jewelry designers

Anna Hu, Custom Jeweler to the Lucky

Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping

"In the Chinese folktale, we have this god, the god of the moon. He's quite old, he's like Zeus in mythology. He ties red strings around babies before they are born, and then they are destined to be together. So, it's very symbolic."

Anna Hu (right) sat across the table from me at her shop beneath the legendary Plaza Hotel, presiding over a collection of flawless stones worth millions, arranged neatly by color like baubles in a bead shop. On my wrist I wore the bracelet version of this knot ring (below) -- probably the only one in existence. The highest volume of any item Hu has ever produced, with the exception of the linked items at Kabiri at Selfridges, is three.

"The technique is to really feel like a red string. At first, I was going to make it as a bangle, and then I thought, 'But people could copy that.' So, I converted it. The shape of the heart is stable, but [the rest] is flexible."

"Would you give it to someone who was getting married?" I asked.

"It's more of a romance-related item. I created the item because a lot of couples are so deeply in love with each other, but if the timing's not right ... before marriage, why don't we have a pre-bridal collection? We could call it 'Romance.'"

Ruby Knot Bracelet

Anna Hu is a jewelry designer who came to America from Taiwan as a cello prodigy when she was 14 years old to attend Walnut Hill, a prestigious arts boarding school. She went on to The New England Conservatory of Music, but hurt her shoulder. It was then that she decided to join the family business; her father is a gems dealer. "I went to my father. It was all meant to be," she said humbly. The pain of losing her first love to an injury was palpable as she talked about the switch:

"Well, I hurt my shoulder, so what could I do?"

Apparently, a lot. Hu went on to obtain a masters degree in Art History from Parsons School of Design and a second in Arts Administration at Columbia University, as well as a Graduate Gemologist Degree from the Gemological Institute of America. She started her jewelry brand at age 29.

Hu's music background is more than evident in her work. She is inspired by music and musicians she meets, such as Madonna, for whom she has created several pieces. She listens to music while she designs, and can remember exactly what she was listening to when she looks at her completed works.

"I have to listen to music," says Hu. "Rachmaninoff, Bach, sometimes I can only listen to Pacanini ... I feel all the technical challenge, and like, convert it into jewelry." ... "I have this sense of illusion of movement. If a jewelry piece cannot move, I have to make it look as though it's moving."

Gallery: Anna Hu - One of a Kind Designer

Tags: Anna Hu, AnnaHu, designer interview, DesignerInterview, haute joaillerie, HauteJoaillerie, interview, jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, Madonna, the plaza, ThePlaza

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DANNIJO Explodes in 2009 - A Recession Miracle

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Sister jewelry wonders, Danielle and Jodie Snyder

DANNIJO is a jewelry line from sisters Danielle and Jodie Snyder (right), and though they only started up in 2008, their handmade-in-NYC collections have been seen on an extensive list of A-list celebrities from Beyonce to Natalie Portman, featured on The Today Show and in countless magazines. I first ran into them at a Fashion Week party in 2008, and I've been more than impressed by their progress, especially during a recession -- the whole industry has. In this exclusive interview, I asked Danielle Snyder how they made it happen.

Luxist: What has been the most exciting moment for your company so far?

DANNIJO: As a start-up company, there is constantly excitement. Being on the TODAY show with Natalie Morales was a huge honor. This past weekend, I went to an SNL rehearsal and saw the jewelry worn in several skits. Being featured in New York Mag was also very exciting, and just seeing the jewelry worn by random people on the streets of New York is always cool.

L: What have celebs been saying about your jewelry -- any fun celebrity anecdotes?

D: Milla Jovovich told People StyleWatch " [DANNIJO is] Elegant but modern -- my favorite new find." Beyonce bought one of our signature entangled necklaces at Bergdorf Goodman and has been photographed wearing it several times. Rihanna ended up keeping a pair of earrings that she wore in a recent music video, and Natalie Portman recommended DANNIJO on Dailybeast.com's buzz board. Natalie had brought back some stones and material from a Paris flea market that we custom-made into a cool bib-necklace for her.

L: Which are your favorite pieces?

D: I love the entangled Celia and Bahlia necklaces and chainy Harley necklaces because you can wear them several ways and get tons of use out of them. They are statement yet effortless, which is perfect for day into night. I also love our stackable mini cuffs and oversized rings. I'm especially loving our signature holiday Coco ring. I've been wearing it non-stop to all the holiday cocktail parties.

