The author, poet and civil-rights activist Maya Angelou died today, aged 86. I suspect some people know her work primarily from the Angelou epigrams that circulate on Instagram and Pinterest. This one is often posted by someone who is feeling burned. This one is also popular. But Angelou was much more than a dispenser of…
FitzRoy Brandes: Quality Control Inspector
Today, Eryn and I showed FitzRoy my sterling-silver SRSLY? necklace. “Bat it with your paw if you think this necklace is awesome,” we said. We passed the inspection and can now brag that this necklace has been certified awesome by a cat. You know a cat like this wouldn’t steer you wrong. Follow FitzRoy —…
John Duka, Plus the Week in Review
The New York Times has a good story today about John Duka, the late Times fashion reporter and a founding partner of the public-relations firm now known as KCD. Duka is thought to be the inspiration for the character of Felix Turner in The Normal Heart, which will air tonight on HBO. The movie is…
What Wendy Wore: Hanging Out at Zang Toi’s Showroom
My designing friend Zang Toi had a sample sale earlier this week, and I joined him at his showroom to sell my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes jewelry. In between customers, I admired Zang’s offerings, including this dress from his Spring 2014 “Ballet Babe” collection. I couldn’t resist trying on a couple of dresses. I decided…
Throwback Thursday: Columbia University Graduation
Columbia University’s 2014 commencement ceremony took place yesterday. (To celebrate, the Empire State Building was lit in the school colors of blue and white.) This year is a big anniversary for my own graduation from Columbia University, which took place on May 17, 1989. I can’t stand to say the actual number of years because…
Skylar Grey and Wendy Brandes Jewelry on Inked’s Cover
Gorgeous singer/songerwriter Skylar Grey is wearing the double-ax necklace I made for her on the cover of an upcoming issue of Inked Magazine! Notice that Skylar now has a double-ax neck tattoo as well? The axes were part of the logo for her 2013 Don’t Look Down album, hence the design’s importance to her. I…
Big Swear Rings, Little Swear Earrings
If you’ve coveted my much-copied swear-ring design but have been hesitant to go so bold … … you can now order sterling-silver swear stud earrings. Perfect for people with four lobe piercings! I have one set of swear studs available for immediate delivery. If you’re in New York, you can pick them up yourself at…
What Wendy Wore: Lady Gaga’s ARTPOP Ball at MSG
After I saw Lady Gaga’s short Roseland show in March, I needed to see more of her, so I got tickets to see her ARTPOP Ball concert when it stopped at Madison Square Garden last Tuesday. I’m glad I went. It was like a full dinner compared to Roseland’s appetizer. However, I let myself down…
The Week in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week: Monday: I did a chain for rapper Hi-Rez. Get his new EP, Beautiful Struggle, on iTunes. Tuesday: When you own my letter rings, you have jewelry for every occasion. Wednesday: I’m giving the New York Times the side-eye over the firing of…
Get BOSSY With Me at Zang Toi’s Showroom on Tuesday
If you’re in New York City, you can come meet me and my right-hand woman, Eryn Patton, at my designing friend Zang Toi‘s showroom next Tuesday. I will be there with my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes diffusion line, including my emoji stud earrings and the new BOSSY necklace. Zang is having a sample sale of…