Friday Flick: Pamela Love

Watch Brooklyn-born jewelry designer, Pamela Love, talk about losing things, riding her bike in Brooklyn and, of course, designing jewelry. 

Newsworthy: New Jewelry Collections, CFDA Noms, and Flash Sales Galore

Elle || Great post and slideshow designer Victoire de Castellane's collection, Fleurs d’excès. J'adore!


WWD || Designers Pamela Love and Eddie Borgo have been nominated for this year's Swarovski Award for Accessory Design by the CFDA. The award ceremony will take place June 6 at Lincoln Center. 


Sales || Gilt Groupe, Ideeli, RueLaLa, and Hautelook are having some awesome flash sales today and tomorrow. Happy Friday! 

Friday Flick: Modern Gems

Hauntingly beautiful music? Check. Black and white drama? Check. Fine jewelry? Check. Am I in love? Yes.

Check out this video from Elle featuring fine jewelry and dramatic posing. 

Shopping: BaubleBar.com

Ever since I read this piece from WWD about BaubleBar.com, a new jewelry web site, I've been poking around to see what it has to offer. While I still don't like shopping for jewelry on-line because I can't touch it and see specific details, the site does offer a range of reasonably-priced costume jewelry that I wouldn't feel too guilty if I bought a piece and it didn't turn out to be what I expected.

Two things struck me about this site - the content above the fold and the expiration dates of the products. The site takes full advantage of its press coverage and mentions right before the fold so shoppers take notice and stay on the page. A smart move on behalf of the site's creator, and something that other new shopping sites should follow. The site also has expiration dates on its products. Items that are in the "Trend Collection" are only available until certain dates - the "Mixed Metal Bangle" trend is available until March 21 and "Fringe Benefits" until April 6. This makes the site feel more exclusive and similar to a flash sale, thus making customers want to buy now, not later. Both are smart business moves that strive to keep the customer on the site and shopping.

Now onto the jewelry itself. There's a good range of delicate everyday jewelry to chunky cocktail baubles and the prices are pretty solid, but there aren't any designer names or brands listed. The items can either be good quality or street vendor quality and be wary of knockoffs, like this wrap bracelet that is strikingly similar to Chan Luu's signature wrap bracelets.

The site's business oriented structure is a smart move but I'd rather spend my money elsewhere for a brand name that offers some legitimacy to the jewelry sold on the site.

Chan Luu

BaubleBar.com

Interesting Read: Gaia Repossi: High Jewelry’s New Ingénue

I just stumbled onto this profile and Q&A from Elle. I'm a bit late but nonetheless, it's a great article on an iconic house and sort of what I tend to go for in my student designer profiles. Enjoy!

Designer Spotlight: Brigitta Stoner

Brigitta Stoner, a senior jewelry and metal smithing major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts here at SU, was recently named one of 12 VPA Scholars, the school's highest undergraduate academic honor. The school's top seniors majoring in art, design and transmedia; communication and rhetorical studies; drama; and music were selected based on their academics, portfolio, and service to the college and community. The scholars will be recognized during VPA's annual convocation on March 14.

I caught up with the Aaronsburg, PA native in the jewelry studio to chat about her inspirations and future plans. Click through the slideshow to see some of Stoner's amazing work!

Q: Why or how did you get into jewelry making?

A: I have been making jewelry since elementary school. For years it was just simple beaded jewelry and to be honest, I think I liked collecting the beads more than stringing them together. Then when applying to college, I decided to pursue jewelry and metalsmithing with no knowledge of what it entailed. It still surprises me that I found what I love to do based on an impulsive decision. I guess it goes to show that your instinct is usually right.

Q: What inspires you?

A: Inspiration can come from anything at anytime. Mostly it's the natural world that provides my inspiration. A lot of breakthroughs happen for me when I'm taking a walk outside. Memories from my childhood in the countryside are also a huge theme in my work. But really, I can be inspired by anything. A painting, a beautiful book, an interesting film, or even conversation can spark some creative thought. Every inspiration may not appear in a final piece but it's all recorded either somewhere in a sketchbook or in my mind.

Q:  What is your favorite type of jewelry to make?

A: Right now brooches are my favorite things to make. There is something sweet and nostalgic about a brooch.

Q: You interned at Lucky during your winter break, what did you think of the experience?

A: Lucky was an eye opener for me. I never worked for a company with more than six employees before so it was really interesting to learn how a large business operates and to see so many people working together for one goal. I was working in the accessories department which meant I got to see a lot of jewelry and learn a bit about production jewelry. I am so fortunate to have had the experience.

Q:  Any future plans?

