May 20 will launch the third annual H&M Fashion Against AIDS collection in stores nationwide supporting youth HIV/AIDS awareness and education.

With festival season well under way (hello, Coachella!),  the whole line really captures the festival experience.  With tents, sleeping bags and even ponchos, you’ll be prepared for whatever mother nature throws at you and all while looking great to boot!

In addition to supporting a very worthy cause, the entire collection is bursting with beautiful pieces at very humble prices.  The line will include men’s and women’s wear, shoes, and accessories as well as tents, chairs and other camping gear.  The women’s wear is very rocker meets bohoglam with some ethnic touches peppered in.  The guys gear also captures that rock vibe and includes blazers, leather and distressed denim.

25% of the proceeds from this collection will be donated to youth HIV / AIDS awareness projects, including YouthAids, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, as well as supporting Designers Against AIDS, the NGO who brought the concept of Fashion against AIDS to H&M.

The line will range from $2.95 – $79.95.

May 20th people!!  Head over to H&M and get your fashion on and promote safe sex!

To find out more about the  non-profit organization DAA, check out their site:  www.designersagainstaids.com

Images courtesy of Nitrolicious.com

Since it’s launch a few years ago Nicole Richie’s jewelry line, House of Harlow, has become one of the most popular amongst celebs and the general public – it doesn’t hurt that the price points are so forgiving!       

Well the  fashion bees have been buzzing for a while now but the wait is finally over because Nicole’s clothing line, Winter Kate,  has arrived! 

As with her jewelry line, Nicole is looking out for the consumer and the prices will be very reasonable.  “Everything is extremely affordable, and that was important to me, to have these pieces be accessible to everyone,” she says.       

The line will range from $68 for a tank top to $1,375 for a suede vest.  Okay so $1,375 is a bit steep but it’s real suede people!     

Winter Kate very much emulates Nicole’s own boho chic style.  I’d call it casual elegance.       

“I’ve always been one to dress for comfort. I’m not one to wear something that I don’t feel good in,” she says. “Comfort was really important for me, especially doing a spring line. For me, I really don’t like to feel like I’m wearing anything during the spring and summer months.”    Amen to that! 

Get your Winter Kate on at Singer22.com!

Founded a few years back by designer Joan Goodman, Pono is a unique collection of jewelry that gets it’s name from a dear friend of Joan’s whom she met while living in Hawaii.   Pono is equal parts vintage, modernism and nature.  The entire line is very earth conscious incorporating natural elements such as wood, shells and natural horn.

Pono has been featured on Gossip Girl, in countless magazines and seen adorning the wrists of many celebs such as Paris Hilton, Beyonce and Julianne Moore.

I recently got the opportunity to have a little Q&A with Joan herself.  Check it out!

I love how the concept of the name came about from your childhood friend.  Do you still keep in touch with Pono?

Yes…PONO & I are still best friends…We do not see each other a
lot…but we speak & have a very special relationship!

I think it’s great that your brand is so environmentally conscious.   Do you feel that this sets you apart from the sea of jewelry designers out there?

I think a lot of people are trying to be environmentally aware now…but
a lot of it is hype…smoke & mirrors…..and a manipulation of
language!
We are very committed to taking care of our planet…
If everyone just took care of their circle…the world would be much
better!

I love the boldness of your designs.  Where do you draw inspiration from?

My inspiration comes mostly from nature and sometimes from dreams….
Also… I work with amazing factories…their concepts and materials are
always inspiring and lend themselves to bold pieces.

Do you tend to stick to one aesthetic or do you like to change it up?

I think PONO has a classic aesthetic that runs through the whole
line…..
At the same time…i love to make pieces that are a little wild and
unexpected!

What’s up next for Pono?

Next…Fashion Coterie….and working on the color stories for winter
10/11…
Working with the color is my favorite part……

You can purchase Pono online at http://www.ponoannex.com/

Amrita plays with different metals and textures, incorporating gold, silver, wood, plastic and stones into her designs.   Her work includes a variety of beautiful rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets but bangles are what she’s really known for.

