Last week, I had the extreme pleasure of sitting down with uber-haute accessory-designer Kerin Rose. You may have heard of her already: her edgy, fierce and sometimes-bedazzled pieces have been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Katy Perry and a growing list of others. She is in such demand, that just this month she has over 250 orders to complete! Her prices range from the low 100′s to $600 (for her sought-after goth-spiked frames that were featured in ItalianVOGUE)…. WERK! We talked about everything from rising in the ranks, become friends with Rihanna and the non-profit she’s getting off the ground. Check it out:

Cocoa B: It’s been such a pleasure to meet you and you have a lovely home! Let’s get started. A-Morrir [your accessory line] means “’til death” in French AND Spanish (I just learned that)… What inspired the name behind the brand?

KerinRose: Last March of 2005 I went to Madrid, and watched  an exhibit at their Museum of Contemporary Art. It was Argentinian artists, and there was a black and white piece by a Miguel Angel Rios. It was a movie of about 100 spinning tops fighting til the death. It was such a moving piece… I was still in college, and wasn’t thinking of anything in that regard, but I knew if I ever DID anything– that would be the title. A Morrir. Til Death.

Cocoa B: WOW, now I have to go out and see that. It sounds very cool. I’ll YouTube it… Your brand was founded last winter… Since then, you’ve been the buzz of fashion circles everywhere, and one of Rihanna’s favorites.  Are you as amazed and awed at your success in such a short period of time, as we are?

KerinRose: Yes, this is f*ckin amazing. There absolutely no logic, and no reason behind why I am, where I am. I personally thought this wouldn’t become a brand. But once I decided it, my personal timeline was about 2 years of hustling and saving and working a part-time job to keep myself afloat and continue to do what I loved. I’m amazed that at 7 months out, I’m comfortable. This was much more than I ever expected…

Cocoa B: Indeed! We sure are proud of you girl… As far as pricing, what can we expect from your line?

KerinRose: My non-eyewear accessories are a little less expensive.  Necklaces, head-pieces are in the high 2-digits, low 100′s. All my eyewear starts at $200, and the highest would be $600.

Cocoa B: What would be the $600 pair of glasses?

KerinRose: The “Sabotage” crystal and spiked eyewear that were in Italian VOGUE.

[Check me out sporting those BAD BOYS] ———>

Cocoa B: Your demand is extremely large for one person. Do you still hand-craft every piece yourself?

KerinRose: There’s not been a single piece that I have not crafted– start to finish. As the demand increases, to me I know I’ll be hiring physical help. It will be an individual. I would never out-source to a factory or anything like that. Not that I have anything against factory productions, but at this stage of the game a big part of my work is the fact that it’s indeed MY work. It makes it more unique when it’s done yourself. It was done and crafted by my hands– and even when I do hire help, I still want a hand in each piece produced– somehow.

Cocoa B: That’s a great work-ethic that I’m sure your patrons will appreciate. I know I for one, do… So tell us, what inspired you to customize shades in particular, and what was the influence BEHIND the design. Your designs are very edgy, punk/goth inspired– or so it seems….

KerinRose: When I first started, I literally just made it for myself, and I got literally attacked in the streets. The demand started from there, and people would throw money in my face and say: take it, do it, now, please? In the beginning I was like maybe I’m onto something… But now, it’s just become it’s own life-force. I find myself  looking for new frames, new material, etc. I’m starting to become mroe creative as I try to kick my own ass, basically. The chain shades, defintiely started an effect.. But the Barracudda’s  (seen on Rihanna in “Run This Town”) had the most intense rippling effect– particularly when Rihanna wore them at Intermix during fashion week. It was insane at that point.

Cocoa B: I’m sure it was quite a frenzy! Amazing… So what’s next in the cards for Ms. Kerin. Collaborations? Cut-and-sew eventually? Have you thought about branching out yet?

KerinRose: Yes, I do have a very exciting collaboration on-deck for 2010 with a line that I really respect… A good friend of mine owns a vintage frame company out of Canada, and he is one of the biggest vintage eyewear suppliers period, and he has amazing taste, so we are hoping to build something. I want to start manufacturing my own frames– so it becomes less embellishing and more my own. I want to provide a high-quality product to my customers– I’m shopping around independent eyewear distributors… Ummm, accessories is more my strength, and I’m a firm believer of sticking to your strengths– cut-and-sew is awesome but not really  my thing. I would love however to be a consultant, or assistant designer on something for a brand. That would be hot.

Cocoa B: Insightful. Everyone wants to be a jack-of-all-trades. I’m glad there are still people out there who don’t think they can do every single thing– and well. It takes away from the craft.

KerinRose: It’s honestly that simple.

Cocoa B: So, as I was reading up on all your accomplishments, I stumbled upon your bio which briefly discussed a non-profit you’re starting: “We luv ur guts!”. Can you tell us all more about this?

KerinRose: Absolutely. Unfortunately that hasn’t moved as swiftly because of our new-found popularity– it’s taking a back-burner but only for the time -being. In 1999 I was diagnosed with  ulcerative colitis (a swelling of the large intestine), it went into remission in 2008 which gave me the recession to figure out what my life plan would be. My sister and I had a discussion– at the time I thought I’d have a t-shirt line, but that’s sooo not my thing personally, but anyway– we read an articlein NYT about Marc Jacobs who was recently diagnosed with the same thing. We decided to create a non-profit because she was interested in the medical industry as well. MJ has these great $40 shirts that raise money for various charities. We came up with the  idea of “we love ur guts” as a name for our organization, and we wanted to do collaborative shirts with other brands… We figured it’d be nice to have a “Marc Jacobs Loves your guts” or “Betsy Johnson Loves your guts” or “Hellz Bellz Loves your guts” etc. Not only would that be a way to raise money for the cause, but we could start a dialogue for this– an issue that’s rarely talked about. We want to promote discussion and raise awareness…

Cocoa B: Wow, I admire that, and that’s awesome. And please let CCW know anyway we can be a hand in your efforts. It sounds great! Now tell me– who would be your dream customer– who would you just gag over if you found them wearing your product?

