A large round center carpet is marked by candy-colored circular stripes, which complement the bright and plush red walls that contain framed jewelry displays. Antique furnishings, white ceiling with an elaborately designed mirror ball, and mix and match display cases—including the star-shaped center case—round out the bright, funky vibe on the first floor. Photo credit: Solange Azagury-Partridge
LONDON — I haven’t been to all of the retailers on Bond Street but I am confident that there is no other store in this world-renowned luxury shopping district quite like Solange Azagury-Partridge.
From the large images of lips that appear on the storefront to the plush fabrics, the cavern-like private area, the star-shaped display cases, and the constant rhythm of club music, the space has more of a nightclub than it does a jewelry store. There’s even an elaborately designed mirror ball on the first-floor ceiling. Yet it’s the perfect environment for the colorful, creative, seductive and fun jewelry by Solange Azagury-Partridge.
Plush red walls and frames display a series of jewelry like pieces of art. Items pictured include Crinoline Earrings in 18k yellow gold chain earrings with a hidden rough diamond (top center) and gold tassel earrings (left), along with an assortment of rings. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
The jewelry designer, best known for her “Hot Lips” enamel and silver rings in the shape of a kiss mark, designed the store herself. Opened in 2010, the flagship is one of five SAP stores located around the world. Black and red are the dominate colors. Jewelry is set inside thick, plush walls and lined in either picture rectangular or square frames, like pictures, or in portal-shaped windows. Most of the display cases are shaped like stars.
Different version of Solange's "Hot Lips," her best-known ring design.Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
The room at the entrance is well lit by a large storefront window and is airy due to a white decorative high ceiling, the one that has the mirror ball. A large round center carpet is marked by candy-colored circular stripes, which complement the bright red walls, updated versions of antique furnishings and the mix and match display cases—includes those in the shape of stars.
The display of colorful enamel rings include the green Supernatural Ring and the red Cancer Ring. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
As you descend down a carpeted stairway bathed in orange, yellow, green and blue light, respectively, you enter a darkened room of red drapes, black circular-pattern carpet, and more mixture antique and modern furniture. It’s like the VIP section of a dance club. There’s even more private cavern-like spaces covered in black with ceilings that emit dots of light like stars. Inside these rooms in the center is a single, well-lit, star-shaped display case that appears to be floating in space.
A stairway bathed in different colors of light leads clients to the lower level of the store.Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
You leave the darkened space, reenter the sunlit first-floor room and exit back into the normal hustle and bustle of the luxury shopping street feeling just a little bit different.
Darken room with red drapes, black carpet, single pieces of jewelry displayed on walls, minimal furnishings, and a ceiling that sparkles provides the experience similar to a nightclub.Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
Inside the portal display on the darkened, more private lower level of the store is the Old Fashioned Ruby Necklace comprising marquise cut Ruby set with 'V' claws in an irregular wreath style with a large pear shaped Ruby suspended below. With the necklace are two versions of the signet styled ring composed of a channel set row of ruby baguettes, an oblong strip of onyx and two rows of pave set round brilliant cut diamonds.Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
The lower level of the Solange Azagury-Partridge Bond Street store has cavernous private rooms such as this one with a single star-shaped display case surrounded by dots of light that appears to be floating in space. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
Three strands of diamond pave hug a 6.06-carat fire opal set in 18k rose gold.
Fine jewelry design house, Yael Designs, introduced its summer 2012 Lyra Collection during the JCK Luxury tradeshow (May 29 - May 31).
Green tourmaline earringss with a total weight of 7.13 carats highlighted by diamond pave and white gold.
The collection showcases gemstones wrapped in elegant diamond threads set in 18k white and rose gold. The cocktail rings, earrings and pendants use tourmalines, morganites, rubellites and opals that bring plenty of color to the collection. Color and diamond threads overlapping large gems were two prominent themes at this year’s tradeshows in Las Vegas.
Diamond pave white gold sparkle as it surrounds an 8.87-carat opal.
The inspiration and the name for the collection came from the cosmos, more specifically, the small constellation named Lyra, which contains one the brightest stars in the sky.
Although the full collection made its first appearance at a tradeshow, individual pieces from the collection have been worn by celebrities—including ice skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi and actress Kerry Washington—and received a prestigious 2012 AGTA Spectrum Award.
110 carat mandarin garnet mounted on 18k yellow gold.
Jewelry designers and manufacturers have been adding color to their collections in recent years. For Goshwara, color, more specifically colored gemstones, is a way of life for the brand.
3 tier disc earring in Amethyst, Peridot & Blue Topaz from the ‘Mischief’ collection.
