RAPAPORT... Luxury never goes out of style and, with that in mind, The Luxury Review, an exclusive press showcase, recently displayed the latest in luxury products and services during a gala held at the Rouge Tomate eatery in midtown Manhattan. Brands from multiple industries —including automotive, jewelry, cosmetics, private aviation, resorts, spirits, electronics and home design — were all on hand to wow attendees with their luxurious wares. Editors, product analysts, studio executives, product integration and product placement professionals, TV/film producers, personal shoppers, stylists and special guests were all on hand for the evening event, which featured several companies that had an environmentally friendly slant. Participating jewelers were Donna Distefano, Christopher Designs, Alberto Parada, Jewels of Ocean, Christine Carson and, from Paris, Georland.
Christine Carson
A native of Michigan, jewelry designer Christine Carson began gathering rocks around the lakes in her home state at a young age. That hobby led her to travel the world selling stones. She later began making jewelry by forging gold in the furnace of her home’s basement. Many years later, Carson designs jewelry that is edgy, yet classic, timeless, but contemporary. Her Pyramid collection is built around a simple shape that serves as an unmistakable icon and the core on which future collections can be built.
Jewels of Ocean
It is the luster of the pearl that enhances the beauty of its wearer, according to Raymond Hakimi of Jewels of Ocean, which specializes in matching the perfect pearl to each customer through a range of product or customized pieces. A family business started in Valenza, Italy, in the mid-1800s as gem dealers, the firm, five generations later, is now based in New York City and specializes in South Sea pearls. The pearls are combined with precious gemstones to create timeless collections.
Georland
The son of a French Army General, Henry Marteau dreamed of traveling the globe and sharing the “savoir faire” of French jewelry with the world. His two sons — Stéphane and Jean-Gabriel — took over the business after Henry’s death and his four grandsons are also now involved in the company. New collections are designed by the company’s development center in Paris using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology. Working with some of the most skilled jewelry artisans in the business, the firmmanufactures select creations so complex it may take up to 30 people to craft one piece.
Alberto Parada
Combining a bold design aesthetic with ecofriendly materials, Alberto Parada is using a responsible approach to jewelry making that resonates with today’s consumers. His jewelry was recently featured in the first-ever “Green Fashion Week” held in Seattle, Washington. Parada is a member of the No Dirty Gold campaign and his creations are handcrafted and manufactured in the United States. Parada often travels to Paraguay and Uruguay and blends many gemstones from South America into his designs. Based in Washington, D.C., he has a store in Georgetown.
Donna Distefano
Goldsmith and jeweler Donna Distefano highlighted her collection of jewelry created from sustainable metals and fair trade gems. Distefano is committed to environmentally responsible sourcing of all materials used in her pieces, as well as manufacturing practices that are kind to the environment. All of her jewelry is handmade in her New York City atelier using centuries-old goldsmithing techniques. Drawing upon her experience as the senior goldsmith for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Distefano brings the rich tradition of the court jeweler to her opulent pieces for the modern woman, while respecting the planet and its inhabitants.
Christopher Designs
Christopher Designs showcased its 121-facet Brilliant Crisscut. Created by Christopher Slowinski, the new cut was designed to illuminate the diamond’s ultimate brilliance. The latest offering follows the firm’s emerald, cushion, baguette and Asscher-shaped Crisscut diamonds. The patented Brilliant Crisscut earned its trademark for its unique engineering — the stone has 12 straight sides and 12 straight walls, but appears to be round. The diamond’s edges break up light, creating an optical illusion of a scalloped border on the gem.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - November 2010. To subscribe click here.