KerinRose: Well, my default answer has usually been Cher or Miss Piggy [laughs], and recently I’ve been throwing Henry Rollins into that mix. I respect him and his ideas, and I know he’d be the last person on earth to wear anything I’ve made. So that irony is such that, I would have made it once that happens…

Cocoa B: [laughs] I heart you, I truly do. I need to figure out a way to bottle your funny so I can release it on my sad days. Hahaha! Who do you look up to, as far as accessory designers?

KerinRose: Well I’m very fond of all my designer friends. They work so hard and their products are always top-notch sh*t. But I’d have to say Phillip Treacy is a HUGE inspiration. I actually started out doing head-wear– and he’s just done the most brilliant things when it comes to head-wear.

Cocoa B: Nice… If you were a contestant on “Survivor” and could only bring 4 items with you… What would they be?

KerinRose: Charmin Ultra Soft, an Ipod with a solar powered energy charger, and a pair of eye-wear. Shiz, it’s gonna be sunny! Actually no, a blackberry with a solar-powered charger. You can stream music on those, and I’mma NEED my e-mail honey!

Cocoa B: STFU, I’m DYING over here! You are insane, and I love that idea! I’d get stranded with you any day, man. The modern-day female McGuyver in tough heels and a killer set of eye-wear, for the win!!!! But  moving on… If you could collab with any designer dead or living, who would it be and why?

KerinRose: I would have to go with Bob Mackey and Thierry Mugler. Mackey because he definitely inhanced the image of the modern-day costume, especially in media. He made that sort of costume acceptable. And Thierry? a f*ckin genius. What his mind is capable of creating is awe-inspiring.

Cocoa B: Definitely. I see Gareth Pugh emerging as one of those great out-of-the-box minds, like a Mugler. I feel you. Mugler definitely laced Beyonce for her Sasha Fierce concept and tour. AMAZING pieces– I GAG!

KerinRose: I agree. Oh, and McQueen. Give me ANY ONE of those!

Cocoa B: Ok love, this is my fave part of my interview. I spit out 2 words/names and you tell me which one you either prefer, or which one is the less of two evils… AND….. GO!

Cocoa B: Tory Burch or Todd’s?

KerinRose: I’m a J.A.P so I’m going to go with Tory Burch.

Cocoa B: Claudia Schiffer or Cindy Crawford?

KerinRose: Awww, Damn! Cindy’s my girl I’mma go with her.

Cocoa B: Tyra or Naomi?

KerinRose: Naomi, are you kidding me?

Cocoa B: V Magazine or Harper’s Bazaar?

KerinRose: V.

Cocoa B: Mary-Kate or Ashley Olsen?

KerinRose: Which one doesn’t have the eating disorder? That one. [Ashley]

Cocoa B: Hole or The Gossip?

KerinRose: I love the gossip.

Cocoa B: Madonna or Grace Jones?

KerinRose: WHUT???? GRACE!

Cocoa B: Jeans or slacks?

KerinRose: Oh honey neither! I don’t wear pants!

Cocoa B: Leather or denim?

KerinRose: leather.

Cocoa B: plaid or stripes?

KerinRose: both at once!

Cocoa B: Marc Jacobs or Jeremy Scott?

KerinRose: I’ll take whatever their love-child produces in the fashion world.

Cocoa B: See, I like you– so I’m letting you break the rules. HAHAHAHAHA.  Reebok or Addias?

KerinRose: Addidas.

Cocoa B: Platinum or Gold?

KerinRose: I’mma go with gold because it’s my grand parents last name, and you can get it really nice or ghetto. Can’t get no ghetto platinum!

Cocoa B: LOL!!! Ok, black polish or red?

KerinRose: Black.

Cocoa B: Louis Vuitton or Gucci?

KerinRose: Neither.

Cocoa B: Grey Ant or Ray Ban?

KerinRose: Ray Ban

Cocoa B: Britney or Christina?

KerinRose: Christina!

Cocoa B: Biggie or Jay-Z?

KerinRose: I’mma go with Biggie.

Great! I had such a fun time meeting you and getting to know you– you’re awesome and I wish you the most success!

And as a side-note did y’all know KERIN was an artist? Chicka is MULTI-talented with it. Don’t hurt ‘em girl! Check out some of her amazing art-work:

Kerin’s artwork covers the walls of her house in an amazing array. I felt so inspired just standing there and taking it all in. FABULOSITY!

Look out for Kerin and her amazing products on www.a-morrir.com! Be on-watch for more info about her foundation: WE LOVE YOUR GUTS! Also look out for a special video shout-out from Kerin to us, coming soon… And remember who always brings you the most exclusive interviews with the hottest in the biz. Be informed, be sophisticated– it’s a cool cruel world NINJAS!

*Please note: PHOTOGRAPHY FOR INTERVIEW SET was done by  my talented photographer JEFF “TECHIE” DORMEUS! Check him out anytime when you CLICK HERE!