Founder and designer Pinyo Kitlertphiroj
San Francisco — I recently discovered a new collection of men’s jewelry that is too posh for words. The line is known simply as Pinyo, an eponymous collection named for founder and designer Pinyo Kitlertphiroj. The collection, slated to launch this coming fall, features a skull design unique to the brand. The signature piece is a skull ring and the materials used in the line include silver, gold, or rose gold and embellished with semi-precious stones such as onyx, coral, tiger-eye, and garnet.
Some pieces are even more luxurious, like an 18k rose gold skull ring with emerald eyes and diamond teeth. Everything about this hot new luxury jewelry brand is hot including their model Josh Kloss, who has been spotted in the Katy Perry video “Teenage Dream” and in the Kim Kardashian Skecher Super Bowl commercial, as well as played the role of Chip Saunders in the TV series “The O.C.” I recently caught up with the sleek designer to discuss his new collection and his design inspiration:
The Chic Spy: What inspired you to start your own jewelry line?
Pinyo Kitlertphiroj: My family’s business is mega malls in Thailand. I pretty much grew up in fashion and my mom loved fashion. She loved jewelry and she created a lot of her own. So I grew up with it.
Check out behind-the-scenes footage from the Pinyo photo shoot:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sHy9eXm-Vo[/youtube]
TCS: What inspires you as a designer?
PK: Environment. What I see on people and what I hear about what people like. When I go out and see people wearing certain things, that is the best inspiration you can get.
TCS: The theme of your collection is skulls. Why skulls?
PK: Personally, I just love skulls.
TCS: Skulls have become prominent in fashion from Alexander McQueen to Ralph Lauren Rugby. What sets your design apart?
PK: The logo is not a typical skull; it’s more rounded like a ball. It kind of looks like an alien or the moon, borderline abstract but simple and clean. I love skulls, but I don’t like the scary skulls. A lot of the skulls you see are hard and very biker.
Josh Kloss modeling Pinyo skull ring and cufflinks.
TCS: The design of the skull is interesting. The whole top half of the skull rests on the finger.
PK: I wanted to find a skull ring that had an open mouth. I couldn’t find it anywhere. I was willing to pay anything. I really wanted a skull to look like this on a ring. Everything you see sits on top. I wanted a whole head you can put your finger through.
TCS: If you could dress anyone past or present, who would it be?
PK: This necklace (rosary), I could see on David Beckham and Kanye West. The other person is a woman, Lady Gaga, who could wear the ring.
Kloss modeling Pinyo rosaries and skull rings.
TCS: You are based in San Francisco, but where are your designs manufactured?
PK: They are made in my hometown in Thailand. I grew up there. I know the quality and I can really control it. I believe in quality. If I can’t wear, and I don’t want to wear it, I will not make it. Everything you see here, I will definitely wear.
TCS: Do you get your materials from Thailand as well?
PK: We source everything there. The one good thing about Thailand is that they’re known for their gemstones.
TCS: If a young lady decides she wants to get one of your lovely pieces as a gift, let’s say for her fiancé. How much will it set her back?
PK: $400 to around $50,000 like this white gold ring with sapphires and pavé diamonds.
TCS: You also have wedding bands?
PK: It’s my interpretation of a wedding ring. If you want a wedding ring, but you don’t want to go the traditional route, then this is it.
TCS: What style advice do you offer to both men and women?
PK: Try not to be too trendy. I go for what will last me in five years. The majority of my clothes I can wear all year around. They don’t really go out of style. That’s what you need to invest in, really good quality of clothing that is timeless. I don’t go for the trendy things.
TCS: What are your favorite magazines?
PK: Beside your everyday basic Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar; the three magazines that really inspire me are V magazine, Hero, and Dwell.
TCS: What’s on your mp3 player now?
PK: I listen to a lot of podcasts, my favorite DJs, a lot of pop music, remixes. My favorite DJ is Corey Craig right now. I work out to him. My favorite song right now is Jlo’s (Jennifer Lopez) “Love again.” For some reason I can’t stop listening to it.
TCS: If you were a Chic Spy Agent, what would be your code name?
PK: My code name would be PK Spy.
For more information about the Pniyo Collection, visit pinyo.com.
(Images courtesy of Pinyo Kitlertphiroj)
