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Jewel of the Month: May Flower, Customized for Christine

May 17, 2011 by WendyB

In the spirit of “April showers bring May flowers,” the Jewel of the Month is the poppy ring I created for my designing friend Zang Toi’s 2007 spring runway show. I also designed a matching bracelet, choker and giant belt buckle — all in gold-plated silver.

On the runway: Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi belt buckle and ring.

On the runway: A closer look at the ring.

On the runway: Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi bracelet.

On the runway: Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi choker.

With Zang’s approval, I wore the ring myself with one of his dresses for New Year’s Eve, before the jewelry appeared in his show.

Wearing the Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi ring with Zang's dress and my Cleopatra earrings on Dec. 31, 2006.

Why is this ring Jewel of the Month more than four years after I made it? Because Zang customized one of his spring 2011 dresses for my gorgeous friend Christine. His original design was black with pink flowers …

Zang's dress on the runway. Click for photo source.

… but he made it in chocolate brown with lavender flowers for Christine.

Christine's customized Zang Toi dress. (She couldn't pose in it because she's gotten so slim that it needs to be altered!)

Then he suggested adding amethysts to the poppy ring to match. And voila!

Christine's customized poppy ring.

One of the things I love about jewelry is that I can always bring back an old design especially for you, as long as I have the original mold.  Jewelry designs are forever!

Click to see more photos on my website.

You might also like
Oh Lady E Meets Hairy Mary
What Wendy Wore: Head-to-Toe Zang Toi
For the Holidays: Wendy Brandes Jewelry Gifts Under $100

Filed Under: Custom work, jewel of the month, pictures of me, rings, zang toi

Previous Post: « What Wendy Wore: Ceil Chapman for Sunday Brunch
Next Post: Practice, Practice, Practice »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ofelia says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    Wendy, what an amazing collaboration! Your flowers are gorgeous against the orange and you look so chic and happy in the picture!

  2. Jacqueline says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    The model in that orange dress and flower belt is stunning. You can’t help but be mesmerized by her. Your beautiful accessories really make the whole look pop.

  3. stacy says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:52 am

    Oh, how I wish I were as lucky as Zang and I was able to have you do some gorgeous pieces for my Spring ’12 collection!! Those runway pieces are crazy amazing and Christine’s ring is to die for.

  4. Eli says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:35 am

    Wendy, the photo with the model wearing orange and your jewelry is soooooooo beautiful!

  5. Lynette says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:45 am

    Creativity runs rampant through you and Zang. Gosh!

  6. mystyle says

    May 18, 2011 at 3:49 am

    Hi my dear-wow, I adore the belt, choker necklace, ring and bangle, but the ring with amethysts in it is so stunning indeed!! Love the dress too, very unique and totally gorgeous xx

  7. Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl says

    May 18, 2011 at 3:59 am

    This one is dreamy! A gorgeous ring.

  8. Vix says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:05 am

    That colour of the metal is glorious, it really makes your amazing design pop. xxx

  9. Tanvi says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:22 am

    WOW! That is quite a piece. I like. Jewelry designs are forever!

  10. Pam @over50feeling40 says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:54 am

    I love this ring and the belt!!! They are fabulous!! Thanks for your input on my blog dilemma….we live and learn…it was an interesting situation!!

  11. Christine says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:04 am

    I am truly blessed! When I get a picture of me in the dress, with the ring of course, I will send it pronto!

    I do not normally wear florals, and especially not floral themed jewelry which I find a bit twee, but this ring is amazing. The workmanship is stunning. Even looking at the back of the ring, the petals are beautifully carved; the ring is pure sculpture. I wore it to Zang’s A/W 2011 show and so many people remembered it from the 2007 show and loved it.

    One piece of Wendy’s jewelry is so superior to any other “designer”. I have some nice pieces of jewelry, but it’s the pieces I have from Wendy that I wear and treasure most!

    Thank you Wendy!

  12. Christine says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:39 am

    I am truly blessed! When I get a picture of me in the dress, with the ring of course, I will send it pronto!

    I do not normally wear florals, and especially not floral themed jewelry which I find a bit twee, but this ring is amazing. The workmanship is stunning. Even looking at the back of the ring, the petals are beautifully carved; the ring is pure sculpture. I wore it to Zang\’s A/W 2011 show and so many people remembered it from the 2007 show and loved it.

    One piece of Wendy\’s jewelry is so superior to any other \”designer\”. I have some nice pieces of jewelry, but it\’s the pieces I have from Wendy that I wear and treasure most!

    Thank you Wendy!

  13. Jill says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:11 am

    Love the one with purple…could you email the price to me?

  14. gina says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:28 am

    you always go above and beyond. i adore that.

  15. brett says

    May 18, 2011 at 9:25 am

    what a great collection
    loved all of the pieces, but especially the ring
    kudos to you
    brett

  16. fashion herald says

    May 18, 2011 at 9:49 am

    What a stunning collection, I am gaga for the belt buckle!

  17. For Those About To Shop says

    May 18, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Wow, these statement pieces are extraordinary! My policy with rings is, the bigger the better, so I adore this.

  18. Sally says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    There is so much gorgeousness in this post, I might have to avert my eyes. The amethysts in the poppy ring are utterly perfect!

  19. Susan Tiner says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    The models, the clothes, the jewelry, you, I agree with Sally, a person needs sunglasses in the presence of so much radiance.

    The jewelry is fantastic. Thank you for the photos!

  20. lisa says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    Beautiful dresses and jewelry!

  21. StefM says

    May 18, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    Love poppies! Fun fact: it’s illegal to pick a California poppy (in California, where it’s protected as the state flower). Bet this would gorgeous with yellow or orange stones, too.

  22. The Styley says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    I love the addition of the amethysts. The ring is gorgeous. I’m a big fan of big rings.

  23. Lynn says

    May 19, 2011 at 12:43 am

    OMG it’s freaking gorgeous!!!

  24. Courtney says

    May 19, 2011 at 10:01 am

    Wow, that ring is such an amazingly gorgeous piece!

  25. Andrea says

    May 19, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    amazing pieces!

    love that arm bracelet on the model and the ring <3

  26. The Seeker says

    May 19, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    Your flowers are gorgeous!!!!

    xoxo

  27. Kristin says

    May 19, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    I cannot get over how incredibly beautiful that ring is. I mean wow. It has heirloom piece written all over it. Zang must have been thrilled!

  28. Tina says

    May 19, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    So gorgeous. Christine is one lucky lady!

  29. drollgirl says

    May 19, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    well that ring is pretty frakkin’ awesome! love it! and you are in the big time, little lady! congrats!

  30. That's Not My Age says

    May 19, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    Woah, it’s beautiful!

  31. Leah says

    May 20, 2011 at 8:03 am

    It’s lovely! What a unique piece.

    xo L.

  32. Elizabeth says

    May 20, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    I really love this ring. It’s so huge! All the pieces are brilliant. Lots and lots of lovely gold.

  33. Piper says

    May 26, 2011 at 3:18 am

    I am in love with these pieces – omg – the choker! i I like my rings large. 🙂 The color pallet of the whole show is really quite lovely. You must be so proud, Wendy!

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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