern jewelry was a natural next step.

How did you come up with the name Thatch?
It was inspired by the name of a beloved pet, Milo Thatch.

What is your favorite piece?
Our constellation pieces. They’re unique, eye catching, and add just the right amount of personalization. These pieces speak to individuality and the constellation pendants are the perfect way to showcase it. We also love all our lariats; we genuinely believe every girl needs one in her wardrobe.

What is your creative process? Do you start with a sketch or a mood board? How do your ideas become a finished piece?
Thatch is a collaboration of our team – our woman-based company is made up of six creative, bold, and professional women. Lisa, our creative director is the muse, the inspiration for conception of each piece and the vision of the overall collection. Laura, our lead production designer, sketches each piece with specifications on material, size, texture, and wearability. We collaborate as a team to choose our favorites, revise with edits and develop ways to improve the wearability of the collection.

What would people be surprised to learn about jewelry design and creation?
Most people see jewelry design as a glamorous process. Big white rooms with giant glass windows and walls where everyone is dressed like fashion forward socialites. Our jewelry studio, however, is an airy room with hammers, machines, and power tools where jewelers and metalsmiths are dirty and hard at work.
What does your “typical” day look like?
A typical day in the studio starts with a round of coffee and a team discussion of priority and project lists.

Brittainy, our operations manager, provides the production team with the components they need to get the project list and orders completed for the day – all while providing excellent customer service to both our boutiques and retail customers.

Our production designers plan out the day, divvy up the jobs and get to work. Cassie, our studio pup, keeps watch in between naps and snacks.
What was the first piece of jewelry you designed?
We’ve been sketching for years; to be honest I can’t remember!

How do you differentiate your brand in such a vast market?
We pride ourselves on being handmade in southern California by two talented and creative women. We don’t use factories in China, and we don’t outsource details to bigger companies. Every single piece is made with love in a little studio on the San Diego bay.

Which designer would you love to collaborate with?
The Olsen’s. Their boho grunge x sophistication is oh – so – chic.
Do you have a most treasured item in your personal jewelry collection?
An oversized vintage cocktail ring from the best little shoppe in Arkansas, Mae’s Emporium. If you’re a vintage lover, her tiny box of a retail space is a must see.

Your line is perfect for stacking and layering and some of your pieces are even 2-in-1. What do you love about this type of styling?
It’s effortless and most importantly wearable from day to night. The entire collection pairs well with statement pieces for a night out or simply worn alone with your suit on the beach.

Are there any other brands that you think would pair best with your jewelry?
EF Collection, Vale, Zofia Day + Jennifer Fisher.

What accessory moment in film do you find most memorable?
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Stranded on a desert island – what cocktail would you take with you?
A bottle of Don Julio 1942, we’ll pick a lime from the tree.
{Yes, we said bottle, ha!}

Coco Chanel told us to always remove one accessory before leaving the house. Do you have any style advice for accessories?
Less is always more. Dainty pieces for day and 1-2 statement pieces for evening. If we choose to wear a statement necklace for evening, we typically wouldn’t wear an earring.

What are your long-term goals for Thatch?
We’re taking one day at a time. We see endless possibilities with the brand.

 First two images courtesy of Thatch. Main images by In Spades.

I have a long time love affair with leather jackets. They are rotated almost every other day in my world, rain or shine. Maje is one of my favorite brands for leather jackets and when I saw this fringed number for Spring/Summer, I swooned. Like a little girl twirls a fancy skirt, this is too much fun not to dance around in. Plus, anything that makes me feel like a rock star is immediately captured and displayed.

The June gloom that extended into July in Southern California looks like it has finally retreated. I couldn’t be more pleased to pull out my Panama hat and tropical printed attire. I almost feel like I should be going on safari, but will settle for strolls on the boardwalk and toe dips in the ocean instead. These shorts kind of resemble something that Kelly from 90210 would wear, but their lighter wash and button fly have already made them one of my summer favorites.

Culottes are everywhere right now, and rightly so. They offer a pulled together and chic alternative to maxi dresses or denim shorts, making them a perfect summer staple. I’d been on the hunt for a pair for weeks, and finally found a winner in these by Brochu Walker. With a lower waistline that sits below my belly button, they fit my frame much better than any of the high waisted pairs I tried on. While I normally love a high waisted pant, culottes have so much volume they tend to swallow a smaller frame. Additionally, if you are gifted in the rear, I’d recommend a lower waistline for a more proportioned distance from waist to hem.

When it comes to length, look for a pair that hits just below the bottom of your calf. Anything shorter resembles a gaucho pant, and going longer defeats the purpose of the silhouette making them look like baggy highwaters. Another thing to consider is the weight of the material. Taller women can pull off heavier fabrics like thick cotton or poly blends, whereas average to short women might want to stick to lighter materials like silk or linen. Again, it’s a volume thing – you want to wear your culottes and not have them wear you. Happy hunting!

There’s an episode of Sex and the City where Carrie wears a white men’s dress shirt as a dress. Paired with a belt and heels, I remember being completely taken with the ensemble, more so than any of her other memorable get-ups. What can I say. I’m an eternal fan of menswear.

This smoking jacket, a designer collaboration between Isabel Marant and H&M, is always in heavy rotation. I love it’s boxy shape, so extreme with it’s deep lapels it almost borders on funeral director. It’s essential to counter that masculinity with barely there shorts and vampy heels.  Consider it my summer night’s uniform.