Cocoa Michelle's, located at 190 Main Street, is graciously hosting a Holiday Pop-Up Shop featuring all the fun things I've been posting about these past months... A perfect place to find that jaw-dropping gift sure to dazzle your friends and loved ones, or to pick something up just in time for a holiday party (don't forget New Year's...). Tomorrow night and next Thursday, 5:30-8:30. Stop by, bring your friends, and see, discover, explore.
Just in time for holiday, Nancy Caten's latest line, Bis, uses silver-treated industrial metals to create delicate yet weighty chain necklaces that are easily layered together yet substantial enough to be worn on their own. I love the play on hard and soft, the different combination of links and the use of this very interesting chain that has rhinestones, adding a subtle sparkle. They are, in my opinion, the perfect level of feminine and at the most amazing prices.
Rhinestone necklace with mixed chain fringe, $236
Six Mixed Strand Necklace, $214
Double Strand Necklace with Black Onyx Cross Drop, $102
Rhinestones with Draped Chain Necklace, $108
Long Necklace with Heavy Center Links, $76
Multi Chain Assymetric Necklace, $86
Three Rhinestone Tassel Necklace, $64
Three Rhinestone Tassel Necklace detail, $64
Multi Chain Assymetic Bracelet, $76
All pieces available for purchase.
Contact to schedule viewing or delivery:
CardinalAtelier@gmail.com
(203) 856-7463
Citrine necklace, $790.00
Gray pearl, smoky quartz, citrine drop earring, $350.00
White topaz and black onyx necklace, $1,300.00
Lemon quartz cuff, $1,050
Cameo and smoky quartz necklace, $890.00
All pieces available for purchase.
Please contact for delivery: cardinalatelier@gmail.com or (203) 856-7463
Nefertiti Royal Jade necklace, $362.00
Black Agate necklace, $338.00
Layered brass, gold, and steel chain necklace, $336.00
All pieces available for purchase.
Contact for delivery: cardinalatelier@gmail.com or (203) 856-7463
Event begins tomorrow at 5:30PM.
Call/email for directions/RSVP/schedule private appointment: 203.856.7463/CardinalAtelier@gmail.com
Today, as I had mentioned some time ago, I had a meeting with Ranjana Khan. While I walked her palatial showroom I found it hard to believe her line was only a year or so old. Her sense of color, design, texture is so profound and her intimate understanding of proportion, function, and material is apparent in all she designs. For example, her bracelets and necklaces all use magnetic closures making them effortless to put on. Ane pieces she designs that feature rhinestones are typically wrapped in tulle not only to play with texture and shine but to ensure that your clothing will not be snagged or pulled.
Perhaps the most exciting part of my trip today was having the pleasure of discussing the jewelry with the artist herself who graciously showed me her favorite pieces and modelled them for me while discussing the joy of creating jewelry under her own name. As I learned, she had previously worked quite intimately with Alber Elbaz of Lanvin, who she described as gracious and humble, a true genius, and was the brain behind the tulle-wrapped pearls that provided his brilliant entrance into costume jewelry. A year ago, after collaborating with many more design houses including Balenciaga and Jean-Paul Gaultier, tired of splitting her time between Europe and India, Ranjana decided it time to create something for herself.
I was blown away by her Spring collection, a celebration of beauty's decay and the cycle of life. The whimsical pieces incorporate vintage petals, handburned, stained, and dyed, woven into stone and crystal, oft topped with vintage metal and beaded bugs.
Brooch with vintage bug, crystals, hand-dyed vintage petals
Woven and beaded necklace with gray pearls and vintage petals, burned and stained
Clip-on earrings with crystal and vintage petals
Crystal necklace woven on lace and tulle with magenta velvet tie closure
While all of these pieces won't arrive until the new year, to my surprise and delight I was able to order a few pieces to pick up on Tuesday in time for Launch. A sneak peak:
Tulle-wrapped crystal ball drop earring with grosgrain bow, $250.00
Acrylic and stone necklace hand-stitched in silk tulle with gray grosgrain ribbon, $750.00
Purple and gray crystal necklace with tulle and grosgrain, $520.00
She is a truly incredible talent and I am beyond honored to have met her and to be able to share her work. It makes my launch next week all the more exciting.
Launch is in just over a week: Tuesday and Wednesday October 20 and 21.
Email for info: cardinalatelier@gmail.com
Call for private viewing: 203.856.7463
A meeting has been scheduled for next Thursday to see Ranjana Khan's latest collection. With stock available for Holiday expect a first shipment by December, in addition to a full collection arriving by Spring.
I first fell in love with Ranjana Khan's work last winter on a shopping trip to Bergdorf Goodman. A piece was featured on a mannequin: simple satin ribbon stiched with layers upon layers of gold chain, and at an unexpectedly reasonable price. Her other pieces on display included beaded and gem-covered neck collars on tulle, satin, and silk.
Her web presence is limited making it difficult to share her work (a website is under construction) but if the above picture is any indication (notice the faint halo around the edge: this piece is constructed on tulle, amazing) her work is sublime.
She also just happens to be wife of sequin-aficionado Naeem Khan.
I am really looking forward to the meeting next week. More details to follow.
Mawi, a British designer, creates bold, fashion-forward costume jewelry. Her work often explores two aesthetics: futuristic, edgy with geometric shapes and boxchains; and a more romantic collection she describes as "Heirloom" featuring layered pearls, lockets, and the occasional skull.
Rhinestone pave safety pin with navy and gray floral pendants. $232.00
All pieces available for purchase. Please call (203) 856-7463 to schedule delivery.