Christopher Aire is a Nigerian born African Americanjeweler and timepiece designer. He is the president of Solid 21 Incorporated and best known as the founder of his eponymous brand, Chris Aire.
Early years
Chris Aire was born in Ivue-Uromi, Nigeria. His father Joseph Agimenlen Iluobe was a successful Nigerian oil mogul and businessman and his mother, Victoria Isesele Iluobe a homemaker. He graduated Immaculate Conception College in Benin City, Nigeria. Thereafter, his father wanted him to join the family business. Aire started helping his father manage the family oil haulage business, but quickly realized that he had a strong desire to work independently. Looking back on this experience, he realizes it was formative in his future destiny of building his own company. After working briefly for his father’s company Iluobe Oil, he decided to leave Nigeria and move to the United States to further his education and attend California State University Long Beach. While in college, Aire worked menial jobs in fast food restaurants flipping hamburgers at night, and pursuing his education during the day. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in acting and directing. Breaking into the acting scene proved to be unsuccessful, so Aire decided to channel his talents towards music. He joined a group called Raw Silk, collaborating and performing with the band for a few years. The band did not experience the type of success he had hoped for, so he decided to break away in hopes of creating a solo career. Still struggled in the music industry, he searched for a new path, always believing that there was something bigger that he was destined to be or do. After much searching, he finally accepted a job as an apprentice to a jeweler in Los Angeles California, called P-5 Jewelers. Soon after, he enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad where he received his diamond-grading diploma.
Career and brand
In 1996, after six years of apprenticeship with P-5 Jewelers, he set out on his own. He had managed to save a meager $5,000 to start a namesake brand that designs and sells fine jewelry and watches. Shortly after founding Chris Aire, he unexpectedly met Gary Payton, an NBA superstar who was then with the Seattle SuperSonics. Gary showed interest in his designs and invited Aire to see him in Miami at a charity event the following month. Having only enough money for a one-way ticket to Miami did not deter him as he trusted his instinct that talent and quality for design would prevail. In Miami, he landed a substantial order, solidifying his breakthrough moment and position in the jewelry market that he had always dreamt about. In 2004 he made fashion history when he became the first jeweler to stage a runway show during New York Fashion Week to showcase jewelry as fashion. Naomi Campbell closed out the show, wearing a diamond halter worth $10 million, solidifying his talents as a successful jewelry and watch designer. Today, his private shows set in world capitals including New York City, Washington DC, London and Beverly Hills. These events are attended by celebrities from all walks of life, many of whom love to walk the catwalk modeling Chris’s latest creation in support of his work.’ Venus and Serena Williams, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich and girlfriend, Danish actress Connie Nielsen, among a host of other celebrities were all on hand for the Chris Aire Jewelry Launch at Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 on September 12 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Aire has established a global network of followers among athletes, musicians, politicians and high net-worth individuals that value his unique and bespoke commissions, as well as his trademarked and widely revered signature Red Gold® collection. The brand is worn and admired by many Hollywood A-listers including, Will Smith, Angelina Jolie, Halley Berry, Oprah Winfrey, Jay Z, Muhammad Ali, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Jamie Foxx, Clint Eastwood, Liam Hemsworth, Forest Whitaker, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, 50 Cent, Lil’ Wayne, Adrien Brody, Madonna, Shaggy, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Usher, Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, Ice Cube, Denzel Washington, Tyrese Gibson, David Ortiz, Regina King, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Ellen DeGeneres, Miley Cyrus, Andre Young, Samuel L.Jackson Richie Sambora and more Aire opened his first boutique at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria in 2012. In 2014, Aire moved his United States office from downtown Los Angeles to his US flagship boutique in Beverly Hills At each retail location, he creates a superior shopping experience to accommodate high-profile customers, presenting the most exceptional pieces of fine jewelry and timepieces. Aire has made significant contributions to the watch and jewelry industry. He has worked closely with the platinum guild to cement platinum as a metal of choice in both jewelry and watch making. He was also instrumental in introducing the term BLING into mainstream usage. In addition to making diamond dog tags a classic in American fashion, he has contributed immensely to the diamond industry as an innovator and trailblazer
Recognition and titles
-The Los Angeles Times crowned him ‘The King of Bling!!!’ - Rolling Stone magazine called him ‘The Emperor of Ice!!!’ -Aire has been featured in several other magazines such as Forbes, Wall Street Journal. IDEX JCK MAGAZINE, Elle, Vogue, Black Enterprise, Robb Report, International Wrist Watch Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Watch time, QP magazine, Rapaport magazine, ESPN Magazine and Los Angeles Magazine He has also been featured on CNN, E! Network, Konnect Africa Washington Times, USA Today, and the Discovery Channel.
Personal life
Aire is married to Diana Atinuke Durojaiye. They have three children. He is based in Los Angeles and visits Nigeria often.