A: For the immediate future I'm planning my senior show, an exhibition of my jewelry. (The time, date, and location are TBA.) After graduation in May, my plans are less clear. I plan to be in graduate school in two to three years for a Master's of Fine Arts in jewelry. In the meantime, I'm trying to find meaningful work to fill those in-between years. I'm planning on continuing my jewelry work and I would love to work for another artist.

Friday Flick: Alexis Bittar

One of my favorite jewelry designers and best of all, it's all designed and hand-made in Brooklyn. Told you we're awesome. 

Shopping: Richrocks.com

If you've ever wondered what jewelry the girls of Gossip Girl are wearing and where to buy, you're in luck. Many of the pieces worn on the popular television show can be found at Richrocksnyc.com, a site that sells a good selection of costume jewelry at various prices.

Verdict: I can see why Rich Rocks serves its purpose to Gossip Girl - most of the merch is very much bling-ed out (cubic zirconias and crystals). On television, the pieces are scarily similar to fine jewelry but in real life, it's a bit too tacky and flashy for everyday wear. But their selection of gold and silver toned pieces won't give you a questionable green tinge like Forever 21.

Note: I'm a big fan of the show so I'll excuse the pitiful and blatant similarity between Richrocks.com's double "R" logo with Rock & Republic's.

Newsworthy: Fine Jewelry, DIY Jewelry, and More Fine Jewelry

Style.com || Couture Week might be over in Paris but the festivities continue. Chanel, Dior, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Gripoix, and Fabergé showed their fine jewelry collections last week. You can bet many mags will want these pieces for their jewelry editorials come spring.

Teen Vogue || Check out this month's Teen Vogue DIY and learn how to create a vintage statement necklace à la Lulu Frost. The best part? It's a lot cheaper than a necklace from their collections.

Elle || Want to indulge your lady friend in jewels this Valentine's Day? De Beers just launched a new collection inspired by lucky coins. Prices are a bit expensive, the pieces range from $850 to $2,500. But if you buy on for her, she won't be the only one getting lucky.

Newsworthy: Jewelry Brands Revamping Collections, Tiffany Lawsuit Fails, Resort's Best Neckaces

WWD || Accessory and jewelry brands such as CA&LOU, Damiani, and Biern are revamping their businesses to cater to younger clientele and, in Biern's case, extending the brand into the jewelry market.

ABC News || Supreme Court rejects Tiffany & Co.'s lawsuit against eBay for trademark infringement. Fail.

Elle || Check out the best necklaces from the resort collections. Time to break out my piggy bank!

Telegraph's How To Guide on Buying Jewelry

Alison Skeates, the owner of the jewelery shop EC One, doles out useful tips and practical advice all while wearing a chic Shourouk necklace. And yes, EC One offers international shipping to the states. 

Newsworthy: WWD Loves Jewelry

Monday's WWD is all over new jewelry launches and Kate Middleton's sparkly engagement ring. Looks like the jewelry biz is all abuzz.

WWD || Copies of Kate Middleton's engagement ring are flying off jewelry shelves, boosting jewelry sales, and creating a trend for blue sapphires.

WWD || New fine jewelry brand, Le Buisson, is changing the way the wearer looks at jewelry - literally. The brand uses ethically sourced stones by Thailand and prices range from $656 to $11,166.

WWD || Celia Weinstock's debut collection of eclectic jewelry, called Lyme Fine Jewelry, is out this month at Mallet on Madison Avenue. There are diamond and pearl bracelets inspired by the last Czarina of Russia, sapphire rings and diamond chokers from the Edwardian era, and even jade bracelets from the Far East. Prices range from $4,918 to $52,969.

Designer Spotlight: Evin Robinson

Evin Robinson, a junior communication and rhetorical studies major here at SU, proves that learning can also take place outside of the classroom. Robinson is the founder of InspiRing, a youth empowerment and business venture. He is partnering with Tiffany Bender, a senior communication and rhetorical studies major, to fund the Scholarship Showcase, a $1,000 textbook scholarship that is awarded to five graduating high school seniors from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

Check out my exclusive Q&A with Robinson and the video Robinson has created to learn more about InspiRing.

Q: What made you start inspiRing? 

A: I started InspRing with the sole purpose of giving back, and to make my mother proud . What I didn’t initially see was the big impact that InspiRing could have on my community. I live by the quote “I plan to be a product of my environment but a product in which my community will be proud,” and that’s exactly what InspiRing has allowed me to be. InspiRing is all about social change and empowerment for everyone.

Q: What are the materials you use for your rings?

A: InspiRing makes right-handed rings that symbolize female empowerment. Each ring is handcrafted and can be made with 14k gold, gold-filled wire, or sterling silver wire along with a Swarovski crystal or hand blown glass bead. Each ring comes with an inspirational quote.

