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La vida local

Project Accessory contestant Brian Burkhardt wants to bring home the prize

 
 

 
 

Let’s hear it for Miami! Of three left standing, two locals remain on Lifetime’s Project Accessory: Nina Cortes, who owns Nina Loren boutique in South Miami, and Brian Burkhardt, who owns Triian jewelry studio in Wynwood with his wife Trisha Brookbank.

The 40-year-old Burkhardt, who grew up on Long Island, N.Y., has a slight advantage due to winning a key challenge last week on the Project Runway spinoff. Designer Kenneth Cole chose his designs — a supercool goatskin “Unicorn Clutch” and resin “Bolero Necklace’’ — to sell on kennethcole.com; 100 percent of net profits go to Cole’s foundation, AWEARNESS. The two pieces are available for preorder for $300 and $125, respectively, and hit stores in February. We talked to Brian, who is the father of a 7-month-old son, Oliver, about the challenge and juggling reality TV with real life.

How did you prepare for the challenge?

Kenneth Cole is an American staple, and I felt like I wanted to create unique pieces that would add a little edge to his line but not change his line. I wanted to create a look of a woman going away during the holiday season to upstate New York. I guess you could call it “Adirondack chic.’’ It had the feeling of someone who was stylish traveling to a lodge, with the fireplace going, and taxidermy on the walls. The unicorn had kind of a playful element to it, a sense of mystery. That was the visual I had in my head.

Sounds like you miss the winter.

I like it but only when I know I can back to Miami. I can go visit the cold!

How are things going in your studio?

Triian is not so much of a storefront but more of a workroom. It’s a mix of both our names. My wife and I manufacture and design everything there. So all the pieces are 100 percent handmade but are accessible. We have a baby boy, so it’s hard, but it’s all worth it.

Obviously you can’t say if you won, but how was it being on the show?

The experience alone was really amazing, and I still keep in touch with many of the people. The caliber and energy of that group blew me away. With that said, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, hands down. Just super draining. It was actually more intense than the way it was filmed. I just thought, ‘Oh, it’ll be easy. We’re going to take a break, they’ll set up the cameras now, sit down and have a cup of coffee,’ but no. I’d eat at 1:30 in the morning because I just wouldn’t have time.’’

What is it about accessories that are so alluring?

They’re fun. You can swap out pieces, you can really dress up a casual outfits. It’s the way someone can inject their personality into their look.

Madeleine Marr

The finale airs Thursday 10 p.m. on Lifetime TV.

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