Posts Tagged ‘Jewelry’
Exclusive Interview with Alexis Bittar
Tuesday, March 15th, 2011
If you’re an accessory aficionado, Alexis Bittar is on your radar. Each of his designs is a statement piece of individual splendor, and last week, we had the extraordinary honor of chatting with him at an exclusive Saks Fifth Avenue event. We walked in and amongst the runway seats and audience stood two tables–and later models–adorned with lavish bounty: Alexis Bittar’s Spring 2011 collections. We saw ocean-inspired necklaces, colorful leopard prints and bejeweled masterpieces, all designed to wow.
There were three collections for spring, each with their own personality: “Lucite,” “Elements” and “Miss Havisham.” The three all had their own texture, material preference and vibrancy that appeal to three style aesthetics. However, they all hold one thing in common: personality. These pieces are not for the feeble-minded. They’re for the fashionably brave who wish to use the industry for what it’s intended to do: impress and stand out.
Here’s what the jewelry master had to say:
SA: How is the Spring 2011 collection different from your others?
AB: Well, I designed three collections, so its is a medley. Each one of them has a distinct personality. I think in general there’s this kind of [motivation] to try new textures and metals, and overall, there was a fantasy.
SA: Do you have a favorite piece or set within the collections?
AB: Sophie’s choice! There’s a bunch in there. I love the pearl collar necklace. I love the woven turquoise collar, which is all hand-done. There’s a ‘80s graffiti print that’s also really amazing.
SA: Do you have a muse?
AB: It’s tricky because again I have three collections, so each one has a muse. I try to mix it up in terms of personality. I’m good friends with Iris Apfel. She’s more mature…almost 90, and they did a whole exhibit about her at the MET. She’s got such a great personality, and she’s a fashion icon. She has great individual taste. Also…Debbie Harry. I like people who have personality, who aren’t wallflowers. I feel like if you’re going to do fashion, then at least have fun.
SA: Why did you choose Lauren Hutton for the spring ad campaign?
AB: It’s funny because when I first started to design, I was selling jewelry on the streets of New York. I remember Lauren actually coming to my table when I was 19 years old. I feel like today Lauren resembles a mother of where fashion is going this season in terms of what Chloe and Celine are doing: This very clean, very ‘70s aesthetic. When you find a face that’s iconic and of substance, sometimes that comes with age. To have an iconic face, you have to be around for a while. There’s something in the maturity of her face. She’s a strong woman. She’s my date to the MET Ball!
SA: How do you feel like your designs have evolved since setting up a table on the streets of New York? Do you feel your work still holds the same personality it did then?
AB: Definitely! I’m fortunate I’ve got a team of 12 people on the design team, and 300 total. So, I’m able to design more and more frequently. I have the privilege that I can design what I’m inspired by. For example, for fall, I’m designing this pendent that says, “Reality TV Makes Me Sad.” It’s been 20 years, but I’m much more detail oriented now. I understand the consumer better. I feel like with the older I get, the better I understand what women want.
SA: Do you have any jewelry trends you are particularly excited about for spring?
AB: I like the clean metal pieces. Also, the trend toward this multi-ethnic, eclectic feeling. I feel like mixing that up is a strong look.
SA: Can you give us fall sneak peak?
AB: For fall, I worked again with Jason Wu to design his collection. We went into this baroque, Gothic, Tim Burton look, while still being very chic. We just showed it in Paris!
SA: You were really big into the New York party scene. What of that do you see in your work today?
AB: A lot. I was going to clubs when I was 13. I feel like the whole energy of it is to have fun, and a little bit of shock. You want to keep people on their feet. Fashion shouldn’t be boring.
We couldn’t agree more.
By Meghan Turner
Interview conducted by Meghan Turner and Maia McGinley
Images: Gold ring ($325); Turquoise and varasite collar ($495); Leopard bracelet ($375) courtesy of Alexis Bittar
Tags: Accessories, Alexis Bittar, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Runway Show, Jewelry, Saks Fifth Avenue
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Simply Fabulous: Fallon Spike Ring
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
Definitely an eye-catcher, this Swarovski crystal and gold spiked ring by Fallon ($120; fallonjewelry.com) will separate itself to the other rings in your jewelry box.
