From the beginning, a fascination with films from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s, along with the elegant allure and incomparable style of Hollywood sirens, provoked Berreby’s desire to create classic pieces which captured the essence of her favorite eras, for her contemporary clientele.

It seems that not a week goes by without Karry’O being featured in a major magazine. Over and above designing, Berreby is also an ardent collector of unique pieces from the likes of Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Toppo, Dior, Chanel, and many more.

SOURCE  _  http://www.couturelab.com/browse/c402.html?trax=m&utm_source=estyle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=march3

In 1943, when Fritz Furrer took over the company and married Lucienne Jacot in the same year, the importance of passion and love for the company became apparent. The company’s trade name was changed to Furrer-Jacot, and perfection and craftsmanship were now accompanied by Lucienne’s Western Swiss creative spirit.

In the years that followed, Furrer-Jacot continued to grow. After a period of management from outside the industry in the seventies and eighties, the company is now once again owner-run. What started off as a one-man company 150 years ago is now an internationally active jewellery manufacturer with more than 100 employees. Craftsmanship, a love of detail and a passion for design continue to be of central importance. Furrer-Jacot unites highly skilled artisans – designers, model makers, goldsmiths, stone setters, lathe operators, polishers and engravers – into an experienced team.

This marriage of century-proven handcrafting and state-of-the-art technology produces outstanding and very exclusive results, providing an unparalleled experience for the acquirers of a Furrer-Jacot jewel.

More at: http://www.furrer-jacot.ch/

Today Carrera y Carrera is a part of the top five jewelry companies in the world meanwhile being the sole manufacturer of custom-designed jewelry for the Spanish royal family.

It was Carrera y Carrera that created the well-known Victory Saber decorated with emblems of all Spanish provinces and a magnificent tiara made of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds given to Queen Fabiola of Belgium as a present by Spanish royal family.

More at: http://www.carreraycarrera.com/

The individual cutting of a diamond in the Cento cut takes between twelve and fifteen hours depending on the size of the diamond.

A Cento cut diamond sparkles much more than an ordinary diamond which rarely has more than sixty facets.

Roberto Coin has set the items in a wide variety of jewelry ranging from rings to earrings to necklaces all focusing on the intricacy of the diamond cut and containing Roberto Coin’s signature ruby. www.centocollection.com

Source: http://tinyurl.com/ms6dkz

double pear shape diamond pavé pendant (18k white gold, 2.74ct) from the prêt-à-porter collection

Daniel Koren is a third generation jeweler of Persian and Italian descent. He launched Daniel K in 1999, after recognizing a need for high-quality women's jewelry that was suitable for everyday wear. However, his interest in design began much earlier in his young life.

He explains, "I grew up with Italian ideas of style and understanding the importance of good, classic tailoring and clean lines. I believe there is a right way and a wrong way to do things, and it shows in my work."

Daniel's creativity naturally seemed to find expression in jewelry, not least because of his continuous exposure to the inner workings of his father's diamond business. 

From the age of eight, Daniel would spend his weekends going to work with his father, occupying himself with everything from sweeping the floors and sorting stones to making jewelry for friends. 

As time went on, he fine tuned his own design skills, acquired a technical understanding of jewelry making, and learned how to run a business, before venturing out on his own.

Daniel Koren launched the Daniel K brand in 1999, with a range of bridal and classic rings, together with necklaces and bracelets, all featuring Asscher and emerald cuts.

In a short space of time, Daniel became known as a leading authority on design and manufacturing, despite being one of the youngest jewelry designers working in the US diamond industry.

In early 2003, Daniel K launched its first fashion pieces, a stunning collection of innovative and awe inspiring right hand rings.

This year also saw the launch of the whimsical and gorgeous Reverso collection, in which every piece can be worn two different ways. 

Daniel has been recognized in the jewelry industry with numerous design awards, and in 2005, received the prestigious title of "Designer of the Year" by JQ Magazine.

More at: http://www.danielk.net/flash/index.html 

Jean Dousset

Jean Dousset was born in Paris, France in 1971 under the aura of his illustrious ancestor Louis Cartier. His grandfather Rene Louis Revillon was the son of Louis Cartier's first daughter, Anne Marie.

Anna Sheffield is a New York-based designer who hails from Northern New Mexico. A distinct aesthetic emerges in her work from the rich urbane surroundings and culture of New York City. While Anna’s penchant for the spare, hewn and intrinsic beauty was imparted by the mores and surrounds of the Southwest- seemingly disparate influences culminate in her unique vantage point.

A nomadic, cross-cultural rearing (with stints in Saudi Arabia and California) and a devotion to fine arts (including formal training in costume design as well as welding & blacksmithing) inform Anna‘s endeavors past & present. Honing these divergent interests has rendered her a creative talent who works with ease on multiple platforms. In jewelry, she designs the haute-costume jewelry line Bing Bang, as well as her namesake line which includes the Bespoke collection of handcrafted pieces and extends into the realm of Fine jewelry with sterling, gold and precious stones. Keepsakes, heirlooms and talismans -all objects full of native beauty and secret meaning- are recurring themes in her work.

