DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Shery Shabani

Hi everyone and happy Friday! Today, I'm just going to get right into it because I'm so excited about this designer feature. Shery Shabani is a brand new fine jewelry designer to the Fragments Showroom - and we're thrilled about it!

Her luxury collection is the perfect mix of edge and timelessness. It's classic styles with a very modern, fresh and glamorous feel. With Shery's jewels, it's all about piling on the diamond bangles - an array of sizes of course - and mixing them with beaded and pave bracelets. Her bold earrings are major statement makers. We're loving the whole collection and we can't wait for you to see it all. Shery's father is a diamond finisher, and so she grew up learning to work with precious stones. And boy does she do it beautifully!


Jewelry this chic and exciting can only be created by someone just as fabulous. I loved asking Shery my list of favorite questions - he answers are as cool as her jewelry, and she is just as amazing!

1. What is your greatest indulgence? A pair of pumps or a killer bag.

2. Tell me your biggest fear. Flying, what a nightmare!

3. Your favorite red carpet moment of all time? SJP at this year’s Oscars was stunning in Chanel. She does such incredible things with fashion.

4. Your most treasured piece of jewelry, and why? A beautiful pair of turquoise earrings my mother wore on her wedding day. It’s something I can wear and feel a deep connection with at the same time.

5. White gold, yellow gold or mix it all up? Mix it up!

6. Who is your favorite fictional character? Marvin K Mooney from Dr. Seuss Books.

7. Your greatest love is… my children. They are my everything.

8. Who is your hero? My mother. She is an inspiration.

9. Who is your favorite jewelry designer? (other than yourself) I die for Harry Winston’s pieces.

10. Who do you most admire, alive or deceased? Again, it would have to be my mother. There just isn’t anyone that I look up to more than her.

11. Your favorite movie? 9 Months. Hugh Grant is so loveable in that role!

12. Newspapers & magazines: print or online? Print. There’s nothing like the feel of the newest issue of Vogue in your hands.

13. Your favorite ice cream flavor? Coffee, I cannot get enough of it.

14. Facebook or Twitter? Facebook. I’m a little frightened by this whole twitter craze.

15. Style icon? Coco Chanel. Classic and timeless.

16. If you could design a piece of jewelry right now, based on your current mood and surroundings, what would it be? Well I love the look of chains, so it’d have to be a polished diamond version of them. I love the hardware feel of chain links, and adding shinning diamonds to it creates such a beautiful contrast.

17. Black or white? Just like the Rolling Stone Song, “Paint it Black”!

18. The best part of New York City is... I love the feel of SoHo. It’s the first place I try to visit whenever I go to the big city.

19. Tell me your greatest asset and your biggest flaw. My biggest asset has to be my discipline. But having said that, my biggest flaw is I have an extreme case of Type A personality. It’s a challenge … sometimes.

20. If you could have any piece from Fragments, what would it be? I love Sethi Couture’s flower earrings. So adorable, yet incredibly classy.

I hope you enjoyed my interview with Shery! Her jewelry will be available soon on Fragments.com, so stay tuned! In the meantime, you can check out her beautiful collection on her website: Shery Shabani.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo,

Janet

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Nola Singer

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? Fragments is super busy preparing for market, but of course we're having lots of fun and obsessing over all of our new collections. There is so much fabulous fine and fashion jewelry roaming around our showroom, I don't even know where to begin. And my wishlist is starting to need an office of its own.

Before I tell you about one of our newest designers, Nola Singer, I wanted to share my thoughts on the most recent movie that I saw. Salt, starring Angelina Jolie, was action packed and seriously cool. Angelina is fabulous, a real life action hero. The movie is exciting, thrilling - a bit cartoonish and fast moving fun. She paves the way for all of us girls; the best thing since wonder woman, move over James Bond! I highly recommend checking it out with your gal pals, or even your significant others. Either way - you will have a blast!

Back to the jewels...I had a chance to sit down with one of our newest fashion jewelry designers, Nola Singer. Nola is known for mixing exquisite vintage materials and pieces to create modern, yet old world pieces. She has a super feminine aesthetic - really understands women and how we want to feel glamorous in our jewelry. She works with rhinestones, chains and flowers galore - we simply cannot get enough of it. And to top it off, Nola is as sweet and wonderful as her collection. Check out our little interview:

1. What is your greatest indulgence?

I love Christian Louboutin shoes. I wish I could collect them--they're such works of art. I don't indulge often, but can always justify my shoes because they get so much use. His shoes are comfortable and make any outfit look stylish. They also make me taller, which I like since I’m 5”1. I can throw on a tee, a few of my own pieces and Christian Loubutain shoes and feel effortlessly chic! I also have a weakness for chocolate and margaritas. I wish I had more willpower to not indulge myself so often.

