Peaking Trend: Minimalism

Some say the current minimalism trend translates to wearing no jewelry at all, favoring instead a straightforward apparel piece and a pair of everyday black shoes. And what a missed opportunity really, because the right adornment can eliminate the boring whiff of a stark ensemble, and still remain true to the overall strategy.

Eve Singer’s cuff bracelet dispels the idea that minimalist jewelry is communicated with a simple pair of cone ear studs. The lines are precise and complex, but not overpowering. Adorn your wrist, leaving the ears and neck bare, and you are good to go.

Available online at Castor & Pollux

Astali by Shannon De Jong

Rebels may come in all shapes and sizes, but generally there are a few commonalities...a passion for hard liquor consumption, an appreciation for music that’s both loud and aggressive, and a live-by-your-own rules mentality forged straight from the Old West. Designer Shannon De Jong straddles all of these areas with her Astali line, presenting the maverick personality in distinct collections.

Inspired by Jack Daniels, the Jack Astali grouping flaunts snake vertebrae sourced from rural Africa and memorably mingles it with brass and snake-glass beads. The rocker-influenced set (Rock Astali) pairs weapon charms with repurposed guitar strings in brass, copper and silver, and the Tex Astali pieces incorporates apropos elements such as Fool's Gold nuggets, wheat pennies, and bullet casings (even an antique faucet handle makes an appearance).

We love the stack of snake vertebrae bracelets interspersed with Afghani silver beads strung on brown leather (above right).

To view styles and purchase, visit the designer’s Web store.

Hot Pick: Hayden-Harnett Joey Cuff

Come on, we dare you to name one thing that Toni Hacker can’t design really, really well. Because while some emerging artists stick solely to their chosen specialty, she just can’t stop expanding her Hayden-Harnett line (in collaboration with husband Ben) into all corners of the industry. In addition to dresses, separates, outerwear, wallets, belts, and every type of bag under the sun, the Brooklyn-based designer recently rolled out a stellar line of boots.

From day one though, Hacker loved leather cuffs, presenting them with heavy hardware and belt-style closures. Her newest creation, the Joey, is more traditional, but no less stunning, pairing metal studs with textured leather (above is the tonal brown whipsnake).

Available at the Hayden-Harnett Web site.

Rediscovering the Chain Store

Just like the local pharmacy, which has become the bargain hunter’s destination for make-up essentials, the chain store is well positioned to become a well for jewelry box refreshment, if for no other reason than the affordable price points.

But some chains have interesting offerings, including Urban Outfitters which recently launched a collection in collaboration with Bing Bang’s Anna Sheffield. The line, called Bee 23, flaunts the designer’s signature style, including this sweetheart necklace (above), but are easy on the wallet. Old Navy is currently selling cozy sweater bangles reminiscent of Elizabeth Yarborough’s hot creations from last year, but for less than ten bucks. And Forever 21 is always a treasure trove for up-to-the-minute looks for less, including a vast selection of cocktail rings that hover around five dollars.

Rising Trend: Unisex Jewelry

There's nothing innovative about women wearing menswear, from skinny ties to tailored vests...it's all repurposed from decades past. And yet, slouchy boy-cut pants seem fresh after an avalanche of matchstick jeans over the years, and now unisex adornments are on the rise too, perfect for women who want to tone things down, and embrace a rugged, less-obvious look.

Giles and Brother, Philip Crangi's diffusion line, serves up a bevy of unisex styles flaunting heavyweight brass hardware elements. We love the railroad spike cuff, a curved bracelet with a gritty appearance available at Kabiri. A similar version, wrapped in leather with bolt ends (above right) is available at Barney's CO-OP.

Hot Pick: SURevolution Studded Bangle

Too often bracelets are relegated to second-tier status, almost as if they are the bastard children of the jewelry world. Lately necklaces have taken front-and-center position, and statement earrings will soon be at the head-of-the-pack. And rings, well they have had their resurgence and them some. Yet, the cuff, the bangle, and other bracelet styles always seem to be the additional adornment, never the main event. It’s certainly not for a lack of options, that’s for sure.

