EARTHY MATERIALS MAKE A STATEMENT
Statement jewelry can feature precious metals and stones, and cost a small fortune. But simple clay, leather and wax thread can make an equally big impact, especially when crafted with heritage and history in mind. Jimmy Brower’s new jewelry brand West Perro is making a strong case for simplicity out of a stylish Oakland studio. Brower grew up on a farm in southern Illinois in a family of welders, coal miners and artisans. “I was always around earthy materials and people working with their hands,” he recalls. In 2008, he came to San Francisco with $3,000 and no plan, and soon found himself in fashion retail, first at Urban Outfitters and now at Levi’s as a store manager. Meeting designers and makers through work and living the West Coast life inspired Bower to create his own line, which he started designing a year ago and launched in May.
West Perro, a name combining Brower’s love of the West and appreciation for his support animal Joey (perro means dog in Spanish), is a line of eye- catching necklaces made of hand-molded terracotta, polymer clay, wax, leather and cotton fiber. Prices range from $44 to $122. The palette is muted and earthy, inspired, according to Bower, by natural environments and trips to the Southwest and Mexico.
“I’m a fan of natural imperfections and always liked statement necklaces that are unique in their shape” Brower says. While West Perro is sold online and in select Bay Area boutiques, Brower makes sure customers know where he’s based — the brand’s bright and inviting Instagram account states “Made in Oakland, California.”
“Right now, Oakland has such a resurgence of new energy and culture,” he says. “People from here to Maine and beyond know about its artistic presence. It’s important for me to be part of it.”