L: What's coming next for Dannijo?

D: We just opened a pop-up shop at Henri Bendel on the 3rd floor which features an entire wall of DANNIJO. We have DANNIJO reps run the shop to ensure that customers get a real personal shopping experience. We just revamped dannijo.com with tons of new user-friendly features for the ultimate accessory shopping experience. You can now shop an interactive lookbook; share, email and wishlist products; shop celebrity style; find the perfect gift by browsing the DANNIJO gift guide and consult an in-house style-expert for the perfect accessories for your look.

L: How have you grown so quickly?

D: We've been very focused on organically growing and establishing solid partnerships with select high-end retailers. We've been careful to not grow too quickly and ensure that the product is never oversaturated. DANNIJO has been fortunate enough to have a solid celebrity clientele and it's really given the brand a lot of exposure.

So there you have it -- good, old-fashioned solid business practices and a couple of lucky contacts have helped, but the real reason we think DANNIJO is such a success is the goods. Check out their stunning designs, including Danielle's favorites and some as-seen-on-celebs selections, in the gallery below.

Gallery: DANNIJO - Celebrity and Designer Favorites

Tags: dannijo, designer interview, interview, jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners

Carol Brodie's Rarities Launches June 21

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Carol Brodie is a jewelry designer who spent eight years as Global Director of Communications for legendary diamond jeweler Harry Winston. She's worked with celebrities like Halle Berry, who wore custom-designed jewels when she won Best Actress in 2001, and she helped create Gwyneth Paltrow's look for her Best Actress Award in 1999 -- lucky jewels!

Brodie is now launching her own jewelry line on HSN called Rarities. The collection features beautiful colored stones, and both small splurge prices and more expensive creations like the eye-catching $799 White Quartzite and Diamond Ring at right. Click through the gallery for more of the gorgeous finds.

"After 20 years of working the red carpet and appearing as the luxury and style expert on countless TV shows, bringing a new line of fine jewelry to HSN is simply a dream come true," says Ms. Brodie, who will be appearing on the channel once per month to plug her diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, citrines, and turquoise and onyx stones mounted in gold and sterling silver.

As you can see, all that work with Harry Winston rubbed off -- the results are fabulous. Visit Rarities on HSN to get in on the line before the launch, which will air at 2pm EST on Sunday, June 21.

Gallery: Rarities

Lilac Quartz & Diamond Pendant with Chain

Tags: carol brodie, CarolBrodie, hsn, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, rarities, smallsplurge

Rhinestone Fringe and More From Winifred Grace

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Winifred Grace may sound like a stodgy name, but designs look like they're straight out of Desperately Seeking Susan.

Winifred Grace Gundeck was born in Miami, and though she now operates out of Chicago, you can see the influence of the ocean in her designs. She started Winifred Grace in 2003 -- but she's been designing with flowers, feathers, ribbons, and beads since age 8.

We especially love the fringed rhinestones, as seen on the Pink Rhinestone and Pearl Fringe Necklace at right. This 17" treasure of clear crystal clusters, pink alabaster Swarovski crystals and rhinestones on an oxidized sterling silver chain with freshwater pearls and 14k gold filled accents is $405, and we're pretty sure that with an 80s tutu and messy hair, you'd look just like Madonna wearing it.

This foxy stuff cleans up nice, too, though. Picture this with a pearl-white dress or the matching bracelet with a couture gown. Check out the gallery for more sophisticated looks such as "draping," and visit Winifred Grace to shop the whole collection!

Gallery: Winifred Grace

DRAPED RHINESTONE, SILVER & GOLD NECKLACE 17

PLUNGING RHINESTONE, GOLD & PEARL FRINGE NECKLACE 24

TRIPLE STRAND NECKLACE WTIH RHINESTONE FRINGE 17

Tags: jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, madonna

Larkspur & Hawk by Emily Satloff

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

We already told you about the "Exquisite Antiques from Larkspur & Hawk." Well, 18th/19th century jewelry and fine object expert Emily Satloff has not only curated that exceptional collection, but she has also designed a stunning collection of her own!

Items from Larkspur & Hawk's Original Designs, like the Sophia Ring (right), are inspired by the very pieces she has in her Antiques collection, as well as other items she has encountered in her studies and travels. Perhaps she takes those antiques that are "almost perfect" and creates them perfectly -- something we've all wished we could do ourselves when antique shopping!

