All posts filed under: Jewellery

Atelier Swarovski Spring 2010

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I was invited to the preview of the ATELIER SWAROVSKI Spring 2010 collection at the Swarovski Bloor street store. The concept of the collection is to pair fashion designer with Swarovski and to come up with seasonal collections. Jason Wu Inspiration • Fluid shapes • Mix of textures • Femininity • Movement • Plating:Ruthenium • Jason Wu’s collection is offered in two key colourways, Lava with shades of red and pink, and Obsidian with black crystal • Feminine pieces feature necklaces trimmed with ribbon and clusters of crystal beads and briolette stones decorate bracelets, rings and earrings • Layers of faceted crystals create a textured, defined silhouette. Matthew Williamson Inspiration • Matthew Williamson signature style – statement pieces in a vibrant palette • Print used from his Ready-to-Wear collection • Strong graphic and floral elements • Architectural crystals • Colours: Rose – resin pieces in orange rose and purple tones finished in pale gold edging, Sky – resin pieces in blue and green tones finished in Palladium edging • Plating: Pale gold, Palladium • An …

Marni Fall 2010 Accessories

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The clothing from Marni’s fall 2010 collection was interesting to say the least. It wasn’t relaxed and easy wearing as the Marni Pre-Fall 2010 collection. I’m sure when I see individual pieces on the rack I’ll forget about the styling nightmare I saw on the runway and I’ll be able to see the beauty in some of this stuff. That’s what usually happens with me and Marni; I need to see it in person. I really liked some of the accessories. The bags are beautiful and sleek. Marni Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review. images: style.com

MyTagalongs Jewellery Sac

geekiviews: MyTagalongs Jewellery Sac

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I get sent things from MyTagalongs every once in awhile. I’ve talked about their products previously on I want – I got. To be honest, I wonder why some of their products exist and then I see gems like the Airborne Refillables, disposable underwear and Not-Your Bag Tags (I used these when going to India). I’ve changed my mind about Mytagalongs now and it took one product to do it, the Jewelry Sac. Light, water-resistant nylon carry-o jewelry sac keeps valuables snug and secure with center compartment for neck-laces, bracelets and 8 inside pockets for rings and earrings. This is the most genius product ever. I’m always looking for a way to store my jewellery when traveling. This is the perfect option. It keeps you from over packing too. The sac is $14 and can be purchased online. There are many retailers in Ontario that carry MyTagalongs, check the website for details.

Theda by Anita Quansah, exclusively for Shrimpton Couture

i want: Jewellery by Anita Quansah, exclusively for Shrimpton Couture

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Trolling Shrimption Couture is always fun. I have been hearing about Anita Quansah’s jewellery for the last week so I had to check it out. She also shares my name and I’m totally curious. Rasia by Anita Quansah This silver tone multi chain neckpiece features vintage faux pearl mixed with silver and gunmetal chains. An oval metal tone faceted bead and clear facet stone charm have been wrapped around rows of a cascading ring design. Four large purple floral embellishment and 2 silk handmade corsage where then added, all held in place with 2 silver tone pin’s from a vintage kilt! As you can see Anita’s jewellery is very ornate and large. They are an uber statement piece so you’d need to wear simple silhouettes and neutral colours with these. They look like fun. Hera by Anita Quansah Hera is a spectacular creation that features cascading gun metal chains mixed with rhinestones and grey, black & gold faceted beads, all arranged in a mesh design, that drapes loosely like a collar around the neck. Hanging …

I want – I got Studio Tours – Dean Davidson

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This is the beginning of a new feature I’d like to introduce to I want – I got, the Studio Tour. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the studio space a few local designers. I’m fan poking around creative types working spaces. I find all their tools fascinating. The mood and inspiration boards give me insight into their brains. I figured other people would be interested too, so why not blog about it. The Studio Tours isn’t really a formal interview; more a conversation. It’s a way to get a look into a creative mind in their workspace. First up, Dean Davidson. “You worked in agriculture before you became a jewellery designer”, I replied to Dean. My jaw hit the ground before the words got out. It wasn’t the beginning I expected to hear from Canadian jewellery designer Dean Davidson. For 8 years Dean would travel to different farms and evaluate them in order to explain to the farmer what was needed in order to create the yield they were looking for.  Dean was all …

i want: Design + Conquer Jewellery

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Someone from the Design + Conquer Jewellery twitter account send me a message alerting me to their line. I’m assuming it was the designer, but you never know these days. It took me a couple days to see the message because I don’t look at the I want – I got account for replies that often. I was pleasantly surprise and then drooling when I opened the Design + Conquer website. Morgan Mallett, the designer, has an extensive art education. She started Design + Conquer in 2008. The pieces in the picture are made out of flexible polymers which make the jewellery durable and light. The large neckpiece is available for custom order only.  Neck measurements are part of the transaction. It’s my favourite piece out of them all, what a conversation piece. Design + Conquer also partnered with Jessica Biffi for her Spring 2010 collection creating an exclusive pair of earrings. Design + Conquer Jewellery has an Etsy Store where you can buy the designs online and at Corktown Designs in the Distillery District …

