Nicholas Panameno’s journey into jewelry design began with a simple frustration: the jewelry he bought at Hot Topic would rust or stain his skin. Inspired by online creators, he decided to make his own. At 13, while visiting family in Nebraska, Panameno embarked on his first DIY project with $100 gifted by his aunt. He purchased supplies from Hobby Lobby, and that night began crafting his own earrings and bracelets.
For Panameno, jewelry design became more than just a hobby. “When I design jewelry, it gives me peace. I love creating pieces not just for profit, but to see others wear what I make,” he said. “It’s a creative workout for my brain.” His designs often include social justice themes, adding a deeper personal message to each piece.
Panameno, whose roots are Salvadoran and Nicaraguan, grew up in Los Angeles. He further honed his craft in an afterschool program at Fairfax High School. However, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that he began making jewelry regularly. In June 2022, he launched his own brand, Monochrome X.
The name of the brand comes from Panameno’s love for the video game “Splatoon,” which features monochrome clothing. He admired the game’s style and wanted to bring that aesthetic to real life. The “X” in the name represents his commitment to size inclusivity, ensuring that everyone feels welcome to wear his designs.
“My art and jewelry reflect my life. It’s a way of telling my story,” Panameno explained. Each color in his collection carries its own significance, carefully chosen to align with different themes.
The colors he often uses include white, pink, gray, red, and black. White symbolizes innocence and the formality of religion. Pink represents revolution and social justice, reflecting his life as a Latino. Gray, made from a mix of black and white beads, is a metaphor for the struggles of corporate life, which Panameno describes as “working until you die.” Red stands for love, relationships, and friendships but also for hatred and envy. Finally, black represents the challenges of being stereotyped and endangered.
As a student at San Francisco State University, Panameno studies apparel design. He frequently attends campus events and sells his jewelry at markets in the Mission District. In April 2024, he sold pieces to Matthew Maduli, an SFSU alum.
“I think their jewelry is reminiscent of the 2000s—like the handmade jewelry we used to make as kids, but with much better material,” said Maduli.
Panameno’s work also caught the attention of Rolana Erskine, a fourth-year student and outreach coordinator. She met him at a flea market organized by the Environmental Resource Center on campus.
“I love that his pieces are all unique, with great color combinations and shapes. He also incorporates his cultural background into the jewelry. Given San Francisco’s environmentally conscious community, Monochrome X stands out as an ethical brand,” Erskine said.
Sarahi Rodriguez, an ethnic studies student and co-owner of the clothing brand “4Life,” has partnered with Panameno at various events. She has seen him grow in the fashion community, including his role in the campus Fashion Network Association.
“It’s beautiful to watch him grow and express himself through different forms of art,” Rodriguez said.
One of Panameno’s most impactful pieces, titled “Face Everything and Rise” (or “F.E.A.R.”), explores the topic of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. He will showcase this at the Requiem Runway 2025 show. The piece features an oversized T-shirt, a jaw-string skirt, a large jewelry bodice, and a helmet. The model will also carry protest signs that read “Deportation is Not Hot” and “Don’t Separate Our Bouquets.” The body crystals and porcelain bead jewelry, named “Nasty Majesty,” highlight the themes of resistance.
For the event, Panameno will wear a light pink T-shirt adorned with hibiscus and yucca flowers—symbols of his Nicaraguan and Salvadoran heritage, respectively. The piece is one of three in the show that focus on immigration rights and social justice.
“I hope this will be an eye-opener for people. They might think, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this was happening,’” Panameno said. “These issues don’t get enough attention from major fashion outlets like Vogue or i-D.”
Looking ahead, Panameno dreams of hosting his own runway show, showcasing clothing designs in his signature colors—white, pink, gray, red, and black—to tell stories through both fashion and jewelry.
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