2. Tell me your biggest fear.

Not living my life to the fullest.

3. Your favorite red carpet moment of all time?

I designed and made Amy Smart the Veronica Necklace to match her Balenciaga blue dress that she was wore to an animal Rescue Benefit. I was lucky enough to be invited to the event and watch her model my necklace on the red carpet. Amy is a friend of mine, and a very wonderful and generous person, who was being honored at the party for her generosity towards animals and the environment. I felt so honored to be there with her and have her wearing something I designed. I rescue animals so it was an event that I am really passionate about as well. It was a magical evening.

4. Your most treasured piece of jewelry, and why?

I have a locket that my Uncle Ben gave me for my 10th birthday that he engraved with my name and birth date on the back. He was murdered when I was twelve, so this locket is very meaningful to me. I think jewelry is such a wonderful gift because it captures the memory and is forever a wonderful keepsake. Of course, since I'm a jewelry designer, I've remade the locket that he gave me into one of my own designs. Whenever I have a something important or feel nervous, I like to wear that locket and feel like he is with me.

5. White gold, yellow gold or mix it all up?

I love to mix it all up. Right now I love mixing rose gold with a vintage piece set in silver.

6. Who is your favorite fictional character?

My favorite fictional character is Snow White. I still believe in fairy tales.

7. Your greatest love is…

My greatest love is for my two dogs. I have a pug named Francois and a bulldog mix named Josephine. They are quite the duo. They love me unconditionally and are always happy to be with me.

8. Who is your hero?

My parents are my heroes. My mom and dad are always there for me and they have been so supportive and selfless. I never would’ve been able to follow my dreams without their support. They have always believed in me and most of all encouraged me to believe in myself.

9. Who is your favorite jewelry designer? (other than yourself)

I love Anthony Nak. I love the way the stones are draped with chains. His jewelry has such a distinct style. I hope one day to own an Anthony Nak piece of my own.

10. Who do you most admire, alive or deceased?

I most admire my grandma. My grandma is 80 years old and looks 40 and lives like a thirty-year-old, but with more wisdom. She loves life. I think she doesn’t age because she is happy, kind and always having fun. Everyone who meets my grandma falls in love with her. She is petite, yet has a big personality. I admire everything about her and hope to live my life to the fullest like her.

11. Your favorite movie?
Tommy Boy. No matter how many times I see that movie, it makes me laugh. I love Chris Farley and that movie reminds me of my childhood

12. Newspapers & magazines: print or online?

I love actual, physical magazines. I love actually flipping through something and even sometimes when I’m inspired, tearing out a page and keeping it for inspiration.

13. Your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookies and cream

14. Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook. I’m a little scared of twitter.

15. Style icon?

Vivienne Westwood. I love how she mixes punk rock with feminine couture. Her designs have a vintage influence yet have a modern sophistication and edge. I think she has incredible style and vision. All of her clothes, accessories and shoes inspire me. I feel like all of her creations are works of art.

16. If you could design a piece of jewelry right now, based on your current mood and surroundings, what would it be?

I would make a necklace with a vintage filigree butterfly. I just found the most beautiful vintage filigree butterflies and flowers. They are all from the turn of the century and were hand made from sterling silver wire. They are absolutely exquisite. I would design something pretty and feminine that would compliment my summer wardrobe.

17. Black or white?

White. It’s summer and I love white.

18. The best part of New York City is

...The Pizza! I live in LA and there is no pizza that even comes close to New York.

19. Tell me your greatest asset and your biggest flaw.

My greatest asset would be my heart. It can also be my biggest flaw at times. I am an Aquarius and being true to my astrological sign, I love to help people. I have a lot of humanitarian instincts. This can be very rewarding but sometimes I see only the good in people and wind up hurting myself. I think a big life lesson for me has been learning to balance my heart and my head.

20. If you could have any piece from Fragments, what would it be?

I really love the entire collection by Colette. I would love to have the flower cuff by Colette and the flower earrings. I love how whimsical and feminine her designs are. I love flowers and color so her pieces compliment my personal style.

We love Nola's collection and hope you enjoyed learning a bit about her! You can check out her jewels here on her website.

Have a great week and be sure to check back on Thursday!

xoxo,

Janet

OBSESSION: Melissa Joy Manning on Fragments.com

Have you checked out the new Melissa Joy Manning on Fragments.com? We are obsessing over it - especially the mixed metal group. Super chic and totally modern, we all want the whole collection! Check it out here: http://www.fragments.com/new_arrivals.aspx

xoxo, Janet

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: LK DESIGNS

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I am so excited because I've started to sit down with each of Fragments' designers and asked them my favorite list of questions; we have so much to share with you in the coming weeks.