Dandi Maestre Spring 2010 Lookbook

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Toronto based, Dandi Maestre’s colourful Spring 2010 jewellery caught my eye at the Holt Renfrew Pop up shop. I loved seeing this burst of colour in her designs. She recently send me her new lookbook and it’s stunning. The line is branching from jewellery to include more accessories that still fit with her signature style. I love it. There are a lot of photos but I can’t help but share this with you all. Dandi Maestre can be found at Holt Renfrew, the AGO, Thieves Boutique and Ziliotto Designs in Toronto. Check out the website to find other locations across Canada and the US. images: courtesy of Dandi Maestre

G.V.G.V. Spring 2010 Jewellery

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I was trolling the some Tokyo Spring 2010 collection photos and discovered this Japanese label called G.V.G.V. Designer Mug was born in 1971. After graduating in 1999 from the Kuwasawa Design School Mug laid down the foundations of her own brand that has come to be known as G.V.G.V. Mug’s world is represented by a mix of femininity and masculinity, with free sensitivity that is present in every season’s collection. G.V.G.V. has now become one of the most attractive Tokyo fashion label. G.V.G.V. has also injected its creativity into other fashion brands through design collaborations. In collaborating with UNIQLO’s designer’s invitation for their 2007 spring and summer collection and also producing for UT, the T-shirt for concept of UNIQLO t-shirts from 2008 spring and summer. There were a few pieces of the spring 2010 collection that I liked but it was the jewellery that peaked my interest. There are a few online retails for G.V.G.V but no shops outside of Japan. images: eastnews.ru

Bijouxbead Holiday 2009 Interactive Pop Up Show Community Reception

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I attended the Bijouxbead Holiday 2009 Interactive Pop Up Show Community Reception to get a look at the collection of necklaces influenced by Canadian Designers David Dixon The show will kick off with a unique interactive display of eight one of a kind necklaces, all of which happen to be eight stranded, designed to pay homage to eight Canadian Fashion Designers. Evan Biddell Paul Hardy Each piece was a thrill to design; I studied these designer’s spring summer 2010 collections at great length, that were shown at Toronto’s LG Fashion Week. I came up with colour, texture and scale for these pieces based on my interpretation of the clothing in their collections that were most notable to me. Vawk Unlike my previous collections, this collection is exclusively glass, crystal and sterling -a big departure for me. All together, I incorporated over thirteen thousand six hundred pieces of glass and two thousand four hundred pieces of crystal into these eight necklaces. Also, for the first time in Bijouxbead history, I will be introducing crystal and sterling …

i want: Onyx Indian Necklace

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I’ve discovered a lot of beautiful things on CoutureLab and the Onyx Indian Necklace is one of them The lave stone and black onyx beads of this necklace originate from India. Two antique engraved brass amulets are symmetrically strung above the abounding torsade of beads. The necklace fastens with a brass hook and eye clasp at the back. image: CoutureLab.com

The Uniti Charity Auction in Benefit of the Red Door Family Shelter

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I was invited to 18Karat Goldsmiths for a private preview of the The Uniti Collection before it went up for auction. 18Karat is one of those stores that I’ve walked by again and again without entering. This preview would be my first exposure to the fine jewellery store. There is a working studio on site so it was fun the process of creating  jewellery right in front of you. 18Karat sells pieces from local designers as well as their own custom work. I also learned that 18Karat is an 40 year old business. Uniti Charity Auction is a collaboration between Canadian celebrities and jewellery designers that benefits the Red Door Family Shelter. 18Karat paired jewellery designers with Canadian celebrities for the Uniti Charity Auction, to create jewellery to be auctioned November 12 to 26, in support of the Red Door Family shelter. 18Karat approached Canadian jewellery designers and celebrities and asked them if they could collaborate to create a piece of jewellery that aesthetically expresses the meaning of home, family and community. “Family homelessness and …

Thomas Sabo Canadian Launch

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Jewellery company Thomas Sabo had their Canadian launch recently at Ultra. The story of our company started in the 1980s: in 1984, the jewellery enthusiast and self-made man Thomas Sabo set up his own jewellery company with its headquarters in the historical town on Lauf an der Pegnitz in Bavaria – and gave this enterprise his name. A company that was to stand for high-quality silver jewellery with a special design quality from the very outset. I always wondered if there was a real Thomas Sabo and it turns out he does exist. The Fall 2009 collection is has a heavy gothic influence and the decor of Ultra was made to match. Thomas Sabo is famous for their charms and I’ve contemplated starting one for myself. The charms can be so cute. However, I’ve seen a some things from both the men’s and women’s collections that I like. The first three necklaces are from the men’s collection. The first necklace opens up. The skull pendant is also produced in ring format. Thomas Sabo has a …

