Fara Sax always has had an eye for fashion. She always wanted to be an actress and her goal in life was to win an Academy Award.
She never thought that one day instead she would become a jewelry designer and find as much pleasure in designing as she did in acting.
Her journey to become a designer was unexpected. She did become an actress, working on stage and in commercials, securing parts on Miami Vice, Married to the Mob and The Fisher King.
She really loved working on stage because of the immediate audience response. Today, she gets that immediate feedback for her jewelry.
After leaving New York behind, she did temp work at Aerothrust Corp. in Miami, where she met the love of her life, Sam. It wasn’t long before they were married and had two children.
“We came from such different backgrounds,” Sax said. “I grew up in New York and he grew up in Israel.”
A few years ago, Sax decided to help a friend who was selling jewelry. Sax was selling ads and there were times when she would meet clients and end up selling the jewelry right off her neck.
“It gave me a whole new start to a whole career,” she said.
When her husband had to travel to Europe for a business trip and she asked him to check out jewelry manufacturing plants to see if they would work with them, her husband came back with a necklace and Van Galz was born.
They started the business at home and it grew from the kitchen to the living room and even took over the dining room. Six years ago they moved into a warehouse near Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport where she creates new designs and he runs the business side. They go to shows to find new markets for their creations.
The jewelry is brightly fashioned, trendy and yet has a vintage feel.
“We do a lot of transitional pieces where you can go from day to night,” Sax said. “I like to design for everyday use. It’s to be worn, to be enjoyed.”
She loves to use color in her designs. Her belief is every day is a Crayola Crayon moment.
“Color creates mood,” she said.
Her designs have gone through various stages. A few years ago she embraced leather and beads and the leather and crystal collection was born.
“I like the flavor of vintage but fashion forward,” she said.
She has a line inspired by her grandmother’s button collection as well as a classic collection She does a lot of bridal wear, items designed for the bridal party to the Mother of the Bride.
When a new concept comes to mind, she sketches it out and then sends it to the factory in Europe with specifications.
While she loves the creative side of the business, she also is firmly aware who her customers are.
“What sells here is not going to sell in California,” Sax said. “And New York is different. Miami is bold.”
One of the best aspects of her business is the ability to connect with all types of people. She loves being able to figure out what pieces will work best for a customer.
“You are almost like a psychologist,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
For more information, call 786-735- 1187 or go online to www.Vangalz.com.
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