Erin Joi Skalde is a Jewelry Artist & former Las Vegas Showgirl who brings a sense of razzle dazzle, romance & lived experience into every piece she creates. EJ’s collections are inspired by life on Stage, iconic Hollywood Muses & her life experiences spent relocating for Love—blending glamour with armor that tells a cinematic story to add that dash of Glitz that Life deserves. We caught a glimpse into Erin’s world ahead of her trunk show at Marmalade Savannah next week, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is joyfully stuck in the ’90s, blending vintage glamour, comfy nonchalance & an intentionally undone approach to layering with oodles of razzle dazzle. My wardrobe acts as an interchangeable framework allowing the spotlight to shine on the Jewelry & accessories. I build my looks primarily in black, layering textured fabrics, leopard, velvet & strategic pops of color. I’ve curated a capsule closet focused on comfort & self-expression. I gravitate toward Vintage & Boutique pieces that pay homage to my favorite eras while evoking a cool, nostalgic vibe. In my mind, I’m constantly creating the final edits for the ultimate love-letter-to-myself wardrobe ~ so getting dressed always feels like me, while satisfying my need to be comfortable, feel cool & properly glitzed.
When did you fall in love with Fashion & Jewelry?
I fell in love with Jewelry at a very young age as a form of self-expression. I was drawn to its sparkle & sense of magic ~ it always spoke to my inner Artist. I remember being eight years old at a flea market in Las Vegas when I discovered a rhinestone necklace that read FOXY. I didn’t even know what it meant. I only knew it shimmered & felt powerful. I held it up to the Las Vegas sun while I kept repeating the word over & over ~ FOXY. I wanted to carry that sparkle with me every day. I was an arts & crafts kid. My Grandma Ethel would give me her broken costume Jewelry to play with & create from. I wove beaded bracelets on a small loom while carrying colorful strings to braid friendship bracelets wherever I went. Jewelry has been my love language from the very beginning. To me, Jewelry is the foundation of an outfit ~ the clothing essentially provides the canvas.
Who are a few of your favorite designers at Marmalade?
One of my Marmalade favorites is Anine Bing. Their Cool Girl effortless dresses & camisoles are my go-to for super soft, comfy pieces that have a polished ease. Also, dresses with pockets are a must for me. That silken satin track suit with lace by Find Me Now is the ultimate track suit ~ together it’s glammed comfort & as separates it invites endless ways to elevate an effortlessly chic, comfortable outfit. It’s perfect with colorful sneakers or my platform heels. The Tommy beaded bags by Staud speak to me…The Caviar one is perfect for popping out to Happy Hour for Oysters & a dirty Martini. What excites me about shopping at Marmalade is knowing I’ll find exactly what I’m actively looking for to complement my capsule wardrobe. I always have the best luck shopping here to find a versatile piece that I didn’t even know I needed/wanted.
You have traveled the world and gotten to live in a diverse variety of interesting places! Which of the places you have lived most influenced your designs?
Living in Japan & Italy shaped me to my core. Visually, each place fed my soul, while their cultures left a beautiful imprint on my heart ~ I carry them with me always. I was nourished by extraordinary food & surrounded by beauty so historic, poetic & profoundly different from anything I experienced growing up in Las Vegas. When I reflect on my time in Japan & Italy I’m warmed by memories that still bring a smile to my face. They were deeply happy chapters in my life ~ ones that challenged me to learn, to stay curious & go beyond what I thought I knew or who I could be.
What about Savannah attracted you to finally settle down here?
Our daughter, True, had been living in Savannah for two years & she was certain I would love it here. Prior to moving to Savannah my Husband & I were living in Merano, Italy for two years. Last February I came for a visit to Savannah & it was the ultimate Meet/Cute love at first sight moment for me. I did not realize how much I was craving a lasting Love Affair with a City. A Town that would make me want to be Home. The constant moving, starting, stopping, reinventing, it’s been years of packing & unpacking. All of the relocating for love had a built a strong desire in me to fall in love with a City & build a relationship with it. I wanted to know what truly being part of a Community could feel like for me. I am allowing myself to feel more permanence & less transient. Savannah is my idea of the perfect mix of grit & glam. Her lush landscapes, historic architecture, green spaces, warm culture, beautiful weather & a deep commitment to the Arts immediately captured my heart. Savannah is also a sports town, which perfectly suits my husband & our son, Skate. I love Savannah ~ she has filled my heart with something I didn’t realize I was missing: Home.
Tell us about your sourcing process, where are some of your favorite spots to go digging for jewels?
I’m a treasure hunter at heart, endlessly chasing vintage finds, dead stock & uniquely cut semi-precious stones that feel like they’ve lived a life before me. Flea markets are one of my favorite places to dig ~ they offer the most inspiring environments for discovering unexpected treasures, antique gems & old world objects that spark new ideas. To create consistency, structure, & keep ethical integrity within my inventory I rely on trusted vendors I’ve built long-standing relationships with over time for new gemstones & beads. Also, attending a Gem Show is my idea of a perfect weekend ~ equal parts research, sourcing materials, inspiration & pure joy.
What is your favorite spot to get a drink in Savannah? Dinner?
My favorite place in Savannah to enjoy a glass of wine is my back garden. I’m happiest surrounded by the fruits & vegetables that nourish our meals. I didn’t fully realize how deeply having a garden would inspire my work. The vibrant hues of Bright Lights Swiss Chard show up in my design choices while Savannah sunsets bouncing off the candy-colored exterior of my home create the perfect backdrop to layers of textural greens, hues of deep purples, blues & my absolute favorite pink. Nature is the ultimate designer & artist. I do love popping out to Late Air for something surprising & delicious it is such a vibe in there with the twinkly sparkly candlelight it sets such a mood to enjoy a perfectly relaxed cocktail paired with sharable small plates. When the mood strikes for playing pool my husband & I ride our bikes over to Moodrights for a margarita & hot wings. Ooooh I also love getting glammed up to grab a drink at the Municipal Grand or The Grey especially when I’m in the mood for some oysters I recommend sitting at the bar to experience some friendly Savannah charm.
Any fun facts you'd like to share?
One fun fact is that I’m a former Las Vegas showgirl & a core formation of my identity as an Artist came from having the immense honor of dancing in Jubilee!, wearing extraordinary costumes by Bob Mackie, Diana Eden, & Pete Menefee. Jubilee! was legendary for its lavish use of Ostrich feathers, French wirework, & Austrian crystals. Glitz has always felt like a second language to me. Being a Performer taught me how Jewelry transforms not just an outfit, but confidence, posture, & presence ~ its armor, storytelling & pure magic. That early life on stage shaped my love for bold accessories, dramatic details & a belief in the power of razzle dazzle. Another fun fact is that I collect Dictionaries. I was a terrible speller as a child but my Fourth Grade teacher Ms. Crow encouraged me to break through that block. She helped me understand the roots of words, changing how I learned & how I expressed myself. I bought my first dictionary at my Elementary School Library sale, studied it obsessively & built confidence through language. My Love for Words is something that shows up in the LetterBlock Collection. I recently found a Brewer’s Dictionary of Twentieth Century Phrases & Fables at an Estate Sale. Words matter…they can punch, provoke, inspire & soothe. I love how words, like jewelry allows us to declare who we are without saying a thing.
