The Waiheke in Black by Chalonne
Genuine shearling black cuff with a shiny black genuine lizard strap
If you like fashion, you know the satisfaction of putting together the perfect outfit. Sometimes you can find inspiration from your accessories, perhaps even curating a whole outfit around a must-have pair of shoes. For those looking to add some unexpected style to their OOTD, Chalonne is a wonderful place to start. Its Apple Watch bands are intricately designed and include luxe materials like solid 14K gold, diamonds, gemstones, and even shearling and pony hair. Carlye Morgan, the company’s Founder and CEO, joined us to discuss why her company’s watch bands have become so popular and are a must-have tech accessory for the fashion-forward.
The idea to design luxury Apple Watch bands grew organically after Ms. Morgan her first purchased Apple Watch. “I loved my watch and the easy access to apps, but I disliked the accompanying silicone band,” Carlye says. “I couldn’t find any high-quality bands at the time, and I didn’t want to sacrifice my personal style to sport the latest tech.” With limited players in the space and a personal goal to start her own business, Carlye set out to rectify the problem herself.
You might expect that in the midst of a global recession that fashion on this level would take a hit, but you would be surprised. “We have actually thrived,” says Carlye. “I think a significant part has to do with the movement toward conscious consumption. We offer a high quality, hand-crafted item that gives back for every purchase. As a result we’ve had many repeat customers and strong word of mouth.”
Chalonne’s goal is to create stylish, luxury Apple Watch bands by focusing on original design, the highest quality materials, and artisan craftsmanship. “We want to offer our customers a premium option that can be easily switched out on a daily basis depending on the occasion and your personal aesthetics.”
High-Quality Apple Watch Bands
One of the biggest initial challenges was finding the right manufacturer in Europe. Chalonne bands are designed with an uncompromising commitment to quality and luxury, and there are not many manufacturers who can live up to that. After an extensive search, Chalonne found the perfect partner with 65 years of expertise and artisanal heritage. “They were incredibly enthusiastic and supportive of the Collection from the start. It was clear they could deliver a superb product which was paramount, but they have also been amazing collaborators, working with me to achieve the quality and aesthetic that Chalonne requires.”
Carlye explains that Chalonne’s collection of luxurious Apple Watch bands offers an elegant way to express individuality and style every day. “One thing that makes us unique is the attention we give to the creation process,” she says. “All our bands are designed in Bel-Air, California, and meticulously crafted by artisans in France.” Once a design is ready, a dedicated team of skilled artisans gets to work, handcrafting each band. “That is my favorite part of the process: watching my designs become a reality and also knowing the attention to detail and care that goes into creating every band.”
Carlye states that it was important to ensure the jewelry would withstand daily use. “No matter how beautiful a watch band may be, it needs to be functional, so we did extensive research to develop a technology to lock the jewels inside the lining of the band, which ensures stability while maintaining suppleness and comfort.” Chalonne designs are made with the finest materials possible, including responsibly sourced diamonds, solid 14K gold, and rich leather in European detailing.
The Emerson Grande by Chalonne
14k yellow gold hearts with pink sapphires on light pink premium calfskin leather
Carlye Morgan, the CEO and Founder of Chalonne
Carlye is a passionate world traveler and has traveled abroad in Europe, including in France and Italy. After studying art history at the University of Pennsylvania, she spent a semester abroad in Rome to study Renaissance and Baroque art. She says that her passion for travel and art has inspired her designs.
“Each design is a metaphor of my personal experiences through travel.” she says. Evoking pristine beaches, the scent of dried grass, Venetian architecture or the relentless desert sun, all of Chalonne’s designs are imbued with a sense of time and place. “Specific moments in my travels, throughout my life, have such a visceral quality to them that my designs simply become an expression of those experiences.”
Ms. Morgan knew early on in the development of Chalonne that she wanted to use it as a vehicle to support women’s causes, specifically breast cancer research. “Our mission is to support organizations that empower women. Since health is one of the key pillars of female empowerment, we have developed a long-standing partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Given every donation is one step closer to finding the cure to a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of women in the United States each year, Chalonne donates 4% of all retail sales on Chalonne.com to BCRF. But that is only the beginning. As they grow, Chaloinne intends to work with additional nonprofits to support women in other ways as well.
The Calafate by Chalonne
Iolite cabochons set in 14k yellow gold flowers on navy Nappa calfskin leather
About Chalonne:
Welcome to the new luxury. Chalonne luxury Apple Watch® bands are hand-crafted in France with the finest leathers, gemstones, 14k solid gold and sublime craftsmanship. At the heart of the brand’s commitment to giving back. For every band sold, Chalonne donates 4% of the purchase price to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Chalonne luxury Apple Watch bands are compatible with all series 1-7 and sizes 38mm – 41mm and 42mm – 45mm. For more information or to enjoy a Chalonne band visit https://chalonne.com or follow the brand socially via @chalonne.la.
About Carlye Morgan:
CEO and designer Carlye Morgan founded Chalonne in her mission to evoke artistic expression in a technological market. Her wanderlust has allowed for visionary while studying abroad in Rome, as well as her years of experience drawing and painting. Each band is a metaphor of her personal experiences through travel. All of her designs are imbued with a sense of time and place, starting with the locale of inspiration, to the design in Los Angeles, to the artisan craftsmanship in France.