Today we’d like to introduce you to Cellou Diallo.
Hi Cellou, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Where do I even start. I’ve been designing for about 10+ years now starting when I was 16. Designed spirit wear for my high school brand store and would work on making my own clothing line. I would take white button ups, destroy the collar, & replace it with a bandana driving around town to see who could help me complete my ideas. I was blessed to have people reach out to me to help complete the clothing pieces they wanted to make to start out their brands. That brought me into a more inventive world with the people I’ve been blessed to work with to help get their brands off the ground or help bring any idea to life. Continued making spirit wear for dance teams, colleges, & custom clothing for individuals. In 2018 I took a small break to explore expressing myself through media which honestly made me crave designing more so I knew I had to get back into it but didn’t know which avenue to take. While in Japan in 2019, I stumbled upon this booth that sold real unique jewelry pieces and it made sense right then and there I should design jewlery despite being someone who didn’t wear jewelry. So happy I went that route because the byproducts of this journey has been my supporters, learning 3D printing, exploring cities I never would have otherwise visited for inspiration, and interacting with a wide & diverse network of jewelers and craftspeople who have honestly meant the world to me with how much they have taught me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course it has not been a smooth road but what I know now and who I became throughout learning about jewelry I wouldn’t trade for anything. I knew very little about jewelry but my goal was to make pieces that popped without needing to do too much. Nerding out about a new passion is one of my favorite things to do despite the roadblocks. I know the bumps will come, they have to and need to come in order to learn what’s necessary to make anything that meets my standards and makes me confident to put out.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about PINKSPIT?
I started PINKSPIT in 2020 a couple months after my trip. First started out as just jewelry designing for myself and collaborating with local brands. My whole thing is experiencing pleasure and joy through the simple things in life and finding beauty where you least expect it. I love when people wear my items and come back to me with a new detail they have found on the piece I created. I take so much pride in being original so when people work with me or want to wear my art, they’re specifically looking for something that satisfies that itch in their brain. Currently there’s a boutique that’s finally coming together. The owner of the building delayed the remodeling of a corner he was supposed to have up summer 2024 but he got real far this past spring and will let me put my items up and design the whole place to work out of. I’m really excited to finally be able to showcase my items locally, craft new work, continue experimenting the mix of hardware and fashion, and curate a space for people just like myself in this city. What I’m most proud of is the fact that 5 years ago I quit a Fortune 500 company comfy life to keep designing and let the world influence me right? Now I have met so many people and got closer with people who support me and have met so many new faces these past 5 years it brings me to tears. Earlier this year I collaborated with a Fortune 500 company and had a moment in March where everything hit me at once that I am on the right path and have been my whole life. One of my favorite designers of all time Todd Bratrud also said a custom skateboard jewelry piece I made was sick so I can die happy.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is music and laughter. Music inspires so much of my design. Laughing means I’m with my friends and seriously am always influenced by them and what they bring into my life. I have the most diverse friends who honestly I do a lot of this for. They’re so unique and original, always pushing me to be my very best and to forgive myself. I wouldn’t be able to make a thing without them.
Pricing:
- $40-$300 for pieces online and custom jewelry start at $100 for 3D designs.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkspit_/
