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Social responsibility and sustainability is at the heart of many fashion companies.

In fact, they add giving back as part of their mission.

We're at Wolf & Badger in Los Angeles, and tonight we will meet a jewelry designer who uses her gift to help others.

I'm so happy you're joining us.

From Los Angeles.

This is KLCS PBS.

Welcome to everybody with Angela Williamson, an innovation, Arts, education and public affairs program.

Everybody with Angela Williamson is made possible by viewers like you.

Thank you.

And now your host, doctor Angela Williamson.

Veronica Tharmalingam is our guest.

Veronica, thank you so much for being here.

Thank you so much for having me.

Well, before we get into why we're here today, which we have an incredible segment coming up, I would love our audience to get to know you as a person.

Veronica.

Who has a person?

I'm not.

I'm not a robot yet.

But I see you as the designer.

So, as you said, I'm Veronica Tharmalingam.

I was born in India.

I grew up in France.

So my designs is all about mixing those two cultures that I grew up in, basically.

So I come from a lineage of, a warrior queen who was, who fought the British in the beginning and, so my, my great great great grandmother was a warrior queen.

So I come from a lineage of very, very warrior spirited women, be it my grandmother, my mother.

So I grew up in that environment.

So my, my brand is kind of like, you know, I'm me giving back to those women in my family, in my heritage.

And that's how that's how my tagline is heart of a warrior.

Soul of a queen.

It's all about empowering women.

In, in general, you know, to to be bold about themselves, either with my handbags or my jewelry or, you know, so they can like, you know, go out and do their battles.

Well, you could have designed anything.

So why did you decide to design handbags and jewelry?

You could have designed anything.

Oh, and then I will obviously make sure that you see the jewelry I'm wearing.

I love I love accessories I actually like, ever since I was a kid, I used, I went through a phase of just earrings.

You know, everywhere I went I would buy earrings that were like, incredible.

So my, that's how my, passion comes from.

I want to say from shopping.

Shopping.

Yes, that's a good way to start.

But actually the the true story behind it is like any anything I'm wearing, like, you know, in my day to day or where I'm going outside, I would always have something from India, but not on purpose, but I would.

I just love to mix and match patterns and designs.

So for example, today, you know, I'm wearing this ultramodern dress and my earrings, you know, they're like very they have like a completely different touch to it.

Right.

So that's what I used to do.

And people would always taught me either on the street or at an event like, wow, that's so cool.

Where'd you get it from?

So that that was like my a regular thing, you know, I'm like, you know, my husband, one day he was like, maybe you should start a brand.

So that's how this whole thing started.

So he actually made this suggestion so that you could stop shopping and and then start creating your own.

Yes.

Very smart husband.

And so when he suggested this, did you just did you think about it or did you all of a sudden just start designing?

It made total sense.

Because there were things that I would put together that nobody else had out there in the market.

Right?

And so I did my market study.

I went to India multiple times.

I normally go there like once a year, of course.

If not, I feel homesick.

And so I go there and I find I started finding artisans with whom I would work with.

So it took me like about seven years to establish that relationship of confidence with these artisans, to create the brand.

So the brand launched like two and a half years ago at New York Fashion Week.

Our first editorial was Vogue.

But to get there, I had to do all that field work for seven years with my artisans, because another thing I wanted to do when I created the brand is it is the same made in India because it's all handmade in India by these amazing artisans.

And I wanted to shine the light on my artisans because like, you know, all big brands, they use the Indian craftsmanship, which is incredible, but they never get credit for it.

So I wanted to shine the light right on the artisans.

Well, and you mentioned artisans several times, but that just means that what you're doing is you're going into India and you're using the local people and they're providing you with are they providing you with a do we call these baubles or the I mean, what are they providing you?

This is a jewelry piece.

So I combine the jewelry making and the handbags together to create my handbag.

So as you can see, like all my handbags, they're, they're handmade like for example this one here.

It's gorgeous.

So this one here, like each single bead has been sewn in like so it's not stuck like you normally see in the in the market.

This is all like sewn in every single bead.

And so that takes a lot of time.

Yes it does.

So the, the craftsmanship that comes from like thousands of years of jewelry making, which originates originally from India.

