We like fiery ladies. No surprises there. So when we come across a supremely talented jewelry designer who is both Mexican and French, there's some serious synergy. Enter Colette Steckel, a certified gemologist with the wickedly fierce imagination spawning the 'bejeweled hand mittens' and 'diamond antlers' that haunt our dreams. Each piece is not only highly intricate, but suitably whimsical for our offbeat tastes. Although her workshop is in Mexico City (one of our most favorite places on earth) and her showroom is in Los Angeles, you can often find her spending quality time in the South of France with her family. As for your ladies of FFR, you can probably find us at home, dreaming of ways to acquire her insane ear cuffs.
“Don’t ask me crazy questions like that.
”
Let’s have dinner at your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Where do we go and what do we eat?
I love sitting at the sushi bar at Katsuya in Brentwood. We eat baked crab hand rolls, spicy albacore sashimi with crispy onion and a bunch of sushi. We always put tons of Sriracha and squeeze lots of lemon in our soy sauce – gives everything a spicy kick and this is a big part of my Mexican heritage. For Italian, we go to Gjelina or Toscana, where I always get their linguine with pesto. It's insane!
If you could buy any piece of contemporary jewelry from another jeweler, what would it be?
Sevan.
The vacation spot that you keep going back to over and over?
Traveling is a tremendous passion of mine. It's where I find inspiration for all of my collections. I try to go somewhere new every summer, and I always combine that location with some time in the South of France. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is like my second home. We also love Punta Nizuc in Cancun when my kids have school break, and St. Barth where I love to have long lunches on the beach with friends and family. And it goes without saying that I'm addicted to Paris. I am there at least 4 times a year.
What's your go–to cocktail?
Always a glass of rosé.
The gemstone you’re currently lusting after is . . .
I can't get enough of white diamonds.
It’s your birthday and your favorite flower arrangement arrives – what does it look like?
There are many flowers I am obsessed with – I am constantly changing up the arrangements in my house, sometimes on a daily basis. But I guess if I had to choose, I would never turn down a huge arrangement of the roses from the flower shop at Hotel Costes in Paris.
What’s your favorite piece that you made in the last year and why?
My pieces are my babies, I can't just pick one. I've been really into my stars and flowers hand installations – they are sexy, flexible and super comfortable. It's like wearing diamond tattoos. I've also been wearing a diamond antlers head piece from my "Desire" collection everywhere! I wore it to a black tie wedding in NYC and again the following day when I was walking around in denim. It's super dainty but very cool – and versatile!
You have 30 minutes to work out – what do you do?
Yoga.
What was the first piece of jewelry you bought for yourself?
A peridot ring set in yellow gold.
If you could have dinner with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Damien Hirst. Because, why not?
What's the most sentimental piece of jewelry you own and tell us the back story.
A Boucheron diamond given to me by my grandmother.
What’s your preferred mode of transportation day-to-day?
In Los Angeles, I drive like a speed racer. I love it! In Paris, walk, walk, walk. In NYC, I am always in a rush, so it's usually Uber.
Top 5 bands in your playlist - go!
Anything that Calvin Harris mixes. I'm big on dancing while I'm driving in L.A.
You’re having guests for the weekend. What’s your signature dish that you cook?
Chilaquiles for breakfast. And there is always an array of hot sauces on the table (at all meals). My favorite right now is from Cafe Midi (connected to American Rag) on La Brea. If you haven't been there, you need to go and order their blackened chicken quesadilla and then shop inside for the coolest home accessories & glassware.
Be honest – who’s your celebrity crush?!
Christian Grey.
If you could only carry one handbag for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Don't ask me crazy questions like that.
What’s your signature scent and what three words would you use to describe it?
My home in Mexico City, Los Angeles and my offices are filled with Diptyque candles; their Baies scent is intoxicating. Sexy. Mysterious. Heavenly. I guess that's four words.
If you could sit front row at any fashion show, which would it be and why?
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a fashion addict. I couldn't name one.
Tell us your beauty secrets (think: can’t-live-without makeup and skincare)
Sunday Riley Good Genes. Plus my secret skincare gurus in Paris. And TONS of water, fresh green juice pack jammed with turmeric, lemon, raw organic cacao powder, chia seeds...
Signature nail polish and/or lipstick shade for a night on the town?
I'm always experimenting and playing with new colors. Depends on my mood, the season, the situation.