WEARINGIRISH showcases top designers/brands from Ireland. In this series, meet the designers and hear their stories. Here Margaret chats with Betzy Medina of Sandia. Visit sandiadublin.com for more!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.
My background is quite broad, from going to engineering school to working in Tv production for more than 10 years and moving to Dublin in 2010 to learn English and work in bars and restaurants until I decided my creativity was coming out in jewellery form. I grew up surrounded by creative people in a family of architects and musicians. I also remember my mom buying jewellery to resell back in the 80’s.
WHAT WAS THE MOST DEFINING MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER? Winning the Irish Made 2018 in the jewellery category for the Irish Country Magazine was the most defining moment of my career so far. I believe my pieces are very unique and innovative. Being around markets, shops and daily life around Ireland for a couple of years have shown stylish people and fashion lovers what Sandia Dublin designs really are. WHAT’S YOUR AMBITION FOR YOUR BRAND? Selling in New York and London best fashion boutiques. HOW YOU WOULD DEFINE THE HEART AND SOUL OF YOUR BRAND? Bright, Light, Bold. WHERE DOES YOUR BRAND NAME COME FROM? Sandia is my mother’s surname, Dublin is where my brand was born. YOUR DREAM COLLABORATION? Vivianne Westwood WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT THE WEARING IRISH MOVEMENT? To see the amount of amazing designers and their creativity. WHO DO YOU WANT TO WEAR IRISH? Anyone anywhere in the world who loves style and color. WHAT DOES BEING IRISH MEAN TO YOU AND IN WHAT WAY HAS IT INFLUENCED YOUR CREATIONS? In my case, living in Dublin and walking around the city has given me a great source of inspiration. I can always see people wearing their own style mixing irish brands, second hand, vintage, retro and high street combined perfectly to express their own personality. MOST COVETED ITEM IN YOUR COLLECTION? The V-Shape Necklace definitely. It’s big, bright, very attractive and extremely light weight. THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Clean hair and good shoes. TELL US ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT I DIDN’T ASK. I’m from Venezuela and I’ve been living in Ireland since 2010. I also work in radio and music inspires me everyday.
Creativity, Music and Cheese.
YOUR GO-TO STYLING TRICK?