Jewelry PR Division

Pierce Mattie PR's Haute List of Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle Brands

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:29:20 -0500

We have always prided ourself for staying ahead of the trends and having the foresight to know who is on track for becoming a haute property. We've comprised a Haute List that contains brands that are haute now as well as brands you should be keeping your eye on.

Indie Fashion & Beauty Magazines:
1. Visionaire
2. Metro.Pop
3. VMAN

Foreign Beauty & Fashion Magazines:
1. Company (UK)
2. Jessica (Hong Kong)
3. Trendi (Finland)

TV Shows:
1. 90210
2. Kath & Kim
3. Gossip Girl

Women’s Apparel:
1. Topshop
2. Valentino under Alessandra Fachinetti
3. Rodarte

Men’s Apparel:
1. Pastelle
2. RMC Martin Ksohoh
3. ANAMA

Jewelry Brands:
1. John Hardy
2. Alexis Bittar
3. Trollbeads

Handbag Lines:
1. Rebecca Minkoff
2. Foley+Corinna
3. Timi & Leslie

Cosmetic Lines:
1. e.l.f.
2. Colorescience
3. Classified Cosmetics

Jewelry PR: Rachel Leigh is a Celebrity Favorite

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:20:48 -0500

Rachel Bravman: Publicist turned Jewelry Designer

Everything Rachel Bravman touches turns to gold. Yes, most of the fashion jewelry she designs for her line Rachel Leigh is already a gold color, but her finishing touch turns the celebrity coveted baubles into editorial gold.

Bravman was working as an Yves Saint Laurent publicist when she launched her jewelry line in the fall of 2004. The line was a direct answer to demands for luxury fashion jewelry that could compliment designs featured in the best fashion editorials. What resulted was a fun yet fashion forward jewelry empire worn by all the Hollywood "It" girls.

Being the smart publicist she is, she made certain to design pieces that the most photographed celebs would wear. The list below is one I compiled of regular Rachel Leigh wearers.

This list could easily be interchanged with the top 5 most paparazzi followed femmes, no? Case in point.

I can't help but gush over the line myself. Owning a piece from each collection could really round out your jewelry needs for an entire wardrobe. Some pieces remain romantic and simple, while others dangerously border the line between gawdy and glitzy glam to result in statement pieces that evoke a certain status and importance like the chain cuff above. While others still are statement pieces on their own, such as the layered necklaces and the coctail ring shown.

Bravman's fall offerings have continuity in design with the appropriate on-trend alterations to make the line unique of fall 2008 (she has the perfect compliments to the American Classic look this fall). I can guarantee more photog opportunities for the Rachel Leigh pressbook. I can also guarantee the presense of this necklace (below) around my neck every day this season.

Jewelry Designer Profile: Alexis Bittar

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:30:32 -0500

Maybe you've seen his wondrous Lucite baubles gracing the likes of Samantha Jones and Carrie Bradshaw or even stumbled across his jewelry on real-life characters such as Cameron Diaz and Madonna. One thing is for sure, if you aren’t familiar with Alexis Bittar yet—get ready.

Bittar creates his hand-crafted bangles, earrings and necklaces out of the same city that both his life and career began—New York. Bittar has always had the entrepreneurial spirit. As young as 10, he sold flowers from a hand painted cart across the street from his Brooklyn home. His attendance at the Bronx School of Science in the early 80’s opened up his eyes to the New York culture, which inspired him to begin his first jewelry line in 1988.

Bittar sold his jewelry on the corner of Prince and Green streets. The success to follow this debut actually ended up landing him his first real location in 2004 just two blocks away from this first makeshift pushcart of a store. Accolades from the jewelry industry and collaborations with the likes of Burberry, Estee Lauder, and Alex and Lee, all brought his name to the jewelry forefront and caught the eye of a very important stylist—Patricia Fields of Sex and the City.

For an up and coming designer, having your work styled into the hit HBO series was like receiving two thumbs up from Robert Ebert on a directorial debut—it awards notarity and credibility.

He has developed several different jewelry lines over the years but it was his Lucite collection that became his trademark. The Lucite bangles can be layered in numbers for effortless glamour while the Lucite hoop earrings can transition from day to night (and who doesn’t know that Kim Catrall wore obnoxiously large versions of the design as Samantha in the always on-trend Sex and the City?)

