When I introduced my swear ring set in 2008, people asked me why I chose to do four separate rings instead of one big ring that spanned four fingers. Actually, I got asked that question right up until last year, when a big fast-fashion retailer started selling the multi-ring look and suddenly it was okay….
In the News
Wendy Brandes Jewelry (and Words) in JCK Magazine
I’m excited to say that my 18K-gold-and-diamond Cleopatra earrings made the cover of the May issue of jewelry-industry publication JCK Magazine! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: I am extremely thankful for all the support JCK has given me. It’s wonderful to deal with people who love jewelry. New ideas, old-fashioned workmanship…
Recommended Reading, Copy of the Day, Week in Review
There was some enlightening reading in the New York Times this weekend. If you missed it, check out the cover story of the New York Times Magazine: “Our Feel-Good War on Breast Cancer,” by Peggy Orenstein, about how “awareness” (including mammograms and all kinds of pink shit sold in October) hasn’t decreased breast-cancer deaths. I’ve…
The Fader, Trinidad James & Fashion Blogger Gangsta Boo
The Fader has a good interview with hot new rapper Trinidad James, aka Trinidad Jame$. James was signed to major label Def Jam due to the success of his independently produced video for “All Gold Everything,” aka the reason I randomly say “Woo!” when I’m hot and sweaty. (The video is NSFW and REALLY not…
Designers Speaking Their Minds, and Me at Melina Bee
I enjoyed Isabel Marant’s interview with Telegraph Fashion last month. The French designer, whose wedge sneakers kickstarted the fashion sneaker trend last year, let her many imitators have it: “Everybody who has the wrong one looks quite bitchy, very vulgar, when mine are not at all.” I’m not 100% sure what it means to look…
Helpers
After the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, the Facebook page for 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting posted a quote from the late children’s television host Fred Rogers. (Thank you to Andrea García-Vargas for pointing me towards this after the Boston Marathon bombing today.)
“Covert Luxury”: Jewelry With Secrets in the Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal today ran an article by Jenni Avins called “Falling for the Flip Side” about jewelry with secret details. I so wish I had been included in this story because the first paragraph captures my design philosophy so well: “To the casual observer, jewelry is all about catching the eye—how a stone…
What Wendy Wore: Leopard-Print DVF From 2002
While reading this weekend’s Wall Street Journal, I laughed a little over a story called, “The One That Got Away,” about shopping for past-season, but not-officially-vintage fashion on Yoox, eBay, and a number of recently launched pre-owned clothing sites. In particular, these two sentences amused me: “Buying clothes in this way, however, requires a change…
The Legend of the Female Pope
As I was awaiting the appearance of Francis, the new pope — and listening to a few of television’s talking heads musing about the role of women in the Catholic Church — one of my gorgeous customers messaged me to say that I needed to do some female pope rings. While rings aren’t in the…
Good News From JCK and British Vogue
I’m thrilled to let y’all know that I was a finalist in the 2013 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards competition! My Empress Wu dragon earrings placed third in the Pearl Jewelry/Over $10,000 category. JCK publishes JCK magazine, the jewelry industry’s leading trade publication. (Here’s an interview JCK did with me last year.) The company also produces and…