The company was founded by Sweta Jain, who has the joint roles of designer and president, in 2007 to supply one-of-a-kind pieces to private buyers. Since then the company has expended to provide a range of colored-gemstone jewelry for luxury retailers. Jain grew up in the jewelry business, accompanying her father to Africa to explore mines and then seeing the process first-hand of turning rough material in beautiful gemstones.
Mandarin and rubelite tassel necklace from the ‘G-One’ collection.
I first wrote about the company last year at the JCK Luxury tradeshow. At this year’s show (May 29 – 31), Jain showed me a number of new designs that highlight her flair for great vision, craftsmanship and the use of high-quality colored gemstones.
A rubelite and amethyst bead necklace from the ‘Mischief’ collection.
LAS VEGAS — Taking his cue from New York Fashion Week, where floral patterns was one of the main inspirations for many of the designs, Khajag "Jack" Hovsepian, the founder and head designer of bridal jewelry brand, Danhov, introduced a collection that is all floral inspired.
The company, founded in 1984, moved to a consumer brand two years ago and has grown quickly to now have approximately 50 retail outlets. All the jewelry is hand-made or hand constcuted at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters. No moulds are used in the process. His booth at the JCK Luxury tradefair was humming with eager retailers wanting to stock up on his designs.
The Petalo line of platinum and 18k white gold bridal jewelry has intricate carvings of tulips, sunflowers and other flora throughout the engagement and matching wedding bands. No matter which way the rings face, it provides a delicate appearance of a flower. The engagement rings retail for about $4,000, not counting the center stone.
The introduction of emeralds to the 'Lao Tong' brings color to a jewelry brand known for its black-and-white pieces.
LAS VEGAS — It had to happen sometime. The brand that is making its mark creating black and white jewelry inspired by early 20th Century design has added color to one of its newest collections, released during the JCK Luxury tradeshow.
Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry introduced sparkling emeralds to its new “Lao Tong” collection, inspired by the movie “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” produced by Ivanka’s friend Wendi Murdoch. The story depicts two seven year old girls matched as laotong, or “old sames,” bounding them together for eternity. “It’s like the Chinese BFF,” said Andrea Hansen, CEO of Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry.
In the collection, classic fans were re-imagined with black onyx and white diamonds, black enamel, complimented by emeralds and set in 18k white gold. The collection ranges from $5,000 to $70,000. Some of the higher-end pieces are one-of-kind and others are limited edition.
“It was great to find a way to bring in color,” Hansen said in the Ivanka Trump exhibition space at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The brand also introduced two other collections at the show: “Belle Epoque” and “Gilded Cage.”
Fans, such as these made of mother-of-pearl, are a recurring theme this year, such as these fan and bow earrings from the 'Belle Epoque' collection.
Meaning “beautiful era” in French, Belle Epoque draws inspiration from the era of the same name in late 19th century, early 20th century Paris, reflected in the jewelry designs of soft bows, mother-of-pearl fans, pave diamonds, and white-on-white color schemes. Pieces are set in 18k white gold and paired with precious stones such as mother-of-pearl and diamonds. Prices range from $2,600 to $16,500.
“The fan is a recurring theme in this year’s collection. It is a ladylike accessory in the period of our inspiration,” Hansen said. “You can think of women in the ‘40s and ‘50s with beautiful handheld fans and that’s where that flair comes from.”
Black onyx wrapped in diamond pave threads from the Gilded Cage collection.
Gilded Cage is a play on words that takes its inspiration from the Gilded Age era, which was known for expansive growth in wealth and the use of jewelry as a status symbol. Bold gemstones such as white agate and black onyx cabochons are wrapped in 18k white or yellow gold strands with diamond pave. Wrapped gems were popular during the Las Vegas tradeshows this year. Prices range from $2,900 to $10,000.
“We do really well with this kind of classic cabochon ring, our number one ring in the collection is our cabochon ring from our Black and White collection and it’s always good to add new styles in a category that is so strong,” Hansen said.
A 26.10-carat round brilliant cut yellow diamond and platinum ring (above) was top seller at Christie’s Paris auction on Tuesday, fetching $623,000. An Art Deco diamond and rock crystal necklace by Cartier (below) fetched more than $413,000, or $23,869 per carat.
The auction, held at the Christie’s Paris sales office at avenue Matignon, totaled nearly $3.9 million, with selling 80 percent of items sold by lots and 84 percent by value.
“Natural pearls, diamonds and signed jewels remain the three most popular themes and fetched strong prices in today’s Paris auction,” said Marie-Laurence Tixier, head of the Paris jewelry department.
