Fashion Group International is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the business of fashion and design. It’s near and dear to my heart because I received FGI’s Rising Star Award for fine jewelry last year. I’ve posted this video before but, hell, I’m going to post it one more time. Getting that kind of recognition…
My Take on Kim and Kanye’s Engagement Ring
Kanye West popped the question to Kim Kardashian with a 15-carat diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz. I appreciate his timing, because yesterday I launched another Instagram account — @WendyBrandesJewelry — which focuses solely on my jewelry designs and other jewelry news. No cats and dogs (you need to follow @fitzroy_the_cat for those) and no concert…
What Wendy Wore: Patrick Kelly in Philadelphia
Next May, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is going to present a retrospective of one of my favorite ’80s fashion designers: Patrick Kelly. I have a nice little Patrick Kelly collection: The notorious and frequently worn leopard gown (seen in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011). Bow dress (seen in 2009 and 2011). Black mullet dress…
Wendy Brandes Swan Jewelry in the Retail Jeweler Magazine
A big thanks to the Retailer Jeweler magazine for featuring my black-diamond Cleves swan ring in the October issue! The Cleves ring was inspired by the smartest of all the six wives of Henry VIII. Click here to read the blog post in which I proved Anne of Cleves was a damn genius. I have…
The Week In Review
In case you missed it, this is what was on the blog this week. Monday: The perfect top for a Monday morning. Tuesday: Serena’s custom daisy pendant, plus a Lindsay Lohan story. Wednesday: Nine Inch Nails concert outfit. Thursday: Business suits for Throwback Thursday. Friday: I need these vintage boots in a smaller size. Saturday:…
Shot Through the Heart: Earrings for “Pulp Fiction” Fans
I sell my stud earrings as singles so customers can mix and match and make their own pairs. For instance, the combination of my silver syringe and anatomical heart studs is perfect for fans of the 1994 classic movie Pulp Fiction. Here’s the clip of the notorious scene where hitman Vincent Vega (John Travolta) plunges…
Pining for Vintage Anne Klein Boots
I’ve been looking for these vintage Anne Klein Couture boots for years, and, finally, found a pair on eBay for a “Buy It Now” price! Alas, they are a European size 38 and I’m a 36.5. I was thinking that maybe I could make them work anyway, but the heel-to-toe measurement is a full inch…
Throwback Thursday: Busy Business Lady, Busy With Business
Whenever I’m super-busy, I like to tell MrB that I’m a “busy businesswoman doing business.” That’s inspired by this Family Guy moment. I don’t have a lot of photos of me in the office during my corporate days, but I’ve dug up two. This one is from 1995, when I worked for the Wall Street…
What Wendy Wore: Madonna-Inspired for Nine Inch Nails
A few hours before the Nine Inch Nails concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Monday, I was at the gym thinking, “I guess I’ll just wear my Damien Hirst skull t-shirt and jeans AGAIN.” I wear that combination a lot. Then Madonna’s 1984 “Lucky Star” video came on the music-video station I was watching…
Customer of the Day: Serena and Her Daisy Pendant
Gorgeous client Serena (owner of my IDGAF necklace, among other pieces) recently contacted me with a special request. She wanted a pendant made in memory of her beloved dog, a bullmastiff named Daisy. Daisy died from lymphoma this March, aged seven. Serena emailed me: “We had Daisy since she was six weeks old. She was…