All posts filed under: Jewellery

i want: Vintage Jewellery from Erstwhile Jewelry Co.

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I love PR pitches that are for interesting companies like Erstwhile Jewelry Co. They specialize in rare, one of a kind jewellery items. There finds include antique and vintage engagement rings as well as jewellery from the 19th century Victorian, turn of the century Edwardian, french art nouveau, art deco, and retro 40’s eras. Rare jewellery from Cartier, Boucheron, Tiffany & Co., Bakelite, Chopard, Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari are some of the designers that Erstwhile Jewelry Co. seek out. Jewellery from Erstwhile Jewelry Co. isn’t cheap as you can imagine. The three pieces pictured (Victorian Gold & Turquoise Bangle, Gold Kieselstein-Cord Crocodile Ring and Gold and Diamond Ibex Ring) range from $2,400 – $4,900. I’ve never been an engagement ring person but their selection of vintage engagement rings are so very beautiful. images: erstwhilejewelry.com

Hermes Spring Summer 2011 Bracelets

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Hermès enamel bracelets are an obsession of mine. The sample sale allowed me to purchase one of my own. These editorial images I scanned from the Le monde d`Hermès magazine are total bracelet porn for me. I want them all. I dream of adding more bracelets to my jewellery box and doing the collector thing. Perhaps even acquire a bracelet per season. images: scanned by me

i want: Chanel J12 Chromatic Watches

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So, Chanel PR has started to email me about all things Chanel. I’m not going to lie, my nerdy blogger self thinks this is pretty cool. The latest release was for the new Chanel J12 Chromatic watches. I normally go for bright colourful watches but it’s always good to have something that is a bit classic.  The J12 Chromatic watches are made from titanium ceramic which is a new highly scratch-resistant material almost that is almost hard as sapphire.  I really like the silvery grey finish on these watches.  It looks like liquid metal.  The perfect alternative to your standard black or silver.  There are a number of styles with varying amounts of diamonds or 18-karat white gold bezel, crown and hands. There are two size options, 33mm (top photo) and 38mm. I’ve only posted the women’s options but there is a men’s collection also. The Chanel J12 Chromatic commercial plays on that liquid metal look. Loading the player… images and video: courtesy of Chanel EDIT: Forgot the http://j12-chromatic.chanel.com link.  Enjoy the close up looks at the watches.  So …

i want: Miriam Salat Earrings

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Jewellery designer Miriam Salat uses resin, sterling silver, 18kt gold vermeil and cubic zirconias for her hand crafted namesake jewellery line.  The collection has bracelets, necklaces and rings but the earrings are what grabbed my attention.  I love dangling statement earrings. Miriam Salat jewellery can be purchased online at miriamsalat.com. There aren’t any Canadian retailers at the moment. images: miriamsalat.com

Fitz & Fur by Roslyn Griffith Hall

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Fitz & Fur is a jewelry collection created by Toronto based stylist, Roslyn Griffith Hall. Reclaimed is Fitz & Fur’s style. Throughout her travels, Roslyn attended vintage markets and estate sales and like many antiquing junkies she acquired a lot of things. There are so many objects used in the jewellery like watches, thimbles, skulls, heart-shaped lockets, lockets, keys, coins, letters, rings, pendants, spoons and guitar picks. Fitz & Fur uses those vintage finds for bracelets, necklaces and earrings. I had some vacation time recently and went to Roz’s cool little studio in my neighbourhood to check out the collection in person. Fitz & Fur uses religious imagery as inspiration. The cross is a comment element found in many pieces and makes rosaries using skull shaped bone beads from Thailand. She has recast the beads in silver because it’s becoming hard to find the bone ones in Thailand. The charm bracelets and everything but the kitchen sink necklaces are my favourites from Fitz & Fur. There is so much detail in the necklaces that you never …

BOLDLY, a charity event in benefit of the Assaulted Women’s Helpline – April 28, 2011

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BOLDLY, a charity event in benefit of the Assaulted Women’s Helpline – April 28, 2011 Over a year in the making, 18Karat is proud to present Boldly – a fundraising event in benefit of the Assaulted Women’s Helpline. Boldly is an event based on and inspired by our community – the individual members, businesses, and organizations that have come together in support of each other and those in need. At the center of this event is the Boldly Collection – a collection of 10 handcrafted jewellery pieces created by Toronto based goldsmiths and designers inspired by their interpretation of the evenings theme strength and courage. Each piece will be raffled during the evening event. I was asked to be one of three judges for the event. We are tasked with determining the winners for the Boldly Collection Best in Design and Best in Show awards.  There are some very beautiful designs in the running.  I’ve already had my insider access to the pieces ahead of time for closer inspection.  The final decision hasn’t been made …

i want: MARLU Necklaces

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I love these necklaces by MARLU jewellery. MARLU is a Toronto based line and was created by sisters, Monika Sammut and Marta LeClair. 16″ necklace of green jade beads accented with a double strand of rhodium plated curb chain, two layers of blades and a large rhodium clasp 18″ double strand necklace of onyx beads accented with rhodium plated blades and a large rhodium clasp 18″ double strand necklace of white polished shell beads accented with rhodium plated blades and a large rhodium clasp images: courtesy of MARLU jewellery

