Seatmates: Pia Mance
On finding design inspiration in door handles and floor tiles, the hotel that made her cry happy tears, and why Heaven Mayhem's next chapter might just have a lobby
This interview is part of Seatmates, a Window Seat series where tastemakers and creatives share how they move through the world—what they pack, where they stay, and the travel rituals that shape their lives.
Pia Mance built Heaven Mayhem on the belief that finishing touches are the whole point. The Los Angeles-based jewelry and accessories brand she founded and leads as creative director is a world of considered details—the kind that don't complete a look so much as make it feel like it couldn’t have ever been worn any other way. That eye was shaped early, through years of traveling with her artist father, moving through galleries, patisseries, and cities where history had a way of showing up in unexpected places.
And it still shapes how she travels now. Whether she’s studying the curve of a coat hook in a Florentine side street or cataloguing the branded cinema tickets at a Tuscan castle, Pia collects the kind of details most guests forget by checkout. For her, travel is as much about research as it is resetting—and occasionally, it’s the best version of both.
Read on to learn which city she's visited four times that’s home to a dream stay she’s targeting next, the one object she'd place in every hotel room if given the chance, and the travel habit she refuses to negotiate on.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! I’m Pia Mance, Founder and Creative Director of Los Angeles-based jewelry and accessories brand, Heaven Mayhem. I want Heaven Mayhem to feel like your one-stop shop for all finishing touches, those pieces that truly make you feel ready for the day and put together. To us, that means everything from jewelry, eyewear, watches, and even a laptop case and cute little knick-knacks. I’m also obsessed with cultivating a fun, inclusive, and inspiring community, and when I’m not working specifically on the brand, I’m working on a community event, activation, or meeting with members of the community to hear what they really want. I love traveling, trying new places, and immersing myself in different cultures. I travel 4-5 months out of the year and wouldn’t have it any other way; I am always on the go and I love it. As well as that, I love investing in my health both mental and physical and prioritize ‘me time’ for journaling, mindful walking, working out, and creating healthy recipes.
Heaven Mayhem has such a strong visual identity. How does travel influence your design language? Things like color, material, or mood?
Travel has always been one of my biggest sources of inspiration creatively. Growing up with my Dad as an artist, we did a lot of traveling and going to interesting places, historical landmarks, galleries, and patisseries that had been around for decades was something that came as second nature to my parents. As I have grown up and begun traveling on my own, I always prioritized seeking out the special places and immersing myself in the culture, specifically architecture and any vintage aspects I can come across. Unique hardware details and silhouettes that still feel modern decades later often inspire our shapes and finishes. Think door handles, coat hooks, tiles on the footpath, arches of windows, I really find inspiration everywhere. I also gravitate toward timelessness, especially in European cities where history and modernity coexist so effortlessly. This translates into our sculptural designs, mixed metals, and accessories that feel collected rather than trend-driven.
If you had to build Heaven Mayhem as a hotel instead of a brand, what would the experience feel like from check-in to checkout?
If Heaven Mayhem were a hotel, you would feel transported to our world from the moment you check in to checkout. The rooms would be designed around finishing touches, including interactive objects placed throughout. Lots of silver trays, wood accents and of course some animal print. Bookshelves with book boxes stacked in every corner you look. We would arrange thoughtful activities with intentional details; think movie screenings with chic tickets and branded popcorn, cocktails named heaven-sent or 222, angel hair pasta dishes. Our floral choice would be Calla Lilies displayed in vintage-sourced vases. Most of the details would be vintage and uniquely sourced; each room would be individual in some way. Every hotel guest would leave with lots of goodies, Heaven wine, olive oil, jewelry, jewelry storage, and whatever else we provided during the immersive hotel experience. Hotel Heaven would be a destination rather than a place to stay.
Your brand has collaborated with hotels before. What makes a hotel partnership feel aligned versus opportunistic?
We have previously collaborated with the Cara Hotel in Los Angeles, California, and it felt like a very natural partnership from the beginning. The Cara Hotel has been extremely supportive of the brand from the start; you can even find our book boxes in the hotel foyer. It has to feel organic and reflect a similar lifestyle and aesthetic to the brand. Cara already felt like a place our community would naturally spend time, so it never felt forced. It is my dream to have our book boxes in hotels around the world.
If Heaven Mayhem were to design an object specifically for a hotel room, what would it be and why?
If Heaven Mayhem were to design something for a hotel room, it would be an elevated getting-ready piece, designed to sit on a vanity or bedside table. When you’re constantly taking jewelry on and off, organizing small essentials, or getting ready quickly before heading out, having something functional but beautiful to wake up in Heaven. This would be a piece also available to purchase or take home with you, as no doubt guests would fall in love with the design and functionality.
What’s been your most memorable stay?
My most memorable stay was in Tuscany, Italy June 2025. I spent the weekend at Castello di Reschio with my husband Cody for a quick getaway and it was truly perfect from start to finish. The property was stunning and the entire staff was so kind and made our stay so lovely. We laid out in the sun and played backgammon prior to enjoying sunset dinners each day. Finished our last night watching The Roman Holiday outside on a projector, for the perfect memory. This is without a doubt the most special hotel I have stayed in, the backdrop and scenery is gorgeous, the grounds are stunning but truly it was about every tiny detail that made it feel so special. The branded cinema tickets for the movie showing, cocktails produced with produce from the property, an open mini bar with a gluten free chocolate cake, made purely with property ingredients, bone broth at the breakfast buffet… I could go on. This place has a truly special place in my heart.
Is there a destination or property at the top of your wishlist?
Many places—I would love to stay at AMAN Tokyo. I have been to Tokyo four times and it’s one of my favorite cities in the world, but I would love to experience the AMAN there.
What are your must-haves when it comes to luggage and items you travel with?
My Black Rimowa Trunks and Carry-on come with me on every trip. Packing everything in packing cubes is the true travel game changer; it keeps everything neat and organized. I pack all my Kroma products to make sure there’s always something delicious with me. I also love using my Etoile and Emi Jay toiletries cases for all skincare and makeup. On the plane, I can’t travel without lip balm, a hair brush, and compression socks. Of course, it’s nice to do the face masks and make it a whole experience, but my non-negotiables are those three.
What is your go-to airport outfit?
My go to airport look has been a tracksuit recently! I love this new black hoodie and sweat set from Brûlé, it’s so cozy and warm for a long travel day. I always wear my heaviest coat to avoid having my bags overweight, my travel hack! Shoes are my Khaite Ponyhair loafers or my Salomon Sneakers. My favorite travel bag is my Row Margaux, it fits all my essentials for the flight.
Do you have any rules or rituals when it comes to air travel?
I pack an empty water bottle to fill after security to make sure I stay hydrated and I wear my compression socks on every flight I take. My Kroma Bone broth and Matcha Sachets come with me as well, for the perfect on-the-go caffeine or protein boost!
Last question: aisle or window seat?
Window! It feels way cosier.
For more from Pia, follow her on Instagram. Interested in being featured in Seatmates or know someone who should be? Drop me a line here.
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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.