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Jewelry Holds Memory

Throughout my life I’ve made jewelry for myself – putting together something with the mix of materials that I found in thrift shops and flea markets, or re-using old beads and findings from my grandmother’s necklaces. Her best friend managed the Coro store in NYC, one of the world leaders in the design and manufacturing of costume jewelry, so she had quite a collection. I have always had an extensive trove of buttons, charms, pins, and vintage jewelry, treasures to be mined for my collage art or to be carefully re-assembled into some new adornment.

As a child I adored peeking into the treasures in my mothers jewelry box. She had a choice selection of special gifts from my father, who had great taste: elegant lapis dangle earrings, Italian glass beaded necklace, topaz brooches, pearls.

As an artist and an author for over 30 years, I have always  been drawn to multi-cultural myths.  My talents became rooted in the healing process of envisioning wearable art pieces of jewelry and fashion that can protect and affirm, so I incorporate traditional symbols to convey those qualities. Combining line, texture and form, metaphysics, plus my gift for intuitive readings of people, I work to create power pieces that embody dreams and magic.

I design for myself and my friends – dynamic, free-spirited, soulful goddesses who are individualistic and who want to show it off.  When I first started making my newest line of jewelry, it became an exploration of themes, translating concepts from my spiritual belief system into wearable forms. I want my pieces to be practical, easy to wear,  so that they can be everyday pieces or worn for special occasions.

Jewelry holds the treasure of memories. Each piece has passion and character of it’s own – especially when it becomes part of you and your collection. With every piece there is a story, a history and mystery.

Hollywood Glamour: Adrian

I was watching a Greta Garbo film last night. “The Painted Veil“, and saw in the credits that the beautiful clothes were designed by Adrian. Hollywood has always had a strong tradition of having amazing costume designers, such as the incredible Adrian (he designed the costumes for The Wizard of Oz and many, many other films) Adrian is best known for his costume design work for MGM from 1928 through 1941. Adrian’s reputation skyrocketed, as he also dressed Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Norma Shearer, and Jean Harlow. His name is synonymous with Hollywood glamour, which, in turned, helped define high American style. He is probably one of the most famous alumni of Parson’s School of design in New York city.

A quote from Adrian:

“It was because of Garbo that I left M-G-M. In her last picture they wanted to make her a sweater girl, a real American type. I said, ‘When the glamour ends for Garbo, it also ends for me. She has created a type. If you destroy that illusion, you destroy her.’ When Garbo walked out of the studio, glamour went with her, and so did I.”

In 1942, he started his own fashion label with great success and it continued until he closed his salon in 1952. With clean feminine lines & subtle yet interesting details, his work was truly wearable art.

Read about Amy Zerner, the Hamptons’ number one fashion blogger and fashion designer.

The Hamptons International Film Festival

The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to provide a forum for independent filmmakers from around the world to express their vision. It runs from Oct. 13 through Oct. 17 at venues in East Hampton, Southampton Village, Sag Harbor, Westhampton and Montauk. Find box office information at HIFF’s website. See the full schedule here.

Among those expected to attend the Festival this year are David Bailey, Bob Balaban, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Barkin, Harry Belafonte, Joe Berlinger, Matthew Broderick, Emily BrowningDick Cavett,, Felicity Jones, Ed Lachman, Penelope Ann Miller, Matthew Modine, David Morse, Susan Sarandon, Rufus Wainwright, Wim Wenders and many more.

Breakthrough Performers are Emily Browning (“Sleeping Beauty”), Stine Fischer Christensen (“Cracks in the Shell”), Ezra Miller (“Another Happy Day,” “We Need to Talk About Kevin”) and Anton Yelchin(“Like Crazy”).

“With a strong line-up of international films from cinema masters as well as the “next generation” – the Festival offers incredible access and a tremendous opportunity to our East End audiences, allowing them to experience powerful cinema and filmmaking at its best,” says HIFF Executive Director Karen Arikian.
The Festival’s Opening Night Film on Thursday, October 13 is the Jason Segel and Susan Sarandon heartwarming comedy “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” Closing Night Film is the Cannes Film Festival critics’ darling “The Artist” and the Centerpiece Film is winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival “Like Crazy.”
 We’ll be there!

Quick Guide to Color Meanings

Color is vibration, the basic energy form underlying all of creation. Color is an essential ingredient in our daily environment and in fashion. Not only does it communicate emotion and create a mood, it also has the power to affect our energy level. In this way seeing a color and experiencing a color are virtually inseparable, since much of what is seen is also felt. People react to colors in various ways, since they evoke personal emotions and experiences.

Red is the most dynamic color. It is activating, passionate, and exciting.

Orange is very stimulating, cheerful and sociable.

Yellow is very happy, warm, and expansive. Yellow encourages optimism and hope and helps to n and stimulates the intellect.

Green is very balancing, healing, and tranquil. It represents growth, vitality, abundance, and nature.

Blue is calming, healing, soothing, and relaxing. Blue characterizes contemplation and spirituality.

Purple represents nobility and dignity. It is often related to intuition and spirituality.

Black connotes sophistication, power, protection and elegance. It is also introspection and mysterious.