Big brands talk about it sometime because they get there.

I can't mention the brand, but they get their inspirations and, knowledge of how to make jewelry from India.

Well, and I think that's important that you are mentioning that that's why I wanted you to talk about the local artisans, because that's important for our viewers to know what we love today started somewhere, and we need to know where it started and how it continues today correctly.

Okay.

So tell us about this one a little bit.

So, you know, the the artisans like they were telling you earlier, like, you know, it took a long time for me to establish a relationship with them because I wanted a partnership with them.

It's not like, you know, I'm the boss and you do what I want to to do.

It's a real partnership.

So they show me designs that they have been thinking about working on, and then we start from that and we establish the whole collection from that.

So they would, for example, this bag initially, you know, it maybe it may have had this.

It did not have this, it may have had a different flap to it.

And so we worked together.

So I would tell them, okay, this is, this looks good.

But how about we do this and this and this to this to this to modify it.

You know.

And so that's how we establish that, relationship of trust as well.

Right.

So it starts off with a, with a, with a first model.

They make it for me as a sample.

And and then I send my design to them, including what they have done.

For example, initially this one would have like a tangling piece here and but I am I'm a tomboy.

I grew up with a big brother.

So for me fashion has to be very practical.

So I was like, that's not going to work for me because it's it's catching on my dress, you know?

So the same thing like, you know, this one, you know, it has like a very simple opening, right.

Like this was not like that before.

I used to have like multiple openings here and you know, it was a mess to, to kind of actually open it and get stuff in.

And we made it a little bit bigger.

And the, the brand here, it was, you know, I wanted it to be specifically here.

So in all my different styles of handbags, you will see it specifically on the top.

So that's where we place it.

And then we have, a chain to it.

It's very important.

Yeah.

So what's cool about this one is you can carry it as a clutch or crossbody because it's super long and you have this a little hold on.

Let me open it up for you.

Oh my.

I'm loving.

This.

See.

So you can completely take it off and then you can like, you know, hook it to like different heights.

You want it to.

So it's super versatile you know.

So that's another thing for me fashion is not a stable thing for me.

It has to be versatile by you.

Working with artisans in India, you are also to helping India in its economy and you also donate.

Absolutely.

This whole thing came to me because my mom, passed away recently and she was hospitalized actually in Sri Lanka, and we couldn't make her, transport her anywhere else because she was, she, she was paralyzed and, and the doctors there with the little they had, they had they did an amazing job taking care of her, you know, like doing everything they could.

Like it would have been the same exact same thing if we were here in the U.S or in Europe anyway.

You know, it was not anything short of right.

And I could tell.

I could see how much struggle they had to find the, the, the smallest necessity.

Right.

Like, you know, like, cotton, for example, or, or like a Band-Aid, you know, like, but despite that, they were so good, you know, so I was like, I told myself, you know, like when I, when I, when I went through that, like, you know, I need to do something about this.

So that's what I'm trying for.

Yeah.

So we want to help like charities, like, you know, that support these kind of hospitals, women, children.

You know, we're we want to abolish child labor.

Of course, I I'm a mom.

So this is, like, big deal.

Very important.

Yes.

Very important.

And, women empowerment as well.

Right?

Because, unfortunately, women are still struggling around the world, especially in India.

So, you know, my mom, in her time, she had this association where she would help women and children and people that were disabled, with her, with everything like, you know, rehabilitation into the society, finding them jobs, teaching them, new skills so they can go out and do whatever they need to do.

So I'm just following her footsteps, I guess.

Well, and you are doing it and designing not only beautiful pieces, but you're creating designs that empower and you are really paying it forward.

So sit back and we'll be coming back to talk more about it.

Then come back to learn more about Veronica's designs and her social responsibility.

And that's what I hope with you.

Just look at some.

Welcome back.

We're at Wolf and Badger in Los Angeles, and Veronica has invited some friends to join us.

Veronica, tell us a little bit about your friends.

So one of them, her name is Diana, and she makes these gorgeous blazers for women, you know, who go professional or casual, you know, what do you want to do?

How do you want to mix it?

Absolutely.

And then have this other friend that I met very recently.

But she's super talented.

She makes this gorgeous, you know, flattering, swimsuits.

