Los Angeles-based designer Tanaya Henry is well known for her super sexy Lace by Tanaya accessory line, and her Lip Lace™ lip accessory fits right in with her sensuous and bold aesthetic. A tricky piece to design (it’s not a piercing), it’s been a year in the making, but Lace by Tanaya’s Lip Lace™ lip jewelry is finally about to make its debut.
Check out our interview with Henry and what went into creating this piece below.
Snobette: When did you first come up with the design idea for Lip Lace™?
Tanaya Henry: “I first came up with the idea for Lip Lace™ in April 2016. I saw some couture runway images with a similar idea. It seemed a little far fetched, but when pieces seem challenging to make, those are the ones that end up being the best.”
Snobette: How long did it take to design the piece?
Henry: “There are a total of 14 different designs, and it took about one-to-two weeks to finalize each piece. The biggest challenge was to get them to fit around the lip, not come loose when you talk and not hit the bottom teeth. For the first sample, we had to remake and adjust it multiple times.”
Snobette: “What materials did you use?”
Henry: “We used solid 18k yellow and white gold, along with the highest quality VS2 diamonds. If you use any other material and put it in your mouth, it will be bad news. No one wants a green lip.”
Snobette: How does the piece stay in place? Can it be adjusted according to one’s lip size?
Henry: “The way they are shaped allows them to sit perfectly, which is why we had to adjust the design so many times. We tried it out and took each design for test run, after test run. The back is made so you can bend it slightly to tighten and adjust it as needed.”
Snobette: When will they hit retail and what is the price?
Henry: “Lip Lace™ will hit retail sometime in February. Prices will range from $250 to $1,750. The pieces paved with diamonds are the pricier ones.”
Snobette: Kim Kardashian has been spotted wearing lip jewelry. Do you work with her stylist?
Henry: “We love the Kardashian Klan; Kim not yet, but we work with Kylie often.”
The LipLace will be available for pre-order on January 24, 2017. Visit lacebytanaya for details.