We’re big fans of SURevolution, who bring you hand-crafted goodies from around the world, and they always have an amazing array of bracelets in their collections, from woven metal bangles to mosaic coral cuffs. Our current fave is a dark wood bangle embellished with rows of copper-hued brass studs.

Available at Vivre.

Eva Gozlan

Yes, you’re sweet, but thankfully not that sweet. So, sure you sometimes wear pink, and adore gooey lip gloss, but you balance it out with a choppy haircut and steel gray nail lacquer on your toes. Which is why you adore Eva Gozlan’s jewelry pieces, which are equally sweet and left-of-the-dial cool.

The French designer works primarily with brass adding dainty pearl and gemstone touches, and her collection is deliciously cohesive, transforming girly touchstones (like purses and butterflies) into modern statements. A bracelet with a sculptured form on a closer glance resembles an angel’s wing. A leaf charm earring, to be worn on its own ala 80s style, dangles pearls on oxidized chain. A lengthy necklace flaunts a glass jar pendant revealing miniature brass butterflies.

Her collection is available online at Manjoh.

Nugaard Designs

You've always instinctively recognized that living life to the fullest doesn't necessarily translate to packing in as much activity into a day as humanly possible. That's just running (run, run, run), and to you, a busy life is a blurred one. You'd much rather take your time, enjoy the journey, and dismiss the never-ending checklist that can clog the mind and soul. Yes, taking time to stop and smell the flowers isn't a cliché, but a way of life...a healthy, full, rewarding one at that.

Nugaard Designs keeps you connected to the world outside, blending nature's creations into their jewelry designs. The brainchild of Erica Pacey and Alessandra Feio, the line plays with the fusion of recycled metal and earthy elements, dipping bamboo bangles in silver, and coating dehydrated leaves with gold for dangled earrings and pendants. The selections from their Camp collection are inspired, sprucing up gold jewelry with golden grass from the northwest of Brazil, such as a cuff bracelet with a circular centerpiece.

Available at Nimli. For more information, visit the designer’s Web site.

Kimberley Selwood

The thing about you is, that you never really can be pigeonholed into owning a particular look or style...because that's just downright dreary, and certainly no fun at all. Yes, one of the pleasures of being a woman is playing dress-up each and every day, mixing and matching, and adorning. And so you are always on the hunt for special, yet adaptable pieces that will mesh with your revolving moods.

British designer Kimberley Selwood’s jewelry line is a potent, well-mixed blend of uptown sophistication and downtown cool. Her Order in Chaos collection boasts three-dimensional elements pieces that are lacey and delicate, and Tangled Hearts, an oxidized range, flaunts designs that are twisted with airy filigree touches. The Butterfly Effect presents a bevy of interesting arrangements, from mixed metal rings with an open center to wide cuffs with sterling silver waves adorned with resting butterflies (above).

Available at Astley Clarke. For more information visit the designer’s Web site.

Emily Amey

Beauty, truly spectacular beauty, often can go criminally unnoticed…because it does take a certain type of person to look outside the confines of traditional attractiveness, and appreciate the splendor of an everyday miracle.

Designer Emily Amey positions the spotlight on many of nature’s overlooked treasures, from seaweed to amoebas to swirling vines. Working primarily with sterling silver and 14k gold, Amey’s designs flaunt single silhouettes with intricate detail, such as a crescent-shaped sea fan necklace with a sprawling pattern, and squid hoop earrings that twist and curve in unexpected directions. There are many stand-out pieces from her collection, especially her bracelets, notably the sea fan cuff (above), which exquisitely translates the complexity of the organic form.

To view styles and purchase, visit the designer’s Web site.

Hot Pick: Focus Cuff from re:vision

At some point in her lifetime, every woman has a bona fide love affair with photography, taking esoteric shots with an old-school Minolta or Leica camera. Australian designer Craig Arnold can relate, passionately collecting discarded cameras and repurposing their components into one-of-a-kind bracelets. Most of the pieces are crafted from camera lenses, with expected wear. But that’s the beauty, no? Like passing on a great book to a fellow reader, the bracelets are a touchstone to those who have experienced the magnificence of being behind the lens.

