Daily Inspiration: Meet Lisa Rocha

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Rocha

Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi My Name is Lisa Ila Rocha, I’m a Chicana Jewelry Designer who was Born & Raised in L.A. Mother of two beautiful daughters, Ila & Lucy.

My love of jewelry began at the earliest age of 7 years old. I would play in my Grandmother Aurora’s Garden, designing earrings out of the dangling flowers.

What started as a hobby, flourished during the late 90’s. I studied Jewelry Design & Chicano Studies @ Pasadena City College. This is how I landed my first Jewelry Designing job with Wasabi & Dana Kellin.

At the same time, in 1999 I created ilaments Jewelry & became a Getty Museum Marrow Intern at both Self Help Graphics & The Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena. These jobs & internships threw me into the LA Jewelry Industry & LA Chicano/Latina Art Scene.

Thru the late 90’s , I became a part of Mecha at PCC, where I helped create Mujeres de Maiz and became an Artivist, thru organizing events for various community organizations within the Chicano/Latino Community, while building my ilaments Jewelry Brand.

ilaments was Founded from my middle name “ila” which in Hopi means “one who takes on challenges” & merged with the word “ments” stemming from the word ” elements” to create “ilaments” Jewelry.

I’ve been known for fusing my Chicana Aesthetic with my Mexican/Native American background by mixing colorful jewelry and urban style into each design.

Over the past 25 years, ilaments has been sold at Boutiques across the U.S. The Molaa Museum, The Autry Museum, The American Indian Smithsonian Museum in NYC & Washington D.C. and The Philadelphia Museum, Clark Art Institute.

ilaments Jewelry has been featured in InStyle Magazine, Cosmo Latina, Latina Magazine, Bust,Teen Vogue & has created jewelry designs for Morrissey, Erykah Badu, Gwen Stefani, Zack de La Rocha, Carla Morrison to name a few..

Ilaments was chosen as Dama de Lincoln, Brand Ambassador for Lincoln Motor Co. & has Designed for Redbull & recently for Adidas 2021 Rosa Mexicana Jersey Collaboration.

ilaments Jewelry was recently on
Netflix’s Gentified Season 2 and
Currently sold at Mi Vida Boutique in Highland Park, Portifino Spa in Beverly Hills and now at The Monarca Sol Collective in Pasadena.

Our latest endeavor is being a part of working with The Monarca Sol Collective, A Cultural Artisan Boutique located in the Playhouse Village area of Pasadena.

Shop ilaments Jewelry at these local Boutiques or online at www.ilaments.net

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After 25yrs as an Entrepreneur, I know longer see it as a struggle but yet a Journey. It was me seeing a lack of Chicana/Latina Designers in my industry and wanting to see my reflection in products in the general market.

Which came with the struggle of not fitting in. But also made way for opportunities of inclusiveness and cultural relevance.

This is when I knew the struggles were also part of my success. Many times I would be ready to give up because sales weren’t working. Then the next day, a lucky miracle would happen! The Universe would show me, it had my back and land my jewelry in a Magazine, or in a Museum or some feature!

And so this is why it’s so important to not let the struggles of Entrepreneurship define you, but let them help you to grow into your success.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Chicana/Latina Jewelry Designer.

I incorporate my Beautiful Mexican & Native American culture into my jewelry designs.

ilaments jewelry is known for our Native American Philosophy, to Walk in Beauty! I include a misplaced bead in my collections, that represent our human imperfections & remind us we are not perfect like the Creator.

ilaments Jewelry is known for our unique Frida-esthetic, Chicana urban style, cultural stories & designs.

I’m most proud of ilaments
Dia de Los Muertos Collection. I started creating it in 1997, when I got inspired by working at Self Help Graphics in East L.A. They were the first to start celebrating Dia de Los Muertos 51 years ago!

All of my Dia de Los Muertos Jewelry is created with a theme every year & I place roses on all my designs to honor my ancestors.

My Cultural designs set me apart from other designers. I’m trained to pick pearls, but I’d rather be making a Muertos inspired pieces.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love creating & collaborating! People can contact me via email: @ [email protected] or www.ilaments.net.

Right now the way people can support me is by shopping online,

Our store,The Monarca Sol Collective is closed due to the LA Fires.

So I’m appreciative to everyone who have been shopping online & joining my IG Lives that have been giving 20% of our proceeds back to our Family & Friends who need our help due to LA Fires.

That’s how you can help, continue to shop local on www.ilaments.net.

Pricing:

• $36 means it’s Gold plated, but won’t tarnish.
• $45 & up means its Real 14kt Gold fill or Sterling Silver
• $300 reflects it is a custom handmade design

Contact Info:

• Website: Https://www.ilaments.net
• Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/ilaments
• Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/ilaments
• LinkedIn: Https://www.linkedin.com/ilaments
• Youtube: Https://www.youtube.com/ilaments
• Other: Https://www.tiktok.com/ilaments

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

Thanks to a $5,000 Milestone Loan from TMC Community Capital, Lisa’s business ilaments received crucial funding that enabled investments in new equipment, advertising, and website design. This financial support was particularly significant given Lisa’s challenges in qualifying for traditional business loans. The organization’s Milestone Loan program, bolstered by a $125,000 investment from the Wurwand Foundation’s FOUND/LA initiative, has provided a lifeline for credit invisible and unbanked entrepreneurs in California. TMC Community Capital distinguishes itself through low interest rates, flexible terms, and a strong emphasis on community empowerment.

Image Credits
Lisa Ila Rocha