So…does this array of stunning gems get your mouth watering? I know it does for me! Given the choice, I don’t know which one I’d want to wear first! Well all of these lovelies are the creation of Malak Atut from her jewelry line, Zaiken. (I learned the name Zaiken is a combination of her two sons’ names.) I was very honored to spend some time with her at the Couture show, and get an inside look at her collection.
Malak and Amy
Malak’s line is based in Manhattan, and every piece is made there. (Woot!) She has two main looks in her line. The first is Throwing Stones, which the above photo shows. This is where she “bezel-sets eye-poppingly gorgeous gemstones atop other gemstones.” The result is truly unique and lovely. Here’s a closer look at a pair of rainbow moonstone earrings from the collection.
One of Malak’s specialties is using unexpected color combinations. These earrings, made with sapphires and adorned with paraiba and yellow diamonds, are case and point. They are simply works of art, don’t you think?!
With the tag line, “There’s more than one side to you,” you’ll understand her other main collection, Alter Ego. The pieces in this group have a geometric feature that flips over, revealing a whole new design. Because it’s true that we all have two sides to ourselves … maybe a little bit naughty and a little bit nice? I tried on one of the rings, which has diamonds on one side and enamel with diamonds on the flip side.
Two looks with one ring!
Here’s another clever example in the form of a necklace.
During our interview, I couldn’t help but notice her wrist, and the beaded bracelet that clearly was made by a much younger designer — a 4 year-old, in fact. Her son gave it to her when she was leaving for the show so that she’d have part of him with her while she was gone. How cute is that?!
Not only is Malak a talented designer and loving mom, but she also is involved with a special project in conjunction with Gemfields. Gemfields is the largest supplier of ethically mined stones in the world. You may have seen some of their press, with Mila Kunis as their ambassador. Malak has designed a capsule collection for them this year. This pair of gold and emerald studs and ring are part of the capsule. I think it’s fabulous to know the jewelry you wear has come from a good place, don’t you?
The passion and creativity were simply bursting from Malak while we spoke. I can tell that she has numerous designs in her head, and I can’t wait to see them come to fruition. I’ll be waiting and watching!
Right now my mind is drifting to the beach (as it often does), and I’m picturing Jane Bohan out in the waves on Fire Island. I think this talented designer loves the beach as much as I do, and she often finds her inspiration there. In fact, a surfboard was the thought in the back of her mind when she designed this turquoise necklace!
These necklaces are part of her Barcelona collection, with inspiration coming from the famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi. Here’s an example of his architectural style.
Jane has done a fabulous job interpreting the line and design of his work into her jewelry.
I tried on one of her bracelets from this collection, which features three stations with green quartz and mixed metals.
Jane started her hand-fabricated line back in 1983, when she was working with mostly brass and sterling. She has now transitioned to gold and precious stones. She thrives on creativity, and ideas come to her when she’s out and about in her daily life. Clearly her time by the sea was inspiration for her opalescent waters collection. The depth of the labradorite in this ring summons a feeling of diving down into the sea.
Pearls are most definitely one of Jane’s signatures. While speaking with her at the Couture show, I was admiring this new bracelet, made of south sea pearls, and oxidized silver fishbone chain with 18K gold accents. Delicious!!
Jane described her line as, “…sensual, sophisticated, and feminine,” and I couldn’t agree more. There were so many soft blush-colored tones in her pieces, which would flatter a wide variety of skin tones. You’ll notice the texture on these rose gold and diamond earrings. Texture, is in fact, extremely important to her.
The junipers in her back yard were the impetus for the texture on these rings I tried on.
It was an absolute pleasure meeting Jane and trying on all her goodies! Her line is sold at various high-end retailers around the country, so you can go try on for yourself. (Click here for a complete list of stores.)
It’s amazing to me how some people have a gift of knowing something is hot, even before the rest of the world is in on the secret. This is one of the many talents that jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche possesses. Back in 2009, Jacquie made her first finger bracelet, with a singular diamond. 5 years later, this is a full-fledged trend here in the US, and Jacquie was most definitely ahead of the curve. She now has multiple versions, such as this one with 13 diamonds.
This bohemian goddess is the mother of two, and began designing on the side about 15 years ago. She knew she was on to something when business just flowed in, and pretty soon her entire garage turned into her jewelry studio.
She was showing some stunning knuckle rings which span a few fingers. I tried on a labradorite one — amaze-balls!
Here’s a display from her case at the Couture show, which has one in shades of green.
It’s really hard to describe the instant bond I felt with Jacquie, but it was as if I’d known her for ages. She is one of those people who glows with happiness from the inside, and I truly believe she sees the beauty in everything, from each and every stone she hand-selects for her pieces to the flowers in her garden. Life just makes her happy!
