By Kalani Dantley
Tal Man knew early in her career that she wanted to have her own twist on the jewelry industry, discovering that people want to personalize their work.
Man was a successful model and television host, but out of respect for her grandmother who wanted her to get a degree, she attended Shenkar in Israel, one of the world’s leading colleges of Engineering, Design and Art. It was there where she fell in love with jewelry design.
In 2007, Man opened a jewelry design studio to make unique jewelry pieces. She focused on the customers and their involvement in the design process.
“TALIA was born out of a need to cater to the wishes of today’s confident, successful woman who wants her jewelry to be both unique and versatile, precious yet affordable, classic yet contemporary, easy to wear and, perhaps most importantly, easy to vary,” Man says.
The jewelry industry is still very conservative with limited options for personalization. Man has provided a space for women who enjoy changing their style.
Man began designing at home before launching TALIA. “Working from home can be very complicated,” Man explains. “Having to separate your work and your personal life and being tough on yourself to make sure you don’t let time get away from you.”
She talked about how important it is to view her space as an office while working, and not a home. “Having that mentality is the only way to be successful,” she says. In some situations, though, it’s convenient for Man to work from her home.
“It is a benefit that even if I wake up in the middle of the night, I can put my thoughts together or go sketch,” she says. “It’s my isolated space where I can be in my creative zone.”
Man has some encouraging words for people who don’t have their own office or design studio. “When you want to create, it is in your blood and veins. When you want to do it, you will just do it,” she says. “All you need is your tools and a table to design and get creative.” One person’s idea of a studio is different from another person’s.
“When you have the passion you don’t need anything else,” she says. “You can start creating on the floor in your bedroom.”
