Today we’d like to introduce you to Latigre Purdie.
Hi Latigre, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I was always the one making clothes and accessories for my dolls. That love of creating led me to pursue fashion design at The University of Alabama. While attending Alabama, I was able to participate in numerous fashion shows and one of the biggest parts for me was always the accessories. While I didn’t know it then, I had found my passion putting excruciating detail into making jewelry to match the theme of my collections. After graduating in 2013, I thought like most people I would be off to travel and dive into the fashion world head on, but life led me in a completely different direction. After trying other avenues and an extended break from creating, I was able to find and reignite my passion amidst the pandemic. I soon discovered my love for accessories again. After trying a few different mediums, I fell in love with polymer clay and haven’t looked back since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I definitely don’t regret the path that got me here. In Alabama, there aren’t many high-level fashion opportunities. So I was excited to take a job as visual merchandiser at a military base shortly after graduation. While I loved the job, I soon outgrew it and took another retail job as a result. My second job out of college was vastly different than what I thought I’d be doing and it definitely took a toll on me being so removed from everything creatively, as well as the stress of the job itself. I was doing projects here and there to try to maintain my creativity, but honestly, I was tapped out. However, in 2018 I was blessed to get pregnant with my son and that changed how I saw everything. During a changing environment at my job, I found myself being presented with the opportunity of being a stay at home mom. While this isn’t what I had originally planned, the opportunity led me to heal my creative wounds and pursue creating full-time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in polymer clay jewelry. I hand make every piece from inspiration to assembly and every step in between. While I have only been making jewelry for a short time, I’m always very excited to see how I’ve been able to progress in my craftsmanship and quality. I think what sets me apart from others is my history with fashion design, as well as being a mom. I’m always looking at my designs thinking: could a high fashion model wear this as well as a mom? So I think that aspect of fashion and versatility plays heavily into my creating.
How do you think about happiness?
Creating and spending time with my family are the two things that make me the happiest. Without my son and his father, I probably wouldn’t have been pushed to create. My partner, Lezair, has always pushed me so hard in our relationship to create and pursue my dreams no matter what; and having our son only amplified that feeling and desire. While creating with a toddler is always interesting, it has a lot of fun moments where I’m able to incorporate him into my process and even ask if he approves.
Pricing:
- Studs 7-10
- Small Earrings 15-20
- Large Earrings 22+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.purdiedesignstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purdiedesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purdiedesignstudio/
- Other: www.TikTok.com/@purdiedesign
