Chris Aire

Christopher Aire (born December 25, 1964) is a Nigerian born African American jeweler and timepiece designer . He is the president of Solid 21 Incorporated and best known as the founder of his eponymous brand, Chris Aire.

Christopher Aire
Born
Christopher Aire - Iluobe

(1964-12-25) December 25, 1964
Ivue-Uromi, Nigeria
Alma materCalifornia State University, Long Beach
OccupationCEO, Solid 21 Incorporated
Home townIvue-Uromi, Edo state Nigeria
Spouse(s)Diana Durojaiye (3 children)

Early years

Chris Aire was born in Ivue-Uromi, Nigeria. His father Joseph Agimenlen Iluobe was a successful Nigerian oil mogul and businessman and his mother, Victoria Isesele Iluobe a homemaker. He graduated Immaculate Conception College in Benin City, Nigeria. Thereafter, his father wanted him to join the family business. Aire started helping his father manage the family oil haulage business, but quickly realized that he had a strong desire to work independently. Looking back on this experience, he realizes it was formative in his future destiny of building his own company. After working briefly for his father’s company Iluobe Oil, he decided to leave Nigeria and move to the United States to further his education and attend California State University Long Beach. While in college, Aire worked menial jobs in fast food restaurants flipping hamburgers at night, and pursuing his education during the day. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in acting and directing.

Breaking into the acting scene proved to be unsuccessful, so Aire decided to channel his talents towards music. He joined a group called Raw Silk, collaborating and performing with the band for a few years. The band did not experience the type of success he had hoped for, so he decided to break away in hopes of creating a solo career. Still struggled in the music industry, he searched for a new path, always believing that there was something bigger that he was destined to be or do.

After much searching, he finally accepted a job as an apprentice to a jeweler in Los Angeles California, called P-5 Jewelers. Soon after, he enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad where he received his diamond-grading diploma.

Career and brand

In 1996, after six years of apprenticeship with P-5 Jewelers, he set out on his own. He had managed to save a meager $5,000 to start a namesake brand that designs and sells fine jewelry and watches.

Shortly after founding Chris Aire, he unexpectedly met Gary Payton, an NBA superstar who was then with the Seattle SuperSonics. Gary showed interest in his designs and invited Aire to see him in Miami at a charity event the following month. Having only enough money for a one-way ticket to Miami did not deter him as he trusted his instinct that talent and quality for design would prevail. In Miami, he landed a substantial order, solidifying his breakthrough moment and position in the jewelry market that he had always dreamt about.

In 2004 he made fashion history when he became the first jeweler to stage a runway show during New York Fashion Week to showcase jewelry as fashion. Naomi Campbell closed out the show, wearing a diamond halter worth $10 million, solidifying his talents as a successful jewelry and watch designer. Today, his private shows set in world capitals including New York City, Washington DC, London and Beverly Hills. These events are attended by celebrities from all walks of life, many of whom love to walk the catwalk modeling Chris’s latest creation in support of his work.’

Venus and Serena Williams,[1] METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich and girlfriend, Danish actress Connie Nielsen, among a host of other celebrities were all on hand for the Chris Aire Jewelry Launch at Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 on September 12 at Gotham Hall in New York City.[2]

Aire has established a global network of followers [3] among athletes, musicians, politicians and high net-worth individuals [4] that value his unique and bespoke commissions, as well as his trademarked and widely revered signature Red Gold® collection. The brand is worn and admired by many Hollywood A-listers [5] including, Will Smith,[6] Angelina Jolie,[7] Halley Berry,[8] Oprah Winfrey, Jay Z, Muhammad Ali,[9] Lebron James,[10] Kevin Durant, Jamie Foxx,[11] Clint Eastwood, Liam Hemsworth, Forest Whitaker,[12] Justin Timberlake, Nelly,[13] 50 Cent,[14] Lil’ Wayne, Adrien Brody,[15] Madonna, Shaggy,[16] Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Usher, Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, Ice Cube, Denzel Washington,[17] Tyrese Gibson, David Ortiz, Regina King, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Ellen DeGeneres, Miley Cyrus, Andre (Dr. Dre) Young, Samuel L.Jackson [18] Richie Sambora and more [19][20]

Aire opened his first boutique [21] at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria in 2012. In 2014, Aire moved his United States office from downtown Los Angeles to his US flagship boutique in Beverly Hills [22] At each retail location, he creates a superior shopping experience to accommodate high-profile customers, presenting the most exceptional pieces of fine jewelry and timepieces.

