the return of the earring

"Statement necklaces" have been star on the runway for the past few years (fine by us).

But for Spring 2012 we'll see the earring come back.  Which is perfect.... we LOVE EARRINGS!!!

Bottega Veneta

Jil Sander

Marni 

Oscar de la Renta

photos - all courtesy ImaxTree and http://hardpersbazaar.com

"Paris-Bombay" from Chanel

The nude face. The dark eye. The headpieces. Swoon...

PARIS, December 6, 2011

By Tim Blanks

Karl Lagerfeld has never been to India. "It's much more inspiring not to go to places than to go," he said today after a Chanel presentation that spectacularly evoked the sights, smells, and sounds of the last days of the Raj. OK, Michel Gaubert's sitar-free soundtrack might have been a stretch (unless the Raj was rocking to David Lynch's new album), but the towering tiers of fruits, sweets, and flowers that filled the center of the room definitely had a sense of palatial excess.  More....

"brooches" a plenty

necklace becomes epaulette

all the angles are right

the hand piece is captivating, as are the eyes

All images from http://www.style.com

do it yourself rope bracelets

Love, love, love, these.  Cute DIY gift idea, no?

Do It Yourself Rope bracelets designed by Bromeliad

I know DIY's aren't for everyone, but really, this seems like a fun thing to do on the couch while watching back-to-back episodes of your favorite show on a chilly, dark evening.  Just imagine the possibilities using different materials like leather or fuzzy wool. 

Get in on the How-To here. 

photo courtesy, bromeliad blog

bulgari launches 'Le Gemme' eyewear

If you've been searching for diamond-encrusted cat eyes or rose gold frames with pink quartz accents, your time has come.  

Bulgari announced the roll out of a new haute jewelry eyewear line this fall: Le Gemme.  

Kirsten Dunst in Bulgari Le Gemme sunglasses ($12,000 appx.)

With prices ranging from approximately $800 to over $92,000 (yes, that's 5 figures) a pair of glasses from the new Bulgari collection are a splurge for most.  

But the prices are in some ways, justifiable.  

The price of gold closed at a record high of over $1600 per ounce earlier this week.  Adornments of sapphires and diamonds crank the price tag up even more.  

But are these glasses a wise investment?  Not if you break your glasses all the time like I do.

inspiration: i dream of byzantine

One of the more difficult aspects of creating a new collection of jewelry is deciding on color.

I begin building the framework for an upcoming season far in advance.  You'll find me working on sketches for a summer necklace while there is snow on the ground.  As of late I've been putting the finishing touches on our Winter/Holiday collection in 70-degree weather.  

Rich jewel tones and metallics reign for Winter/Holiday.  We're pairing forest green with gunmetal, gilded bronze with gold, and plum with antiqued brass.  These colors nestle right in with the lush velvets and embroidered dresses we've seen for the cooler weather.

Always a fan of Chanel, I found the pre-fall collection to be quite inspiring, and surprisingly in line with our chosen color palette.

Karl Lagerfeld's designs for Chanel were rich in Byzantine references, inspired heavily by Empress Theodora and imperial Roman dress.  Decorative collars, bejeweled stoles, and silk headpieces played dominant roles in Chanel's Paris-Byzance Collection:

CHANEL Paris-Byzance Sandal 

CHANEL Paris-Byzance Ring

CHANEL Paris-Byzance handbag

A look from CHANEL's pre-fall 2011 ad campaign

A look from CHANEL's pre-fall 2011 ad campaign

Limperatrice Theodora Au Colisee by Benjamin Constant

I personally adore the satin dress with the embroidered gold details.  What's your favorite? 

View the rest of Paris-Byzance here.  

Sweet dreams.

-Katy

images 1-5, www.chanel.com

image 6 www.wikipedia.com

links worth a click

Summer is a big season for accessories. Sun hats and bright jewelry come out of hiding, and platform heels seem less daunting (the absence of rain sure helps). Here are a few accessory-related links we think are fun:

1] Gucci Loafer Factory Tour on ACL:

On the outskirts of Florence, in Italy’s traditional shoe-making home, sits a nondescript, boxy building that was built during the post-war Italian industrial boom of the 1950s. While the factory doesn’t look like much from the outside, once through the door it’s an altogether different story... READ MORE

2] Living Plant Accessories on Ecouterre:

Anyone who’s been overcome by the rosy splendor of a setting sun or the serene majesty of mist-capped mountains can agree: Ma Earth is one helluva stylist. So who better than the prima designer herself to shows us how to step out in high style with cues from her own repertoire? From moss-topped knuckle rings to couture heels layered in cowberry leaves, here are seven eco-accessories that put the “green” in green fashion... READ MORE

3] Retro-inspired swimwear on Portland Monthly:

Marilyn Monroe has inspired many things—an appreciation for feminine curves, Joe DiMaggio, a spike in peroxide sales, perhaps … 
and the most current generation of swimwear. As the sun stretches ever so slowly out of its long winter nap, demure silhouettes of vintage suits are popping up on the resort runways from the likes of Diane von Furstenberg and Michael Kors... READ MORE

image credits 1] http://acontinuouslean.com 2] http://ecouterre.com 3] http://portlandmonthlymag.com

baubles & bibelot: from bona drag

This time of year we start to go a little crazy. We are so mentally ready for warmer weather that we find ourselves desperate to find ways to pass the time.

