I don’t usually let artists’ personal failings stop me from appreciating their professional efforts. There wouldn’t be a lot of art left to enjoy if character references were required. I still tear up thinking of John Lennon’s murder — which happened 31 years ago today — even though many people have testified that he was…
Bjork’s Swan Dress Should Meet This Angry Birds Dress
I relish an excuse for theme dressing. You can count on me to wear a heart dress on Valentine’s Day, an earring from an ’80s Madonna video to a Madonna concert and Gaga rings to a Lady Gaga concert. When MrB retired from his job at the Wall Street Journal in 2007, I wore a…
Cavalli Goes for the Gold
A Neiman Marcus catalog came in the mail and I was very taken by this pair of gold-on-gray Cavalli jeans. I like the eye-catching-yet-somehow-neutral color. But, to be honest, I am also fantasizing that my legs would look as long as the model’s if I wore those jeans. That reminds me that in 1999, I…
Why I Love Queens
Most of my jewelry is inspired by queens. By queens, I’m referring to royal ladies — not one of New York City’s five boroughs or Quentin Crisp. I love badass women in general and when queens are badass, they are supa dupa badass. Seventh-century Chinese ruler Empress Wu, for instance, said she would use a…
I’m an FGI Rising Star Award Nominee!
I’m proud to say I’ve been nominated for Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award in the fine-jewelry category! Last year, I was a finalist, and I’d sure like to be one again. If you’re an FGI member, you need to go vote in person at FGI’s New York offices at 8 West 40th Street in…
Jewel of the Month: Empress Wu Dragon Earrings
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love redesigning old jewelry. Last month, I described how I started redesigning some of the pieces I got before I started my own jewelry line. My first project resulted in this tsavorite-and-pearl pendant. Sticking with the pearl theme, I next tackled a pair of diamond…
Never Is the Next New Thing™: Animal-Toe Shoes
My “Never Is the Next New Thing™” fashion theory states that the most provocative/grating/startling looks — the ones that make you say, “I would NEVER wear that!” — are the ones most likely to become trends, big or small. I had my own “Never Is the Next New Thing™ fashion moment in July when, three…
What Wendy Wore: Thanksgiving and a Birthday
Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. There’s too much food and football, and a dearth of costumes, confetti and candy dioramas. I was happy to shake things up by going to a restaurant instead of having dinner at home. So happy, in fact, that I celebrated by wearing something other than my jeans-and-t-shirt uniform. What…
Wendy Brandes Swear Rings in Life & Style
Run, run as fast as you can … to the nearest newsstand to get the Dec. 5, 2011, issue of Life & Style. Why? Because you have to keep up with Kim Kardashian‘s divorce, of course. Then there’s the Ashton Kutcher/Demi Moore divorce. But, more importantly, you can see my swear rings on page 53!…
Photo by Bill Cunningham of the New York Times
I thought I was finished posting about Tuesday’s Committee to Protect Journalists dinner. After all, I already did three posts: What Wendy Wore Giving Thanks for Press Freedom Pretty People at the CPJ Dinner But I have to do one more because a photo of me chatting with the lovely Thelma Kandel wound up on…