Tags: Accessories, Fallon, Jewelry, Ring
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Simply Fabulous: JewelMint Necklace
Sunday, December 26th, 2010
Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter’s new jewelry line, JewelMint, is available exclusively through its members-only website (it’s fabulous!). We fell in love with this chunky “Nicolas” necklace with pastel beads and bold pendant ($29.99).
Tags: Accessories, Cher Coulter, JewelMint, Jewelry, Kate Bosworth
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Simply Fabulous: Black Onyx Tassel Necklace by Ivanka Trump
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
In recognition of the Chicago premiere of Ivanka Trump’s namesake jewelry line at Marshall Pierce and Company, we’ve selected one of our favorite designs from the collection. This tassel necklace with black onyx beads ($4,500) is unmistakeably chic, glamorous and edgy.
Tags: Accessories, Ivanka Trump, Jewelry, Marshall Pierce and Company
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Simply Fabulous: Damen + Division Turquoise Drop Earrings
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Chicago jewelry line Damen + Division makes knock-out statement pieces rooted in artisanal glamour and vintage detail. We love these eye-catching “Suki” gold and turquoise drop earrings ($158; Sarca; 710 N Wabash Avenue).
Tags: Accessories, Chicago Boutiques, Chicago Designers, Chicago Shopping, Damen + Division, Earrings, Jewelry, Sarca
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Chicago Designer Spotlight: Winifred Grace
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
I first met Winifred Grace Gundeck a little more than two years ago. At the time, I was writing a feature on her jewelry line, Winifred Grace, for a local magazine. I arrived at her small, sunlit studio for the interview and was greeted by a petite and welcoming Winni, as she is commonly called. We chatted on the lone sofa in the box-shaped studio before she showed me the work station. The table was covered in bits and pieces of metal, rhinestones and chains soon to be transformed into accessories rooted in her distinct aesthetic. After learning how that aesthetic materializes and seeing the finished product, I realized what Winifred was fashioning was a sparkling future in jewelry design.
Fast forward to present day and the Winifred Grace line has continued to blossom. Though it seemed impossible back then, the Spring 2010 collection is even more spectacular than the one I fondled during the interview. The season’s introduction of graphic brass elements adds a complementary contrast to the oxidized silver and light-catching Swarovski crystals. “I was inspired by vintage textiles and ancient tribal jewelry,” Winifred says. “[The brass] gives a unique vintage quality to the modern designs.”
Top image from left to right: Rhinestone and oxidized silver necklace (shown in the model’s hair), $185, with the oxidized chain and rhinestone bracelet, $275. Brass and jet drop earring, $115. Above image from left to right: Tiered rhinestone and brass necklace, $345, with the oxidized chain and rhinestone bracelet, $275. Cut crystal and brass charms necklace, $195.
As with every season, the spring collection includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings that together feel well-edited and perfectly cohesive. Along with the craftsmanship, what distinguishes Winifred’s designs is how she harmonizes a raw edginess with feminine flare. The quality is obvious and exceptional, the vision unique and breathtaking. Each piece is made to order and handcrafted here in Chicago by the Winifred Grace team. This includes the oxidation of metals—one of her signature techniques.
By mixing and distressing various metals, chains and embellishments, each piece embodies a versatility that can be dressed up or down. They can also easily be layered with other Winifred Grace items or with your own jewelry. Whether your look is trendy, classic or understated, the line filters beautifully into any given wardrobe. “The collection is a mix of casual, sophisticated elegance,” she says. “I’m most happy in flip-flops and a tunic but welcome the chance to put on my party shoes! I think the collection speaks to both sides of my personality.”
Tiered rhinestone and brass necklace, $548, with the cut crystal and brass charms bracelet, $460.
Just as each Winifred Grace collection is a small treasure trove of gold, silver and crystal, the label’s future promises to be just as dazzling. Soon, Winifred will introduce one-of-a-kind couture pieces available only on her e-shop and a few stores. But that’s just the beginning. “I also have some top secret plans for expanding the Winifred Grace brand into the lifestyle arena,” she says. “Stay tuned!”
