SCOOP

Books, Films, Collections, Professional and Personal Tales of Renowned and Emerging Women Designers March 13, 2018IN THE KNOW, SCOOPOff

In celebration of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2019. I am reposting this article which once again brings back some of our favorite articles since our inception…

From the jewels we give to and receive from our mother’s, daughters, grandmothers and the women who shaped our lives to the female design pioneers who first tore down the boundaries of what was once an ironically male-dominated an industry to how designers collect jewelry  and style themselves, we have continued to honor women since the inception of bejeweledmag.com almost two years ago.

In this time of renewed feminism and powerful, strong women, it feels relevant for the magazine to bring back some of our favorite articles celebrating leading and emerging female designers, retailers, authors, antique dealers, jewelry collectors and enthusiasts. Here are just a few of the women who we have had the pleasure of meeting, interviewing and writing about. But please don’t stop here—if you are new to bejeweledmag.com, please continue to check out our content and find other groundbreakers and those who have put a smile on our face and some sparkle into our lives.

A LOOK BACK

MULTI-TALENTED WOMEN JEWELRY PIONEERS OF THE 20TH CENTURY

In honor of amazing women everywhere, bejeweledmag.com pays homage to some of the renowned female jewelers who paved the way and became inspirations for both multi-talented female and male designers throughout their legacy and today. (Read the full article here)

 

THE BOOK THAT EVERY JEWELRY-OBSESSED WOMAN SHOULD OWN

In her introduction to Women Jewellery Designers,  Weir-de La Rochefoucauld writes what many of us who have covered jewelry have thought, “It has always surprised me that throughout history the world of jewellery making has been dominated by men, even though it is women who on the whole wear their creations. Certainly, there have been periods in the past when men have been equally adorned but these have only been fleeting moments in the time-scale of history.”The jewelry-packed 306-page book with over 500 illustrations and original sketches documents not just the liberation of creativity and inspiration behind the actual designs but the historical, social and cultural context and times in which collections were launched and the stories behind what prompted many of their creations. (Read the full article here)

GETTING PERSONAL

THE REAL GEMS IN OUR LIVES

Ever wonder what Mother’s Day would be like if you were the daughter of an antique jewelry dealer, the mother of a jewelry designer, the grandmother of a jewelry store owner, the granddaughter, aunt, sister or niece of an avid collector? The gifts you might receive would be some of the rarest, personalized, thoughtful and sentimental that you could imagine. And there would definitely be an even more rare, personal, thoughtful, sentimental or just plain hilarious story behind not only the piece you received but also the way in which it was presented. I began to think about the stories I’ve heard throughout my years as an author, journalist, one-time designer and collector. And I thought, Why only tell the stories that were specific to one day out of the year? Why not extend them to birthdays and other holidays or ‘just because’ occasions?” While interviewing the diverse range of women in this week’s series of stories, I noticed that we are not only united by our passion—okay, perhaps obsession? addiction?—for all things sparkly, but also by the joy and love of motherhood or aunthood, the heartfelt memories of a mom or grandmother still in our lives or those some of us might have lost. Our recollections shine brightly. I connected to so many of the tales I gathered, and during interviews and editing them, I was truly moved; I laughed, cried, and related. I hope you will too. Read full article here and also check out the three other parts in the series.

IN HER JEWEL BOX

HOW THE YOUNG DAUGHTERS OF FIVE WOMEN DESIGNERS BEJEWEL THEMSELVES

Here, five designing mothers of young girls talk about their daughters’ personal styles. Some of them are even savvy enough to choose jewelry that represents the latest trends. (Read the full article here)

COLLECTING

FOUNDRAE DESIGNER BETH BUGDAYCAY’S JOURNEY AS TOLD THROUGH HER JEWELS

Beth Bugdaycay,  the creative director and co-owner of Foundrae designs jewelry, that when collected and worn together is similar to a revealing memoir of a woman’s life as told through multiple medallions and stacks of rings and bracelets. Her pieces not only speak to different ancient, spiritual and sentimental meanings and/or iconic motifs but also hold unique significance to each woman who wears them. Beth has reworked these symbols into modern jewels, which can be added to and built upon.  She has described them as “highly personalized pieces that allow a woman to express something of herself to the world. Wearing Foundrae reflects the journey a woman has taken so far and perhaps what she still want to achieve in her life, representing  the next chapter.” (Read the full article here)

GETTING PERSONAL

EARRINGS AS SENTIMENTAL TATTOOS

At Bejeweled magazine, our favorite stories to share are those that are deeply personal and often sentimental. For so many of us, jewelry is a touchstone of the most significant moments of our lives, whether it be handed down, designed from gemstones from a family member, or created to commemorate someone who has passed on. In this story, uber talented designer Karen Karch tells her own story of how she combines all three ways to honor her late mother. Taking piece passed down, the stones out of their original outdated setting and re-fashioning them into current pieces she will ‘never take off’, she figures out a way to keep her mom close while revisiting some of her teenage years in the process. (Read the full story here)

GETTING PERSONAL

TRUE TALES: THE LADIES OF THE WANDERING AGATE

In the tradition of the novels-turned-movies, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and the experiment and book The Necklace, Renee Ink decided to purchase an antique ring and share it with a group of women on Instagram.Unlike the fictional jeans exchanged among four girls facing challenges in Traveling Pants, and the expensive, real-life diamond necklace purchased and shared by 13 women in Cheryl Jarvis’ The Necklace, Renee bought the circa 1890 moss gate ring herself and trusted the online antique jewelry community to share it. She named her project, The Ladies of The Traveling Agate. “I thought it would a cool interactive project to get approximately 10 to 12 women together and, spanning the course of a year (starting in August 2015), pass along the ring to each of them and see where it would lead them. The project then took on a life of its own with many tales to tell.” Read the full story here 

