Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

The Coveted Situation Is Resolved; Notes on Nolan

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I hope that all of you who were so supportive of blogger Jennine Jacob of The Coveted have seen the good news. Her situation is resolved.

I had offered to donate half the price of several ring styles to Jennine. Now I will redirect that money to Women in Need, in memory of my friend, clothing designer Charles Nolan.

Audi models the swear rings. Get yours and cuss people out for a good cause.

I went to Charles’s beautiful and moving funeral at The Church of the Blessed Sacrament yesterday (It’s a lovely church. Worth taking a peek in if you’re ever on the Upper West Side of Manhattan). Of course, the funeral was beautiful because, as his partner Andy Tobias pointed out, Charles planned it, right down to the bright blue coffin. Charles did things right. Andy told us that one of Charles’s last projects was the remodeling of the exceptionally ugly hallway outside their apartment. Renovation was underway when Charles said, “I’m not going to die until that hallway is done.” Andy said he initially considered keeping Charles around by asking the workers work more slowly … until he realized it was impossible for them to go slower than they already were. Instead, he explained that Mr. Nolan need the job done so he could take his leave. The workers finished the job on Thursday; Charles died in Andy’s arms on Sunday. Andy said that not only is Charles’s hallway the most beautiful hallway currently on the Upper West Side, but it’s the most beautiful hallway that will ever be on the Upper West Side. I believe it.

Andy (left) and Charles. From Advocate.com.

Andy also said that while reviewing the music for the funeral, he objected to one of  Charles’s choices, saying it would have people bawling right from the start. “Well, I hope you’ll all be slightly devastated,” Charles retorted. I don’t know if he snapped his fingers in a Z formation after saying that. Perhaps he said it very sweetly. But I would bet on it being sassy.  You can get an idea of Charles’s sass by going to the Business of Fashion for an interview of Charles conducted by none other than Andy. I particularly enjoyed these answers:

  • “You really have no feel for this, do you?”
  • “Do you even see the clothes? You’re really just trying to annoy me, aren’t you?”
  • [Interviewee rolls eyes.]

I admit that I was crying over this post till I read that interview. Even though I remain “slightly devastated,” I laughed loud enough to receive a disdainful look from Henry the dog.

"I was taking a very important nap!"

So, to sum things up:

Got it? Good.

UPDATED TO ADD: Gorgeous blogger Mardel of RestingMotion got a set of swear rings. Thanks to donating to Women in Need, Mardel!

Click to read Mardel's post.

UPDATED FEB. 6, 2011, TO ADD: Charles’s brother Ken has kindly shared photos of Charles’s beautiful hallway.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. People have the power! I KNEW they’d give in. They had no choice.

    Now, let’s turn our outrage toward the German lunatic who is trying to extort money from me and three other bloggers in other countries for using one of “his” images on our blogs.

    We have all been give the same deadline before he takes us to court, sieg heil: Feb 11.

  4. Loved reading the interview. The playfulness and love is so evident right there in black and white. I’m sorry for Andy’s and your loss.

  6. omg i had happyday!

    thank you so much for all your help and support.

    i’m so sorry about charles, he sounded like an amazing person. the world certainly misses him.

  7. Sorry for your loss Wendy. He sounds like he was a real character.

    So glad The Coveted situation has sorted itself out. That was such a strange move on their part to begin with. It’s encouraging to know the blogging community will rally together.

    @SisterWolf – that German man has lost his mind! What can we do to help?

  8. I’m glad the Coveted situation has been worked out, and much luck to both sets of bloggers. Thank you for sharing the Tobias/Nolan interview–I enjoyed their banter. What a loss.

  10. No one can give a disdainful look quite like a dog wearing a bow.

    Sorry to hear about your friend. Hugs to you.

  13. That is wonderful news for Jennine. So pleased that justice has been done. Power to the people, eh?

    And thanks for sharing the lovely stories about your friend. So pleased he got to see the hallway finished.

  14. I actually think that The Coveteur is a better name for that site – it works better with their concept. I am so thrilled that right was might this time.

    And your friend’s funeral sounds like it was a beautiful occasion to mark his life. The exchange between his partner and him about the devastating song is funny and poignant, all at the same time.

  15. Good for Jennine and good for the authors of The Coveteur. It took them a little while, but they did the right thing. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend; this was a really nice tribute to him.

  16. Charles sounds really wonderful; I love that you’re turning your attention to his pet cause. And hooray for Jennine! Kudos to the other side for standing down; it was the right thing to do.

  17. Thank you for sharing with your readers the talent of Charles, the wit of Andy and the beauty of their relationship. Charles will be missed.