There is something so satisfying about layering on tons and tons of bangles.  It sort of reminds me of being a kid and playing dress up.  The addition of 30 – 40 clinking bangles adorning your wrists is glamorous, over the top, fun!

Being a person who has freakishly small wrists, I often have a difficult time finding bracelets that aren’t too big for me.  Amrita, realizing not all wrists are created equal, offers 3 size options.

Celeb fans include Mischa Barton, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson.

amritasingh.com

Photo courtesy of the New York Times

Love, love, love her!  She is such a bad ass in the sweetest sense of the word.

Sheffield, who says she draws inspiration for her work from the streets of New York, is the uber name behind Bing Bang.  The high-end line is a coveted favorite among celebs.

Anna’s taken her signature design aesthetic — edgy mixed with pretty statement pieces — and has worked it into a lower priced line for Target.

Lockets play a starring roll in this line as well as lots of little birdies, layered charm necklaces, chain link, and silver meets gold combos.

The line is set to hit Target stores, nationwide on Sunday, August 30 and will range from $19.99 – $79.99.

Check out “Two Minutes with Anna Sheffield” for an inside look at this amazing designer!

The gorgeous Gina Nigrelli

Her designs are fun, whimsical and so full of life.  She takes cues from the past like these jelly bracelets but still manages to make them fresh and exciting again.

Gina draws inspiration for her work from her love of the 70′s and 80′s as well as her surroundings. The Jules Smith line was born when she was living in St. Thomas with her husband, constantly surrounded by beauty.

Gina’s first piece in the line was the star struck necklace which bore the initials ‘J’ and ‘S’ for Jules Smith.  Jules is a character that Gina came up with who she feels embodies the women who wear her designs.  Says Gina, “She’s confident, empowered, sexy and most importantly, everything she’s wearing is accessible”.

“My collection pays homage to the iconic trends in fashion,” reflects Nigrelli. “One strong accessory, such as a dominant necklace, cuff or bold pair of earrings, completes a look that is timeless and effortlessly chic.”

Celeb fans include Molly Sims, Leighton Meester, Nicky Hilton, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Lindsay Lohan, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Debra Messing — and the list goes on!!

The Jules Smith line ranges from about $75 – $595.

What are you waiting for?  Go and get it!

This man’s resume is insane!  After working as a shoe designer for both Delman and Christian Dior, he decided to try his hand at jewelry making and to say it was a hit would be an understatement.  His very first collection sold out at Saks Fifth Avenue in a single day!

In the past, he has created one of a kind pieces for uber stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O.  Barbara Bush even wore one of his signature three strand pearl necklaces to her husband’s Inaugural Ball.  Celeb fans of his work today include Mary Kate Olsen, Rachel Bilson, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

His design philosopy is simple: elegance, good taste and luxury never go out of style.

There’s something to be said for longevity.  I’d imagine it’d be difficult to be designing all these years and still manage to stay ahead of the game in terms of what’s next, so kudos to Kenneth!

So I was putting together my piece on Exposed Zippers and came across Kate’s site.  Since getting into this whole blogging thing, I’ve stumbled upon so many amazing designers on accident.  Makes me think I should have gotten into it a lot sooner….

Anyway, onto Kate!

No, she’s not related to John or Joan.  I wonder if she gets that a lot?

Kate wears many creative hats including costume designer, sculptor and jeweler.  Check out this Marie Antoinette inspired wig she constructed using only plastic wrap!

True artists obviously see things we don’t.  I look at Saran wrap and think, mmm…leftovers. Kate on the other hand, having the artist’s eye, sees all of it’s potential.

Kate earned a BFA from MICA (in my hometown of Baltimore) and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama where she studied costume design.

When she’s not designing costumes or sculpting gorgeous works of art, she focuses on her jewelry line that is made up entirely of zippers!

She thinks of her jewelry as a mini-sculpture for the body.  Sure to get noticed, the wearer becomes sort of a mobile gallery if you will.   Her jewelry line includes pins, bracelets and necklaces.  Earrings and rings may not be far off either.

I recently got the chance to conduct a mini-interview with Kate and here it is!