India Diaries: Bracelet Overload

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When I was in India, I went crazy and bought at ton of cheap bracelets from the Dilli Haat market. I basically have sleeves of bracelets in different colours. Here are some of my finds that I’ve been posting on twitter. I’m wearing two sets here. The set that looks blue is actually purple. My friend Sonja got a good picture to some of my bracelets on the weekend. I bought a lot of blingy bracelets in India because they were bright and fun. I came home with sets of bracelets but I still wish I bought more.

BijouxBead Wearable Art

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During my vacation I had the pleasure of meeting with local jewellery designer Darlene Martin of Bijouxbead. We connected on twitter and she wanted to show me her work. Darlene is a former professional figure skating coach and doesn’t have a jewellery making background. It was very interesting to hear how she found herself making jewellery. It all started with an impromptu jewellery making class with young her daughter that sparked her creative interest. In 2007 BijouxBead Wearable Art was formed. BijouxBead necklaces are usually characterized by a glass bead. It’s the focal point of the necklace. The lampwork glass bead is handmade by Darlene by hand. They take on various shapes and textures. I really liked the weight to these pieces and the tactile nature of the glass. I spent a lot of time examining the bead on the brown necklace. The colours were so intricately laced together that I mistook it for stone initially. The full collection include necklaces, bracelets and earrings that are all handmade using glass, semi-precious gem stones and sterling …

i want: Luxury Vintage from Shrimpton Couture

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Through twitter I discovered a locally based online vintage store called Shrimpton Couture. They focus on luxury items and but there are many beautiful dresses and accessories that start at $125. In addition to vintage pieces Shrimpton Couture sells reworked vintage and one of a kind jewellery. Expedited shipping is free in Canada! Shrimpton Couture also writes a vintage column for Herald de Paris. Here are some of my i wants from Shrimpton Couture, seriously drool worthy stuff. The one I covet most is the Restored Couture Flapper. This is a truly stunning couture level 1920s dress that has been fully restored. All the seams and beading have been re-inforced and the collar has been refinished with a silver silk satin ribbon edging. The main body of the dress is the original fabric but each panel was meticulously replaced and the fabric matched exactly. 2006 McQueen Dress – need I say more. Check out the embroidery on the back of the dress. 1950s Lace Illusion Dress – I love 50s style skirts. I’m currently obsessed …

My Celebrate Courage necklace is on sale now.

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A month ago I participated in Mimi + You Celebrate Courage Workshop. The necklace I made is now on sale at MiMi + You website. It looks a little different then what was in the last post. At that point it wasn’t completed as the there needed some a way to attach the chains part to the beaded part. Mitra took it away to do complete that. She managed to incorporate one of my original ideas that I dropped, ribbon. I’m very happy with the final product. If you would like to participate in a workshop there are a few scheduled during the next few months: June 24, 2009 – July 22, 2009 – August 19, 2009 – September 23, 2009 Workshops start at 6:30 p.m. sharp Participation fee is $20 per person The Spoke Club 600 King Street West 4th floor, Cellar Room Toronto, ON To RSVP please visit the Mimi + You Celebrate Courage website. If you can’t make the workshop you can donate your idle jewelry to be used as product and …

i got: A Marni Bracelet

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I was treated to belated birthday gift, A Marni Bracelet. I’m in love. You could imagine how excited when I saw this box. I’m convinced that half the retail cost of luxury goods are for packaging. The packaging was pretty cool. Not only was the box wrapped in grey ribbon, there was a pouch for the bracelet inside. I’ve always liked Marni’s jewellery. It’s clunky and colourful. Definitely statement making and it will wear you if you don’t have the personality to match. This bracelet is more subdued than others, I love it’s simplicity and colour scheme.

Mimi + You Celebrate Courage

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I participated in a Mimi + You Celebrate Courage workshop at The Spoke Club in late May. Celebrate Courage gives women an opportunity to express their hopes and plans for the future through art, creativity and collaboration. The “Creative Workshop” held at women’s shelters are a place where women can move away from their worries and come together to focus on a new way of expressing themselves. Necklaces made by the women in these workshops represent the celebration of their courage and accomplishment. They can choose to keep their pieces or donate them to be showcased on the MiMi + You website, Proceeds are given to the shelters, thereby giving these brave women in need the chance to further support other women in need. Our Corporate and Community “Creative Workshops” give employees and members of our community the opportunity to learn about the important services women’s shelters provide. And in these workshops you will learn how to create “One of a Kind” necklaces that are as much about fashion and art as they are an …