Available at Oye Modern.

Pamela Tuohy Jewelry

Sure life is not about keeping score or collecting notches on your belt, but there is something immensely gratifying about finding a sensational piece that no one else owns. Of course, it’s not just the thrill of the hunt, but the discovery of a designer who fits just right with your personality, one who dabbles in intriguing compositions and materials, and understands that jewelry can indeed be flavorful without being conventional or weird.

Designer Pamela Tuohy recognizes that now and then you need to reach back in time to savor something really good. Her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, crafted from recycled antique frames, flaunt portraits of the world’s creatures, big and small. A mixed metal chain necklace dangles a green Praying Mantis pendant encased within a gold and brushed silver frame…an ornate gold frame brooch boasts a majestic lion…a black and white spider portrait is mounted on a darkened silver cuff. While all the selections have a similar focus, each piece has its own distinct vibe, solidifying its singular status.

To view styles and browse a store list, visit the designer’s Web site.

Tivi

Diamonds, pearls, sparkling gems…that’s never been your style. You live fast, skirt confining traditions, and spend your time off at the corner brewery where cold mugs, bratwurst, and British Jazz-Funk music rules. And yes, try as you might, jeans and camisoles always seem to be your uniform, so when you can add a spark, while staying casual, you’re all for it.

Wooden cuff bracelets from Tivi are crafted from ebony, zebrawood, maple and walnut, and then hand silk-screened with distinctive prints that have charming names such as Orange Junegrass and black coneflower (shown right). Each cuff is finished with a satin lacquer for resiliency. Tivi’s designers Ryan Wither and Paul Lewin enlisted artist Sari Gunderson, a fibers and mixed media specialist, to collaborate on the line, which also includes laser-cut flat veneer wood bracelets.

To view styles and purchase, visit the Tivi Web site.

Dirty Librarian Chains

In kindergarten, you were the sweet-cheeked girl who, despite explicitly instructed not to, still boldly colored outside the lines. Because even way back then you insightfully knew a life with everything neat and perfect was as dull as dishwater. But that doesn’t mean that you were, or grew up to be, a mistress of mess. Nope, you’re neither disorganized or a scatterbrain…just someone who isn’t hung up on mirroring others, but rather resolutely focused on dressing their home and body in adoring fashion with unexpected details.

Designer Susan Domelsmith’s jewelry line Dirty Librarian, is filled with nimble chain pieces that flaunt unpredictable drapes and out-of-the-ordinary vintage notions, such as metal jewelry tags and necklace clasps. Even a straightforward charm necklace, looks effortlessly distinctive with a pendant cluster of maker’s mark tags. Each selection from the collection has a winking reference to the stacks – from the Card Catalog necklace to the Annex earrings. Shown right is the media bracelet, a chunky piece with delicate chains woven through the links that serves up a draped fringe when worn.


To view styles and purchase, visit the Dirty Librarian Chains Web site.

Pamela Love

You’re the playful chick in the corner that people seek out at parties, and not because you’re always equipped with a great, not good, dirty joke. It’s because you never bore anyone with self-serving tales of how yoga changed your life, or worse yet, how you avoided a wait list and scored some item that you and the rest of the country, spotted on some trendy actress. But you can however, thoroughly analyze Donnie Darko, down a shot of Jack without wincing, and do a spot-on impersonation of Darby Crash. And as if that’s not reason enough, well, you’re scorching hot too, all dolled up in a nerdy Isabel Marant button-down shirt, crisp Built By Wendy jeans, and your wicked cool Pamela Love talon cuff.

Gold-plated cuff bracelet with three talon claws wrapping around the wrist, the piece is part of an artistic collection from designer Pamela Law filled with beloved objects that explore the darker side of nature…bird cranium pendants, deer tooth necklaces and menacing scorpion rings. But like any great love affair she doesn’t linger on the underbelly entirely, serving up sparkling rings flaunting peacocks, rams and dainty bear heads.

Available online at Cabinets of Curiosities.