You use materials in very unexpected ways, how much is that unconventional viewpoint a result of your costume work?

I think my love for transforming unusual materials into exciting creations is not as a result of my costume work, but is a result of my growing up in an artistic household.  My mother is an illustrator who creates stitched artwork and she depends on various patterns and textures of fabric to create realistic images. (www.margaretcusack.com)  She looks at a certain kind of fabric and sees a brick road or a roof of a building instead of just a red-ish looking piece of fabric.  Her ability to see more than what is simply in front of her is what I grew up around.  Our family also used to throw a huge Halloween party every year where kids and adults would arrive wearing home-made costumes.  Part of the challenge was to make something outrageous and unusual and, typically, it involved whatever materials were around the house.

These days fashion is driven by celebrities and magazines, how much do you think that success as a designer depends on getting access to that arena?

I think a lot of people who are not confident in their own personal style will always look to the magazines and the celebrities to see what is “in” or “cool”.  So in that sense, the success of a designer can depend on being show in magazines, etc.  Magazines are always looking for “the next thing” so I think the bigger challenge is to be featured in magazines/on celebrities but then to continue to develop and stay relevant.

Obviously there is a creative difference between designing of costumes and jewelry for a larger consumer market.  Do you think your career will lead more towards one field or the other in the future?

Right now, I have decided to really put most of my efforts into developing my Zipper Jewelry.  Recently I designed costumes for a multi-media opera/dance piece.  I used a lot of unconventional materials –like plastic forks and clear recycling bags.  It was definitely a wonderful creative experience, but once it was complete, I was happy to return to my studio to continue my work with the Zipper Jewelry.  The two experiences are wildly different–one is extremely collaborative and the other is very solitary.  I think I may continue to create costumes or sculptural-wearable-art, but it will not be for traditional theater.

***************************************************************

I love that Kate doesn’t set artistic limitations on herself. Says Kate, “Because I see everything as an artist, it means I am freed up from certain constraints that typically come with certain professional approaches. I can see the material for what it is, what it “should” be used for, and then I can decide how I want to re-imagine it.”

Whether she’s designing elaborate costumes for stage productions, making wigs out of kitchen essentials, or reinventing the zipper, one constant with Kate is her love of unusual materials and her ability to transform them.

You can, and should, purchase one of her designs here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5175959

Be sure to check out Kate’s blog too!

http://www.katecusack.blogspot.com/

Ahh blogging….

Everyday there is new ground to cover and new people to meet, like Juliet!  She came across little old me by way of Margaux Lange and sent the sweetest email saying how much she loved the site. 

Juliet collects vintage plates and recycles them into her own masterpieces.   I was so stoked to do this feature because she blends my two favorite worlds —  food and fashion.   Who would ever think that plates could be so damn fashionable?! 

The queen of the 30 Minute Meal, Rachel Ray recently rocked one of Juliet’s necklaces on her show!!  How cool is that?!

In addition to this ahhhmazing exposure, her work has been featured in countless magazines including, Baltimore Magazine, Style, and Urbanite just to name a few. 

I recently got the opportunity to “sit down” for an interview with Juliet.  Check it out!

Did you always know that this is where you’d be one day?

I always knew that I would work in a creative field, but never in a million years thought that I would become “The Broken Plate Lady.” Out of college, I worked in Art Administration but when I found myself jealous of the artists that I was working around, I knew I had to figure out some way to make money making art.

How did you “break” into the jewelry making business? Pun intended!

I started college majoring in photography, but when darkroom skills became an unmarketable skill (and when my camera equipment was stolen) I switched gears and decided to learn some new skills in jewelry making. When I graduated, I had no idea what to do with my Craft Degree, so I did not make anything for about 6 months. Finally, I had to make something, anything, just to get this creative bug out of my system. I took some old plates that I had collected from the thrift shop, broke them up, and used them to mosaic my mailbox When I was finished, there was a pile of broken plate shards left that I could not bear to throw away so I wrapped one in silver solder and wore it as a necklace. I instantly started getting orders for more, found a few places to sell (including Etsy) and applied for my first craft show. That show was such a huge success that I knew that I could defiantly make more money at this then in the part time non-profit job that I had at the time. I put in my 2 weeks and the rest is history.