Satloff "has skillfully reintroduced the 18th century craft of manipulating the way light passes through gemstones through the use of colored foils - a technique that was favored by European royalty for its dramatic results. Emily selects the perfect stones that are both brilliant in color and translucent in depth, including: pink, amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, rose quartz, white topaz and diamonds."

Ready to see more? Click through our pictures below. These Larkspur & Hawk items are available for purchase by inquiry only -- wholesale prices are available.

Gallery: Original Designs by Larkspur & Hawk

Tags: antiques, emily satloff, EmilySatloff, jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, larkspur hawk

Exquisite Antiques from Larkspur & Hawk

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Larkspur & Hawk designer and curator Emily Satloff has an exceptional eye.

Not only does she design her very own pieces for mass-public consumption, but she also has an absolutely unmatched collection of antique jewelry -- all available on her website! Finally, one can shop for well-photographed, reasonably-priced antiques online without having to "bid" or wade through junk.

Her pieces are largely European and American fine jewelry of the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. Museum-trained Satloff (who holds a graduate degree in decorative arts) selects the finest pieces available which reflect their respective periods.

For a glimpse of some of the glorious antique pieces you can find at Larkspur & Hawk, click through our favorite finds below. Satloff's taste will stop your heart.

Gallery: Luxist Picks: Antique Jewelry from Larkspur & Hawk

Tags: antiques, jewelry, jewelry designers, larkspur hawk

Pretty things from Andrea Lucille

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Andrea Lucille is an up and coming jewelry designer with an intricate, elegant collection.

Educated at Rhode Island School of Design, Andrea Lucille Shin moved to NYC in 2000 and started Andrea Lucille Designs. "To me," says Andrea, "I reach the epitome of design achievement when my novel artistic concepts elicit reactions of astonishment and intrigue; I know then that I have succeeded."

We are certainly intrigued by this ring from the Willow Collection. This 18k yellow gold is set with white cultured pearls and diamonds with an approximate total weight of 0.15 cts. We love the coral style, which makes it look as though the gold and jewels are just budding out of the ring.

Andrea Lucille Designs range in price from $60 - $6,000, and can be purchased from her website, as well as these stores. See the gallery below for a look at more of her luscious pieces.

Gallery: Andrea Lucille

Tags: andrea lucille, bracelets, jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, necklaces, rings

Lauren Wolf Jewelry

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Lauren Wolf has a terrific collection of gothic, ocean-inspired jewelry.

After studying jewelry design in coastal Mexico, Wolf moved to Brooklyn, NYC, where she currently lives and works. Her pieces tend to come in darkened silver and also in green gold, making for two price tiers - one in the low hundreds and one in the higher hundreds and low thousands.

At right are the Blackened Silver Palm Frond Earrings with 14k Green Gold Stingray Middle for $984.00. They are perfect for conjuring one's inner sexy sea witch.

Lauren Wolf's goal is "to bring together nature in form and industry in medium; to create jewelry of contrast that both complements and commands attention."

We find her work elegant and refreshingly unusual and daring! Check out some of our favorite designs below and shop Lauren Wolf here.

Gallery: Lauren Wolf Jewelry

One of a Kind Rutilated Brazilian Quartz in 14k Green Gold Stingray Claw Setting on 24

14k Green Gold Nautilus Ring with Blackened Silver Stingray Disc

Blackened Diamond Anaconda Bones on Steel Chain with 14k Green Gold Clasp (18

14k Green Gold Diamond Anaconda Bone Earrings

Tags: bracelets, earrings, green gold, GreenGold, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, lauren wolf, lauren wolf jewelry, LaurenWolf, necklaces

Atelier Minyon - Now in the United States

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Atelier Minyon 22kt gold mesh cuff with ruby and diamond accents

World renowned Turkish jewelry designer Atelier Minyon is finally in the United States, having opened a classy little shop in Soho, New York City, at 155 Spring Street.

Enchanted by their window, I stopped into their Soho shop one morning last week while they were still spritzing the sparkling glass cases. I was enthralled by the variety I found -- everything from elegant, bejeweled floral brooches to very exotic, bright yellow gold cuffs.

Their jewelry is bold and inventive, while maintaining an elegant, family relic feel. These pieces call up the grandeur of vintage design -- these are the kind of pieces that become heirlooms. Check out some of the exotic and dazzling designs below, and visit the Atelier Minyon website here.

