Jewelry News

Miriam Haskell, one of my absolute favorites in vintage jewelry has relaunched a line of "knockout" pieces. The "scarf" necklace is a work of art. Following is an article from W magazine, written by Sophia Chabbott about the "new treasures". it is titled "Lost and Found".

"With Miriam Haskell costume jewelry commanding quite a price on the vintage circuit, a relaunch was inevitable. Enter Gabrielle Fialkoff Redford, whose family bought the company in 1990 and who set about to re-create Haskell's bold aesthetic and pitch it to a new generation. When Haskell passed away in the eighties, she left no archive, but Fialkoff Redford has found another more personal way to access the originals-through Haskell's many fans. "People accost me, saying, 'I have my grandmother's piece', or 'I have my mother's piece,' " Fialkoff Redford says. From these, she and her design team craft tweaked versions of the original ornate filigree necklaces, complex crystal brooches ad coiling beaded cuffs."

Tom Binns, another favorite, has opened a store in New York's west village. Following is the article written for Vogue's February 2009 issue by Mark Holgate. The title of the article is "What has put a glint in the eye of jewel provocateur Tom Binns?

Tom Binns

"Last September, Tom Binns presented a new collection of ornate earrings and elaborate necklaces featuring discs engraved with the word DIAMOND or RUBY in place of the real stones. With the economy only having just started it's downward spiral, Binns presciently reckoned that if you couldn't, or wouldn't, buy the genuine article, why not get a playful take on it? But has he now taken leave of his financial senses? Binns has done possibly the craziest thing any designer could do: opened a store-his first, no less-in New York, at 41 Perry Street in the West Village. "Well, there is nothing like swimming against the tide," he says laughing. "we've got to battle against these economically depressed times." Given the boutique's bijou size, it's tempting to call it a jewel box, but that wouldn't be right, for the simple reason that he has kept the place as spare as possible. Binns hold no truck with superfancy, superdesigned, superstatement designer temples; this is a stark white space, the better to show off what he does, e it sculptural gold hoops, neon-orange frosted rococo necklaces, or, yes, even those disc jewels that masquerade as something much, much fancier."

Now on to one of THE most legendary style icons.

Babe Paley

In an article written for the March 2009 issue of vogue, Jean Nathan states that "Verdura is launching a line of pieces once designed for the inimitable Babe Paley".

Ciao for now!

MAKING A STATEMENT!

I am loving all of the great jewelry this season! My hope is that the designers will continue creating unique designs. I am delighted to see so many of the clothing designers showcasing some of their own statement jewelry on the runways. Oscar De La Renta, Vera Wang and Louis Vuitton come to mind. It is exciting to have so many wonderful pieces to choose from. Even websites such as Forever 21, feature very "budget friendly" pieces. While I absolutely love each and every piece on this page, If I had to choose two, It would be the colored gem stone bib necklace from Loulou De La Falaise. From the bit and pieces that I have read about her, she has been designing Jewelry for many years. This is one piece that I plan to add to my wardrobe. The second would be the "flowing chain" necklace by Ranjana Kahn. It is reasonably priced at $98, as is the "butterfly" necklace. Enjoy the view!














Yves St. Laurent
































Yves St. Laurent



























Tom Binns





















Tom Binns



























Tom Binns




































Stephen Dweck


























Tom Binns






































Ranjana Kahn (HSN)





























Nest



































Ranjana Kahn (HSN)









































Nest


































Loulou De La Falaise (HSN)




























Roberto Cavalli


































Lagos































Kenneth J. Lane (QVC)
































Kenneth J. Lane









































Kenneth J. Lane











































Janis Savitt











































Janis Savitt




















































Gerard Yosca







































Fiona Paxton

































Lanvin





































Doris Panos





































Burberry















































M.C.L.










































Devon Leigh
































Burberry








































Armenta







































Ben Amun

Gee, I didn't know!

