Meet San Diego Artist & Designer Nan Sandhaus
You know what I love most about my “work”? Meeting truly interesting, outgoing and talented people. While many artists and specialty retailers become an important part of my “port of call” story, there are a few that I connect with immediately and they leave a very memorable impression and we become friends. I appreciate their work and they welcome my interest and curiosity.
The most recent artist that I enjoyed meeting, is jewelry and wearable art designer Nan Sandhaus. We share a history and passion for the fashion industry, and as I quickly discovered, she is an imaginative fashion designer with a keen eye for artistic style and her own special savior-fare.
I discovered Nan’s unconventional accessory collection when a friend told me about this great boutique on Coronado Island in San Diego that has a variety of locally-crafted Things I had to see. Crown Meets Sea is located on popular Orange Avenue in the midst of many other shops, boutiques and restaurants that welcome visitors from around the world. This beautiful residential, military and vacation island is located just 10 minutes from San Diego’s cruise terminal.
Coronado Bridge, San Diego
Crown Meets Sea is owned and managed by Shannon Wiegel and her family, and offers visitors a collection of thoughtfully curated and collectible Things crafted by local artists and designers. Original paintings, clothing, toys, pottery, stationery, bags, candles and more, are artfully displayed throughout the store. A collection of beautiful resin and natural wood charcuterie boards and trays, made by a local San Diego couple, look like the frothy ocean surf and sand, making a wonderful gift for friends and family at home. Crown Meets Sea showcases many of Nan’s bracelets, earrings, brooches, rings, hats and more of her fun, quirky designs in both their Coronado and Newport Beach boutiques.
I had the opportunity to speak with Nan and am excited to introduce her to you!
Nan, how did your career in fashion start?
I started my career in fashion as a model in New York. I was a fit and runway model for 15 years, from 1991 to 2006, for a variety of iconic designers including Oscar de la Renta, Geoffrey Beene, Bill Blass and many others. In addition, I was a house model for Bergdorf Goodman, modeling for renowned American and European designers.
What led you from modeling into design?
I learned to design and sew from my mother, who made all of my clothes, until I eventually began making my own. When I would wear my unconventional designs into showrooms, it caught many designers’ attention. They recognized that I had an eye for creating fashion that was undeniably unique and opposed traditional design norms and traditions. Before I knew it, I became a sort of “style advisor” to several of the designers I was modeling for.
When did you move to San Diego?
I’ve been a resident of San Diego on Coronado Island since 2006. I began selling my designs at a boutique owned by my friend Peggy Halpin, and at the Coronado Museum store and Hotel Del Coronado’s boutique.
Can you describe your wearable art creations for me?
My designs are one-of-a-kind, fun, fabulous and sometimes outrageous. They are definitely conversation starters! The collection includes earrings, brooches, bracelets, necklaces, gloves, hats, decorative boxes, sunglasses and more. I mix colors, patterns and materials so each is truly unique. There are never two pieces exactly the same, just like the ladies who wear them.
Who inspires your art and unique approach to fashion?
I am inspired every day by designers, artists and the world around me. However, if there is one designer who impacts my style, it’s Elsa Schiaparelli. She created a Parisian house of fashion in 1927 and was renowned for marrying art and fashion, working with abstract artists such as Dali. Today, Daniel Roseberry is Schiaparelli’s Artistic Director and created the dress Lady Gaga wore to President Biden’s inauguration. Elsa’s timeline is available at Schiaparelli.com.
What type of materials do you use in your jewelry and accessory collections?
I seek out materials that are unique, colorful and speak to me. Oftentimes, the materials are just remnants I have found in a fabric shop or scraps from a designer’s workshop. These include “rescued leather”, fur, fringe, colorful stones, mixed metals and of course buttons. Lots of buttons.
Where do you find your amazing buttons?
I have collected thousands of buttons over the last 30 years from vintage designer clothing boutiques, thrift shops, button collectors, AND the designers themselves when I was modeling in New York! Many of the buttons are from custom or couture apparel, one-of-a-kind and considered “vintage art”, so pricing often reflects this depending on their age and rarity.
What is the price range of your collection?
I design at a wide range of price points for fashionistas around the world. If a customer looks at a piece and has no interest in fashion design, the collection will have little meaning to them. But if a customer loves Chanel or Prada or Pucci, they will enjoy wearing a piece of that designer’s legacy made with logo’d buttons. Or perhaps a customer just loves colorful, quirky designs like my leather cuffs or fringe earrings, I also design for that customer. But to answer your question, most of my jewelry designs run between $40 and $400. Gloves, hats and jeweled boxes can run between $30 and $100. However, I also offer a VIP program for customers who request custom pieces designed just for them, and those bespoke pieces are priced based on materials used and time to create.
If you are traveling to San Diego soon, be sure to visit Crown Meets Sea on Coronado Island to purchase Nan’s designs. To see more of Nan’s remarkable jewelry and accessory collection, visit nanateria.com
The next port I’ll visit in my quest for artful, unique and distinctive Things will be the historic, creative and always playful Key West, Florida.
Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!
