Lux Eyewear - Sunglasses by Tiffany & David Yurman
When the going gets tough, the tough go…shopping? People are talking about the recession incessantly but some of the luxury brands aren’t taking notice - even Chanel, whose own Karl Lagerfeld said “luxury is dead.” Maybe over-the-top luxury is gone but, people are still buying investment pieces. And, when it comes to sunglasses - apparently people want more than some flattering frames - they want some jewels on them!
Jewelry has been really making a splash as of late - whether it’s gold chains lacing up your shoes (Upper Echelon Shoes), or gold faux nails (Bijules NYC), jewelry is expanding into other categories and spicing up everything from shoes, to hair to nails and now, sunglasses. My favorites of this new breed of sunglasses are made by Tiffany, Chanel and David Yurman.
My picks from the Tiffany collection are the Tiffany Jazz Shield sunglasses and the Tiffany Bubbles Shield Sunglasses because they relate back to the jewelry that Tiffany is known for. The Art Deco motif of the Jazz sunglasses was found in the Tiffany archives and the Bubble design is based on the Bubble jewelry collection. Simple, refined, and very elegant.
The last pair that caught my eye are made by another jewelry company, David Yurman. The Waverly sunglasses are a true representation of the brand with the iconic cable design on the arms of the sunglasses. One look at these and they are unmistakably David Yurman.
Though these glasses are expensive as far as sunglasses go, they are definitely statement pieces that will stay with you from season to season. They are also great ways to start buying luxury - not everyone can buy a Chanel 2.55 bag, but you can start your way into the Chanel world with a pair of sunglasses - one accessory at a time. Just make sure you use those fancy cases the glasses come in and don’t sit on them!
One of my favorite jewelry lines is Bijules NYC by Jules Kim. Jules has been paving new paths in the realm of contemporary jewelry since she re-invented the bar ring six years ago. Whether it’s jewelry made from hair, or jewelry as lingerie, each season I can’t wait to see her new collection because I know I will be pleasantly surprised with the beauty of the unexpected.
For Spring 2009, Jules was inspired by rocks, amethyst formations, pyrite (fool’s gold) and the perfections of nature’s imperfections. She’s updated her iconic bar ring by adding rock formations based on actual pieces of raw amethyst. The rings come in the 1-, 2-, and 3-finger variety. What at first glance looks like a pyramid stud, is actually a replica of pyrite. The pyrite shapes make their way on to bangles and stackable rings. Other highlights included a fly clip that can be worn as a clip on earring on your favorite garment or accessory. The standout piece of the season is the Gelfling Ear Tip - you can have elf ears in an instant!
All of the pieces in the collection are available in a trio of colors/metals: silver, gold and black gold (my fave!). All of the jewels come packaged with gold pixie dust that can be sprinkled on the pieces for an adding bit of fantasy. View the video below for an explanation from the lady herself on the inspiration behind the collection and how to wear each jewel.
As if the Rock Collection were not enough exciting news, Jules let me in on a little secret: she’s got 2 more lines coming out later this year! Jules Kim for Bijules will be a high end line of jewelry made only with fine metals and stones. The second line will be a diffusion line of sorts - it will be called BJ and consist of plastic bar rings and nail rings. So democratic of her! Now, if you can’t afford the Bijules line, you can still get that great design with the BJ Collection.
All the pieces pictured below in the photos and video can be purchased online on the Bijules NYC Web Store. When money is tight, you really want to get investment pieces and these pieces are unique, beautiful and will always be conversation starters.
What do Kid-Cudi, The Cool Kids, A-TRAK, and Kid Sister have in common? Besides being dope, the new crop of hip-hop electro superstars all had their album covers designed by graphic designer extraordinare Dust La Rock! As the in-house art director for up-and-coming label Fools’ Gold, Dust’s bright colors, quirky and cartoonish designs, and signature lettering have finally been garnering the attention they deserve (Diddy tweeted about him recently, and you know when Diddy tweets, it’s on!). With design work for Bijules NYC, OxyCottontail, Tank Theory, and the hipster haven Studio B under his belt already, Dust is definitely carving a name out for himself in the streetwear-oriented design world.
To celebrate his epic achievements, Fools’ Gold and Red Stripe are making sure that Dust finally gets an exhibit in the Big Apple this Thursday, the 23rd. DJs Dave1 (Chromeo), Nick Catchadubs, Vin Sol, and Queen Majesty will be in the house bringing you dope beats, so if your’e in town be sure to hit up the Christopher Henry Gallery and get to know Dust’s work!