Bittar’s pieces can be found at one of his two NYC locations (a West Village spot just opened this year), on his website or at a number of different fine retailers and department stores. Below are a few of his new pieces from the Miss Havisham collection that are getting a lot of editorial acclamation. Do you appreciate his departures from Lucite (between this new collection and his Elements collection) or do you think he should stick with what has made him famous? While I own only lucite pieces for now, I am dying to get my hands on the some of the other non-lucite pieces he creates.

Jewelry Trend: Stephen Dweck's Organic Chunky Necklaces

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:10:24 -0500

Sticks and Stones may break your bones…or all three may end up in your necklace!

This fall when it comes to neck adornment, the chunkier the better. Oh, and added bonus points go to the necklace that resembles the findings of an archeological dig. That’s where Stephen Dweck comes to the rescue for the likes of Mary Kate Olsen, Christina Aguilera, Hilary Duff, Kelly Ripa and plenty of other well-known celebrities! Stephen’s designs incorporate nature-found materials like bone, ebony and fluorite.

Sculptor/artist turned jewelry designer; Dweck has been referred to as the romancer of stones. His passion for nature is reflected in his choice of stones and minerals from around the world and with his signature beetle, Adam, said to symbolize his affinity for nature. “Adam” is found on all original Dweck designs. When browsing through his collection of over-sized rings, chunky organic necklaces and rare-beaded strands; I immediately fell in love.

With such careful selection and rare stones scoring pieces from his collection comes with a bit of a price tag. His necklaces range from $285-$2345 and up. But don’t worry, I searched for more wallet friendly pieces that are just as fabulous. Adds instant drama to a simple dress or a couture quality to even the simplest of outfits.

To get in on this trend, you can choose from any of the chunky designs below or simply go through your personal inventory and layer up some of your necklaces you already own. I bought a single-stranded organic looking necklace from Tres Jolie and I layer it up with a few long necklaces I already own to add some weight to achieve the look without going to the store. The key here is finding the one piece that looks natural and organic to really take home the trend's feeling. Think Mayan ruins or even twig and branch like!

The great thing about the right heavier necklace is it adds instant drama to a simple dress or a couture quality to even the simplest of outfits. With a much sought-after bedazzled neckline with an organic feel… you can kill two fall trends with one…stone!

Pictured Above (left to right): Stephen Dweck Bone, Howlite & Flourite Necklace, $2,345, Bergdorf Goodman; Catalina Triple Necklace, $298, Tres Jolie; Mayan Bead Necklace $7.80, Forever 21.

Jewelry Trends: The Layered Look

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:20:18 -0500

I'm a HUGE fan of LA based jewelry designer Shari Wacks and her signature “layered looks.” You can combine several different necklaces to create an interesting style with lots of depth or wear one statement piece alone. Check out Shari’s “How To Layer” gallery for some creative ideas.

These beautiful pieces from Gorjana (based in Laguna Beach) are also great for layering. I love the natural, organic shapes and bohemian quality of these gold bangles and necklaces. It’s the perfect summer look for laid back SoCal style and the best part is none of these pieces will do major damage to your bank account!

Tags: Jewelry PR

Jacob the Jeweler Sentenced to Federal Prison

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:45:49 -0500

Jacob Arabov, aka Jacob the Jeweler, will be reporting to federal prison come January 2009. For 30 months the jeweler well known for his celebrity following, will be serving his time for falsifying records and giving false statements to prosecutors regarding a case involving the laundering of drug profits. Jacob had an amazing talent and keen eye for incredible design in jewelry, it's unfortunate, but as the saying goes, crime doesn't pay.

You can read the complete story in National Jeweler. What will this mean for Jacob's jewelry company while he is away and once he gets out? We'd love to hear what you think.

Accessories For the Budget-Minded

Tue, 20 May 2008 17:52:06 -0500

I don’t know about you but I am ready for some sunny weather! We keep getting little ‘teaser’ days of beautiful, summer-esque days and then the rain comes… But enough about the weather, I’m busy dreaming of my summer wardrobe and more importantly, ACCESSORIES! I spent a lot of my extra earnings on my vacation so I am in need of some jewelry that looks luxe but is more in line with my budget. So, I faithfully turn to my favorite budget-friendly fashion spots.

Here are a few favorites I’ve spotted recently…

I LOVE the enameled bracelets from J.crew – they just came out with a whole nautical theme which is right up my alley. The starfish design on this bangle is awesome but it is $68.00…so, I checked out Forever 21 and they have this insanely cute whale enamel bracelet for $9.99 – can’t beat that! As for necklaces - bright, big, bold, and layered is the way to go this summer.

