Celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival came up with a Minx manicure for me that’s so heavenly we named it “The Divine.” She layered gold lace-patterned Minx — designed by her manicurist friend Naja — over a burgundy layer for a stained-glass effect. Stained glass made us think of cathedrals, which made me think of one of…
Jewelry
Valentine’s Day Countdown, Day 2: Vampire Diana Ring
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you’re in luck! You can go to Broken English Jewelry in Santa Monica and try on the one and only gold Vampire Diana heart ring I’ve made so far. The design of the heart pierced by a “wooden” stake was inspired by my love for the television show…
Valentine’s Day Countdown, Day 1: Pink Opal Earrings
Valentine’s Day is coming right up. Time to buy something for your Valentine, email your Valentine a very specific “hint,” or just treat yourself! (That last option is very popular among my independent-minded customers.) Pink gems are romantic, so my first Valentine’s suggestion is a luxurious pair of shoulder-brushing earrings featuring pink opal drops and…
Jewel of the Month: WTF Rings (on a Good Girl Gone Bad)
I unofficially revealed February’s Jewel of the Month over the weekend. I just couldn’t resist posting this photo of the WTF ring set — worn by model Tina J for my lookbook shoot — as soon as I got it. Here’s a closer look at the rings. These rings are sterling silver with adjustable bands…
OMG! WTF! I Can’t Control Myself!
My photographer Shane LaVancher just shared this incredible picture from my lookbook shoot. I can’t resist publishing it right this second, even though it gives away February’s Jewel of the Month — the WTF ring set — before that post is ready. I’ll write more about the new WTF rings next week. In addition to…
More Photos From the Rising Star Awards
As promised, here are a few more photos from the Fashion Group International Rising Star Awards. My guests for the awards lunch, which was at the midtown Cipriani, were my husband, MrB; my father, GeorgeB; and my gorgeous client Christine. Christine is the client who ordered a special tiger ring and, not long after receiving…
Models and the Fickle Finger(s) of Fate
I had a go-see for models for my new lookbook on Monday. (This is the first time I’m using a model in a lookbook; we’re shooting it later today.) On a go-see, a model comes in with her portfolio, so you can see her in person and look at her photos. If the go-see is…
Year of the Dragon Jewelry
Gung hay fat choy! Happy Lunar New Year! It’s the lucky year of the dragon and you should get one of my dragon jewelry designs to celebrate. Sure, it will cost you a pretty penny, but it’s much cheaper in the long run than having a dragon-year child. Eighteen years from now, you won’t be…
Wendy Brandes Hashtag Ring on Gangsta Boo
When gorgeous rapper Gangsta Boo tweeted a video tease of her upcoming project, I got a pleasant surprise. There’s a nice clear shot of my hashtag ring at 32 seconds! Many customers send me photos of themselves wearing my jewelry but I’ve only seen a design on video/film once before, when my Cleopatra earrings were…
Jewel of the Month: Siobhan Ring With Mixed Metals
People often ask me if it’s okay to mix yellow and white metals. My answer? “Hell, yes!” I didn’t always have that mindset, though. I too grew up thinking jewelry had to be matchy-matchy. I don’t know where that fashion taboo against combining different-colored metals came from. One of the most famous jewelry designs in…