President/CEO of Tarina Tarantino: Alfonso Campos

"Man of Style"

Tarina Tarantino’s sparkly line of jewelry has been seen on the Hilton sister’s, Cameron Diaz and countless other celebrities at some of the most important award shows and events. Alfonso Campos, President/CEO and husband, to wife/jewelry designer behind the famous name, Tarina Tarantino, takes time to dish on his multimillion dollar business (behind the glitz and glamour), his signature style, style secrets any man can follow and even talks about his style on the job.

Melissa Maynard: Give me a synopsis of what your key role is in the Tarina Tarantino jewelry business. When did you and your wife realize you made it in the industry? What's it like for you and Tarina to see the jewelry on famous celebrities at Red Carpet events? Do you ever get used to it? How does your family inspire you?
Alfonso Campos:   My role here at Tarina Tarantino is one of many.  Though I am the CEO/President of the company, I’m hands-on with the marketing and sales of the company.  I try to delegate as much as I can, but ultimately the fun part of my job is the creative process of coming up with the best ways to distinct the brand from any other brand out there. 

Tarina and I realized that we had made it in the industry after the overwhelming amount of orders from top notch stores coming in a rapid pace, and of course, our very important piece of press about us in People Magazine and the Oprah show.  It’s of course very flattering to see stars wearing our pieces to Red Carpet events because it confirms that what we are doing it’s being appreciated by people that have tons of stuff thrown at them on a daily basis and yet they choose yours, hopefully because it makes them feel good. 

When Cameron Diaz wore our Carved Rose Turquoise bracelet to the Oscars, I mean, you can’t top that as far as publicity goes.  Companies pay serious $$$ to get their products worn by any star, yet she chose to pay for it and wear it!  You can’t beat that!  We are very fortunate to have that kind of luck.  You never get used to seeing the celebrities wearing your accessories because I think that each time you see a new piece or an old piece worn with some incredible couture dress it’s very exciting.  It may not feel the way it did when we first started the business; nevertheless, it’s always flattering, always reassuring.  My family inspires me simply by focusing on the possibilities with them.  All of the clichés are true, besides, children make you relive your childhood and what better place for inspiration can one ask for?

MM: What type of man are you as far as fashion is concerned? What best describes your look? What’s your signature style?  
AC: Tough question to answer without sounding narcissistic.  I do love fashion, but I don’t consider my self a fashion victim.  I don’t have to have the latest look from a particular designer or the latest color du Jour.  I love fitted suits, like those from the sixties and even the funky styles of the seventies. My style varies, but I can tell you that I don’t care too much for sloppy dressing or beach casual or skate or even hip-hop urban.  I love more of the cinematic style from foreign films of the sixties and seventies and the way racecar drivers lived and dressed in those days as well.  There is something about those eras that I think will always be influential in style for years to come.  

MM: Who has style to you? - What celebrity male? What icon?
AC:  Any man whose clothes fit.  I see so many men dressed in clothes that don’t fit.  I hate the oversized black leather jacket!  Guido style belongs in the Sopranos.  Of the current male celebrities I don’t find too many of them to have style, I mean Brad Pitt can dress up once in a while, I like the way Heath Ledger dresses, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp used to dress up really cool until recent years.  In terms of icons, I love Marcello Mastroianni, Jean Paul Belmondo, Gary Cooper and Steve McQueen.  Of course, we can’t forget producer Robert Evans!

MM : What are some easy tips any man can follow with fashion?
AC:   Read magazines!!!  There are thousands of tips for various type of men, but if I had to choose a few I will say to keep it casual elegant, a great shirt with a cool pair of jeans, a suit with a shirt and no tie, always iron your clothes and of course invest in good shoes and always keep them clean, (this is pet peeve #1 of many women’s list), but my personal number one rule is: only buy pants with no pleats!!!

MM: What's a hip tip you do to instantly look more polished for a special event? Do you have any style secrets?
AC:   I love cuff link shirts, especially with sparkling cuff links –great detail and very James Bond.  I also love wearing a crystal tie clip when I wear a tie.   To look polished one must absolutely make sure that no matter what you’re wearing it must fit!!  Befriend a great tailor and make him your best friend!  

MM: What is a typical workday for you? A month?  How does that affect your fashion sense?
AC : Put out fires, delegate, meetings with all the different departments, follow up with projects that I assigned, answer tons of e-mails and look over Tarina’s shoulder to see what creations she’s coming up with, so that I can throw my two cents in.  To be honest with you I can’t tell a month apart from a week and a week from a day!  I am very lucky that I own a company where the routine changes daily, yeah, there might be some bad days of course, but for the most part we really try to have fun!  We have a great creative group with us.  My fashion is dictated by what I will be doing in a particular week.  If I have a lot of meetings, then, I pull out the funky suits, if I’m going to be getting down on the floor with the graphics department, then I pimp it up casual, funky.

MM: What's the best part of your job?
AC: Working with my best friend, my wife!

MM: Do you have a favorite men's fashion magazine?
AC: I really like British GQ and L’Uomo Vogue.

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