We certainly will!
Written and produced by Meghan Turner
Photography by Ace Ujimori
Model: Brittney Jo
Makeup: Jennifer Hanwright
Hair: Kelly Tracy
Special thanks to Kaitlyn Groth and Maia McGinley
Tags: Accessories, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Fashion Designers, Jewelry, Winifred Grace, Winifred Grace Gundeck
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Simply Fabulous: Paoo “Starlight” Ring
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
This 18k gold plated and blue lucite ring by Chicago jewelry designer Paoo ($79) seems to glow from within. It’s quite an eye-catcher.
Tags: Chicago Designers, Jewelry, Paoo, Ring
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Simply Fabulous: Lucius Sweet Cupcake Necklace
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Hey there, cupcake! We just came across Lucius, a new Chicago-based line of delectably girly jewelry. Their “Sweet Cupcake” necklace ($85) is our favorite piece in the collection.
Get 15% off your purchase through May 15 with promo code STYLEADMIRER!
Tags: Accessories, Chicago Designers, Jewelry, Lucius Jewelry
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Simply Fabulous: Jules Statement Necklace
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
A simple tee or tank becomes extraordinare with the right necklace. Jules‘ gold and hand-oxidized sterling silver necklace with white quartz gemstones ($550) is organic yet glamorous.
Style Admirer readers save 20% on Jules jewelry thru May 7! Use code MOM20.
Tags: Chicago Designers, Jewelry, Jules, Necklace
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Chicago Designer Spotlight: Jess LC
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
With no prior interest in jewelry making, Jess Constable became an accessories entrepreneur at an early age. At 15, inspired by a friend, she began making ankle bracelets at her neighborhood pool. Women showed interest, and Jess found a money-making alternative to babysitting. Ten years later, she’s got a full-time business designing classic, sophisticated jewelry for the all-American woman. Like a marriage between J.Crew and Adina Reyter, Jess LC designs are whimsical yet structural. Their simplicity and elegance immediately stand out, but it’s the underlying girliness that resonates with shoppers.
To maintain focus on her design approach, Jess’s rule is to allow her work to evolve with a “natural grace” by avoiding overuse of design elements. “I don’t like to have extra things just for the hell of it,” she says. “If there’s a pop of color or something kind of interesting, that becomes the focal point. I don’t try to compete with [that].” Those thoughtfully infused accents form into geometric silhouettes with an innate softness, which attracts shoppers with a classic sensibility and need for versatility.
This aesthetic permeates both her collections: the Chicago Collection and Soc Chic. With respect for her Chicago roots, Jess names each line in the Chicago Collection after local streets, like Madison, State, Division and Elm, to name a few. The nine lines are comprised of necklaces, braclets and earrings crafted from gold, silver, ribbon, beads and quartz. Ranging in price from $18-$200, the Chicago Collection caters to various styles and budgets.
Two of Jess LC’s Soc Chic necklaces, “The Match Made in Heaven” (left) and “The Falling Star” (right). Top image: Some of our favorite designs from Jess LC’s Chicago Collection.
The second collection, Soc Chic, features nine necklaces with dainty charms, all benefiting various social causes. Each necklace has a catchy name, like “The Pink Lemonade” and “The Lucky in Bed,” and comes in a custom box that describes the respective cause, allowing shoppers to the choose a design and charity they identify with. Imerman Angels, paws4people, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are just a few of organizations reaping the benefits of your jewelry shopping. The Soc Chic necklaces come in both silver and gold and are priced at $40.
As Jess looks to the future of Jess LC, she plans to grow her collections in new ways. You’ll find the same modern jewelry, but the designs are of a bolder nature. She’s looking to interior design and patterns of repetition for inspiration, creating pieces that are both contemporary and classic. And when it comes to buying designer jewelry, that’s a nonnegotiable for us.
By Danielle Parker
Images courtesy of Jess LC
Tags: Accessories, Chicago Designer, Chicago Fashion, Jess Constable, Jess LC, Jewelry
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