We find a good browse of Bona Drag, one of our very favorite online stores, very therapeutic. Naturally, we begin to make wish lists. Here are four of our favorite pieces from their current offerings:

maniamania room 631 brass necklace

karen walker helter skelter sunglasses

maniamania initiation necklace


aesa black freshwater pearl cuff


image credits: all bona drag

organize your jewelry

how much digging

and untangling of messes

must we endure until we realize

we can't possibly wear it
unless we can find it.

It's time to learn how to get your jewelry in order, ladies. Please take a moment to visit Portland, Oregon based stylist Kami Gray's blog. She knows a thing or two about fashion, jewelry, and how to "make it work" for you.

photos-courtesy Kami Gray

oh yves, j'adore

I (Katy) have been a huuuuuuge fan of Yves Saint Laurent for as long as I can remember. I've owned several pair of sunglasses (for whatever reason, they seem to fit my face perfectly). I've yet to experience the pleasure of a YSL handbag on my shoulder, however. If I had $1500 just sitting around my office, I'd use it on one of these beauties:

the roady with stingray handle

the easy

photo credit - Yves Saint Laurent

victoria beckham does shades

By now you may have noticed I have an interest in celebrity-designed jewelry, clothing, and accessories (more here and here and here) . I am fascinated by the way these people (whether known initially for their acting, singing, or even merely their good looks) are able to glide effortlessly from their "specialty" into the field of design.

Every once in a while I come across a CDL (my little moniker for a celebrity-designed line) that I actually really like and/or find interesting. Recently, a collection of sunglasses from none other than Victoria Beckham, kind of blew my mind.

I am a firm believer that sunglasses are one of the ultimate elevation pieces you can own. Alongside a good bag, well-made shoes, and perhaps a great pair of jeans - there is little else you need to show the world you "get it".

View more awesome shades here.

photos courtesy beckham ventures ltd

fringe benefits

Smart-as-a-whip Erica Domesek {writer and creator of the genius DIY blog P.S. -- I Made This} shows us "How to Make a Fringe Scarf from an Old T-Shirt" via this Daily Candy video.

I love this for re-purposing t-shirts into a new accessory (just think - every cat, woman, man, dog and perhaps even doll and teddy bear could use one of these)...

Scissors up!

photo/video courtesy Daily Candy and P.S. I made this

baubles & bibelot: fall fete at narcisse

...featuring new jewelry from my friends brehan todd and jess of paper treasure, plus the fall line of clothing from noa noa.
.

paper treasure

brehan todd


noa noa

{fall fete at narcisse}
saturday september 18 2010
~ 8 to late in the evening ~

1015 sw washington
portland oregon 97205

photos courtesy noa noa, brehan todd, & jess mcccloskey

new scarf line: symmetry

Symmetry scarf available at Need Supply

Symmetry accessories are made in the USA from 100% American-made Woolrich or Japanese wool. Designed by Ted Byrnes and Gena Tuso (both have been obsessed with scarves for years); the line looks fresh and edgy, but remains soft and wearable. It comes as no suprise that Gena, one half of the husband-and-wife duo, was/is a wardrobe stylist.

Several styles - including the Varg - are a really nice choice for a dude.

All the fringed pieces are hand combed and hand knotted. (And the part I'm jealous of? The custom-cast hardware they have specially made in L.A.) More colors (including yellow!) and styles on Symmetry's website.

{p.s. my birthday is December 1st} :)

images courtesy need supply / symmetry

the ultimate statement piece?

You know its been a long week of making jewelry when the necklaces you've created begin to look like a turtleneck on your form.

red hot

Love this fedora from the San Diego Hat Company. It is available online after 9/15 at www.moxiepdx.com or by calling 503.29.moxie.

logan neitzel

I just love Logan Neitzel's aesthetic. So much.

{A leather scarf? Why, yes, please!}

Die over it here.

sailin away

Learn how to make one of these here.

photo credit - etsy

the latest links

See by Chloe OTK (over-the-knee) boots- available at net a porter

These links are worth a click:

A slideshow of the best Fall boots at Refinery 29

The current trends in jewelry discussed, with photos at Femita

Gorgeous diamond slices by fine jeweler, Susan Foster

All the accessories the kids will be wearing at Urban Outfitters

The 30 day clothing diet everyone's talking about, discussed by Kami Gray

photo, refinery 29 and SBC

g r a y l i n g: summer lookbook

palms necklace + earrings


palms necklace + earrings


azure necklace


azure necklace


natura necklace - coming soon


natura necklace - coming soon


luminescent necklace + diamond one earrings
coming soon


luminescent necklace + diamond one earrings
coming soon


MORE LOOKBOOK IMAGES HERE

{all images copyright grayling jewelry 2010}