So her name is Stephanie.

So I would love for you to meet them, but.

Okay, so let's bring in Diana first.

Okay?

That's that.

Hi, ladies.

Thank you so much for being here.

You look absolutely gorgeous.

Your blazer.

Thank you.

Wow, wow.

So tell us a little bit of inspiration behind your blazers.

And why is social responsibility so important to you as a designer?

Absolutely.

Well, one, I have to say this is a great example of women supporting women.

Yeah.

So thank you both.

So Diana Nguyen, founder, designer of Madison Saville and Madison Saville, the inspiration behind Madison Saville is empowering and inspiring women.

So the armor to you, which is why I actually named it Madison Saville, because Saville's for a Saville Row in London.

So I wanted to bring the that suiting to women.

But Madison means gift of God and warrior, so it's armoring you with our blazers because every blazer is has, words of affirmation on the inside.

So the first collection is called Unstoppable and Fierce.

Oh, that is line it in every blazer.

The second collection we're coming out in fall winter is called, believe it, feel it, see it.

Because when you believe it, you have to feel it before you see it.

So that is a constant reminder for each of us, because we are each warriors wearing many hats.

But with that, it's also there's also five pockets in every blazer.

Yeah.

So one, two, three and then 4 or 5.

This one actually has a swan motif painted by, exclusively by a female artist for Madison Saville.

And the swan motif actually means, bold and gracefulness.

So it's another meaning to the blazer and the for us, because it's about empowering and inspiring women.

Everything we do is about that.

How we design designer blazers, our Madison Saville inspired podcast.

I'm also the chair of the Women's Business Network of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

We went from five women to about 100 women now.

So it's growing.

It's giving back to the community.

And a portion of our proceeds actually go to charity supporting women and their children.

Well, and we're not done yet because you have another beautiful blazer to show us as well.

Don't be shy.

Thank you.

You're gorgeous.

Thank hello.

Hello.

This is our camel boyfriend blazer.

So both so Brittany also had the same.

I'm wearing the same style.

I also have a classic with button.

Like I said, each one has five pockets.

Each one is lined with words of affirmation.

It's actually made with, luxury stretch Japanese two way stretch fabric.

And so, because I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I value comfort.

So it's all about hugging yourself.

Movement for versatility.

Functionality.

So this is actually one of our best selling ones, especially for spring and summer because of the camel neutral.

The soft, the quiet luxury has.

Amazing.

Now, tell us about our next designer, because I know people are wondering what is this going on underneath this beautiful blazer.

So it's, Tiffany and she has this beautiful, swimwear brand.

But, you know, I learned about very recently, we we met, like, sporadically a couple of weeks ago when we were coming out of, the museum.

So they were hanging out, and I was like, hey, how are you?

How are you?

Fellow designer?

And I love this community because they are so supportive of each other, and that's what's really important.

Wow.

And so tell us a little bit about this swimsuit.

Tell us your inspiration and why.

Social responsibility.

What it means to you.

So my name is Stephanie Ashmore.

I am the founder designer of Bold Swim.

We are all about size, inclusivity, and sustainable fabrics.

We are a sustainable brand.

So a little bit about our collection is all made from Omni sole eco fabric.

So the special thing about this fabric is not just made from recycled plastic bottles that have been regenerated.

This is actually technical fabric that has been designed so at the end of life, hopefully you don't throw it away, but it is packed as a biomass under landfill condition.

So the other part about it is we design for comfort, versatility so you can wear it for Pilates, a light workout, a light jog, obviously swimming, right?

Or in Los Angeles we have fair weather pretty much all year round.

So with boyfriend shorts and a blazer, right.

So that's one of the the biggest things that we talk about with our collection and just designing for women at all stages of their life, whether you have single, whether you're married, where you have children or you want to be sexy, have some sexy cutouts like.

Well, can we bring Brittany back?

Because we saw that and our audience was wondering, probably wondering, what is that she's wearing underneath that because it's so gorgeous.

Yeah, especially with the blazer.

So you just saw, Tina come out?

She's wearing the, midnight rise.

One of the best or a little black bikini is what we call it.

So we always have that little black dress.

And Brittany is in our other bestseller.

