Angela Barrow’s Cheek-ie “puff” necklaces

Name: Angela Barrow

Resides in: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Occupation: Designer of unisex fabric ‘puff’ necklaces

Bonus: Made-to-order; Barrow allows customers to choose fabrics and styles on her website

Materials: Bored to death by chains, Barrow chooses fabrics over metal

Ever wonder who Vanessa’s character on Gossip Girl was incubated after? That would be the eco-conscious artsy cool gal, Angela Barrow, who would be considered a downtown “it” girl by association. She is so downtown she doesn’t even live there. Instead, she has an apartment in Brooklyn, where she also runs Cheek-ie, her DIY accessories brand, created by her own two hands, without the assistance of a sales and press team. It’s inspiring what this girl has accomplished all by being herself.

Turner: Where does the name Cheek-ie come from?
Angela Barrow: A nickname from friends and family. I was very bratty as a kid, and it kind of stuck.

T.: How did you start making jewelry?
A.B.: Jewelry has always been a hobby of mine, even as a child. I went to school for fashion design in Virginia, and the line was born around the same time. After I moved to NYC, there arose a demand for what I was making. I knew I had to launch a proper line.

T.: Who else loves Cheek-ie as much as I do?
A.B.: I sell to a great store in L.A. called Aero & Co. They called me and said Carrie Fisher bought a necklace in bright pink. I called my mom immediately after. She was stoked. Here in NYC, Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes), models Gemma Ward, singer Santigold, and New York designer, Judi Rosen. Cheek-ie is for the people. I keep my prices affordable, and as a result I have everyone from gay club kids, to supermodels, to soccer moms wearing my stuff. It’s pretty universal.

T.: A fashion don’t.
A.B.: Don’t wear head-to-toe leather. I mean, seriously, do you want to look like a leather daddy? There are far too many people overdoing the leather/fur combo these days. I call these girls Cruellas after Cruella de Vil.

T.: A fashion do.
A.B.: Mix prints. I used to wear black religiously. Now I mix prints with leopard tights. Leopard goes with everything! Dots, stripes, African and Scandinavian prints, and 90’s floral-with-animal prints are my favorite!

T.: Since I met you years ago, you’ve been been environmentally conscious and have eaten vegan. How is this reflected in Cheek-ie?
A.B.: My goal is to be sustainable. I have been incorporating more vintage materials to cut down on waste. I save every scrap of fabric to use as a ring or earring or bracelet. At present, I have three fabrics that are organic and dyed in Redhook by my dear friend, Audrey Reynolds. She uses things like dirt and berries for her colors. She’s been blowing up lately, and I am thankful she still has time for little old me. All my hang tags are all recycled cardboard that I’ve just kept over the years. I cut them, punch them, and put stickers on them. When I make new collections, I try and work with what I already have left over. I’ll use rolls of neon fabric from seasons ago, but whatever I can’t put to use, I donate to charity.

(L) Puff headband and (R) heart necklace by Angela Barrow for Cheek-ie

If you want to buy Cheek-ie go here:
Most recently, DOSSIER in Brooklyn, COURT and CIRCA NOW in Manhattan, AERO & CO. in Los Angeles. And at CHEEK-IE.

Collar necklaces: $40-$80
Bracelets: $20-$40