CHAO & EERO Jewel

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Chao-Hsien Kuo, half of the design duo of CHAO & EERO saw my United Nude Spring Summer 2011 post on facebook. She then emailed me to let me know about their collection as she thought the aesthetic fit the kinds of things that catch my eye and end up on I want – I got. She was absolutely right. Chao & Eero Jewel is an independent Finnish jewelry design brand created in 2005 by a husband and wife team, Eero Hintsanen and Chao-Hsien Kuo. Both Chao and Eero are Finnish Master Goldsmiths with background of design education. The company is based in Lahti, a small city surrounded by forests and lakes. All the products are made and hand-finished with care and attention to the details in their studio in Lahti. I normally not one for heart shaped jewellery but CHAO & EERO makes the overdone and lame heart motive very, very cool. It’s different and a bit edgy.  The smiley face ring is just brilliant. CHAO & EERO can be found at Enflux in Vancouver, …

Cupido Designs Spring Summer 2011 Preview

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I attended the spring summer 2011 preview for the luxury jewellery store, Cupido. Cupido has locations at Bayview Village and Vaughan Mills. There were four brands at the preview: HERA, Baccarat Crystal, Gioie & Co and 3H Italia watches. HERA: Canadian jewellery designer, Hera Akarakas presents her debut line, HERA. Divided into two collections, “Paradise” and “Unity,” the ethereal pieces combine precious metals with the casual elegance of silver, as well as 18 karat gold, accented by diamonds and uniquely cut gemstones. The preview introduced a new Canadian jewellery line called HERA which I’m loving. There is a lot of intricate details in all the designs and the rings are my favourites. Baccarat Crystal: Founded in 1764, Baccarat is globally recognized as the preeminent leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of the world’s finest crystal products. The Baccarat Crystal pieces were very beautiful. I remember seeing a Baccarat Crystal lamp during my Bisha trip to New York. The rings were perfect cocktail pieces: huge, statement makers. I loved them. Gioie & Co.: Widely known …

Rocaille Spring Summer 2011 Preview

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I love hearing about new Canadian brands. Rocaille is a Vancouver based and was started in 2010 by Amanda He when she decided to explore a creative career instead of the investment banking world she occupied. Amanda sources antique items and turns them into one of a kind pieces. ROCAILLE is modern by design and inspired by classical periods. We scour the globe for unique vintage pieces and delight in the unabashed sense of adventure and discovery as each item of jewellery is deconstructed and then transformed. The antiquity of each resurrected find is enhanced through reinterpretation and reinvention. Simply put, every ROCAILLE jewellery is one of a kind. Rocaille is beautiful and I love that each piece is unique.  I like the clash of antique with a modern style. They would be perfect for black tie events.  Currently you can purchase Rocaille online at www.rocaille-design.com.

Design + Conquer Spring Summer 2011

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It’s been almost a year since I first featured Design + Conquer on I want – I got. It’s about time we take a look at what’s new and report back. Design + Conquer has such a beautiful spring summer 2011 lookbook. I can’t get over how beautiful the model is. Yes, yes, of course the jewellery is great too. I have to say that I love the presentation of this lookbook, it was well executed. The combination of artistic shot and product shot is very effective. There is a lot of effects on the photos but they don’t distract from how the jewellery looks.

Dandi Maestre New Retail Location, 386 Huron Street, Toronto

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Canadian jewellery designer, Dandi Maestre has decided to keep the 386 Huron Street location as a permanent retail space. Based on the response received, my holiday pop-up store at 386 Huron St. (at Sussex Ave.) will be extended indefinitely. My unique pieces, made of organic materials such as antlers, bull horn, rough amber and emeralds, reclaimed wood, natural seeds and nuts will be available Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm; Saturday from 12 to 6pm. Other times by special appointment – please call 416-948-2040 or write to dandi@dandimaestre.com. Now you will also find beautiful recycled glass bubble terrariums (with or without plants) and unique home organic homewares. My designs have been seen in Vogue, Lucky, Hello!, Flare, Glamour, People Style Watch, Holts Style, The Toronto Star and The Globe & Mail and on Donna Karan, who features my line in her Urban Zen shop in New York. I visited the shop before the holidays, bought some earrings and took some pictures. It’s such a beautiful space and the gallery setup works perfectly for Dandi’s …