Aire has made significant contributions to the watch and jewelry industry. He has worked closely with the platinum guild to cement platinum as a metal of choice in both jewelry and watch making. He was also instrumental in introducing the term BLING into mainstream usage. In addition to making diamond dog tags a classic in American fashion, he has contributed immensely to the diamond industry as an innovator and trailblazer [23]

Recognition and titles

-The Los Angeles Times crowned him ‘The King of Bling!!!’ [24] - Rolling Stone magazine called him ‘The Emperor of Ice!!!’ [21] -Aire has been featured in several other magazines such as Forbes,[25] Wall Street Journal. IDEX [26] JCK MAGAZINE,[27] Elle, Vogue, Black Enterprise,[28] Robb Report,[29] International Wrist Watch Magazine, Los Angeles Times,[30] Watch time, QP magazine,[31] Rapaport magazine,[32] ESPN Magazine and Los Angeles Magazine [33]

He has also been featured on CNN,[24] E! Network, Konnect Africa [34] Washington Times,[35] USA Today,[4] and the Discovery Channel.[36]

Personal life

Aire is married to Diana Atinuke Durojaiye. They have three children. He is based in Los Angeles and visits Nigeria often.

References
  1. "Serena Williams, Naomi Campbell, Venus Williams and Deborah Cox News Photo". Getty Images. 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  2. "Lars Ulrich And Connie Nielsen Attend Chris Aire Fashion Show". Blabbermouth.net. 2004-09-21. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  3. "How Nigerian-born designer Chris Aire became a jeweler to the stars". Sparkle. 2014-03-22. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  4. Carter, Kelly (2003-01-17). "USATODAY.com - To celebrities, Aire is a gem". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  5. Laura Schreffler (2015-05-06). "Jeweler Chris Aire's Desktop Essentials". Hauteliving.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  6. "Will smith in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  7. "Angelina jolie in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  8. "Halle Berry in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  9. "Muhammad Ali in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  10. Mike Dojc (2009-05-13). "Jocks and Jewels: Behind Big League Bling". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  11. "Jamie foxx in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  12. "Forest whitaker in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  13. "justin timberlake in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  14. "50 cent in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  15. "Will smith in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  16. "justin timberlake in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  17. "Clint eastwood in chris aire - Google Search". google.com.
  18. Max, Danielle. "Oscars Jewelry Fashion Report: Drop Earrings & Hair Jewelry". Idexonline.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  19. Nwamu, Aniebo (2015-08-29). "Chris Aire: Renowned Jeweller, Hollywood's 'King Of Bling' | Nigerian News from Leadership News". Leadership.ng. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  20. "Meet Chris Aire, The King of Bling And Jeweler To Hollywood's Elite". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  21. "Chris Aire Will Open First Retail Boutique". Instoremag.Com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  22. "Chris Aire". Chris Aire. 2014-10-02. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  23. "Chris Aire Luxury Watch and Jewellery Designer - Atelier Fifty-Five - Contemporary African Design and Interior Inspiration". Atelier Fifty-Five. 2011-01-07. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  24. "How Chris Aire hustled his way to become Hollywood's 'King of Bling'". CNN.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  25. "Meet Chris Aire, The King of Bling And Jeweler To Hollywood's Elite". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  26. "IDEX Magazine - Full Story". Idexonline.com. 2005-09-05. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  27. George, William. "A Jeweled Watch Movement - JCK". Jckonline.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  28. "Chris Aire". Connection.ebscohost.com. 2006-04-06. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  29. Francis Addo (2011-12-19). "Ghanaian Actress Caught With Chris Aire ~". Ghanashowbiz.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  30. "Bling-bling king - latimes". Articles.latimes.com. 2003-01-10. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  31. "King of Bling" (PDF). Qp.granularit.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  32. "Chris Aire Hits the Runway With $175 Million of Diamonds". Diamonds.net. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  33. Los Angeles Magazine. June 2002. p. 70. Retrieved 2015-09-18 – via Internet Archive. Los Angeles magazine rock stars chris aire.
  34. "Chris Aire, The King Of Bling!!!". Konnectafrica.net. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  35. "Ice, ice baby". Washington Times. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  36. "Diamond Road (Documentary) - Trailer (2008)". YouTube. 2007-07-24. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
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