Los Angeles – When we see the fabulous fashions and accessories that grace the big and small screens, or featured on our favorite celebs, we can’t help but crave them and want to know who’s the designer. Thanks to a tip from Jane by Design costume designer Olivia Miles, I discovered jewelry designer Tanya Oskanian, who designs her own line of baubles under the label Hokise.
Born in Detroit, but based in LA, Tanya inherited her talent for designing from her grandfathers. “On my mom’s side, my grandfather made the most beautiful and timeless silver trays and vases. We have a lot of them in our home. I love things that are passed down. He used his own hands to make them, which makes them that much more special,” she explains. “On my dad’s side, my grandfather designed jewelry, different then mine, but still beautiful. He had his own little store front that I would love to have seen.”
Tanya’s designs have been spotted on a bevy of Hollywood glitterati including Rachel Zoe and Tori Spelling. I recently caught up with her for an e-interview to discuss her jewelry and growing popularity.
Costume Jewelry is like buying socks or a scarf to change your outfit that day. My pieces are things that you’ll wear like a tattoo that you don’t have to take off.
The Chic Spy: The name of your brand is Hokise. Is there a story behind the name?
Tanya: Hokise means “my love, my soul” in Armenian, which is my nationality. It has a really deep meaning, so when people butcher its pronunciation it makes me cringe (laughs). I don’t blame them, how should they know, but to set the record straight, it’s pronounced ho-keys.
TCS: Your collection features pieces with classic symbols such as flowers, hearts, and the peace icon. What inspires your designs?
Tanya: I have a peace, love and happiness theme in my life. It’s not easy but I try to maintain it. I like to make pieces so people can layer them over the years. Say you received the Love bracelet or necklace as a gift. You’ll never forget who got it for you and you can add peace or happiness to it down the road. It’s also fun for me to design this theme in other languages. I have my “Pace/Peace” Reversible Necklace; pace is peace in Italian. My “Verite” heart necklace means truth in French.
TCS: Do you have a signature piece?
Tanya: The Vintage Initial Necklace is everyone’s favorite. I wanted to expand the reach so I’ve started making it in silver metal in addition to the yellow, rose, and white gold options.
TCS: Tell us about celebrity fans of Hokise.
Tanya: A good friend of mine, who was working with Rachel Zoe on a TV project, gave her an “S” Vintage Initial Necklace when Skylar was born. Rachel liked it so much that they reached out to me from The Zoe Report, asking if they could feature it. “Um duh! Of course you can!” was pretty much my response. That feature was a game changer because of its reach. Anything The Zoe Report recommends is incredible. I started getting orders from people all over, which was so exciting. Tori Spelling has been so supportive of the line. That started, when I was told by The Lady & the Sailor boutique that Tori was in and loved the “T” Vintage Initial Necklace and purchased it. All of a sudden, I saw her wearing it in every picture and on her TV Shows! Since I could tell she loved it so much, I sent her a “D” as a gift to layer it with her “T” for Tori and Dean [her husband]. A few months later, the store buyer of Tori’s Sherman Oaks store, Inventori, emailed me saying they wanted to bring the line into the store. That was a great day. We’ve had a great time working together ever since.
TCS: Your jewelry has been seen on the TV show Jane By Design. Which piece(s) were featured?
Tanya: Yes! My good friend, Olivia, is the stylist on the show. The wardrobe is an integral part of the show and Olivia does an amazing job. The main character Jane, played by Erica Dasher, wears my Vintage Initial Necklace and you see it a lot on the pilot episode. Olivia also styled Emmanuelle Chriqui and Dania Ramirez from “Entourage” with my Verite, Raindrop, and Vintage Initial Necklaces. It was funny to see Dania Ramirez in a scene with Jerry Ferrara wearing nothing but my Verite necklace. Talk about having your jewelry stand out.
TCS: You have a trunk show coming up at Bloomingdale’s. Could you tell us a little about your partnership with the store?
Tanya: I can’t wait! That’s going to be the launch trunk show at the Santa Monica Place store on April 28th. Basically, we shopped the line around to a few department stores and the buyers at Bloomingdales really liked my line, they called it “fresh and clean” so we thought Spring would be the perfect time to introduce the line to their customers.
TCS: If you could accessorize anyone past or present in your jewelry, who would it be?
Tanya: I would to time travel back to 1969 and accessorize Jane Birkin, then stay there for awhile.
TCS: If you were a Chic Spy Agent, what would be your code name and why?
Tanya: Simple and chic because that’s what I aim for.
Tanya’s tips for selecting and accessorizing jewelry:
- It’s fine to mix yellow, rose, and white gold.
- Bigger is most certainly not better.
For more information on Tanya Oskanian or Hokise jewelry, visit hokise.com.
(Photo credit: Taken at Inventori by Hayley Marie Photograpy. Other images courtesy of hokise.com)