Gallery: Atelier Minyon Jewelry

Hand crafted 18kt blackened gold bangle with rose cut diamonds

Hand crafted 24kt yellow gold rings with floral motif, with and without diamond accents

Hand crafted 18kt white gold diamond mesh bracelet with 4.72 cts diamonds

Hand crafted 18kt yellow gold ring with 1.51 cts diamonds

Tags: atelier minyon, jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, nyc, soho, turkey, turkish

Itay Malkin Jewelry

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping, Celebrity Design

Like the black diamonds on Sarah Jessica Parker? The designer is Itay Malkin, who makes custom jewelry using rough-cut black diamonds.

Itay Malkin has quite a following in the film and tv world:

"Sarah Jessica Parker wore Itay's sexy, delicate strands of black diamond beads in the movie version of Sex and the City. Adrien Grenier wears a strand of Black Diamonds on this season's finale episode of "Entourage." Itay has also collaborated on a line with Patricia Field."

You can find Itay Malkin jewelry in Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field's store in New York City or online directly, here.

Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing the Black Diamond Carrie Necklace, $3,220. A gallery of our favorite items follows.

Gallery: Itay Malkin and Patricia Field

Sarah Jessica Parker in the Black Diamonds Bracelets

Itay Malkin and Patricia Field Skull Charm

Tags: black diamonds, itay malkin, ItayMalkin, jewelry, jewelry designers, patricia field, PatriciaField, rough cut diamonds, RoughCutDiamonds, sarah jessica parker, sex and the city

Iradj Moini in Soho

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Iradj Moini, a former couture designer for Oscar de la Renta, makes some of the most exquisite and unusual jewelry we've seen this millennium.

As you shop in NYC's Soho neighborhood this holiday season, be sure and stop by the Spring Street boutique (198 Spring, near Sullivan). The boutique has been open since Spring 2007, and feels like an art gallery. You won't believe you're looking at new pieces, released seasonally, and not well-kept relics of the 1920's.

If you're not in NY, you can also browse a number of Iradj Moini's items at Domont Jewelry, a West Hollywood, CA jewelry dealer with an exceptional selection of Iradj Moini on display their website.

Almost every piece is stunning, and worth a look if only for inspiration.

Tags: boutique, boutiques, brooch, brooches, domont, domont jewelry, iradj, iradj moini, jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners, moini, new york, new york city, NewYork, ny, nyc, scarab, shop, shopping, shops, soho, store, stores

Designer Jewelers Struggle To Maintain Their Customers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Last week marked the annual JA NY Summer Jewelry Show in New York and the news for most jewelers isn't good. While the upper end of the market (pieces over $20,000 continues to stay afloat) the middle o the market has eroded. Like we have seen with handbags, clothing and other luxury goods, the sharp spending decrease by the "aspirational" customer who generally spends $1,000 to $10,000, is having a huge impact on the market.

This particularly effects some of the big branded designer jewelry. An article in WWD notes that retailers have reported that customers are back to being concerned about what the piece is made of (which stones and metals) rather than being focused on a brand name. Many are seeking what they believe is a safe investment such as gold or diamonds.

Some brands are increasing their upscale lines as a way of staying afloat. One brand, Faraone Mennella whose gold earrings shown at right sell for $1,420 at Neiman Marcus, is now aiming higher with items like a $110,000 diamond cuff to be featured in Saks Fifth Avenue's holiday catalog. Other jewelers are taking the opposite approach such as Daniel K., which has until now sold exclusively diamonds and platinum but recently launched their lower priced Prêt-á-Porter line that features pavé diamonds and other gemstones set in gold (see our gallery of their pieces below).

One of the biggest trends in the last few years, the self purchase of jewelry by women, seems also to be shifting. The WWD article quotes Katey Brunini, founder of K. Brunini who says that the self-purchase has pretty much dropped out and many of her sales are now gifts. The gifts may be what continues to keep the market afloat in the U.S. because although the market is changing there will always be gift occasions that call for jewelry.

Gallery: Daniel K Pret a Porter

Source

Tags: designers, gold, jewelry, jewelry designers, JewelryDesigners

Monies Jewelry

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Monies is a jewelry line created by Gerda and Nicolai Monies of Denmark. Their handmade pieces use natural materials including semi-precious stones, wood and bone. Many of their necklaces are thick layers of beads and shapes that cluster around the neck like this layer contraption of 32 strands of tiny shell beads accented with mother-of-pearl cross charms. The necklace sells for $700 at Vivre along with a variety of other Monies necklaces and bracelets.

Source

Tags: denmark, fashion, jewelry designers, monies, necklace

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