A LOOK BACK

REMEMBERING THE 70’S AND ELSA PERETTI’S BONE CUF

I was a pre-teen in the early seventies. It was the time of my parent’s divorce, EST, women’s lib, disco and the Elsa Peretti Bone cuff. Talk about a classic that retained its style and cool allure that speaks to all generations. Designed in 1974, you can still immediately picture the sexy cuff that was organic and sculptured at the same time; polished, yet with a primitive silhouette that seamlessly hugged the wrist. It was the piece of jewelry that all mothers I knew wore- and all daughters like me wanted. A visionary, Elsa Peretti was savvy enough to understand the cultural shifts and changes in women’s roles at the time. She designed pieces that created simplicity in forms that would reflect powerful women: her fluid-shaped pieces with undulating surfaces danced the night away at Studio 54 and climbed the career ladder during the day, similar to the woman who designed them. The bone cuff was perhaps the most celebrated design of the Italian transplant and was worn by celebrities such as Sophia Loren and Liza Minnelli and style icon, Diana Vreeland. Read the full story here

IH HER JEWEL BOX

 

PARTNER IN ERICA WEINER, LINDSAY SALMON IS A MODERN ARBITER OF ANTIQUE STYLE

When I first met Lindsay Salmon, a partner in Erica Weiner, I noticed during our conversation, how she mixed different periods and motifs/styles of rings and how the eclectic combination almost seemed like the pieces were designed to go together and, to be—on her hands. The more I got to know her, the more I could see Lindsay has that uncanny ability to wear completely unexpected and sometimes disparate styles and create her own authentic look. On Instagram, if I saw a group shot of hands at an event, I’d be able to pick Lindsay’s out from the crowd. Her wrists too. To learn more about Lindsay’s style, read the full story here 

DESIGNER’S DISH

MONICA RICH KOSANN ON HOW TO BUILD A CHARM BRACELET

Legendary fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, film goddess Elizabeth Taylor, style icon Duchess of Windsor and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy all had one thing in common – their wrists all dangled and changed with charms that told of the most significant moments of their lives. The Maestro of the modern day charm bracelet, jewelry designer Monica Rich Kosann can be added to that list. Her bracelets are her personal signature. Whether she is chicly dressed for a trunk show at Bergdorf’s or carrying a yoga mat in one hand with her other holding a cup of morning coffee- her wrist is encircled in heavy links of gold.  She believes that every woman should have one of their own- to tell the story of the sentiments, accomplishments, great loves, hopes and dreams, the big ‘carpe diem moments’ and the adventures that we love and hold dear.  (Read the full story here)

SCREEN GEMS

THE JEWELRY WORN IN COSTUME DESIGNER JANET PATTERSON’S PERIOD DRAMA

I’m at Pat Novissimo of Lowther Antiques whom I’ve knownn for 20 years and who specialized in Georgian and early Victorian jewelry. As I survey the 18^th through early 19th-century memorial and posy bands, double heart and five stone rings, I spot a sweet, elegantly proportioned Georgian cluster ring and ask to try it on. While I admire the subdued sparkle of the rose cut diamonds on my finger—Pat offers me a hand mirror and says that ring is one of the pieces that costume designer Janet Patterson borrowed from her for Far From The Madding Crowd. I try and picture it in the 2015 remake of the film, based on Thomas Hardy’s 1874 novel. (Read the full story here)

 

 

 

HOW TO  WEAR

GET INSPIRED BY HOW DESIGNERS ROCK THEIR OWN JEWELRY

During this year’s jewelry week in Las Vegas, where established and bright new talents come together to present their latest collections at the Couture Show (a trade only event for journalists and retailers), designers were rocking their own looks, wearing the items and trends that will hit the stores during fall into holiday 2017. Unlike fashion, which is presented on models on international runways twice yearly, jewelry is most often displayed in glass cases and you often can’t tell how it moves or flows on the body. While I was covering the show, I thought what better way to feature how you could wear and style your favorite jewels then on the designers who created the pieces. I had also featured this column in the premier issue and it has become a regular feature whenever there is a trade show or multiple trade shows. See below and  (Read this full story here)

Throughout the last few months of shows, I was able to get these emerging and independent women jewelers who have navigated the jewelry biz, stayed tough, stuck it out when times got tough and stayed true to their distinctive looks. They also know how to “rock their own jewelry”.

 

Thea Miller of Dru Jewelry layers just the right amount of gold medallions for an edgy yet casual vibe.

Tura Surgen’s ear climbers are the type that can be worn chicly with a few bracelets (not shown) for a nonchalant look

While there is an unspoken rule in the jewelry biz to layer or wear pieces on two focal points at most, Page Sargisson can wear more than that and it always looks perfectly proportioned.

Karen Karch has a signature style: she can pile on the necklaces and stack her rings with a rock and roll appeal but it never looks like she’s trying too hard or wearing too much! She’s become a role model for her customers who want to learn to layer as well as she does

Melissa Joy Manning personal style mixes antique vintage and her own designs with an easy, effortless appeal

Gwen Myers of Eden Presley takes slits to a new meaning with her long ‘peekaboo fringy skirt  and just enough  jewels to enhance her strong  fashion sense

Megan Thorne looks adorable in her winter hat and her stacks of alternative bridal ring which she wears every day.

Erica Weiner of Erica Weiner Brick and Mortar and Online shops wears her antique jewelry with a contemporary and youthful spirit

Lene Vibes can teach anyone how to wear pearls in an ultra-modern, hip yet feminine way.

 

Hannah Blount wears statement jewelry without ever allowing it to overpower her dancer’s frame