Lifestyle

Franky Diamond – The Celebrity Jeweler who Instils Love for Diamonds using Instagram

Published

6 years ago

February 27, 2020

In the present age of social media, Instagram is the place to be for jewelry designers. What used to be a platform for sharing images of quaint little cafes or cute dogs has now become a powerful marketing tool for brands, independent artists, and entrepreneurs. For this reason, more and more people reliant on social media marketing are finding it essential to maintain a consistent and eye-catching feed that hooks the viewers, also the potential customers. One of them is the Toronto-based jewelry designer cum fashion influencer, Ali Lalani, also known as Franky Diamond.

Franky, an early adopter of social media, loves the community he’s found on Instagram. And when he expresses himself as well as his work on Instagram, he builds an even stronger community. To date, Franky has sold hundreds of thousands of jewelry pieces, including rings, pendants, watches, and bracelets via Instagram. He firmly believes that age-old norms like the brick-and-mortar still shine bright when it comes to jewelry are meant to be broken. Having realized the cutthroat competition prevailing in the jewelry industry and the rising necessity of presenting craftsmanship, Franky embraced the world of social media that now boasts of active base thousands of followers on Instagram alone.

When talking about balancing work with social media management, he said, “Maintaining consistency and keeping the followers engaged is a big job. As a celebrity jewelry designer, or one may call me an artist, my duty is to not only post photos of my designs but bring life to them. But on the other hand, what’s great is Instagram is fun and free. Having said that, there’s no better platform than this to showcase the talent and generate leads.” Whether people want to express themselves or use lifelike photos to best advantage, Franky says Instagram is the king of social engagement.

Through the means of attractive posts, stories, highlights, videos, and advertisements, Franky has managed to amass a pool of customers who are either celebrities, influencers, business tycoons, or just about anybody. His strong belief in adding a personal touch to the work he portrays makes him a coveted jewelry designer, as well as a social influencer, looked upon by many both in real and reel life. Even though there have been many other jewelers, jewelry designers, and jewelry brands who have placed their bet on Instagram to boost sales, what makes Franky different is his quest to integrate modernity to traditional forms of business. Today, as a lead influencer in the jewelry industry, he strongly advocates and recommends using the power of social media to promote work and skills through targeted ads and well-strategized initiatives.

He adds, “I use Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter as storytelling platforms to generate brand awareness. To say, in particular, Instagram offers a great service in terms of product discovery, making it one of the very few mediums connecting customers and producers directly, at just the touch of a button. So far, this social platform has helped me build my brand, absorb inspiration from other bloggers, jewelry designers, and enthusiasts across the world, and gain clientele. What makes Instagram special is the fact that it is visually pleasing and not crowded.”

Indeed, Franky, through his visual storytelling techniques, has mastered the art of creating a polished and cohesive Instagram feed that has left people wondering what launches next. In doing so, he has been successful in building a loyal social media following of users who not only engage with his content but show an equal amount of keenness in purchasing new jewelry collections.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

6 days ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.