Shakers: Meet Mr. Bling, Hollywood’s Iceman
By Ayeko Vinton, Special to AOL BlackVoices
Name: Chris Aire
Organization: 2 Awesome International (www.2awesomeint.com)
Organization Base: Los Angeles
Age: Mid-thirties
Tidbit:
Born in the West African nation of Benin, Chris Aire is the hottest new jeweler to the stars. Creating blindingly spectacular pieces for celebs like Denzel Washington, Missy Elliott, Shaquille O’Neal, Paris Hilton and Adrien Brody, he has carved out his own clientele in Hollywood with urban-influenced upmarket designs. He is the owner of 2 Awesome International, a multimillion-dollar jewelry and accessory company, and the creator of Red Gold, a brilliantly colored, alloy-enhanced gold admixture. He founded 2 Awesome International in 1996, after graduating from the Gemological Institute of America and working extensively with national jewelry makers. Aire also holds a degree in film from California State, Long Beach.
Why You Should Care:
Aire could be called the Cinderella of Bling. He was disinherited by his parents for choosing a music career over an Oxford education, and after that, tried unsuccessfully to gain prominence in the music business. He released his first and only album, 'Paradise,' in 1994 on 2 Awesome Records, his independent record label. Aire also tried his hand at acting. When that didn’t work, he found himself broke and homeless on the streets of L.A. Despite his failures, Aire still had faith in his aspirations and his 2 Awesome brand. With very little cash and no network, he managed to elbow his way into the exclusive and closely guarded jewelry industry. He secured his niche in the urban market by designing signature, jewel-laden pieces and personally presenting them to select clients. At 2 Awesome, he is all things -- artist, gemologist, innovator and salesman. In his own unique style, he creates some of the most outrageously tasteful jewelry Hollywood has seen. Aire got his start in the jewelry business working part time at P-5 Jewelers, a friend's store in L.A. With increased exposure to the business, he developed ideas of his own and started sketching designs. Soon, Aire noticed that while other jewelry niches were saturated, no one really catered to the diamond-loving trendsetters in music, movies and sports. In 1996, he set out to do just that with some borrowed stones and design castings. His first sale came in 1998, courtesy of Gary Payton. Today, his client list includes most of black Hollywood and key trendsetters in the entertainment and fashion industries. He designed the 192-carat princess-cut diamond wedding ring Shaquille presented to Shaunie, the diamond dog tags Will wore in 'Bad Boys II,' and Denzel's diamond-encrusted cross featured in 'Training Day.' Aire is also creator of the Traveler and Traveler II -- custom diamond and platinum timepieces sold at select Saks locations. The Traveler offers time in five time zones; the Traveler II is an automatic GMT watch. Aire's designs also feature his own patented Red Gold, which has become the priciest type of gold.
Aside from custom jewelry, Aire has expanded into outfitting celebrities for the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Last September, he launched the Chris Aire Collection at a first-of-its-kind jewelry fashion show. Combining the talents of his client-friends, Aire displayed $175 million worth of jewelry and accessories at the (literally) star-studded event.
About the Author
Ayeko Vinton is a writer, teacher and Web developer living in Boston.
Feb. 14, 2005