How Amanda Thomas Built Everyone's Favorite Jewelry Brand, Luv AJ
Proof that manifestation and business are a perfect mix.
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If you look up Boss babe in the dictionary, you would see a young Amanda Thomas. I also dubbed her the hustle queen, with her first Jewelry line picked up at age 14 by Fred Segal. Legend has it, a buyer walked up to her and loved the custom pieces she was wearing and scheduled a meeting to buy her collection, (no pressure for a young high schooler). She was a walking advertisement for herself and always re-envisioning vintage jewelry to add that Amanda flare. By her senior year of high school, she was represented in 12 locations and still managed to attend one of the top fashion colleges in southern California, OTIS.
Since then, her accessory brand Luv AJ has taken off with a cult following. Now, Amanda owns multiple brands subsequently, and her distinct hardware has been spotted on every trending celeb from Billie Ellish to Zendaya. Amanda has done major collaborations with exclusive brands such as Kith and has been in major publications such as Forbes, “30 under 30 list”. I can go on and on about Amanda’s accomplishments, the bottom line is this girl puts in work and it’s been nonstop since her adolescence days.
Let’s talk about the origins of Amanda’s LA-based jewelry empire. Thomas comes from a background of entrepreneurship and she was raised to have an impeccable grind to match. Her father encouraged exploring different hobbies and interning everywhere she could. Young Amanda found herself at the age of 14 interning for the jewelry brand Coryn Madley. There she learned the basics of Jewelry making and like a pair of dangly earrings, she was hooked. Unable to stop reinventing whatever jewelry she came across, Amanda became the accessory plug for prom and any highschool formal dance. If you wanted that statement piece for your dress, you called Amanda. Luv AJ was the firstborn label and most treasured, but Amanda has expanded her brand and created APRES Jewelry where Amanda gets lovey-dovey in creating 14 karat diamond bridal jewelry and engagement rings.
What I take away from Amanda is do what you love and work hard at keeping that fire lit. Amanda made her obsession a way of life, which is why I imagine she never feels like she’s working. She’s just the connect for the best gems and Jewels. The final thought to every outfit is that statement piece accessory, but Amanda’s statement will grace all of our future fired-up females. Her story says you are never too young to be a boss and stand out with the design of your life in mind.
