"Apparently I have a love affair with this building," said Pamela Love, sitting in the tchotchke-filled office of her garment-district studio. Over the last four years, the designer and her team have occupied three different spaces in the same building. So we thought it was time to pay her a visit at the newest PLHQ. Below, she answers my questions about her latest collection and her obsession with the occult (for your information, no, she doesn't actually cast spells).
Shop all Pamela Love here.
Photos by James Parker
Alice Newell-Hanson: I just noticed you're wearing two of the serpent rings from spring. Can you talk me through the collection?
Pamela Love: My previous collections have been really architectural and geometric. For spring, I wanted to explore something more organic. I was really interested in the idea of nature taking over our classic styles. So we offered our talon cuff, for example, but overgrown with vines and flowers. We also looked at a lot of fairy tales and Greek mythology. I’m really interested in Diana, the goddess of the moon and the hunt, and that played a big role. It’s a really romantic, whimsical collection.
What other pieces are you wearing right now?
I always wear my arrowhead ring. Then I have two snake rings from spring—a silver one and a gold one—a pentagram ring, and a double serpent ring. And then I have my wedding band and my engagement ring, which I designed with my friend Monique Pean. I also always wear the tribal spike pendant necklace. I haven’t been wearing many bracelets lately. I go in and out with bracelets.
There's always a magical element in your collections. The recurring pentagrams, for example.
I think they’re beautiful. I love the elements of light and dark. There are so many meanings behind the five-pointed star but for me it’s about all the elements, the cycle of life, and rebirth. Some people consider it sinister but it really depends on your references.
Have you always been interested in the occult?
It’s always fascinated me. When I was a little kid I was obsessed with Ouija boards. Now I’m really interested in a sort of scholarly way.
What's on your recommended reading list?
I can tell you right now, Occult America by Mitch Horowitz is great. It’s not like I'm practicing anything! I just find it really interesting and I like to explore those ideas in my work. I’m interested in the idea of jewelry acting like a totem or an amulet—something that gives you strength and power. But I am definitely not someone who actively does anything besides make jewelry. I don’t think I'd even have time to cast a spell!
One of my favorite collections was your collaboration with OC and Where the Wild Things Are. Are there any other projects you dream about?
Hmm, that’s tricky. I love those outside-the-box collaborations. There are a lot of designers who I really admire and who I would love to work with on a project. I always said I wanted to collaborate with McQueen, for example. But I guess for me it would be something outside the box. My favorite artist is Lee Bontecou, she’s a really amazing sculptor; I’d love to collaborate with her on something—or with Neil Young.
That would be amazing! Pitch it to hi
Shop all Pamela Love here.
Photos by James Parker
Alice Newell-Hanson: I just noticed you're wearing two of the serpent rings from spring. Can you talk me through the collection?
Pamela Love: My previous collections have been really architectural and geometric. For spring, I wanted to explore something more organic. I was really interested in the idea of nature taking over our classic styles. So we offered our talon cuff, for example, but overgrown with vines and flowers. We also looked at a lot of fairy tales and Greek mythology. I’m really interested in Diana, the goddess of the moon and the hunt, and that played a big role. It’s a really romantic, whimsical collection.
What other pieces are you wearing right now?
I always wear my arrowhead ring. Then I have two snake rings from spring—a silver one and a gold one—a pentagram ring, and a double serpent ring. And then I have my wedding band and my engagement ring, which I designed with my friend Monique Pean. I also always wear the tribal spike pendant necklace. I haven’t been wearing many bracelets lately. I go in and out with bracelets.
There's always a magical element in your collections. The recurring pentagrams, for example.
I think they’re beautiful. I love the elements of light and dark. There are so many meanings behind the five-pointed star but for me it’s about all the elements, the cycle of life, and rebirth. Some people consider it sinister but it really depends on your references.
Have you always been interested in the occult?
It’s always fascinated me. When I was a little kid I was obsessed with Ouija boards. Now I’m really interested in a sort of scholarly way.
What's on your recommended reading list?
I can tell you right now, Occult America by Mitch Horowitz is great. It’s not like I'm practicing anything! I just find it really interesting and I like to explore those ideas in my work. I’m interested in the idea of jewelry acting like a totem or an amulet—something that gives you strength and power. But I am definitely not someone who actively does anything besides make jewelry. I don’t think I'd even have time to cast a spell!
One of my favorite collections was your collaboration with OC and Where the Wild Things Are. Are there any other projects you dream about?
Hmm, that’s tricky. I love those outside-the-box collaborations. There are a lot of designers who I really admire and who I would love to work with on a project. I always said I wanted to collaborate with McQueen, for example. But I guess for me it would be something outside the box. My favorite artist is Lee Bontecou, she’s a really amazing sculptor; I’d love to collaborate with her on something—or with Neil Young.
That would be amazing! Pitch it to hi