Top Shop is a one stop shop for the coolest necklaces. My favorite is this long ethnic collar necklace. Throw it on with a white tank, jeans and flip-flops and you are ready for the day. Last, but certainly not least, is earrings – I don’t think there are any rules anymore. I have been seeing large coral pieces, dainty porcelain flowers and of course, the ever-so-popular diamond stud. Head to H&M and you will be buying their entire stock of studs, dangles and everything in between – and I guarantee you will not spend more than $20!

What are your favorite places to shop for accessories?

* Photo Credit: J.crew, Forever 21, Topshop

IDCA to Honor Dawn McGuire, Harshad Mehta, Wal-Mart, Bidz at JCK Show

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:42:17 -0500

The Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association will host its Annual Gala Awards Night on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the Venetian Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada during the JCK Las Vegas Show, one of the most important jewelry trade shows in the world. The awards to be presented include the Retailer of the Year, E-Tailer of the Year, Doyenne of the Year, given to an influential woman in the industry each year, as well as the Pioneer Award which is given to an important figure in the Indian community whose leadership was instrumental in the industry's success.

This year the association will honor the Wal-Mart Group as the "Retailer of the Year." Ms. Pam Mortensen, General Merchandising Manager of the Jewelry Division will be accepting the award at the dinner.

The "E-Tailer of the Year" is being presented to Bidz.com. Mr. David Zinberg, President and CEO, will accept the award for Bidz.com. Bidz.com was founded in 1998 by Zinberg and now ranks second among online jewelry sites, with a 17 percent market share. Bidz.com recently launched a sister site Buyz.com, which sells jewelry for a fixed price.

Jewelry Purchases Took a Turndown This Past Mother's Day

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:28:04 -0500

The Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC) monitors consumers recent and expected jewelry and watch purchasing behavior through its Weekly Jewelry Purchase (WJP) Index. "The index as of May 13 is down to 87 which represents a drop in consumer buying for Mother's Day," explains Liz Chatelain, president of MVI Marketing, the parent company of JCOC. A reading of 100 points represents no movement or neutral in the purchasing by consumer. Higher then 100 will show an increase in sales. "The index has not been this low since the week after Valentines Day," mentioned Chatelain, who adds, "last year at this time the index was at +126 which further demonstrates the decline in purchasing.

Luxury items are always an indicator of a wider economic issue. I'm not surprised to hear that jewelry purchases were less this past Mother's Day. In these trying economic times consumers are also turning to costume jewelry and diamond simulants, such as those from CARAT*, that give the look of luxury, but cost about 80% less.

To review the latest updates from JCOC's Weekly Jewelry Purchase Index visit the JCOC Intelligence Center.

Jewelry With Purpose: DeAnna Cochran Jewelry

Fri, 09 May 2008 18:28:01 -0500

DeAnna Cochran hadn't always had a career in creating fine jewelry. While she held a degree in Metalsmithing, she had focused her career on computer software resell and traveled extensively around the globe. It was after she had her son Jackson 4 months premature and his untimely passing 3 weeks later that DeAnna began to once again dabble in designing jewelry by creating mother's birthstone and memory bracelets. Once her 2nd son arrived, she put her passion into it full time and returned to metalsmithing and creating her hand carved collections.

"As an artist my ultimate goal is to create beautiful pieces both in design and meaning. Each piece is created one at a time, by hand, and carved down to the finest detail."

Previously selling direct to customers through a website, she has now decided to focus on offering her designs through galleries and boutiques. Her new site now serves as a portfolio and will continue to add retailers and galleries as they come on board to showcase her talent. Today her main retailer is Skimbaco, an online retailer whose recent press includes Tom Cruise's mention of ladybug shoes for daughter Suri from Skimbaco during his interview with Oprah. Skimbaco offers DeAnna's popular boutique designs and the original mom and memory collection (still a popular collection) from her initial launch. This Fall a new collection will be offered through U.S. and Canadian galleries after DeAnna debuts it at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft this August.

"I have introduced rough cut diamonds into several new 2008 designs. These diamonds are conflict-free diamonds and a perfect compliment to the leaves in their pure forms. The leaves and rough cut stones with their imperfections make them perfect in the world, much like people."

You can see DeAnna Cochran's portfolio at www.deannacochranjewelry.com or purchase them at www.skimbaco.com.

Jewelry by Ethnicity at Ethnic Rocks

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:41:29 -0500

Ethnic Rocks is an online jewelry boutique that features some of the best designers in their niche. You can find the ethnic designs of Amrita Singh, Allison Daniel Designs and Dagmar by Pavan Anand, among a few others in this eclectic mix of semiprecious gemstones geared towards ethnicity and era.

