I stopped by Andy Lifschutz's Bushwick design studio last week unsure of what I might find. I'd discovered his unique jewelry line at an event and eagerly got in touch via email to set up this studio tour, but hadn't actually met Andy himself. Would he be a little old man with a monocle inspecting errant flecks of gold? A lanky hipster working out of his apartment's kitchen? Well, it turns out Andy Lifschutz is *Le total babe*, a studly Boring, Oregon transplant whose determination to defy the name of his hometown has resulted in a truly spectacular artistic output. And his studio? One of those dreamy white boxes with big windows in a converted factory, of course! Layered with knick-knacks and personal paraphernalia, the space doubles as a showroom for clients seeking out custom pieces.
The line's organic aesthetic is rooted in the spirituality of creating. Lifschutz repurposes found materials in his custom work and incorporates those objects into the design process of his main line as models. All of his pieces are made of reclaimed metals. I found a compelling assortment of assembled sculptural objets d'art in one corner of the studio, reminders of the line's integrity and roots in handicraft. Lifschutz inherited his love of art from his grandmother, who encouraged him to make a living by creating. He believes there is a shift from masculine energy to feminine energy occurring and his designs reflect a harmony between hard and soft, bold and restrained. I, for one, love the line's unisex appeal and eco-friendliness!
Lifschutz's passion for the secondhand extends to his vintage-centric wardrobe. I had him switch outfits a few times so you could get a sense of his style, if that pompadour didn't quite capture it for ya!
What do we think? This is some pretty amazing stuff, no? To see all of the different collections, visit Andy online - then follow him on Twitter and Instagram! PLUS I made a short video to accompany this post - really just a taste of what it's like to be in the studio while Andy's working. Check it out below.
