My journey as a creator began at the age of eight, when I handcrafted my very first piece of jewelry: a 16" rosary necklace made with 4mm Montana blue Czech faceted crystal beads and a silver ox-plated sea turtle pendant. From that moment, I was captivated by the art of creating fashion accessories. In third grade, during a “bring your daughter to work day,” I accompanied my father to his job at a jewelry manufacturing company in Rhode Island, and I was fortunate to be immersed in the world of jewelry production at such a young age. In many ways, I grew up in the industry, gaining insights that would shape my career.
Despite never pursuing formal art education, I was recognized for my talent early on. As a self-taught designer, my journey has been one of fearless exploration, driven by curiosity, and the desire to create meaningful work. In 2007, I embarked on my first of many trips to China to source components and tour manufacturing facilities. This experience opened my eyes to the vast scale of fashion jewelry production- a world where the rate of creation is truly extraordinary. But it also raised important questions about sustainability, consumerism, and the sheer volume of "stuff" being produced.
Throughout my career, I have designed for countless brands, and I’ve witnessed the exhilarating spectacle of women’s fashion shows, where buyers from major retailers select pieces for mass production. Yet behind the glamour, there is a sobering reality: thousands of designs are created, only for many to be discarded and forgotten. The business, at its core, is formulaic, and from a creator’s perspective, it often feels like a relentless cycle of churning out ideas, only to see them swept aside. The so-called "golden handcuffs", being well-paid but unfulfilled-became all too familiar, and I found myself grappling with the disconnect between my work and my values as an artist.
Like many creatives, I’m not motivated by money. I sought deeper fulfillment, and this inner conflict led to years of searching for a career path that aligned with my core principles. I’ve taken many detours- odd jobs, low-paying roles, and work that seemed far removed from fashion. But through it all, I knew that my future could not look like the past. I was determined to find a way to merge my passion for design, with work that resonated with my personal values.
As a consultant in the jewelry industry, I remained on the fringes to preserve my creative spirit. Financially, it was challenging, but it allowed me to stay true to myself. Then, in 2020, the pandemic disrupted the world, and like many, I was forced to adapt. I began selling on multiple online platforms while juggling other jobs. During this time, I gained valuable insights into consumer behavior and developed a new appreciation for the resale industry. This period of self-discovery helped me see the potential in “used fashion” and inspired a shift in my creative vision.
The year 2022 marked a turning point. What began as a design consultation service evolved into something more. While updating my portfolio, I experimented with creating handbag charms, an accessory that fused my knowledge of design, manufacturing, and the resale industry. The first L.M.CONTE charm, the Clover Charm, was born from an upcycled iPad cover. This piece, symbolizing Faith, Hope, and Love encapsulated everything I believed about meaningful design. It wasn’t about luck, it was about intention, purpose, and the values that guide us forward.
From that moment, L.M.CONTE transformed into a direct-to-consumer brand of luxury, artful accessories, designed to adorn handbags, with a sense of purpose. Today, I create with a renewed sense of clarity and passion, offering pieces that are more than just accessories, they are expressions of personal connection, designed to stand the test of time.