M.I.S.S. friend and fave Bijules has recently come out with a pair of MusicSkinz for your phone, laptop, mp3, or media player of choice, using the artwork for the erotic comic that was created for the release of her Arsenic & Old Lace lingerie collection and the Jeepney Collab we saw back in Vegas. MusicSkinz are made of premium grade 3M vinyl and adhesive technology so they apply easily and remove without leaving any residue. Prices range from $15 - $30, depending on the size and application of the skin, and are available directly from the MusicSkinz site, along with a collection of skins from other street and footwear brands that you may know and love, like Mishka, Rocksmith, Boundless NY, King Stampede, and Sneaker Freaker to name a few.
One of the events I was most looking forward to attending last week was the unveiling of the Bijules NYC’s Arsenic & Old Lace Capsule Collection that we gave you a sneak peak of a few weeks back. I couldn’t attend at the last minute but we were able to find some photos of the unveiling at Last Night’s Party. More photos after the jump and you can view all the photos here.
Seventh Wonderland is a new luxury swim wear line based in Australia. Designed by couple Bonnie Coumbe and Carlos Aviles, the two creat high-end swim suits that are so beautiful, you can incorparate them into your non-swimming ensembles. Carlos states: “Girls today need options, so we’re designing fashion-savvy swimsuits that can be worn to the beach, music festivals or on a balmy night in your favorite pair of jeans.”
Seventh Wonderland uses luxurious fabrics, including silk, to craft these very special pieces. The details are endless with beading here, ruffles there, and the silhouettes are unique but beautiful (not “unique” in a freakish way or for the sake of it). Some of the details seemed very Art Deco to me, especially the diamond beaded insets on the bikini tops. The cuts are feminine and flattering: They’re not too bare on the booty, but show enough so that you can “shake what ya’ mama gave ya.” I also have to add that the Look Book is brilliantly shot. The models have a Robert Palmer girl look to them with slicked back hair and dramatic make-up and they were shot in front of mirrors so that you could get the front and back view in one frame. Check out more pictures after the jump.
Sir Hayes offers the cutest baby clothing for little knights in shining armor that I have ever seen. This is not your traditional baby blue onesies with boats on them. These are fly clothes for your lil’ man. Khalym, the designer of Sir Hayes, started out with printed tiny tees and has expanded the collection to include cut & sew for Spring 2009. The pieces are adorable!! From a windbreaker with lanyard details and hood that zips into the collar, to seersucker shorts, vests and gingham jumpsuits - it’s all too cute. The pieces take inspiration from big boy clothes and include menswear details. The clothes are made for lil’ men, from 18 months to 7 years old, but some of the pieces could definitely be unisex. Seeing these clothes makes me want to have a kid so I can dress them in Sir Hayes. Not a good reason to have a kid, but a testament to how cute these pieces are. Sir Hayes can be purchased on Digital Gravel. See more pictures after the jump.
I’ve always been a fan of Bijules NYC since her iconic 1-finger bar ring came onto the scene. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her and following her collections through the years and she always manages to add an element of surprise. Her newest collection is no different, in fact, it gets the gold star for the most amazing thing I saw in Vegas (and we saw a lot!).
For Fall ‘09, Bijules introduces “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a jewelry/lingerie capsule collection that embodies the quintessential Bijules femme in black lace and delicate golden chains. The collection is sold as a set consisting of a bra, high-waisted panties, garter and garter belt. Many of the pieces can be worn several ways and have a “Light Fancy” chain link - a link that Bijules resurrected from men’s pocket watches from the 1920s. The bra can be worn as a halter with gold linked underwire or as a bandeau with gold linked straps over the shoulders. The high waisted panties feature golden linked “suspenders” (so insane!) and the garter belt has asymmetrial hook and eyes and can be worn at the hip or the waist. The garter, with dangling gold chains, can be worn on the thigh, on the neck as a choker or as a headband. Bijules wants you to get the most out of the set so she encourages you to “overwear your underwear and express what is intimate as something formal and defiant.”
The collection has a very 1920s gangster moll look that I love and is the sexiest set of lingerie I’ve seen. “Arsenic and Old Lace” is limited to a series of 15 and retails for over $1000. Each set is numbered, comes with a certificate of authenticity, and comes in a box wrapped with a pair of thigh-high stockings. For those of us who don’t have that kind of lingerie budget, Bijules has masquerade mask that can be worn as a mask or a headband. Check out the rest of the “Arsenic and Old Lace” collection after the jump, as well as, other goodies like the custom snake nail ring that Santogold wore on MTV.