What inspires you as an artist?

I am really inspired by all of the amazing artists that repurpose materials into new exciting things. I love being surprised when I learn what something is made of. I am most inspired by the community of crafters that are all so supportive, especially my fellow members of The Baltimore Etsy Street Team.

Getting Rachel Ray to wear your designs on television is huge!! How did this come about?

Well, remember how I quit my real job after that first craft show? Well, I did not know it at the time, but I was pregnant. Surprise! After I had my son, I was stuck in a perpetual breastfeeding position for the first 3 months (because he was so little) this meant the TV, especially the Food Network, became my new best friend. I always took notice of Rachael Ray’s jewelry and thought, “Man, she wears some ugly jewelry; I bet she would like mine!” I sent her stylist a letter and a necklace and hoped for the best. A few weeks later I discovered a message from her stylist saying that she left my necklace in Rachael’s dressing room to see if she liked it, and she loved it! She wanted me to overnight 20 pieces for them to choose from because she had a cover shoot and was appearing on The View the following day! I rushed a bunch of pieces to them and crossed my fingers. I waited and waited and waited and started to give up hope that she would ever wear something of mine. It might have been a year later when I got an email from a customer telling me that she thought she saw Rachael Ray wear my necklace on her 30 Minute Meals show! I had to wait a whole week for the repeat, and low and behold she was wearing my necklace! I was super excited! No sightings since, but they are still holding onto a belt buckle, which I occasionally check in to her shows to see if she is wearing.

You don’t meet too many Juliets these days. What’s the story behind your name?

Juliet is my grandmother’s name. I grew up being called “Judy” because, I guess, they thought Juliet sounded too formal for an awkward little red headed girl. Once I got into college, I just stopped correcting teachers who called me Juliet and it stuck.

You use vintage plates in your jewelry making. Where do you find such gorgeous plates?

I find plates all over. Usually I go to thrift shops, flea markets, eBay and sometimes Etsy. Sometimes though, I cannot resist a new plate from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s.

I just started a new online Etsy shop to sell off some of my collection at justplates.etsy.com

What’s next for you?

I am not sure how long the indie crafting scene will draw big crowds so I have been concentrating more on custom orders and wedding party orders. I am also working on developing a fine silver line of recycled plate jewelry and am working on a book proposal.

To purchase one of Juliet’s amazing designs, check out this link that has all the info:

• http://ibreakplates.com/shop/

Move over Midge, Barbie has a new BFF and her name is Margaux Lange!

As I’ve mentioned in the past, Barbie and me were pretty tight growing up.  So tight in fact, that I often miss her and her little friends and wish that I could somehow incorporate them into my adult life without looking like some sort of freak.   Now, thanks to Margaux, I can!  It’s like she answered my Barbie prayers or something!

Margaux feels her childhood fascination with Barbie was the fuel to her creative fire as an adult.  Her My Plastic Body Series jewelry collection is unlike anything Mattel ever cranked out.  (No offense to Mattel of course!)  It’s just, this is Barbie as you’ve never seen her before.  No dream house here folks.

She says she enjoys the juxtaposition of wearing the body, on the body.

Her catch phrase?  Re-Membering Barbie Fondly.   I love it!!

Purchase one of her unique creations at www.margauxlange.com

Make sure to check out her blog too!

www.midgesmind.blogspot.com

They’re cropping up everywhere with many at very reasonable price points, so what are you waiting for!? 

Urban Outfitters Colorful Bib Necklace  $34

Banana Republic Glam Bib Necklace $69

Forever 21 Peacock Plate Necklace, $8.80

The only rule?  The bigger, the better!  Some of my favorites include this piece by designer Candace Ang for Urban Outfitters.  It’s sort of tough and feminine at the same time with it’s mix of metal and pink frills.

• Candace Ang @ urbanoutfitters.com – $68

This cuff from Accessories & Beyond is definitely eye catching yet still toned down enough to wear with just about anything.