Body chains are another of Jacquie’s specialties, and she described them to me as, “..modern day lingerie. They can be worn under your bra, just for you, your boyfriend, husband, whatever..”
No longer a solo operation in her garage, Jacquie is now so grateful to have 12 people on her team, and each piece is still made right in Los Angeles. One of the items she spent quite a bit of time introducing me to are her Blesslev amulets. When she met with a spiritual mystic 5 years ago, they were inspired by the concept, “When you concentrate on the core of who you are, and the true blessings you’ve been given, finding your inner joy and peace comes easy.” So these special amulets house a gratitude list and a Kabbalistic mantra in a beautiful shagreen pouch.
While also famous for her ear jackets, where part of the earring is suspended below your earlobe, she’s also now focusing on adorning the feet. If you want to see more, you can find some of her line, many items at lower price points, on Shopbop, in addition to the retail portion of her website.
Basically, when I left Jacquie’s booth, I felt like I had just taken a trip to a bejeweled, inner realm of happiness and optimism. While I don’t necessarily look like the woman in the photo below, it’s how I felt in my heart. Many thanks for the time you spent with me, Jacquie.
One of the things I like best about the Couture show is that it’s like traveling the globe, right in Vegas. One minute you’re in Italy, and the next moment you find yourself in Germany. This post finds me in Brazil, at the booth of Carla Amorim. And first up, I had to try on this stunning “Brasilia” ring from her Black Label collection. (Brasilia is where the designer lives with her husband and two children.) The modern, sculptural design and the plethora of diamonds definitely creates a substantial look on my finger!
Twenty-two years ago, Carla designed and made her first ring, which had a textured gold pattern. She continues the theme to this day, as shown in this “chapel” ring in rose gold.
I learned that Carla has three main inspirations in her design. The first is her country of Brazil, including its culture, nature and lifestyle. The next is Brazilian architecture, most importantly the designs of Oscar Niemeyer. The third is the Catholic religion. It turns out that 96% of the country is Catholic (who knew?!) and she goes for a “liturgy chic” look — love that! Since I am not Catholic, and I’ve never had a rosary, I really enjoyed seeing her modern and not “in your face” religious interpretation of them. In particular, I thought her rosary ring was genius! It spins on your finger, with each gem representing a rosary bead, so you can say all your Hail Marys in a very subtle, yet sparkly way.
She also has these very cool layered necklaces that represent Jesus and Mary. Each year she adds pieces to her Sacred Collection. She really has a brilliant way of letting people express their religion in an on-trend way that isn’t ostentatious. I admire that.
But of course, there were two pair of earrings that were most definitely show-stoppers, in my opinion. Just the detail of the diamond-embellished onyx earrings is fabulous. And the fact that her pieces are produced in her country is an added bonus.
I was certainly not surprised to find out that Carla has 7 stores in Brazil, as well as having a major international presence. I’m so happy that I got to take this little jaunt to Brazil!
At my first Couture show, I just fell in love with Efva Attling, both as a person and with her amazing jewelry line. I have since visited her store in NYC with a client, and I look forward to seeing what new designs she has in store each year. This year was no exception, and here’s pretty much how it went down when I visited her booth.
“So Efva, I’ve been seeing you around the show in a fab necklace. Is this the latest and greatest in your line? Tell me about it!”
“Well, Amy, I’ve got balls.”
“Tell me something I don’t know, Efva.”
Seriously, I just adore this woman. And I also adore her new necklace with large sterling silver balls (the main one which moves) that I’m wearing in the photo below.
It felt light and comfortable on my neck, and it was a MAJOR statement, which was perfect with my all-black outfit. I also like how it looked when I slid the necklace around to the back, with the largest ball now serving as the centerpiece.
And of course, always being on the cutting-edge of jewelry, Efva also has a ball ear-cuff which doesn’t involve any piercings. (Gotta love that!) This may be the edgiest my ear has ever looked.
Now I can’t way WHO, but there was a hot-hot-hot fashionista enamored of this necklace as well. All I can say is that they clearly have great taste, and I hope to see it available soon.
Well I’ve been back from the Couture show in Vegas for a week now, and I think I’ve finally recovered. But I’m still just in awe of all the spectacular designers I met and the lines I saw (and tried on!). Each year I attend, it becomes more and more special, as I get to visit the designers I’ve gotten to know over the years, and I eagerly look for jewelry that I’ve never seen before. And let me tell you — this year certainly did not disappoint. I cannot wait to share all my discoveries with you over the year to come.
Of course, there’s certainly some “play” mixed in with business, and the opening night poolside party at the Wynn was totally glam and headlined by Janelle Monae. When I heard Italian being spoken at a nearby cocktail table, I sauntered over (along with my colleague, Jen) and introduced myself. I love when I get a chance to practice a little Italian! I spent some time chatting with Christine Beccaro and Giovanni Chini from Annamaria Cammilli, a 30+ year-old jewelry line from Florence. I promised to come check out the line first thing in the morning.
