About the Designer

Valerie's training began with a degree in the arts from Loyola University Chicago. Her studies resulted in scholarships to attend The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Valerie continued her formal education by studying children's literature at Trinity College, Oxford University. She received her Master's degree in Education in 1995. In 1997, Valerie received a grant to work as a research assistant, collecting data on the now extinct black rhinoceros in Kenya and Zimbabwe. During the 2001 summer months, Valerie lived, worked and studied in Milan, Italy. In 2002, Valerie worked with world-renowned sculptor John Kearney in Provincetown, MA. She helped Jack create the "Canadian Moose" sculpture displayed in front of NBC Tower in Chicago from 2009-2010. From 2000-2004, Valerie taught elementary art to children ages 3-13. In 2004, Valerie traveled to Japan where she was hired to give an educational art lecture to students in Beppu, Japan.

Valerie Downs' "twist-tie couture" was established in 1999 as the designer created her signature organic, nesting technique. Her wearable art designs continue to be sold across the country in top boutiques and galleries. Valerie Downs Jewelry's wire wrap designs were featured at both the 2006 Golden Globes and Sundance Film Festival's Feinstein Style Lounges, on OPRAH and Chicago Channel 7 news, in Lucky, W, OK, US Weekly, Crain's Chicago Business, CS, French ELLE and Chicago Magazines. Star clients include actresses Kristen Bell, Mary J Blige, Jessica Alba, Avril Levigne, Christina Applegate, Daisy Fuentes, Tiffani Thiessen, Cameryn Manheim, Molly Sims and former "Sex and the City" stylist Rebecca Weinberg.