Today, I went to tell you all about one of our newest fashion jewelry designers - LK Designs. Designer Leetal Kalmanson, from Israel, creates fun, flirty, bold and glamorous jewelry. There are earrings galore in a selection of metals and crystals you could simply die for. Stretchy cuffs with intricate design and bursts of color. This is a collection that lends itself to major accumulation - we want everything.

Leetal is extremely talented, passionate and lives each day to the fullest. She represents her jewelry in a most graceful way, and gives her all to continue to grow and evolve her brand. I loved having the opportunity to ask her these questions; I hope you'll fine her answers as fun and endearing as I do.

1. What is your greatest indulgence?
Kissing my 3 kids
2. Tell me your biggest fear.
To be featured in a fashion magazine as the worst dressed woman!
3. Your favorite red carpet moment of all time?
My personal red carpet moment of all time was presenting on stage at the end of the LK – HP fashion show, while being 8 months pregnant. LK Designs together with Hewlett-Packard (HP), the world's largest computer company, designed the HP - LK jeweled mini laptop series. These HP-LK jeweled laptops were launched in the first LK and HP Fashion Show which was a big hit and included front-row celebrities such as supermodel Bar Refaeli.
4. Your most treasured piece of jewelry, and why?
It is the first piece of jewelry I ever designed, which was a stretch bracelet with a special star and crystals. I asked my husband what he thought about it and he was not very excited. My husband was wrong as I sold hundreds of such bracelets in a couple of weeks and this was the beginning of LK Designs !
5. White gold, yellow gold or mix it all up?
I believe in mixing it all up since it makes the look much more interesting
6. Who is your favorite fictional character?
Hello Kitty
7. Your greatest love is…
Shopping!
8. Who is your hero?
Former Prime Minister of Israel, Yizhak Rabin, who was murdered for his pursuit of peace in the Middle East
9. Who is your favorite jewelry designer? (other than LK)
My favorite jewelry designer is Van Cleef & Arpels since their jewelry pieces are timeless !
10. Who do you most admire, alive or deceased?
I admire most princess Diana, since she became a real “princess” through her personality, and not through her official role.
11. Your favorite movie?
The Devil Wears Prada
12. Newspapers & magazines: print or online?
I think that for fashion, print is it ! The best quality to view jewelry and fashion is still in print magazines.
13. Your favorite ice cream flavor?
Raspberry
14. Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook ! I vote like my kids!
15. Style icon?
Coco Chanel
16. If you could design a piece of jewelry right now, based on your current mood and surroundings, what would it be?
I would design a special long necklace which is worn on top of the shoulders creating a "rock" type look
17. Black or white?
Black is the new black!
18. The best part of New York City is...
The rush of adrenalin you get just from walking in the streets of NY
19. Tell me your greatest asset and your biggest flaw.
My greatest asset is my thrive for perfection. This is also my biggest flaw.
20. If you could have any piece from Fragments, what would it be?
A "nude" color scarf (I do not remember the name of the designer)

Have a fabulous day everyone! I will be back soon.

xoxo,

Janet

FRAGMENTS' LATEST OBSESSION: Phillips Frankel

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I hope you are enjoying your summer and squeezing in some vacation time. I just returned from an amazing trip to Berlin, and I promise to post images and details next week. And of course, I will tell you all about the jewelry I packed for my time away...

But in the meantime, we're all obsessing over a new collection here at Fragments and I am going to give you a little sliver of a sneak peek today, before I post my interview with the design team in the next couple of weeks. Phillips Frankel is our newest fine jewelry collection, and we are thrilled to be representing them. Their collection includes pave pendants in assorted colored sapphires and diamonds, the most fun array of colorful pave rings and so much more- we are just in heaven and can't wait to show you how to layer their fantastic pieces.

As I said, I can only give you a sneak peek today but I can tell you that when I post my interview with the fabulous mother/daughter design duo, Phillips Frankel will then be available on Fragments.com and in our Prince Street store.

I hope you love what you've seen so far!

xoxo,

Janet

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: SUSAN HANOVER

Hi Everyone! How are you all doing? I am going to jump right into it today, because I am so excited to share with you one of Fragments' newest designers, Susan Hanover. There are not enough words to describe how fun, chic and cool Susan's jewelry is. It's fresh, it's exciting and we should all own one or two pieces from her. We're especially in love with her bold cuffs, use of color and chunky mixed metal chains, often intertwined with crystals. I had a chance to ask her my favorite list of questions and we are loving her answers. And don't forget when you're done reading, to check out her jewelry right here on Fragments.com; I promise, you will LOVE what you find.