Each jewelry designer found on Ethnic Rocks brings something unique to the boutique. From the Tibetan Craftman's Buddist-inspired pendants to the European-inspired jewels from Satellite Paris (the Mindanao Ring is gorgeous!), you aren't likely to find another boutique with such a variety of culture, style and nature intermixing.

To learn more about this one of a kind collaboration, visit: www.ethnicrocks.com

*Photo Credit: Ethnic Rocks
Rhonda Kelly Abalone & Smoky Quartz Kimono Set

Oscar Jewelry: Jewels Rule the Red Carpet

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:55:05 -0500

Most admit (or at least I do) that they watch the Oscar's for the dresses and fashion savvy (or lack thereof) seen on the red carpet. Least we forget about the gorgeous jewelry that will take your breath away? Here are some of my favorites from Oscar's 80th: Jennifer Garner in Van Cleef & Arpels Heidi Klum in her own collection for Mouawad Kathryn Heigl in Ryan Ryan Penelope Cruz in Chopard You can see a vast array of celebrities and their jewelry at Yahoo Movies with images provided by Wire Image. Were there any jewels that captured your attention at the Academy Awards? *Photo Credit: Wire Image & Yahoo Movies

Jewelry PR: 2007 JCOC Year-in-Review- Trend Analysis & Projections: A Strategic Planner

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:31:08 -0500

The Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC), a division of MVI Marketing Ltd, has just published their annual JCOC Year-in-Review. A complete analysis of consumer research from 2007 JCOC omnibus studies is the foundation for the JCOC Year-in-Review.

“Each year, the JCOC is able to build on the archive of consumer research we have collected,” stated Elizabeth Chatelain, president of MVI Marketing Ltd., who goes on to say, “major topics of interest for the fine jewelry and watch industries have been covered in depth.”

This report was designed to be of maximum help to retailers and manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad to better understand their business and how North American consumers will affect it. In the area of seasonal gift-giving, consumer confidence trends and jewelry buying habits, a few of the major topics covered include: self-purchasing on the rise, trends in Sterling Silver, and some surprising nuances of Valentine’s, Mother’s and Father’s Days, Graduation, and December Holidays. Where the consumer shops, how much they planned on spending and how much they actually spent are reviewed and the findings have already been used by retailers and manufacturers who are JCOC annual subscribers and others who have purchased JCOC studies throughout the year. The 2007 JCOC Year-in-Review is available as a PDF download for US$695 by visiting www.jcoc.info.

Jewelry PR: Sneak Peak at STORM's 2008 Collection

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:27:32 -0500

We're all waiting eagerly for STORM's next line up of watches and in just a few short weeks their 2008 collection will be hitting the stores. STORM’s futuristic appeal, precision construction and uncommon designs have attracted a strong following of fashion savvy consumers with unique style. Here's a sneak peak of what you'll be seeing (and wanting) from their 2008 collection:

MIA

Feature: All steel, easy links, 5ATM.

Black. Silver. RRP: $160.00

Gold. RRP: $180.00

RIYO

Feature: All steel, 5ATM, 2 tone brush and polish feature.

Black. Silver. RRP: $140.00

Gold. RRP: $170.00

TERRAIN SQUARE

Feature: Sterling Silver case, square face, date, compass, rubber strap. Water resistant – 50m

Steel/Steel. Steel/Black. RRP: $200.00

Rose Gold. Slate. RRP: $240.00

VICE, SPECIAL EDITION

Feature: Sterling Silver case, square face, winder detail, rubber. Water resistant – 50m

Steel/Steel. Steel/Black RRP; $160.00

Rose Gold. Slate RRP: $180.00

Some of the watches can be seen on the STORM website, however check out their locations to find a retailer near you.

Jewelry Find: Alexis Bittar's Ruby Drop Branch Necklace

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:09:07 -0500

As I sit buried under 12 inches of snow and another Northeast blast on it's way, my mind wandered towards Spring and anything associated with the season's newness and fresh color palette. I found myself perusing various jewelry designers websites and came to a screeching hault when I happened upon Alexis Bittar's Ruby Drop Branch Necklace. Delicate like a young sapling extending its branches with fragile small flowers on its tips ready to bloom, Alexis has created a necklace that speaks to Spring's soft and gentle feel. Embellished with rubies, garnets, aquamarine and dark citrine drops, this necklace has an understated elegance that provides sparkle without being overdone. Are you already thinking Spring? Which designers do you admire that have pieces that speak to the season? * Photo Credit: alexisbittar.com