Q: How many rings have you sold?

A: The rings sell for $25 and InspiRing has sold 426 InspiRing units to date.

Q: Who are you inspired by?

A: I get my aspiration from other social entrepreneurs. My role model is Russell Simmons.

Q: Where do you see the company in five years?

A: In five years, I see InspiRing being one of the top leading empowerment businesses in the world. Our main quote is “Empower yourself by InspiRing others” which means boosting the confidence of others by being role models for change within your respectable community.

I Die: Spring 2011 Jewelry Slideshow

Style.com found the best way to cure the Monday blues - a preview of next spring's hautest jewelry - pun intended. Most of the pieces are insanely expensive and I can guarantee it'll be credited as "price upon request" in the mags.

Though all the pieces are for the spring 2011 collection, I love that designers have developed a signature look or design and find a way to incorporate it into their next collection. Even as I was looking at the teeny tiny thumbnails, I could name some of the designers and jewelry houses.

Designers like Pamela Love, Kara Ross, Dana Lorenz of Fenton/Fallon, and jewelry houses like Mawi, have stuck to their jewelry design aesthetics season after season but still manage to keep it feeling exciting and new. One of my absolute favs is Mawi, the company has kept the same gun-barrel and big colored jewel element in each collection but manages to work in new styles.

I'm already thinking of things that I can sell so I can afford one of their pieces, which means I also have to pick an ultimate favorite! Ahhh!

Mawi, Spring 2011 

Friday Flick: Kara Ross NY Fall Winter 2010 Photoshoot

One my favorite brands - that I can't afford obviously :(

I Die: nOir and Disney Collaboration!!!

Usually I'm in the know about new jewelry collabs, so I've literally no idea how this didn't come across my radar. nOir just released their Disney collection, and good lord, I ... die. (cue Rachel Zoe voice)

I'm tempted to chop off my hand and sell it on the black market for any one of the pieces, particularly the Pegasus ring and the cuffs - but that'd make wearing them hard.

Dinosaur Bones Cuff, only $450 :( 

Friday Flick: Fenton/Fallon

Cheap Finds: 5 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Worthy Jewels

The November chill is creeping in and all I want to do is drink some hot coffee and eat fudge-y brownies in bed, but for Victoria's Secret curvaceous and bodacious models, that's a major no-no. Good thing I'm not a VS model!

On November 30, VS Angels like Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, Chanel Iman, and Bar Rafaeli will strut down a (probably bling-ed out) runway in lingerie and drenched in jewels - all while making the guys drool even more, and us girls hating ourselves more. LA's Racked  nabbed a few pictures of the bazillion dollar jewels that the models will be wearing. Apparently, the only way to accessorize a push-up bra is a pendant necklace that falls perfectly on the bust..trend, anyone?

Here are some options that'll fall perfectly on your cleavage - and well within your budget.

Forever 21, $8.80

Givenchy, $36

Eliot Danori, $150

Lee Angel, $75

J.Crew, $50

Newsworthy: Funding Fancy-Colored Diamonds, New Cartier and Post-Halloween Gems

WWD || A new fund is supporting fancy-colored diamonds, apparently the rarest and most expensive diamonds on earth. On bad days, I tell myself that I'm a diamond.. can I get some financial support and investment too?


Fashionista || Cartier's making more bank on revamping its successful LOVE line. The company hosted a fancy dinner and previewed the pieces, which feature earrings, necklaces, and rings in rose gold, pink sapphire, and black ceramic. I haven't bought pieces from their previous LOVE collections, and they're already shilling out new ones?? The insanity!


Elle || Halloween may be over but check out these scarily beautiful (and pricey) baubles. DIY by swiping that plastic spider you used to decorate your door and glue on some crystals from the bookstore's decoration section! 

Newsworthy: Solange Expands, Syz Returns to NYC, and Dominic Turns to Clothes

WWD || Solange Azagury-Patridge's London shop has moved after 15 years from Westbourne Grove to Bond Street. But that's not all - Azagury-Patridge has plans to open shops in LA and Singapore. What'll cost more - a gorgeous Solange jewel or a round trip to London? ..actually, who cares?? Both would be worth every penny!

WWD || Geneva-based jeweler Suzanne Syz has returned back to her 80's roots and has come back to NYC to present an exhibition aptly titled “City Lights” at the Marianne Boesky Gallery on East 64th Street. Time to book a bus ticket back to NYC. (Is it just me or is WWD having a field day with jewelry shops and exhibits in cities that I am incredibly far from?) 

Style.com || Jeweler designer, Dominic Jones, is now designing clothes and shooting them badass Brit model, Alice Dellal. Seriously, where's my ticket to London?