Jenny Bird Spring Summer 2011 Jewellery

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Toronto based designer Jenny Bird has a successful accessories line that focuses on handbags and jewellery. I received the Spring Summer 2011 lookbook and thought I should share some of my favourites of the collection. Jenny Bird jewellery can be found in Toronto at: Canopy Blue – 2582 Yonge Street Eko – 288 Queen Street West Gee Beauty – 2 Roxborough Street West Holt Renfrew -50 Bloor Street West rac boutique – Cumberland St, Yorkville

Dandi Maestre Spring Summer 2011

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I’m a big fan of Dandi Maestre’s jewellery. She also has the best lookbooks in the business. They are always so colourful and do a great job of photographing the jewellery. The styling is always perfect and the tribal influence matches perfectly with her organic looking line. Dandi Maetre Jewellery can be purchased in Toronto at her Holiday pop up shop and a number of retailers. images: courtesy of Dandi Maestre

Luc Kieffer in Toronto

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Luc Kieffer, a jewellery designer from Paris, visited Toronto for the first time during TIFF. A press preview party was held in his honour and I got a closer look at some of his fall winter 2010 – 2011 and spring summer 2011 collections. Luc has worked with many fashion houses like YSL, Balenciaga, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Sonia Rykiel. It was interesting to her Luc talk about the time he met Yves Saint Laurent in person in 1996. Luc collaborated with Yves on his final collection. The Luc Kieffer line was launched in 2006. Luc Kieffer jewellery specializes in high-polished resin with Swarovski crystals. Luc is a chemist by trade and that totally attracted the geek in me. That’s right people chemist = swoon in my books. Chemist turned jewellery maker is off the charts. I was told that Luc was a charmer. I wished I could speak french, it would have been nice to chat in his mother tongue. He worked with Yves Saint Laurent on his final collection in 1996, and has …

TIFF 2010 – Lia Sophia

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The lounge that most surprised me was Lia Sophia. I knew it was a jewellery line but I didn’t expect to fall in love with it. On display was the newest red carpet collection called La Belle Rose. The collection used materials like silver, gold, copper, black diamond crystal, clear crystal,  jet crystal,  Hematite, Tortoise resin, jet enamel and lapis resin. The most interesting thing about Lia Sophia is that the collection isn’t sold in stores, it’s a direct selling company. It’s much like Avon where you buy items from a Lia Sophia Hostess at a jewellery party or from an Advisor in your area. Lia Sophia jewellery also comes with a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee which could come in handy if you ever lose a stone. The gift bag for this lounge was a choice of jewellery from the collection. It was a hard decision but I was attracted to the steampunk looking Runway style of the collection which featured Black Diamond Crystals in Matte Silver and Matte Gold or Clear Crystals in Matte Silver …

Chan Luu x Banana Republic

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There is a new collaboration coming, Chan Luu x Banana Republic. They have teamed up for the first Banana Republic jewellery collaboration featuring Luu’s famous wrap bracelets. “We are thrilled to announce our first partnership with a world-class jewellery designer,” said Simon Kneen, Creative Director and EVP of Design. “I’m excited to offer Banana Republic customers Chan Luu’s signature interpretation of Banana Republic’s effortless style aesthetic. Our brand is a great destination for jewellery so this adds a little something special into our already-exciting fall jewellery collection.” Chan Luu comments, “It is such a pleasure for me to collaborate with Banana Republic, a classic brand whose timeless collections provide the perfect canvas for my own. What makes our partnership even more extraordinary is our shared belief in celebrating the power of personal expression.” The bracelets are made from custom-dyed thread or leather and combines semi-precious stones, gold or silver. The collection consists of four styles in different colours for a total of 17 pieces. The price range is $118 – $275. It’s a limited edition …

Lanvin Accessories – Fall Winter 2010

Lanvin Accessories – Fall Winter 2010

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I love the jewellery in the Lanvin Ready to Wear – Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collection. My first thought was Klingons. For some reason the Lanvin fall winter 2010 jewellery gives me a Klingon’s vibe.  It seems to fit the warrior theme. I couldn’t get it out of my head so I asked The Grumpy Owl. He agreed and and sent me a picture of Gowron. Now I don’t feel that crazy. images: style.com and timelinestudio.com

Aesa Jewellery

i want: Aesa Jewellery

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I’m loving the segmented nature of some pieces from the Aesa collection. It reminds me of fossilized ocean creatures. Randi Mates is Aesa’s designer and lives in New York She studied ancient greek and roman fabrication techniques at the Jewelry Arts Institute on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. Aesa is only available in Toronto at Ewanika, 1083 bathurst street