Meet  Rielah De Jesus!

Hi Rielah! Where are you from?

I’m originally from the Philippines, and now I live in Arlington, Virginia.

How’d you find ZOX?

Back in January 2018, I really got into artfully decorated bangles and silk scarves. I started looking for bracelets with art on them, and Google led me to Zox. I joined VIP a month later after I made enough purchases to get into VIP – my very first order was “Uniqueorn” and “Fernweh” by the lovely Geleen Lorica.

What’s your favorite thing about being a VIP?

For me, Zox VIP is a community of diverse and unique individuals bonding over a shared common interest which is Zox.  What it has done for me is it has allowed me to meet and connect with people who I never would have otherwise interacted with, and these ‘Zisters’ and ‘Ziblings’ have enriched my life with their friendship, and we continue to bond over our shared love of Zox every day. (By the way, we did give ‘Zother’ a try but it just didn’t take off.) Zox VIP is also a place where you get to share your Zox and what you like about them!  I love seeing how people wear their Zox.

How do you decide what to collect?

I collect what speaks to me. (Unfortunately, all the Zox seem to want to talk to me and I can’t make them stop, so I guess they just all have to come home to Mama.)  Back in the day, I joked to my friend that the Zox seem to ‘sing to me’ – I believe we were talking about a strap called “The Sound of Silence”, and so we ended up breaking out in song with the Simon and Garfunkel classic.  This started my Zox of the Day posts on VIP where I post about a Zox, some related trivia, along with a song inspired by that day’s Zox.  

I do have one specific collection of Zox – I make sure I get all the ones that have ladies on them. (I think I have most of the older ones so far, except “Ladykiller” which is a very rare one that I’ve only heard of from the bards of Zox legend. I don’t even know if it’s real. Bueller? Anyone?)  I am still working on getting the lady Moonstone from the Asgard collection, as well as the ladies from the Season 4 Alice in Wonderland set; it’s been really challenging! Of all the ladies, “Lioness” by Rik Lee is my favorite. (But please don’t tell the other ladies!) I collect the ladies because I’m very passionate about empowering women in technology, and I am part of an organization called Women in Big Data (WiBD) that helps champion the success of women in the tech field.  As a solutions architect working for Amazon Web Services, I actually speak at WiBD events about my work, and one thing I do at these events is give away Zox as prizes and swag – I’ve given out a bunch of “We Can Do It” straps with Rosie the Riveter on it as well as “Venus” with Botticelli’s Venus on it. I’ve given out Zox at WiBD events in Washington DC, London, and Munich. I think of it as my way of supporting the cause, as well as sharing my love of Zox with more people!

What do you love about ZOX?

I love the art! For me, Zox is a fashion statement – it helps me express my style and creativity on my wrist.  If you check out my Instagram account, you’ll see all my Zox of the Day posts – I love mixing combinations of Zox straps and singles and sometimes I even match them to my kicks. The combos could be related by a theme, a color palette, a funny thought or anything that inspires me.  I have a lot of fun setting up my ZOTD photo and I enjoy thinking of creative ways on how to stage my Zox combo for the day. I’ve also carried my Zox around the world and I like to take pictures with my Zox when I travel.

Which ZOX speaks to you the most?

Please don’t make me choose! Aside from the ladies, my favorite Zox is the OG Blossom strap as well as the OG Four Seasons Set. I also love all the Zox that are related to books, especially the “Bibliophile” Blackstar as I’m a big bookworm!

Which ZOX are you planning on getting next?

I would love to complete the newest Birds mini-collection that have been seen out of mystery packs – I’m an avid birdwatcher, and I love watching new birds that I haven’t seen before visit my feeders.  I also am hoping to pull a Blackstar from a mystery pack – I’ve never had that happen to me yet, I hope someday I get lucky – I would like to get the “Bleep Bloop” Blackstar as it is related to my work in tech. Also, one of my fondest dreams is to get a Zox I designed made.  I’m very active on Zox Idea Factory and the Zox Spotlight program and I am hoping eventually one of my designs gets put on a strap.

** Disclaimer: All photos and stories are property of the VIP. Their featured collection in this blog does not mean that what is shown is for sale by the VIP.