Stepping inside Casa Lowe, the impossibly chic, light drenched jewelry showroom in Miami’s Design District, is like stepping inside the light drenched home of your impossibly chic best friend
— if your best friend happened to be Soledad Lowe. In opening her The FGA gemologist, jewelry designer and jeweler sought to offer Miami’s most stylish a relaxed, luxe space to not just buy her jewelry, but to hang out, get inspired and make meaningful connections. She’s a hostess and artist in one, bringing together immaculate entertaining skills with her keen eye for jewelry design.
This innovative, against-the-grain ethos of her showroom imbues Lowe’s jewelry design aesthetic too — minimalist artsy, effortlessly cool and just a little bit rock-and-roll. In both, Lowe shows a desire to innovate, creating timeless pieces that can be worn day and night, and mix seamlessly with any style.
We caught up with Lowe at her showroom to talk about why her upbringing affects her designs, how Miami brought her back to life and the biggest struggles facing professional artists today.
P7: You’re well-traveled, and have lived all over the world. Can you tell us a little about your experiences abroad?
SL: I was raised in Sweden as of three years old and born in Argentina, but with a close connection to the country since we move back for four years when I was a teenager. We also spent at least three months a year in our house in Spain outside Barcelona. Traveling through Europe on the way to Spain was a very rewarding experience. We used to stop in Denmark, Germany and Paris on our way. Back in Sweden, after a year in Argentina, I started working for Bukowskis Auction house, as well as studying gemology, photography and art history. Later, I moved to London to finish my gemology training and work for Christie’s Auction House.
P7: What was growing up in Sweden like for you?
SL: I loved my childhood in Sweden; I realize now more than ever how lucky I was, particularly as a woman, to have grown up in such a equal opportunity country.
P7: What brought you to Miami?
SL: My Husband’s work was one of the main reasons we moved to Miami. Also the quality of life, sun and lots of outdoor time for the children was a plus.
P7: When did you start your training as an artist?
SL: My training started with my father, an artist who focused on sculptures with precious stones and metals. I spent many hours in his studio learning and making my own pieces from an early age. I went on to study Gemology and once I moved to NYC, after London, I studied Jewelry Design at Fashion Institute of Technology.
P7: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a professional artist in the creative industry?
SL: One of the struggles as a designer is to be considered an artist. This was particularly true early in my career but I do think this perception had changed generally overall the last years. In my opinion, many designers are artists and many artists are designers and the line between the two is complex and intriguing. We, as designers, have an artistic background and have interesting point of views.
P7: On a similar note, what’s the hardest thing you’ve had to do as an artist?
SL: I have been offered a few ‘once in a lifetime’ positions working for other major designers. It was a very hard decision to say no to them, but in the end of the day I’m happy I did. It’s allowed me to be free with my time and also more creative.
P7: A little over a year ago, your started your eponymous line — what was the impetus for creating the line, especially here in Miami?
SL: I had taken a couple of years break from jewelry. Before moving to Miami, we moved back to Europe and spent three years in Stockholm and somehow, while there, I lost my inspiration for jewelry designing. Once we’d settled in Miami, the climate, colors, music and such a simple thing as being able to wear jewelry all year around, given the weather, gave me inspiration. Suddenly without knowing it, I was back at the drawing desk!
P7: Your collection has already received rave reviews and your pieces are already being worn by Miami’s most fashionable. Why do you think your line resonates so impactfully with the everyone?
SL: That is very flattering! My collection is very Swedish and Scandinavian inspired, of course. And blended with my Argentine background, it make a beautiful contrast of opposites that gives it a different feeling. This is particularly true in Miami where we do not see much of the Architectural Scandinavian design yet.
P7: Casa Lowe is a place of serenity and social gathering, a place to shop and socialize — but far from inauthenticity of social media. Why was it important to you to create Casa Lowe, especially when your jewelry line is still so young?
SL: I wanted to have more human contact. I felt there was a need for a space where friends and visitors could stop by for a coffee or drink after work and just talk. I envision a humble version of the salons of 1920s Paris — Gertrude Stein and others.
P7: How did you decide on the location? Can you talk about the process of opening the space?
SL: It took awhile for me to find the perfect space. I looked for about six months until I found this little house in the Buena Vista Neighborhood, two blocks away from the bustling Design District. Not only was the area perfect but so was the house. It was built in 1932 and the atmosphere was just the right mix of old and new. This contrast is similar to that in my design. This is exactly how I work, with contrast in everything — masculine/feminine, old/new. The house is also decorated and painted very differently from what I normally would do; I like to push buttons and step outside my comfort zone. I believe that’s how we grow and makes us see things in different perspectives.
P7: What is next on the horizon for Casa Lowe?
SL: I have lots of ideas for the brand, such as developing a candle collection and home design pieces. These are all in the works but I like to work and produce slowly this time. In a world where things run faster and faster, I believe in a brand with integrity, that stand for its design and meaning. Rather than spitting out collection after collection….
CASA LOWE
177 NE 44th Street , Buena Vista, Miami Design District