Everyone has dreams and hopefully everyone has a passion
whether a profession or hobby or just life itself. There are very few who can
manage to blend them together and yet combine all of it with a profession that
stands on its own.
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Chris Bradley Hager may be one of those rare breeds of human
beings who has structured his life, or possibly compartmentalized it, so that
there is space for dreams, passions and reality. Being a competition equestrian,
a jewelry designer (Wicked Pony) of a collection is based on the “equestrian
iconography” and also a full time personal trainer and gym instructor; well,
talk about your bouillabaisse of talent; the man has created his own formula
for goal attainment.
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Life is lived by those who find the ways to express
themselves in the most creative of ways as well as those who follow their
passions to achieve a dream by finding the means to an end. One can say it is a
life well lived or a life that is powered by achievement, inspiration and aspirations.
So, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Chris Bradly Hager who is living his
life to the fullest and having one helluva of a good time doing it so here in
his own words is Chris who will tell you all you need to know about him
straight from the horse’s mouth. Oh, pun intended.
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Jeffrey Felner: Can
you tell us a bit about your background/roots and how the past influenced the
present and future?
Chris Bradley Hager: My background, growing
up in Marlette, Michigan was showing Quarter Horses. My parents met at my
Grandpa's Quarter horse farm where my dad brought his mare to be bred to my
Grandpa's stallion. It was love at first sight and a 49 year romance. They
had three kids and a lot of great horses. I started with a white pony
named Pepper and I grew up on the horse show circuit. I eventually
raised, trained and showed my own show horses. It was a great life.
I eventually grew up and moved to New York to pursue a career as a
Fitness Model and eventually Fashion Photography. With a continued love
for horses, I went back home and showed again after five years. When I
got my fix again I moved to Miami Beach to pursue the Photography and did
Personal Training. The Photography was a bit competitive but I did build a
career in Fitness. After a visit home to Michigan to see my family one
Christmas after my Mom's death, I found some old riding chaps and show bridles.
I brought them back to Miami Beach and decided to make bracelets out of the
chaps and bridle, which got me started on my new love, jewelry design with an
equine flare.
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JF: What is the
long range plan for Wicked Pony? And how did you arrive at the name?
CBH: My long range goals for
Wicked Pony are to see them in future fashion shows, fashion shoots and
hopefully some day in major department stores.
I got the name from my
childhood. I always had a love for ponies. There was an old movie
that featured a child with a British accent and her pony. She used the
phrase “Oh Bo you are so wicked." That stuck in my head to this day
and my collection became Wicked Pony. Ponies are full attitude and they
have a bit of Napoleon Syndrome. I love them and I always will.
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JF: Where do you
see your brand in terms of product extension or possible collaborations in the
future... in essence your wish list?
CBH: I would love to
work with some amazing photographers and models and see my pieces in unique and provocative ads. Being a former Fitness Model and Personal Trainer, I know who I
want to see in my pieces and how I think they should be shot. I worked
with some great photographers in New York and I would love to work with them
again, with some great models. From the Polo field, the Cross Country
jumping course to the Runways of New York, that's the dream!
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JF: If you could
invite any 5 people to dinner who would they be and why?
CBH: 5 people I would like
to have at a dinner party would be:
David Beckham, for his
style, Kelly Bensimon because she would love my jewelry with her fashion sense
and lifestyle, John Legend, because he is a cool guy with a lot of swag and a
beautiful voice, Chrissy Teigan because she accessorizes John so well and it's
not a party without her, Paula Deen, because I know John and Krissy love friend
chicken and my mother loved her. My favorite designer is Ralph Lauren
for his sense of style and attitude. He is the designer I would most like
to have carry my line of jewelry. My mom dressed me in Polo as a child
and it has always been the style I can most relate to in both clothing and
home. He gets the head of the table next to Kelly.
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JF: What is the
best advice you ever received? From who and why?
CBH: Oprah Winfrey said to
always surround yourself with people who make you better and I have found that
to be truer the farther I go in life.
www.wickedponybychris.com
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