This is Sophia, so it's an asymmetrical monokini.

So I'm just going to pull your lapel out here.

So it is a one shoulder.

So no matter your body type or your style you every cut is flattering.

And then you have this nice sarong tie that you can tie up, tie down, let it drop.

And then wear with shorts as she has very city chic, very in style.

And this comes in two different colors.

So this is ivory.

And then we have a bronze that pops off every skin tone.

So what I love about these two brands in particular is like, you know, they're so versatile.

Like you can wear them like as you saw in the swimsuit, can go under underneath the blazer and you know, you're ready to go out and have fun with your girlfriends, you know, go to brunch or whatever you want, and you take it off and you're ready to to party or to go in the pool, you know, it's it's awesome.

And same thing with the Blazers right.

They're like amazing like versatile to the tee.

Well and it's a great look I mean anyone can wear it because of what your mission stands for but also too with the Blazers as well.

But let's bring back the other models because we want to talk a little bit more about that too.

Standing side by side, we can see the difference in the designs.

And so that's perfect too because depending on your body type then you have a choice.

Exactly.

And I mean your jewelry complements it so well.

How did you decide how to partner.

You know, these bangles with this necklace?

I mean how do you do that?

Veronica.

That's tough.

I, I thankfully today normally I have my style is to to work with Nina who does all the, all the stuff to put together.

But today I had these two amazing women by my side to help me to coordinate all the old stuff.

So it was all the jewelry to match the whole look.

And when you think about the entire look and how important it is for us to feel inspired, we talked about inspired and being empowered when we add just a little piece of jewelry to it.

So tell us, how will your designs complement these beautiful swimsuits?

And also two with the blazers?

Because this is only partial look, right now we have the jewelry, but we also have the purses as well.

Yeah.

So I think your question about making sure like what is the design or the inspiration behind.

It's really about what you said being bold and being you.

Right?

Women love to dress and accessorize.

So just that little pop of earring on a basic, timeless piece like bodysuit.

You can even tell these are swimsuits.

Until we said anything, right?

So it's in fashion.

It's in style.

Pairs nicely with this beautiful jewelry that you've designed, a little clutch and handbag.

I mean, they're ready to go.

That is so perfect.

Yeah.

So for me, like, you know, it's all about like, as Tiffany said, like my, my handbags and jewelry, they're all statement pieces, you know?

So it's it's all about having something very bold.

That's a statement thing for you to wear and to amp up your, your whole outfit with it being a bead, a swimsuit bead and B jeans or bead blazers.

You know, that's the whole concept behind the brand as well.

Also being bold.

And you know, our tagline is heart of a warrior, soul of a queen.

So that's all about, you know, empowering women.

And to people in general, I like to, to empower them through our pieces to show that I'm bold, I can wear this and, you know, or or making them feel confident about themselves by wearing these bold pieces like some people are shy and they don't want to express themselves, but they often do with their jewelry or or clothing, you know, like I before I started making my creations, I used to like be a stylist or on a website, you know, just for my friends.

But it was great always to, like, see them in front of that mirror after you've dressed them up and to to to see that glow on their face, to see like, wow, I could be this cool looking, or I could be this pretty or, you know, that's this amazing feeling, right?

So that's what I think about when I design my stuff.

So that's what people see in the mirror when they're wearing my, pieces.

And they see like, oh, wow, this looks cool, because all the pieces they're made in a way to complement a skin tone or a feature in your eyes or, you know, like, or your face like it's always thought about in that way to, to create the pieces.

So.

Well, and I think that's important.

And I will ask you this question, Tiffany as well, too, because you talked about it, compliments various types of people, of women of color, people of color who want these accessories.

And we are starting to see more of that.

But there's still not as many designs out there that compliment all people of different shades.

So why is that important, especially for you as a designer?

When you think of swimsuits or you think of what these beautiful ladies are, were.

I absolutely great question.

I think the design and the idea behind this one was very intentional.

I made these swimwear because I couldn't fit anything in the market.

I didn't see myself represented.

I'm athletic build true.

Hourglass.

So broad shoulders, broad back, hips.

I got to be able to fit in something right.

I'm not 20 anymore, guys.

We want to.

