Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/fashion/article/2027774/when-jeweller-cynthia-sakai-vied-jessica-alba-tv
Post Magazine/ Fashion

When jeweller Cynthia Sakai vied with Jessica Alba for TV role

The New York-based actress turned jewellery designer and founder of Vita Fede reveals why she changed direction.

Cynthia Sakai, of Vita Fede.

You were training to become an actress. What made you stop? “I went through all the typical training programmes that aspiring kids would go through. I remember one time when Jessica Alba and I were the last two girls auditioning for a television series called Flipper. Jessica had a robe on and her mum was helping her to put on her slippers. In contrast, I was running around in my bathing suit. My mother threw a towel at me to wrap myself in. That was an interesting time, but I eventually realised acting wasn’t for me – I didn’t love it and I was always a little shy.”

 

 

At 18, you started your first business, called Girl Boy By Koco. What did that experience teach you? “I learned the basics of running a business, since we sold a wide range of products. I also learned that even if somebody says they don’t like what you are doing, you just get up and keep going. Business is all about perseverance and trans­forming criticism into a positive force. I’m always about trying something new, and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I love creating something out of nothing. My mum is very entrepren­eurial, so it probably runs in the family.”

How did you come to create Vita Fede’s jewellery pieces in italy? “I once received a bracelet from a good friend. It came from Italy and I was amazed by the quality and craftsmanship. I had never gone to Italy before but a week later I went to Florence. I walked all over the city before eventually finding this bracelet store. I asked the shop if I could buy five or 10 of them, change the colour and metal and sell it in my showroom. My customers loved them so much we ultimately sold 10,000 pieces.”

Your mother worked for the Fendi family in rome while your father was an architect. What are your favourite memories? “One time, in the third grade, I had a school project and we had to make a 3D model of pilgrims and native Indians. My dad stayed up for a week to help. The model was architecturally drawn, there were little eggs inside the basket, little people, little buildings and a wall with someone climbing up. It was the nicest project ever. When I brought it to school, everyone else had a little dinky model while my dad’s was a super-huge one. My classmates and teacher knew I didn’t make it, that it was my dad’s pet project, and that we come from a perfectionist, overachieving family [laughs].”