Good Morning POU! Its the first official week of 2016, make it a good one!
This week we’ll feature designers and experts in the world of diamonds, rubies, and pearls…oh my!
Chris Aire
Christopher Aire (born December 25, 1964) is an iconic Nigerian born African American jeweler, timepiece designer and philanthropist. He is the president of Solid 21 Incorporated and best known as the founder of his eponymous brand, Chris Aire.
Born in Ivue-Uromi, Nigeria. His father Joseph Agimenlen Iluobe was a successful Nigerian oil mogul and businessman and his mother, Victoria Isesele Iluobe a homemaker. He graduated from the Immaculate Conception College in Benin City, Nigeria. Thereafter, his father wanted him to join the family business. Aire started helping his father manage the family oil haulage business, but quickly realized that he had a strong desire to work independently. Looking back on this experience, he realizes it was formative in his future destiny of building his own company. After working briefly for his father’s company Iluobe Oil, he decided to leave Nigeria and move to the United States to further his education and attended California State University Long Beach where he studied acting and directing.
Breaking into the acting scene proved to be unsuccessful, and after a brief but unsuccessful stint in music, he accepted a job as an apprentice to a jeweler in Los Angeles called P-5 Jewelers. Working with the magic and beauty of gemstones, he was soon conceptualizing sophisticated designs suited for his creativity and talents. This was a pivotal moment in his life, as he finally discovered his true passion. Soon after, he enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad where he received his diamond-grading diploma.
In 1996, after six years of apprenticeship with P-5 Jewelers, he set out on his own. He had managed to save a meager $5,000 to start a namesake brand that would evolve into a powerful global luxury brand that designs and sells fine jewelry and watches.
Shortly after founding Chris Aire, he unexpectedly met Gary Payton, an NBA superstar who was then with the Seattle Supersonics. Gary showed interest in his designs and invited Aire to see him in Miami at a charity event the following month. Having only enough money for a one-way ticket to Miami did not deter him as he trusted his instinct that talent and quality for design would prevail. In Miami, he landed a substantial order, solidifying his breakthrough moment and position in the jewelry market that he had always dreamt about.
In 2004 he made fashion history when he became the first jeweler to stage a runway show during New York Fashion Week to showcase jewelry as fashion. Naomi Campbell closed out the show, wearing a diamond halter worth $10 million, solidifying his talents as a successful jewelry and watch designer. Today, his private shows set in world capitals including New York, Washington DC, London and Beverly Hills.
Venus and Serena Williams, among a host of other celebrities, were all on hand for the Chris Aire Jewelry Launch at Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 on September 12 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
Aire has established a global network of followers among athletes, musicians, politicians and high net-worth individuals that value his unique and bespoke commissions, as well as his trademarked and widely revered signature Red Gold® collection. The brand is worn and admired by many Hollywood A-listers including, Will Smith, Angelina Jolie, Halley Berry, Oprah Winfrey, Jay Z, Muhammad Ali, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Jamie Foxx, Usher, Chris Brown, Eva Longoria, Ice Cube, Denzel Washington and many more.
Aire opened his first boutique at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria in 2012. In 2014, Aire moved his United States office from downtown Los Angeles to his US flagship boutique in Beverly Hills At each retail location, he creates a superior shopping experience to accommodate high-profile customers, presenting the most exceptional pieces of fine jewelry and timepieces.
Aire has made significant contributions to the watch and jewelry industry. He has worked closely with the platinum guild to cement platinum as a metal of choice in both jewelry and watch making. He was also instrumental in introducing the term BLING into mainstream usage. In addition to making diamond dog tags a classic in American fashion, he has contributed immensely to the diamond industry as an innovator and trailblazer
He remains as passionate as ever about making his clients feel fantastic wearing his jewels and watches, putting his heart and soul into everything he does.
The Los Angeles Times crowned him ‘The King of Bling!!!’ Rolling Stone magazine called him ‘The Emperor of Ice’ -Aire has been featured in several other magazines such as Forbes, Elle, Vogue, Black Enterprise, International Wrist Watch Magazine, ESPN Magazine and Los Angeles Magazine
He has also been featured on CNN, E! Network, Konnect Africa, USA Today and the Discovery Channel.
Chris Aire strives to raise awareness of cultural and global issues through social responsibility. He believes in making a difference both in his community and around the world, to help pave the way for future generations to rise to success. Aire only uses conflict-free gold and gemstones, sourcing directly from mines not involved in blood diamonds or the use of child labor. He has personally invested in African mines to make sure ethical workplace standards and quality control. A part of all Chris Aire sales are donated to philanthropic efforts which provide access to clean water and education to people in Nigeria and around the world. He also supports Dream Foundation and Jenesee Center Inc. in the United States.