Évocateur designs reflect a love of the traditional and ancient, blended with the modern and contemporary.
We had an exclusive Q&A exchange with the designer and owner, Barbara Innamorati, where we talked about the origin of Évocateur’s gold leaf designs and explored Barbara’s brilliant mind, from her inspirations to guilty pleasures.
Q: What was the first piece you ever designed?
A: It was a cuff with images of flowers and butterflies. I wore it all the time and people kept asking me where I bought it.
Q: Number of years in the biz?
A: 10 years
Q: Number of employees you oversee?
A: 9
Barbara (middle) with her team in Évocateur studio in Conneticut.
Q: What about family and pets?
A: I am married and we have two grown children - a daughter in Denver and a son in LA. Had a wonderful Black Lab, named Kylie for over 14 years. Still miss
her greatly.
Q: What jewelry are you wearing right now?
A: My leopard skinny cuff, my Berlin Cuff, Windows teardrop earrings, small diamond necklace, my engagement ring and wedding band.
Leopard design is among Barbara's plethora of inspirations from Mother Nature.
Q: Describe your personal style:
A: Classic with a bit of an edge.
Q: What’s your scent?
A: Coco Chanel.
Q: What was your first job?
A: Tour guide in Yellowstone National Park (summer job.)
Q: How did you get started designing jewelry?
A: I was enraptured with 22K gold leaf as well as jewelry and didn’t understand why this amazing material wasn’t used in jewelry. I decided to experiment and after 18 months of trial and error, I had a beautiful and unique product.
Q: Name five items on your desk right now:
A: Computer, framed photos of my family, new jewelry samples, new finding samples, coffee.
Q: Name five songs on your playlist:
A: Black Bird by The Beatles;
Australia by The Shins;
I and Love and You by The Avett Bros.;
Life is Beautiful by Keb’ Mo’;
All of Chopin’s nocturnes.
Q: What’s the worst piece of advice you ever received?
A: You should manufacture in Asia. To this day every Evocateur piece is made by hand in our studio in Connecticut, by talented local artisans.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
A: Success is not linear.
You can find Barbara's latest Évocateur designs here. Stay tuned for Part 2!