Poolside opening night party
So bright and early (10:30?!) I was at their booth, and I was immediately taken with this golden line. It started with flowers all those years ago, and it remains one of their signatures. Take a gander at this phenomenal ring! It’s one-of-a-kind, and it has the date of its birth, 2014, on the inside.
This line is made 100% in Italy and uses an amazing spectrum of SIX shades of 18K gold in their designs: white ice, yellow bamboo, orange apricot, pink champagne, natural beige and black. The unusual tones of gold are one of the characteristics which make the jewelry easy to identify.
The ring I was immediately drawn to is called the Sultana Ring, from the Vision collection, and features three shades of gold highlighted with diamonds. The silky finish on the gold is so special.
Annamaria takes her inspiration from all things in nature. She has four main lines, each dedicated to a different natural feature: Flowers, Essential (dedicated to the Earth), Vision (dedicated to water) and Colour Stones (dedicated to the sky). One of the standouts from the Essential collection was the Dune Ballet rings. They are so named for the ribbons on ballet shoes, artfully draped and interspersed with diamonds.
Giovanni (who has known Annamaria since he was 14 years old!) told me that their pieces with cabochon stones are extremely popular with Americans visiting Florence, and I’m not surprised.
One of the standouts from the Vision collection is the Polaris pendant. “Polaris is a vortex that projects volumes and lights telling the story of improbable water games. A precious swirl featuring sections of cobbles set against the stylish Cammilli gold.”
Not only is their design incredibly unique, but they also have used the same, signature model in all their ad campaigns for the past 9 years. I think it’s fabulous that they’re not out looking for some new, hot young thing each season. Instead, they celebrate the beauty of a woman as she goes through life, beautiful at every age. Here she is modeling pieces from their Aqua collection.
They opened a flagship store last spring, and it’s definitely on my bucket list to visit it one day.
Even the way they package their jewelry is done with style and luxury. Here’s a picture of their signature box, complete with a marble lid. I mean, really….how divine!
If you’d like to see more, then take 3 luxurious minutes to watch this video, shot in Florence with their model. It’s like a music video for jewelry! (And if you’re reading this post on an RSS feed and it looks like a black box, then click here to watch it on Youtube.)
I was ecstatic when they won one of the prestigious Couture Design Awards for best debut at Couture! Bravo!
Thanks so much to Christine and Giovanni for their time and expertise showing me this beautiful jewelry. I hope to see it represented here in California soon! Grazie mille! xo
If you’re looking for ultra-special, one-of-a-kind pieces, then Arunashi is made for you! How about trying these black opal earrings on for size?
Arun Bohra, an 8th generation jeweler, started his own line in 2004. He is inspired by Greek mythology and all types of nature. It’s clear that he loves color, and I couldn’t help myself from trying on numerous items from his cases!
This ebony cuff emblazoned with opal, tanzanite, diamonds and violet sapphires is simply magical.
When I asked Arun what he liked best about being a designer, he said, “I can do whatever I want!” He revels in the freedom of creativity. Well his creative mind certainly comes up with some beautiful designs, unlike I’ve ever seen before. Look at these silver moonstone earrings. They are fit for a mythical goddess.
Or how about these large abalone shell earrings highlighted with diamonds? Yes, please!
I think the color combination in this sapphire bangle is lovely — perfect for adding a pop of color to a bracelet stack.
I look forward to seeing him and his collection again this year at the Couture show in Las Vegas. I can only dream about what I might see!
My first introduction to Mizuki jewelry was years ago, when a client of mine was looking for a chic bracelet she could wear to yoga that had a just a hint of bling and was comfortable enough to keep on in class. The answer came in the form of a thin Mizuki leather bracelet with a small diamond charm on it. It fit the bill perfectly! (She was, in fact, one of the first designers to combine leather and diamonds.) Since then, I’ve been a fan of this edgy, yet delicate line, and I was so honored to meet her at the Couture show.
When I asked what her current favorite piece was, she said it’s her “Wings of Desire” ring with black diamonds and a black princess cut diamond in the center. So of course, I had to try it on!
Feathers are her signature, and in her “Wings of Desire” collection she said it was a challenge to make it light and graceful, yet out of metal. Well I think she nailed it! Here are a few more rings from the collection.
This gorge bracelet stack also features the feather. The mix of leather and diamonds is fab!
Based in NYC and founded in 1996, Mizuki really combines her Soho style with her Japanese heritage. Her line has such a strong voice, that you can easily identify it as hers when spotted. For instance, these starburst earrings are quintessential Mikuki.