White represents clarity, innocence, cleanliness, purity, hope, and openness.

Grey is neutral, calm, and quiet. It is conservative.

Brown is stable, earthy, grounding, reliable and comfortable.

Pink is soothing. It also symbolizes love and romance.

Read about Amy Zerner, the Hamptons’ number one fashion blogger and fashion designer.

Fringe Benefits

Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and David Crosby were the first group I saw at the Fillmore East in 1968. I was excited that my father bought me a custom purple beaded fringe bag made by the craftsman who designed fringe jackets for that group in Sag Harbor.

Last week it was “Deja Vu” as CSN performed a great concert at Hamptons Rocks For Charity to benefit OCRF and CCFA at East Hampton Studio. They sounded great, sang and played inspired versions of career-spanning classics including “Guinevere,” “Marrakesh Express,” “Wooden Ships,” and “Our House.  The concert was well attended and Howard Stern and wife Beth Ostrosky Stern showed up.

Hearing the harmonies and listening to their songs took me back to the 60′s when I beaded, embroidered and tie-dyed my clothes. Now I am a couture designer at Bergdorf Goodman! I can see the hippie influence on fashion, though now done in an upscale and luxurious way.

The ornamental fringe is getting major play for fall, adding an unexpected embellishment to shoes, bags and jewelry.They provide an authentic little touch of craftsmanship, a simple ornamentation that carries connotations of a Western vibe.

So when it comes to investing in pieces with embellished detailing, quality is key: a well-made tassel, be it silk, metal or leather can definitely make a statement and they are available everywhere. The length of fringe is also versatile. You can do this trend with a petite tassel necklace, or go bold with super long dangly earrings.

“I feel like I’ve been here before, feel like I’ve been here before.”Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Deja Vu

Read about Amy Zerner, the Hamptons’ number one fashion blogger and fashion designer.

Wild at Heart

The term “tribal” in fashion can mean anything from color-blocking to abstract prints to tie-dye to create a cool ethnic edge. Many designers are concentrating on these looks, along with some dramatic accessories to give you the wild tribal look. Weave a mix of ideas into a cross-cultural patchwork that embraces patterned motifs and embroideries inspired by ancient cultures. You can either  layer and embellish – or just go for a well-cut little item in an African or Ikat print.

Elsa Schiaparelli

Starting with knitwear, her designs were heavily influenced by Surrealists like her collaborator Salvador Dali…things introduced to high fashion by Schiaparelli include: square shoulders combined with nipped-in waistlines, wacky prints, graphic patterned sweaters, jackets to wear with evening gowns,  ready-to-wear boutiques for couturiers, sportswear mix-and-match separates, colored zippers, the wrap dress, the skort, and the wedge heel. Her legacy of spectacular designs with entirely innovative approach to fashion has greatly influenced contemporary fashion and inspired modern fashion designers, including Galliano, McQueen, Gaultier and Yves Saint Laurent.

Read about Amy Zerner, the Hamptons’ number one fashion blogger and fashion designer.

 

Coral Colors Are Hot

Spicy, burnished colors are dazzling for Summer AND for Fall. Shades of coral, salmon, burnt orange and dusky sienna echoing the sunset can be minimalistic while being warm at the same time. These colors can make you feel much more upbeat and more energetic!

Coral-colored dresses, tops, tunics, make-up, jewelry and accessories will light up your wardrobe and give your skin a healthy glow. Not sure which shade of coral is for you? Fair skin tones should look for shades with pink or blue undertones. Medium-to-dark skin tones can go with a coral with warmer undertones; these colors really pop against dark skin tones.

Try pairing it with a cornflower blue accessory or jacket. Those two hues  work great together. Also tan, greige, maybe a nice sky blue, or just classic black and white. it would even work with the right shade of brown or grass green. Warm and cool shades in combination truly create a feeling of balance.  And isn’t that something we all need?

Read about Amy Zerner, the Hamptons’ number one fashion blogger and fashion designer.

Free Spirits

Bohemian, or boho-chic, describes a free-spirited fashion look. A Bohemian woman follows her own muse. She’s an artistic type who surrounds herself with cool finds from many different eras. There is a growing bohemian movement in art and fashion, a combination of a imaginative, fairytale reference and a romantic return to nature.
When I was in college we wore long skirts, tunics, maxi dresses, boots and peasant blouses. We naturally expressed our creativity and individuality. The look is back and should be fun and fanciful, layered with many options and accessorieslace, beads, flowy chiffon, velvet and vintage embroidery characterize this style.

Gilty Pleasures

Gilt City, the leading online lifestyle destination for curated local offers and experiences, announces the Gilt City Hamptons House. This exclusive summer oasis will offer members access to one-of-a-kind events and elegant fashion, food & fun programming from August 12 through Labor Day. Tickets are available at www.giltcity.com/hamptonshouse.
From private dinners with Chef Scott Conant and Michael White, to yoga with Russell Simmons, the Gilt City Hamptons House will be a summertime oasis with arotating slate of top epicurean, style and beauty eventsIf fashion is your passion, don’t miss a special warehouse sale hosted by Gilt Groupe co-founder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson and a jewelry event with Donald Huber. Hope to see you there!