•  Accessories & Beyond @ revolveclothing.com – $154

These earrings from Free People are a nice change from your everyday gold hoops.

• freepeople.com – $128

One of my favorite places to find bold statement jewelry online is Ebay.  I’ve scored some really unique finds over the years.  In the real world?  Try looking for Estate sales!

The story behind this company’s humble beginnings is both inspiring and incredibly endearing.

Tim Foster comes from a musical background and worked for a major recording company for seven years before realizing he was itching to do something more.  He happened upon that something while trying to make a unique gift for his girlfriend with nothing more than a hammer, a rock, and a 1979 (his birth year) penny.  This newly discovered interest in metalworking grew into a serious talent as his experiments with pure silver blossomed into the full-fledged line of limited edition and custom jewelry known as Pennyroyal Silver.

Combining his great love of music with his appetite for all things artistic, Tim creates unique pieces often named after song titles of songs that speak to him on a personal level.  Pieces in his current collection bear names like “Come Together”, “Shine on…”, and “Learning to Fly” evoking images of the Beatles and Pink Floyd.   Tim Foster’s style of design really resonates with me because when is music not personal?  Furthermore, when is expressing yourself through what you wear, i.e. jewelry, not personal as well?  Whether it’s about music if fashion, it’s all about artistic expression and Tim really gets this.

With music being so important to him, Tim wanted to give something back to the community with his latest design called the Troubadour which pays homage to the iconic LA nightclub.  A portion of the proceeds from each pendant sold will go to the MusiCares Foundation.  You’ve heard the term starving artist?  MusiCares was established by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1989 to offer assistance to musicians who are struggling, be it financially, personally or mentally.  

Rock on and support a worthy cause by grabbing a little piece of the Troubadour for yourself!

Celeb fans include Jack Black, The Foo Fighters, Lucinda Williams, Black Eyed Peas, Sheryl Crow and Cyndi Lauper (check out the pic above of Cyndi and Tim collaborating on a project).

Don’t worry though, you don’t have to be a celebrity to work with him.  Find anything that speaks to you – be it a symbol, drawing, or significant date, send it to Tim and he’ll help you execute it as a custom piece.

In only a few years, he’s managed to go from the man with the penny to Pennyroyal Silver.  He already has plans of expansion too, with apparel and other accessories on the horizon.  

We’ll be keeping an eye on Pennyroyal Silver and we suggest you do so as well!

• www.pennyroyalsilver.com
• http://www.myspace.com/pennyroyalsilver
• Pennyroyal Silver on Facebook

This chick is amazing!  Definitely an inspiration to me and I’m sure a lot of other women.  Founded by Jennifer Perkins (the lovely lady pictured above), Naughty Secretary Club includes a collection of kitchy jewelry and accessories all with a serious wow factor!  Everything is hand made by Jen herself and trust me, no one on the streets will be sporting anything else quite like it.  Each piece is unique and based on objects Jen finds and recycles into gorgeous works of art!

Jen has always had a passion to create, even as a young child where she got her start selling earrings made from fishing lures out of her parents garage.   After obtaining a degree in Pychology, she set out to join the work force and was only able to find a job as a secretary.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that (Seinfeld) but it left her with a lot of free time on her hands and thus, more time to craft! 

This non stop craft fest eventually manifested as naughtysecretary club.com.  The site has been a huge success with Jen’s work being featured in countless magazines such as Teen Vogue, Lucky and Seventeen.  In addition to her site, she’s also the co-host of DIY’s Stylicious and Craft Lab.

Check out some of her masterpieces below and go snag yourself some one of a kind, wearable art!

This piece is very reminiscent of Marni to me, minus the hefty price tag of course!

Under da sea!  Love this cute little seahorse cameo cuff.

Embrace your inner child!  These appropriately titled bubbles earrings remind me of one of my favorite childhood past times, blowing bubbles!

If you’re feeling inspired to take a stab at your own creations, then pick up a copy of Jennifer’s book the Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl’s Guide to Handmade Jewelry at Amazon and follow along with more then 50 crafting projects!