But it was really about like I grew up really conservative, so I wanted to have something like it took me into my next stage of life.

Right.

So I wanted to always be fabulous, always have soft luxury and then to be able to accessorize but feel so sexy, right?

I feel I actually feel more confident, in my 40s than anything now.

Yeah.

So having something to have an accessory piece, some great jewelry, some great clutches and put over like a bikini, and whether I'm with my son or my husband or with my girlfriends, we can just go out and just be sexy.

Yeah.

we can just go out and just be sexy.

Yeah.

So very, very intentional.

And Tiffany is also wearing some of my she she was gracious enough to wear some of my jewelry as well.

And she's enjoying.

It.

You know, I've.

Slowly and it's I mean it compliments what she's wearing.

But there's also too I see like a bling and a pop factor to it, which I think is important when it comes to accessories.

And I yes, I can almost be a fashion designer.

So literally like like that's why when I talk about statement pieces, that's what it is like, you know, I have this background of, of being, growing up in France.

So, you know, where you always have like a little something, you know, that's that makes the whole outfit work or the whole look.

What?

So that's what I grew up with.

So that's what I put into my creations.

Well, thank you so much, ladies, for you for coming and showing us and explaining just the meaning behind your design as well too.

So thank you so much.

Thank you.

I don't want our conversation to end without you letting our audience know what's coming next for you.

Well, we are always working on new, you know, designs and how to make it better, make it beautiful, you know, what is the extra thing that we can add to it?

So right now we're being carried by Wolf and Badger where with by, you know, hotel the big bang in Miami.

We have Harvey Nichols in Riyadh and we have Taj for Charles and in India.

So I always like pick and choose where we want to be because my products, they are all like handmade in India.

They're all limited edition.

So one of a kind pieces, for example, what Tiffany was wearing today.

The necklace I got those beads.

Those are coral beads that were made, that were, fished by a local fisherman in apnea, in the tip of India.

Like, you know, if you see the map of India, like, you see the tip.

Yeah, that's where it was.

So for one of my summers.

And the person was literally like coming out of the water and selling them.

And I was like, you know, it was such a cool story behind it.

And I got these pearls and I got my, and I just need to work on it.

And we created that beautiful piece.

So it's it's just one piece, you know, so very often that's the case in my products.

So I pick and choose where we want to be to make sure that everybody has, a view on our, on our brand and also how you perceive the brand.

Right.

Like, because it's not it's not a brand that is produced in a mass, way because we're sustainable.

I only use what is as use, as I told you, like what is already available in the market to create the pieces.

For example, this handbag.

I may have to discontinue this.

I'm still working on it because this, part here, the artisans that used to work on it, they don't have it anymore.

So I have to figure out a way or solution to, to to make it a different piece or find somebody else who does that.

So I can use it again.

And same thing, you know, on the side of this bag.

It's like, I love this name, one of my favorites.

So the side part went through so much, variations because the print that said, we all, all the handbags, they are raw silk.

And the reason that we use our bags that the raw that we have, we produce in India for different events, do it throughout the year.

So every season there's like different, raw silk that is produced for like that you use for the clothing.

Right.

So again, you know, being a sustainable brand, I don't want to participate in the, in the polluting factory or the fashion industry.

So I use what is available in the market.

So I get the surplus and I create my pieces with them.

So that's why we have so many variations.

I love this, this is so gorgeous.

Well, how can our audience find you?

Well, they can find me here and Wolfenbarger if they are in Los Angeles.

And if not, they can go on our website which is WW w Veronica permalink um.com.

They can also find us on Instagram with the same and on TikTok and Pinterest.

You are everywhere and we see all of this beautiful work.

Well, thank you so much for spending time with me.

Wolfenbarger.

Showing me not only your gift and what you're doing for social responsibility, but you brought friends as well, and that's all a pal.

Oh, this is so.

Thank you so much, and I cannot wait to see what you do next.

Thank you so much for having me.

Thank you.

And a special thank you to Wolf & Badger in Los Angeles.

And thank you for joining us on everybody with Angela Williamson.

Viewers like you make this show possible.

Join us on social media to continue this conversation on Good Night and Stay Well.

Hi, I'm Angela Williamson, host of everybody with Angela Williamson.

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