I just happened to take a really good look at an email that I received from HSN (The Home Shopping Network). Boy have they changed! I am impressed by the roster of celebrity and other designers that they now have. Of course I just browsed the jewelry categories. I knew that Suzanne Somers and Susan Lucci both have jewelry as well as clothing featured. I also knew about jewelry designer R.J. Graziano and Tina Knowles (Beyonce's mother). Here's a list of the people I didn't know about.

1. Paula Abdul (I knew she had a line of jewelry, but I didn't know it was on HSN)
2. Tori Spelling (same here, I knew she had a line of jewelry, but didn't know where it was sold)
3. Iman
4. Lee Angel
5. Arnold scaasi
6. Lou Lou De La Falaise (I read that she was a muse to the late Yves St. Laurent)
7. Janice Dickinson
8. Justine Simmons
9. Kathy Hilton
10. Sequin
11. Roberta Chiarella
12. Sheila Fajl

I also discovered that Kenneth J. Lane has some really pretty pieces on QVC. Possibly, some of the more popular designers find that they sell more with lower priced lines. What ever the reason, both sites have beautiful jewelry.

New pieces from my line

While I love working with vintage components, I also have a particular fondness for gemstones. The last necklace is red jasper and is accented with the leaf design pendant. It is made without the use of any vintage objects. The gold-plated choker is vintage and plays host to Tiger's eye and vintage jade. The third necklace is made from all vintage components and semi-precious stone drops of, jade, quartz, rock crystal and jade. The bracelet was created from all vintage components.

Thrift Store Jewelry, Clothing and More

Featured here are items found in my local thrift stores. I must add that things are a bit "scarce" these days, as more people are shopping thrift stores. Many out of necessity, some seek out items for resell and others for hobby purposes. I have sold all of the vintage jewelry in my prior collection, but am starting another. From time to time, I find some great jewelry bargains in the local antique stores. While I love the Rhinestone, signed and runway vintage jewelry, I tend to gravitate toward pieces that are overlooked in favor of "high end" pieces.

The White loafer is "STEVEN" by Steve Madden and were purchased new for $3.99 at Goodwill.

The Leopard coat was also purchased at Goodwill for $16.99. I absolutely love it. It's the warmest coat that I own.

The silk embroidered skirt was handmade. The detail is stunning. I purchased it for $6.98 at a local thrift store.

The gray and blue tapestry coat with a real fur collar, was purchased at Goodwill for $16.99. It is the coat that I wear most often.

I am so.......proud of the embroidered boots! They were purchased new from a local thrift store for $50. They were made in Turkey.

The Donald Pliner sandals were also purchased new at a local thrift store for $5. They are so comfortable.

The next picture is a collection of pendants collected from various thrift stores. I need to find chains for them. They are all vintage.

Another Item that I am absolutely in love with, is the 1960's valet. I bought that at a thrift store for $3.98 marked down from $12.98. I found two of the exact same on the internet and one of the persons is selling it for $75.

The next picture is of a new, new vintage ice bucket. I probably will never use it; I just like the way that it looks.

The next picture is of vintage odds and ends that I have picked up here and there to incorporate into some of my new creations.

The next picture is that of some contemporary pieces of jewelry, also picked up at Goodwill. There is a Nolan Miller crystal watch that is in mint condition, a jewel-toned charm bracelet that is also in mint condition, a Joan rivers pendant watch with a diamond accent on it's face. There is a charm necklace by Edwin Pearl and a Joan Rivers bracelet with a "dangle" that bears her "signature bee".

Next is another vintage grouping found in various thrift shops. Prices range from $2 to $5.

The group features a beautifully designed, rose motif pendant, signed "Tortalani". Another favorite is the brass necklace with all the discs. All of these items are vintage as well.

The favorite in the next grouping is the lucite bracelet and earrings. I purchased the set for $9.99 at a thrift store, new with the tag still attached. I'm unsure if they fall in the "vintage category", but the others do.

Last but not least, is a group of necklaces which bear mother of pearl and semi-precious stones.