In The Essentials | April Higashi
WELCOME TO IN THE ESSENTIALS: A series of interviews with long-time friends and customers, photographed in their favored pieces from our core collection of timeless, finely crafted essentials.
Shot at our Showroom | Atelier in Berkeley
MEET APRIL HIGASHI
Tell us a little about your background.
I’m an artist and the owner of SHIBUMI, a jewelry gallery in Berkeley, California.
I began in textile design and eventually found my way into fashion, where I worked at Esprit de Corp. Wanting a more hands-on experience, I took a jewelry class—it was incredibly challenging, but I loved the feeling of making something with my hands. When my department at Esprit was eliminated, the company offered me a role in production. I asked to be laid off instead.
After the layoff, a colleague and I—having taken just one jewelry class at City College in San Francisco—naively started a jewelry company. Our second order was for 6,000 pieces from Banana Republic, which funded our business and helped us figure things out as we went. Within a year or so, we had 300 accounts, including Barneys New York and Fred Segal in Los Angeles.
After six years, my business partner and I each wanted to pursue our own work, so we parted ways. During the early years of building my solo jewelry line, I held a few different jobs: I was a buyer for Lilith, worked as a gallery assistant at Susan Cummins Gallery in Mill Valley, and later became the art director for the Jerry Garcia Estate’s art program.
When the opportunity came to buy a live-work space in West Berkeley with my then-partner, sculptor Eric Powell, I jumped in. A year later, I opened a gallery downstairs showcasing my own work alongside the work of about fifteen other artists. It felt like the perfect merging of my skills—creating, curating, and seeing the bigger picture. I eventually hired a goldsmith, but in the beginning, I did it all—working at the bench and running the gallery.
After my son was born, I began to grow the team and learn how to delegate. I expanded the roster of artists I represented, and the gallery’s schedule quickly filled up. My role shifted toward shaping the vision, designing, and leading the team.
Today, we’ve moved the gallery to Berkeley’s Fourth Street area, and I have a team of around ten. SHIBUMI GALLERY is really two businesses: SHIBUMI and April Higashi Jewelry.
How has art and creative expression influenced your life?
I love creating an artful vision, bringing people together, and uplifting others—especially women, but really everyone around me. I want to do more than create beauty. I want to help people feel confident, authentic, and inspired to live a creative life. I want them to know they can access creativity, even if their job isn’t traditionally “creative.”
How did you first discover Erica Tanov?
In my early days of making jewelry, I walked into Erica’s store on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. I was looking for retailers whose vision I admired, and I immediately knew she would present my work beautifully. She was one of my first accounts.
In three words or so, how would you describe your personal style?
Artful. Subtle beauty. Strength.
What Erica Tanov essentials are staples in your closet?
Right now, I love the cream kimono sweater. It’s the perfect neutral—elevates all the black I wear and also pairs well with my patterned pieces. I tend to switch between all-black outfits and playful, pattern-forward looks depending on my mood or the jewelry I’m wearing. Erica’s essentials are perfect for both.
What clothing makes you feel most like yourself, and why? Is there a theme that runs through those pieces?
I adore Erica’s Edgar Allan Poe print from her book pattern series. It’s blue and white with a vintage 1960s Mexico City vibe—like something you’d feel lucky to stumble upon in a thrift store. I usually tire of prints, but this one feels so “me” that I never do. I have a few pieces in it, and one of my sheer silk shirts just recently ripped from too much wear. I’m dreading the day the other two wear out.
I also love her 1965 print. I’m drawn to anything with a 1960s influence—patterns, textures, colors, and architecture. My favorite pieces are bold, artful, and a little dramatic, but still casual. Her tunic dresses are a great example of that.
People don’t always know this about me, but I’m actually shy. A great outfit helps me step out of that and show up in the world as a leader and source of inspiration.
What clothing do you most often reach for in your wardrobe?
