Below find our exclusive Q&A with designer Anna Sheffild, and shop her 2009 Collections, Bing Bang and Bespoke here at Rilee and Lo!

Lo: I am in awe of your resume. You are quite the creative genius! How did Bing Bang unfold?

Thank you! I actually embarked on the adventure of Bing Bang quite by accident.. I was making fine art and had studied sculpture while I was living in San Francisco. During the slow moments in my studio I would sometimes dabble in making jewelry out of silver, copper, bronze and even steel leftover from my sculptural projects.. One thing lead to another and after making some things for friends just for fun, I was asked to started selling them in a great little shop in the upper haight [that’s still there- called behind the post office.] I came to New York about a year later and the brand just took off. Its been a wonderful process of unfolding [and still is].

Rilee: What's been the most rewarding part of dabbling in many different elements of fashion?

That I never cease to be inspired. Its really an incredible treat to have landed in such a creative career. My finest moments are those -and they can be a bit rare-  but when I’m just working on hand making some pieces in the shop, hammering sawing soldering and existing in that very  fulfilling and meditative space that comes when you are doing something that you love.

Lo: I noticed you have a background in welding and blacksmithing has that significantly influenced the Bing Bang line?

It certainly has. I use a lot of those techniques still in Bing Bang and in my Fine jewelry collections. I love the way things look once they’ve been handled, finished, and really put together –forged- by an individual. Metalsmithing is all about the process and attention to detail.

Rilee: Do you have a favorite time to sketch, favorite drink to pair with sketching, favorite sketch pad or item to be wearing?

I am most often stricken with inspiration to put ideas on paper in the middle of the night. Somehow that’s the perfect quite I need to resolve, engineer and truly just conjure up what I want to do next in the line. Otherwise, I do love to have a glass of Rose and just doodle on a Sunday [ either in pencil or black ballpoint pen].

Lo: Do you have a favorite piece or style in your latest collection?

My all time favorite pieces this season are from the rivet group in AS bespoke. The shield –shaped hoop earrings and the stack rings are something I could wear everyday and be happy. But for dressing up, definitely the chain fringe bangle!

Rilee: I am personally excited for the double finger rings (we're getting some in this August), so simple yet commanding. Should we expect more of these in the future?

The two finger ring was the very first piece of jewelry I made in my studio! It was a happy accident more or less.. I’d seen them in Byzantine sections of museums and in Hip Hop videos but I felt like I would love to have one that was chic and a bit more contemporary for myself.  So they started from the plain hammered bar in silver to fancier ones which we now offer with diamonds and rubies.. I can use any stone with any metal combination really. I will always keep these pieces in the line. I wear one almost everyday, sometimes I even stack two.

Lo: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming jewelry designers about the industry?

Follow your intuition. It’s a daunting and sometimes overwhelming path - not just jewelry but the fashion industry at large. But I think if you have an honest approach to your design and wherewithal in your spirit,-- anything can be accomplished with these two virtues.

Rilee: Now for the fun questions, Blackberry or iPhone?

I use a Blackberry, but I will have to at least get the iPod touch soon so I can show of our iPhone app.

Lo: Tutu or motorcycle jacket?

Both!

Rilee: Cold shower or hot?

Super, like nearly scalding, hot. 

Lo: If you could have a cocktail with anyone, who would it be and why? 

Well, limiting my imagination to one is a difficult task, but since I just saw the movie ‘Coco Avant Chanel’ I would have to say COCO is at my top of list for the moment. It would be grand to have a cocktail and talk shop with her. I admire her fortitude and irreverence when it came to convention. Also, we are both Leos,  along with Amelia Earhart and Napoleon- two others I would thoroughly enjoy chatting it up with!

Rilee: Are there any specific metals, styles or concepts you're feeling for fall/winter?

I always like gunmetal in the Winter, the black finishes are so spare and contrast well with the bigger, layered outfits we must don in the cooler months... But warm tones are nice, I typically mix in copper or rose gold with my gunmetal bangles and chains  Thematically, I am loving  the Indian chief pieces and Feather charms from Holiday BB.  I have a beautiful Navajo Pendelton Cloak from Lindsey Thornburg that I am so excited to wear, once its cold enough, and with all of this jewelry!

Lo: What's in the future for Bing Bang and Anna Sheffield?

Oh, I have many many plans for the future of both- See my list of Leo over achievers above.

I will be working to expand Bing Bang  in other accessory catagories over the coming seasons- which is really exciting for me. Also, I am bringing back into the range some of our most celebrated necklaces and earrings, like the mixed hearts and Victorian keepsakes from the first season of the line. We get inquires all the time about these styles, so at long last, I’m forming them all into an everlasting Bing Bang heirloom group.

As for Anna Sheffield collections, I am working on some beautiful diamond bespeckled pieces of the classic styles for Holiday- which are truly lovely. And next year, we’ll be launching the most beautiful Fine jewelry pieces I’ve ever dreamed of…. Its top secret beyond that!

Thank you very much for your awesome questions and for the chance to be on the Rilee & Lo blog!

Very best,
Anna