Price upon request, dependent on metals and stones, lauraeejewellery.com
Human eye portraits were all the rage near the end of the 18th century when they were exchanged by loved ones on small pieces of jewelry. Somerset’s Holbourne Museum is bringing the old world art form back by commissioning the German photographer Bettina von Zwehl to experiment with the unique portraiture. Using her daughter Ruby and her husband David Robinson as her subjects, von Zwehl collaborated with jewelry designer Laura Lee to design a necklace and a ring, which will be available May 22nd.
Perrin Paris Capitale Clutch, $995, perrinparis.com
A very hands-on clutch by Perrin Paris. The
glove-inspired design packs just the right punch.
$180-$500 at Barneys New York
In launching his first jewelry collection, L.A. designer Juan Carlos Obando decided to go an unconventional route: he put it in boutiques before announcing it to the press. “I wanted to first see how people responded to it,” he explains. As evidenced by his beaming appearance in our office this week, the answer is quite well. His hand-wrought brass and rose gold cuffs, collars, rings, and pendant necklaces resemble hardware parts, and have a cool, industrial appeal. They will look especially chic when paired with his peasant dresses for fall. “It’s my romantic way of doing Home Depot,” he says.
$400 each, available at net-a-porter.com and saksfifthavenue.com
Already known for her gorgeous dresses in bold, original prints,
Mary Katrantzou is now introducing her first accessories collection of equally show-stopping clutches. These brightly printed pouches have summertime written all over them.
In late January during the Paris couture collections—weeks before Lanvin, Nina Ricci and Ports 1961 sent elbow length opera gloves down their fall runways—
W photographer Adam Katz Sinding captured this very chic Parisian
(above). Sometimes it's hard to tell if the runway informs the street or vice-versa, but one thing we know for certain—this ladylike accessory is having a moment.
The cliché "out with the old, in with the new" is never more relevant than during fashion week. But you don’t have to start totally from scratch. To inject some serious fashion cred into otherwise classic ensembles, take the color block bag—as seen here on the streets of New York and on the runways where it has become a perennial.
Photo: Adam Katz Sinding
Gilan, Passionate Heritage Ring, Amethyst, rose cut and white diamonds on 18k yellow gold, $46,400, at Bergdorf Goodman.
Until the 18th century, the amethyst was considered a fine jewel—loved by royals and known to be a favorite of Russia’s Catherine the Great. Now thanks to greater supply it’s been downgraded to semi-precious stone status, but in oversized stunners like this 18-carat antique ring, it still packs quite a punch. And for all of you February birthdays looking to do some serious celebrating in your birthstone, take note: the amethyst, which gets its name from the Ancient Greek methustos, meaning intoxicated, was once believed to protect its owner from drunkenness.
Dannijo Fall 2013
Dannijo showed its statement jewelry in a glamorous setting at the Jane Hotel—my favorite is this stunning ‘20s-inspired ear candy.
I came for the shoes—which did not disappoint in luxe velvet and jewel tones with suede flower detailing—but this zebra print bag made the biggest impression.
Comme des Carrés scarf design
Rei Kawakubo is keeping busy this year. Aside from opening a New York
outpost of her retail emporium Dover Street Market (set to bow in the
coming months), the design maverick behind Comme des Garçons has
collaborated with Hermès on two collections of silk scarves—or carrés,
as they are better known. Called Comme des Carrés, the limited-edition
designs, which hit CdG stores this week, cleverly morph motifs from both
houses: A marine print from the 1950s is superimposed with polka-dots;
an equestrian pattern from the 1970s is covered with a black chessboard.
“I was looking forward to the change that would happen when I added
something to the beautiful paintings of Hermès scarf designs,” noted
Kawakubo in a press release. “Through the addition of abstract images,
we have created something new.”