I’m a dress girl—always have been. Even as a kid, I wore a dress or skirt every day, though I wasn’t a girly girl. I wore shorts underneath so I could play on the monkey bars and do dismounts at recess.
These days, my grown-up version includes cut-off tights and hard-to-find cool flat shoes so I can climb a ladder at work if needed. (I rarely do, but just in case...)
How has your style changed over time?
Now, in my 50s, I’m more focused on stylish comfort—pieces that feel like me. I’m not as influenced by trends because I know what I like and what suits me. I also have a deep appreciation for quality fabrics and how they feel and drape on the body.
What is your philosophy when it comes to getting dressed?
I usually start with a piece of clothing or jewelry that pops into my mind—it’s intuitive. From there, I build an outfit based on what my day looks like: am I in the gallery, or at the studio? Then I layer on my jewelry.
I also love the simplicity of rolling out of bed, having coffee, going for a walk, and throwing on whatever’s easiest. But no matter what, I always put on my diamond earrings and 20k gold cuff before heading out. That way, I know exactly where they are!
What do you most value in a piece of clothing?
Design, quality, and originality—without being too avant-garde. I love avant-garde pieces, but I want my clothing, like my jewelry, to be wearable in all aspects of life—from yoga class to black tie (styled differently, of course). I have a pair of rustic diamond earrings I call my “yoga earrings”—I want to feel adorned, even when I work out.
I believe in having beautiful things, even for sleep or lounging. Why not?
Do you have any upcoming travels or projects you’re excited about?
Yes—two places! First, I’m heading to Paris with my boyfriend. I used to be a huge Paris fan but haven’t been in years, so I’m excited to experience the fashion and culture again. I need a little lift from the heaviness in America.
Then this summer, I’m going to Japan. I’ve been invited to mentor craftspeople and help with art direction for more contemporary designs. Many traditional crafts in Japan are fading—these artisans are so skilled, but they haven’t been taught to think like artists. There’s a real opportunity to help them adapt their work for a contemporary audience, especially tourists. My contact felt they could trust me—not just because of what I’ve built here, but because I’m also half-Japanese. They knew I would appreciate and respect their culture. It feels like a meaningful opportunity at this point in my career.
What are your travel essentials?
A versatile skirt (I’m in need of a new black one!), some favorite Erica pieces, a tunic, a few cotton tops, and a slip dress for sleeping. I bring a few jewelry pieces I can wear daily or mix and match. I try to pack minimally. Comfortable shoes are key since I walk a lot when traveling. I also bring my Gary Graham jean jacket and always pack a scarf—for my hair if it’s hot, or my neck if it’s chilly.
What is something small that means the world to you?
My son. My rings. My lipstick.
Where do you go to find beauty and inspiration?
Nature and travel.
What does an ideal day look like to you?
I love waking up a little earlier than everyone else, listening to something inspiring, and having my coffee. Then I send my son off to school and go for a walk. That’s when my “downloads” come—ideas, inspiration, priorities. I might text a few thoughts to my team. Then I take a bath and have a late breakfast.
By noon, I feel like I’ve had a productive and slow morning. I’ll then check in on custom work, connect with clients, or design new pieces for the studio. On the ideal day, there are no major fires to put out or staff issues to resolve. I might work on a “pillar project”—a creative concept to share through our gallery marketing.
I end the day with dinner and a movie with my son or a cozy evening with my boyfriend cooking dinner and pouring a nice glass of wine. A soak in the hot tub is a perfect finish—followed by a good night’s sleep (hopefully with no cats racing across the bed, just one sleeping quietly by my pillow).
What is the best or most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“If something scares you, that’s the first thing you should do.”
I believe excitement and fear often overlap. When something scares me, I ask myself—is it because I really want to try it? I’m not talking about thrill-seeking like jumping off a bridge, but things my inner self truly wants to explore or learn.
If the answer is yes, I move toward the fear. And I’ve never regretted it. Usually, I forget I was even afraid—it just becomes a part of who I am.
