And applies it to creating a custom piece for Herradura Ultra.
Designer Jeniece Blanchet has always wanted to make things not only look better, but also feel better. As a teen growing up in Atlanta, she often took apart finished jewelry pieces, only to reconstruct them in a way she best saw fit. "I started making these accessories, because at the time, fashion was really gaudy and it had emblems everywhere," she says. "I saw this quote that said, 'The future of fashion is humility,' which inspired me to take off with the jewelry." The phrase laid the foundation for Blanchet's approach, notable for her style that cuts through a world of fast fashion with unique, handmade pieces. It continues to resonate in her most recent project, creating a custom piece in collaboration with Herradura Ultra, who shares a commitment to breaking free from the ordinary.
When she moved to Los Angeles at 22 years old, Blanchet honed in on her natural inclination towards jewelry, using each piece to showcase her versatility and personality. She was industrious, sourcing the glass beads and gems that adorn her work by discovering places like special crystal dealers in Africa. Since then, she's become known for her one-of-a-kind militaristic silver jewelry that's caught the eye of some of the most influential names in music.
Nowadays, you can find Blanchet running her own brand, JÉBLANC Designs. She puts her extraordinary touch on standout, hand-crafted pieces like silver ball-chains adorned with Angel Aura Quartz; dog-tags printed with that signature phrase; and her recognizable hoops embellished with crystals and looped metal wiring. Her output is larger than life and fantastical, leaning into an almost magical realism that serves as a reminder that anything is possible.
Blanchet talked to HYPEBEAST about creating her distinct jewelry, her design inspirations, what her creative process consists of and concepting a custom piece for Herradura Ultra.
I've always just been a creator, even before I could afford anything, because I don't really come from a very rich family at all. I come from a mother of nine kids. I would literally go to the store and buy pieces and reconstruct them. From there, I started doing clothing first, and then I learned how to use tools and it kind of just took off.
Business-wise, I'm getting much more professional, but my overall process has remained the same. I meditate before I start work and then I sort of feel the energy out. My pieces are created by hand, so the energy that I put into it, I receive back. I think it's my lifestyle that has changed more than anything when it comes to the process. My wellness has changed, for example.I go to bed early, I wake up early, I don't eat meat, so little things like that just help me work in a better environment and be more effective so that I may work to my best ability.
This piece was inspired by joy and the joy of movement, so that it can inspire those who are looking. It's similar to when you're wearing something and it's glistening. It's also silver-colored to match the Ultra bottle, so it's shining and disco ball-like. The joy that feeling brings is contagious. I hope this piece will bring people joy.
I think it was just the idea of creating something out of my element and creating something inspired by the brand. I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and see what I could truly do with something like Herradura Ultra that doesn't necessarily have to do with just the drink, but also the feeling it brings out or what it means to a specific person or artist like myself. I love designing and I love creating, so this was a good challenge.
I remain myself. When you have a platform and you're a celebrity, it's so important to just be yourself and not try to blend in. To me, that's what makes a celebrity. A celebrity is when you are being yourself, and I think that I connect with people who are true to themselves.
Absolutely. I'm not afraid to be sexy, I'm not afraid to be classy, I'm not afraid to speak my mind on social topics. I think that is so important. You don't want to be a designer who just tries to figure out what everyone likes. It's crucial to just be yourself and allow people to naturally come follow you because they want to wear [pieces made by] someone who is being themself, just like they are.
I do hand make every piece. I literally hand make every single order, one by one. And I take my time with the art of it all, even down to the packaging. I do see my pieces as art pieces, so they are displayed as such as well.
I think you have to be fearless. When we start, we’re in such a blackhole of everyone posting their happiness or only posting the good part. People are afraid to post their imperfect creation. So I say, post it, and then move on and let people watch you grow. People love to see a process.
For me, my designs weren’t perfect at first, and the fact that people are watching me grow gives them a story to follow. That’s why I feel like I do get the support that I do because they’re like, ‘I’m proud of your growth.’ Follow your own intuition and follow your heart and your following will come to you.
Oh, there’s so many things that I’m working on. I want do more pop-ups, I want to write more books, I want to make art, I want to do home goods. I want to do more community-related things and women-focused events, anything that can make a woman feel confident in herself from pop-ups to creating clothing. That’s what I want to be behind.
To learn more about Tequila Herradura Ultra, head to the brand's website.
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