Kate Lagos has been obsessed with jewelry from day one. Her father, Steven Lagos, is a pioneer in fine jewelry and is famous for his iconic Caviar beaded designs. So it comes as no surprise that Kate’s familiarity with jewelry, innate talent for styling and creating LAGOS looks, led her to pursue a collaboration with her designer dad.  With the launch of KSL, it’s the perfect opportunity to get to know Kate better and hear about what inspires her.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

For me, happiness is about the people I have around me. I feel lucky that my family is local.  I get to work with my dad, spend time with my mom and childhood friends all the time. My happiness is wrapped up in the bonds I have with the special people in my life.

What brings you great joy in your life?

I grew up around jewelry, gemstones, art, and I chose to work in a very visual and creative field. I love finding and working with artistic pieces whether it’s clothes, home décor or jewelry. I just love beautiful things!

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’ve always enjoyed designing but I haven’t trained to be a master jeweler. Styling is definitely where I excel and where I prefer to spend my time, but it would be fun to learn how to bring my designs to life from start to finish.

What is your most treasured possession?

Of course, it would be a special piece of jewelry! Jewelry always holds a special place in my heart. It’s timeless, usually with a story attached at an important moment in one’s life. When I was young, I used to always go around wearing my grandma’s pearl clip-on earrings. They’re my earliest jewelry memory and truly my most treasured possession.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m always on the hunt for unique items – whether it’s clothing and accessories, or décor for my apartment. I like to shop and get new ideas and inspiration for styling — and for purchasing too!

Where do you get your style inspiration from?

I love traveling. The best part is the people watching. I keep my eyes out for how people style their clothes, their accessories, and their jewelry specifically. I spend time on social media following brands and influencers that I like. They all contribute to my personal style and my role as LAGOS Brand Stylist.

What is your favorite place to travel to?

I’ve been lucky to visit Thailand several times over the years because that’s where our design and production teams are based. I love spending time with the people there – It feels more and more familiar each time I visit.

Where would you like to travel that you haven’t been to yet?

I’ve never been to Australia – it seems so different from the U.S. in terms of culture and the landscape – I’ve heard it’s beautiful and worth the long trek. Plus, they have kangaroos!

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Compassionate, creative, stylish.

What is your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is dining out. I eat out way too much and should probably spend more time cooking at home, but I just love trying new restaurants!