She also has some great designs that can easily mix and match with other items in your jewelry box. This gold crescent pendant necklace is ideal for layering!
And how cool would these “icicles” diamond earrings be for everything from running around town to going out at night? They are a very unique alternative to traditional hoops that I would wear in a heartbeat.
I really am drawn to Mizuki’s line, and I can’t wait to see what she shows this year! Plus, I want to ask her if she’s finally crossed off sky-diving from her bucket list. 😉
When I see a ring like this, my heart starts beating a little faster.
So imagine how I felt when I went to the Sutra booth at the Couture show — drooling!!
Founded in 2008 by Arpita Navlakha and her husband, Divyanshu, this Houston-based line has gained a huge following around the globe. Sutra, which means “collection of sacred verses” in Sanskrit, is an ornate, colorful line which they describe as “chicly gothic.”
Black opal, sapphires and diamonds
Arpita was born into a family of jewelers, and has truly been surrounded by jewels her whole life. (Lucky girl!) She is completely inspired by the stones themselves. Sure to design pieces that are stunning from every angle, I’ve never seen a collection with so many stones that truly light up from the inside. Don’t you think these earrings just glow?
Laguna agate and diamonds
And I think the richness of this multiple colored diamond ring is fantastic.
Various hues of diamonds
Sutra’s line, “…embodies opulent sophistication with the perfect hint of avant-garde modernism.” There’s definitely an element of Art Deco and Edwardian influence, as well as a little rocker chic, as shown in these earrings and ring.
Tanzanite slice ring
Sutra’s jewels were the perfect companion to Jessica Alba’s fuchsia gown at the 2nd Annual Baby2Baby Gala.
I also think Vanessa Hudgens’ long diamond fish earrings were just the right choice with her bejeweled dress.
You can find Sutra Jewels at retailers around the country, including one of my faves, Fragments in NYC.
Kara Ross, who opened her own storefront on Madison Avenue in NYC this past fall, is a designer I was so excited to interview at the Couture show in Las Vegas.
Amy and Kara
Kara’s love of gemstones began early in life, when her parents let her buy a tourmaline during a trip to Africa. When she returned home to the States, she designed her own ring, setting the stone in gold with diamonds. What a generous and creative opportunity to give a young woman! Clearly, this sparked a life-long love of stones and design, and I am blown away by her collection.
Most specifically, I was mesmerized by the Pangea ring. First of all, take a look at some images of the ring, and then I’ll tell you all about it.
Pangea is the land mass on our planet that existed about 300 million years ago, consisting basically of all the Earth’s continents melded together in sort of a puzzle formation. Plate tetonics then spent the next couple hundred million years separating the land into the seven continents that we know today. Here’s a neat visual to show how this happened.
Using this concept, Kara designed this ring as a tribute to the world we live on. Made of 18K gold (in yellow, white or rose), the jagged diamond-encrusted rows, “…reflect the shifting continents beautifully fusing together, and despite the drift all the pieces remain enveloped in one mass, continuing to come together and forming a harmonious whole.” Making each of these rings takes 10-11 weeks, and utilizes the expertise of 7 different craftsmen. Just drilling the hole through the large cabochon “Earth” is incredibly difficult. One little error, and the gem will shatter.
On the sides of the rings, you see a mosaic of hand-cut gemstones with angular pave diamond boarders, “…which represent the cultures and ethnicities of the world all living peacefully together.” The intricacies of these rings, along with their powerful message leaves me breathless — it’s truly a work of art and a labor of love.
This ring is the centerpiece of her Petra collection, which has over 100 pieces. The overriding design element seen across the collection includes jagged zig-zag motifs. Here are a few more pieces from this collection.
I just adore the juxtaposition of the raw rubellite and the polished amethyst in this last necklace, don’t you?
Kara also has both a fashion jewelry line, Kara by Kara Ross and a sterling silver line. I’ve tried on some of the sterling pieces in various shops, and they’re quite spectacular. Here’s a sterling cuff with black mother-of-pearl and black sapphires.
And this pair of earrings has a modern Art Deco vibe, for sure.
Kara has a huge celebrity following, and includes the Obamas among her private clients. She made pieces for them using the wood from a fallen magnolia tree from the White House garden. These coveted pieces were made for the First Lady and are also given as unique gifts to visiting heads of state and other important people. How cool is that?
Made for Michelle Obama
I cannot fail to mention Kara’s gem-tastic handbag collection, either, which includes everything from clutches to day bags. Here are a couple of my favorites.
Lizard with hematite and mother-of-pearl inset
And because a pop of celadon is hot for spring…
Ostrich with hematite clasp
I hope that you are as intrigued by this designer as I am. If you want to see some of her things in person, she sells at various retailers across the nation, as well as having her online shopping site. I cannot wait to see what she brings to Couture this spring!!
