Intro: When Grandma’s Pearls Met Brooklyn’s Edge
Picture this: A 10-year-old kid in rural China, covered in pearl dust, arguing with Grandma about why this necklace needed more teardrop-shaped pearls. Fast-forward to today: That kid is me, Monmon, a first-generation immigrant, former corporate slave (yes, I briefly sold my soul to Wall Street) turned jewelry designer, handcrafting chokers for badasses who wear pearls with leather jackets and red wine stains.
This isn’t a “how I found myself” story. It’s a “how I found my way to your jewelry box” story. Let’s talk glitter, grit, and why you should never trust a designer who’s had three espresso shots and a “brilliant” idea at 3 AM.
From East to West: The Pearl Farms to Brooklyn Studios
Growing up, summers meant two things: swiping lychee candies from my grandma’s kitchen and watching her transform raw pearls into heirlooms. She taught me that jewelry isn’t just decoration—it’s how you tell the world who you are without saying a word.
In 2016, I landed in New York for a Computer Science degree I’d soon abandon (sorry, Mom!) and a head full of ideas. NYC’s energy—its fearless fashion, its mix of magic, chaos, and... [beat] chaos—ignited something. I started crafting jewelry for myself, blending Grandma’s pearls with Brooklyn’s edge. Then, something clicked: Strangers at coffee shops, subway platforms, and especially raves—where self-expression isn’t just encouraged, it’s required—kept stopping me to ask, “Where did you get that choker?”
DEF Designs: For Girls and Boys Who Break Rules (And Nails)
Yes, DEF is for the sexy rebels who:
- Layer teardrop pearls over band tees;
- Turn grocery store aisles into runways;
- Lose earrings dancing too hard but call it a “sacrifice to the vibe gods.”
My designs are a love letter to contrasts: raw and refined, timeless and rebellious. Think chunky silver chains hugging iridescent freshwater pearls, crystal pendants that catch sunlight and club lights, and charms that scream, “Bad bitch energy sold separately—and I’m all out.”
Inspo? Grandma’s elegance meets NYC’s fearless street style, disco’s glitter, and, most importantly, everyday magic. Like the couple I saw leaning on each other after dancing all night—their vibe inspired my “Hugging Little Figures” earrings, tiny silhouettes mid-embrace. Or the way sunlight hits a taco truck’s grease-stained napkins, which sparked a locket shaped like a tortilla chip. Playful? Always. Basic? Never.
Almost every piece is hand-finished in Brooklyn (with love, caffeine, and occasional help from local artisans)—often while blasting Peggy Gou and debating if tacos count as breakfast.
The Chaos of a One-Person Brand
Running DEF alone is like hosting a 24/7 DIY party where you’re the DJ, the bartender, and the one cleaning up glitter. Let’s break it down:
Design Drama: Releasing monthly collections sounds glamorous—until you’re on hour 48 of welding chains and realize you’ve accidentally created a necklace that weighs more than your cat.
Supply Chain Shenanigans: Last summer, I toured over 1,000 factories and markets from the Americas to Asia, hunting sustainable materials. Pros: Found some really, really cool charms that I can't wait to share with you; I took many video clips about this fun, massive, and wild journey (TikTok series coming… maybe? Help me edit?) Con: Got chased by a vendor yelling, “You’re too picky!” (Oops.)
Tech Tantrums: I built this website myself. Translation: I spent weeks customizing templates until it looked nothing like the default “1998 potato button” vibe. Thanks, almost-master’s-in-CS degree!
Marketing: Omg, this is the worst part. I'm still a marketing newbie pretending I know what “algorithm” means... (PSA: Everybody on the internet, please keep sending me that advice to my inbox—I’d love to hear it ALL!)
Customer Service Chronicles: My life is 50% “Your package is coming, queen!” and 50% “USPS did WHAT to your order?!” (And yes, I’ve only cried about it twice. Let these orders come in if you want to see me cry more!!)
Art School Hustle: Why the grind? I’m saving up to (hopefully) go to art school. Because in NYC, you hustle for rent and dreams. If you’ve ever pivoted careers, dropped a degree, or chased a wild dream—cheers!
The Secret Sauce? A Village of Dreamers
Let’s get real: DEF started with only a few thousand dollars and a prayer. But along the way, I've been lucky to receive so much help and support from friends, family, and other young artists who believed in my wild dream—and agreed to work for way below their usual rates. Shoutout to:
- New photographers who gave me F&F discounts to turn my messy studio into a Vogue spread.
- Rising models who rocked my designs in exchange for margaritas, good vibes, and the occasional IOU.
- Stylists and makeup artists who traded their magic for my eternal gratitude (and promises to “get you back on the next project”).
- Fellow members from the Williamsburg Art and Crafts Club who taught me to solder without burning down Brooklyn.
This brand isn’t just me—it’s us. If you’re looking for rising talent, check my Instagram tags. These artists are the future. Hire them, follow them, stan them—supporting DEF means supporting them too.
As I continue to build DEF, I’m always on the lookout for new voices and fresh energy. If you’re a creator—whether in design, art, photography, marketing, or beyond—and feel a spark when you think about DEF, let’s talk. If you believe in pushing boundaries, telling stories, and creating magic, don’t hesitate to reach out—I read every message and email, and I’m excited to grow this journey with YOU.
Let’s Get Loud (And Sparkly)
To the rave fam who’ve slid into my DMs asking, “Can I wear this choker to Brooklyn Mirage and a wedding?”—this is your brand.
If you spot a shirtless guy (lol) with pearl teardrops hanging from his sunglasses, losing his mind to Fisher, Dom Dolla, Black Coffee, or Fred Again (just to name a few) at the Mirage… hi, that’s me! Come say hello and let's be friends!
Join the DEF Chaos:
Follow @discoerosfinos for BTS chaos, styling hacks, stories about that time I glued pearls to my shoes, and pics of my cat judging my designs.
Subscribe to my newsletter—get 15% off and be the first to know about DEF's new drops. I promise the emails will be very occasional—a one-person brand can only do so much in a day...
Tag me in #DiscoErosFinos #myDEFstyle #dancewithDEF—whether you’re rocking pearls at brunch, vibing to the reflection of a disco ball, or doing the cha-cha in the cereal aisle.