An antique natural pearl and diamond brooch by Suzanne Belperron (above) sold for €121,000 ($151,000), which was six times its pre-sale high estimate.
Patrik Hoffmann (left) and Randy Johnson making the announcement of the partnership Monday in the owner's box of Chase Field. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
PHOENIX — Swiss luxury watch brands often partner with professional athletes who have amassed achievements in sports where speed, stamina and accuracy are required, such as auto racing, boating regattas, and track and field. Ulysse Nardin took a bit of a different route when it signed pitching great Randy Johnson as a brand ambassador during an event in the owner’s box at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, where Johnson played for six years and enjoyed his greatest success.
Johnson and Ulysse Nardin, known for its luxury nautical timepieces, announced that the two will partner to create a timepiece known as the “Big Unit,” which is Johnson’s nickname, referring to his 6-foot, 10-inch size. The watch will be released sometime in late 2012 or early 2013.
Johnson and Hoffman looking over the prototype of the timepiece box.Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
“I don’t think we had to go too far out of the box for creating a name,” Johnson said during a private interview at the event.
Johnson was known for throwing 100-mile-an-hour fastballs with consistency and accuracy during a 22-year major-league career that included five Cy Young awards (the highest honor for a major league pitcher) and a 2001 World Series championship with the Diamondbacks, where he shared the Most Valuable Player honor. So he had all of the qualities of high-speed athletes in his left arm.
In addition to his baseball achievements, Johnson, an avid watch collector, was also a friend of the Ulysse Nardin brand, which made it even easier to approach the former pitcher about being an ambassador, said Patrik Hoffman, Ulysse Nardin, CEO.
“I think for us it’s important for us that we have someone who is really a true ambassador of the brand, which means I can say that Randy was already a friend of the brand for a long time,” Hoffman said.
A sneak peek of what the box will look like. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
Hoffmann also said the partnership with Johnson is within the strategy of the brand to use athletes or celebrities as ambassadors in countries where the timepiece brand is popular. For example, the brand has partnered with world renowned cricketer, Yuvraj Singh, in India.
“For us, whoever we choose in countries like Russia or India or now the United States, we always choose someone we call a legend,” Hoffmann said. “That is important for us. I live in US for 13 years and I know baseball and like baseball and that has some influence as well.”
Below is an unedited interview from Jetset magazine with Johnson in the Arizona Diamondbacks owner’s box that includes a few interruptions by a singing group rehearsing the National Anthem prior to a game against the Colorado Rockies:
Johnson has been collaborating with the luxury watch brand in the design of the timepiece.
“I was just trying to incorporate a little baseball feel in the watch, whether it was something maybe on the bazel or the face or even the hands, or somewhere in the watch that would give you a baseball feel,” Johnson said. “I’m sure they will tastefully incorporate a baseball feel to a limited edition watch.”
Both Johnson and Hoffman are being secret about the details of the watch, which is still being created. It will be part of the Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver line collection. It will incorporate baseball themes, as already noted. And, it will also be unusually large. “If you call the watch the Big Unit it has to be a big watch,” Hoffmann said. As far as how many of these timepieces will be made, they refuse to say but just note that Johnson has 303 total wins in his long, successful career.
Unedited video from a Jetset magazine interview with Patrik Hoffmann, CEO of Ulysse Nardin, in the owner's box at Chase Field where he discusses his relationship with pitching great Randy Johnson and how they came about to work together to create the "Big Unit" limited timepiece.
Johnson became attracted to luxury timepieces while traveling to different cities while still a ballplayer.
“In certain cities there are really good restaurants. Well, in certain cities there are really good watch stores. I enjoyed looking at them and you figure that over 22 years, I accumulated a nice collection,” he said. “To be with this watch company is really nice because I have several of their watches.”
He also freely admits that his knowledge of timepieces is growing.
“I learned a lot about watches and different timepieces and I’m constantly learning.” He said. “Obviously, when you’re buying expensive timepieces, it’s nice to know what you’re buying, what makes it tick…. I have a very small background when it comes into knowledge but I know what I like and know a lot of other people like watches and it’s something cool to collect. It’s not for everybody.”
He says he compares having a luxury timepiece named after him among his greatest honors, as far as public acceptance.
“I thought it was pretty cool when I was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the box of Wheaties. I thought I have arrived. But to have a watch, I mean I’m obviously honored.”
This blog is for those who are passionate about jewelry and watches and want to learn more about the industry. It's a place to find the best new products from all over the world and the latest news about the business of jewelry, watches and luxury. Readers gain a backstage pass to the glamour, fun and difficulties of the industry.
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