In recent years Anna has endeavored to bring the term ‘fashion jewelry’ to a new level. She has been a trendsetter on the runway and in everyday with elements such as innumerable, tangly layered chains, contrasting mixed metals and the appropriation of vintage & found objects. These varied styles have caught the eye of celebrities, fellow designers and companies with whom she has collaborated (3.1 Philip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Target Go International). Both style and taste have attracted collectors and esteemed retailers (Barney’s New York, United Arrows Tokyo, Joyce Hong Kong, Le Bon Marche Paris, etc) the world over. A true tastemaker (Anna was a featured blogger for NY Times’ The Moment), She contributes to a number of creative projects, her finger on the pulse of not only jewelry and fashion but New York culture at large.

More at: http://www.annasheffield.com/blog/about/annas-bio/ ]]> http://elegano.com/2009/08/10/anna-sheffield/feed/ 0 http://elegano.com/2009/08/03/susan-hanover/ http://elegano.com/2009/08/03/susan-hanover/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:30:16 +0000 eleganonl http://elegano.com/?p=913

Susan Hanover

After giving up her career as an attorney, this mother of three transformed her lifelong passions for design and fashion into a burgeoning business. In the summer of 2005, Susan Hanover launched her first collection of designer jewelry and the response was tremendous.

Henri Bendel, New York, introduced her as a new designer and immediately her collection was in demand. Other select stores and specialty chains followed suit.

She has several hundred accounts nationally and numerous accounts in Japan, Dubai, Hong Kong, Munich and London. Some recognizable retailers include: Bloomingdales, Henri Bendel, Intermix, Neiman Marcus Direct, the W Hotels, Kitson, The Four Seasons, Harvey Nichols (London), Takashimaya in (New York), and The Mandarin Oriental (New York).

Originally from South Africa, Susan is clearly inspired by the colors and textures of her native landscape. Having grown up surrounded by so much natural beauty Susan is drawn to earthy, faceted semi-precious stones such as citrine, smokey quartz and topaz. Still, stones are just the backdrop of her work.

Having studied art for many years, Susan's collections center around her love for design. She views her work simply as "a subtle balance between the design and the stones so that one does not overcome the other and a symbiosis is formed."

Susan's designs continue to evolve with each season, yet she remains true to her original form that makes her line so distinctive. Her stone wired bracelets have become signature pieces and are in huge demand both in the US and abroad.

The pieces have been cited or featured in a number of publications including The New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Town & Country and Vogue. The line, which is sold in a number of museums throughout the country, was also featured in Museums of New York.

Susan's designs are also in great demand with stylish celebrities and well-known personalities.  From Beyonce to Paula Abdul to Sienna Miller, her signature stone-wired bracelets have become a "must-have" piece for red carpet struts, television appearances and fashion shoots.  Kelly Ripa and Molly Sims are also fans who appreciate Susan's whimsical creations and sophisticated style. 

More at: http://www.susanhanoverdesigns.com/about.htm

Eve's passion for design became evident when she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, after receiving a Bachelor´s degree in Psychology. She received her second degree in Interior Design, and now holds certification from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), a distinction that is attained only after rigorous testing of all aspects of the Interior Design field.

In 2006, Eve's design focus shifted to jewelry, and Eve enrolled a second time at FIT, training as a bench jeweler. She gained expertise in these jewelry techniques: fabrication, finishing, and assembly. Her training culminated with the development of collections of beautifully handcrafted fine jewelry, that are manufactured in New York to ensure that the quality and workmanship of every piece is guaranteed. Eve´s fine eye for detail and excellence is applied to each design from conception, development and through production. 

More at: http://evesperling.com/about.html

Dragonfly brooch with 28 carats of sliced rose cut diamonds from the “Art du Jour” collection by Samir Bhansali for La Reina.

Unparalleled in its vibrancy and opulence - emerald, ruby and sapphire-colored embroidered silk saris paired with equally extravagant gems, the clinking of pure gold bangles stacked from wrists to elbows mingling with the sounds of sitar music - India gave birth to the idea that jewels are de rigueur for every woman on every occasion. Jewelry designer Samir Bhansali, who was born in Mumbai, ushers this concept into contemporary life while paying homage to his rich heritage. "La Reina," an assemblage of Art Deco elements fashioned from La Reina's trademark enormous-but-light, laser-cut diamonds, mixes ancient techniques with innovation. The result is simply sui generis.

Bhansali has lived in Los Angeles, where La Reina is headquartered, for the past 27 years. Yet every piece of jewelry is made in India, where gems and metals are highly prized not only for the inherent beauty and value but for their mystical and healing properties as well. This is why wearing a La Reina piece can feel magical.

Attention to detail is the hallmark of La Reina's innovative, award-winning work. Pieces have no backside; they are fashioned so that they are stunning from every angle. The "Yellow Passion Flower" bracelet from the Art du Jour collection won Town & Country magazine's honors for Best Design in 2007. La Reina's latest collection, Evoluzione,  spotlights the "Mughal Flower" brooch - a two-carat fancy yellow diamond, surrounded by smaller pink and yellow diamonds, blooming amid deep purple petals formed from oxidized titanium. The kaleidoscope effect of the titanium casts ever-changing metallic hues - scarlet, magenta, cerulean, indigo.

More at: http://www.lareinacollection.com/tradition.cfm