What is your greatest indulgence? Chocolate....of course!
Tell me your biggest fear. falling trees...(just got caught in a mini tornado)
Your favorite red carpet moment of all time? any moment that has ever featured my jewelry
Your most treasured piece of jewelry, and why? my wedding band (obviously)
White gold, yellow gold or mix it all up? mix it all up
Who is your favorite fictional character? Jane Austin's Emma
Your greatest love is… my kids
Who is your hero? All the CNN hero's: just everyday people who are making a difference
Who is your favorite jewelry designer? (other than Susan Hanover): I couldn't say
Who do you most admire, alive or deceased? I am from South Africa so I will go with Nelson Mandela, but there are so many inspirational people in this world.
Your favorite movie? I still love watching "The wedding Crashers"
Newspapers & magazines: print or online? print
Your favorite ice cream flavor? anything fruity
Facebook or Twitter? facebook!
Style icon? so many ...but they have to be more my age so i would go with: Halle Berry
If you could design a piece of jewelry right now, based on your current mood and surroundings, what would it be? something very beachy with sea glass and shells (I"m in Montauk right now)
Black or white? white
The best part of New York City is...central park
Tell me your greatest asset and your biggest flaw: greatest asset would be my drive and persistence and biggest flaw : can"t tell
If you could have any piece from Fragments, what would it be? something very fine and expensive

We love Susan as much as we love her jewelry and we're so excited to have her here at Fragments. I hope you enjoyed this designer spotlight; stay tuned for many more and have a fabulous day.

xoxo,

Janet

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: ANTON HEUNIS

Hello everyone and Happy Thursday!

I am so excited to have had the opportunity to sit down with one of Fragments' most fabulous fashion jewelry designers, Anton Heunis. The amazing Anton, born in South Africa, is now settled in Madrid where his talent combined with extraordinary craftsmanship produces some of the boldest, most fun jewelry around. His use of color is stunning, his shapes and proportions are exciting and his designs are constantly evolving. He never ceases to amaze us. And not only does he create beautiful jewelry, he is also a very warm, wonderful and fun person. I had a chance to ask him my favorite 20 questions, and boy did he have fun with them. We absolutely love his answers and hope they give you a bit of insight into our beloved Anton Heunis:

1. What is your greatest indulgence? Fudge and Fois gras(although not together)
2. Tell me your biggest fear.
the return of the austere minimalism of the 1990's- I know it was all about a reaction of the OTT 80's but it was just so boring...!
3. Your favorite red carpet moment of all time?
I am split between two... Liz Hurly wearing the safety-pin Versace dress to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994- if a red carpet ever had a lasting impact- then it was then ...and of course Audrey Hepburn with that White, belted flower patterned Givenchy dress she wore when she received the Oscar for Best actress in 1954 for roman Holiday- I loooove Audrey
4. Your most treasured piece of jewelry, and why?
My great grandfather had been separated from my great grandmother when he'd been a prisoner of war on an island off the coast of Africa. During this time he carved two little brooches with a pen knife, one in bone & one in ivory. These have been my most treasured possessions ever since I discovered them in my mother's jewelry box
5. White gold, yellow gold or mix it all up?
Depends on the piece and my mood
6. Who is your favorite fictional character?
I do like Barbarella...
7. Your greatest love is…
my beloved partner and husband of course
8. Who is your hero?
superficial me: Audrey Hepburn
intellectual me :Nelson Mandela
9. Who is your favorite jewelry designer? (other than Anton Heunis)
Costume: Elsa Schiaparelli
Fine...difficult, but think I would have to go for Cartier- but the Cartier that designed for the maharajas, not the one that makes mass produced eternity rings...
10. Who do you most admire, alive or deceased?
Alive: Nelson Mandela
Deceased: Mozart
11. Your favorite movie?
Les Parapluies de Cherbourg( The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) by Jacques Demy- staring a very young Catherine Deneuve
12. Newspapers & magazines: print or online?
Definitely print for leisure reading. online for communication & instant information.
13. Your favorite ice cream flavor?
I recently bought this high tech ice-cream machine so my favorites are changing daily depending my creativity
Peanut butter & banana... marshmallow vanilla &dulce de leche... but I have started making savory ones- tomato sorbet or parmesan cream- they are amazing as a starter for a summer meal!
14. Facebook or Twitter?
FB every time.
15. Style icon?
...it has to be Audrey Hepburn
16. If you could design a piece of jewelry right now, based on your current mood and surroundings, what would it be?
Spain has just beaten Germany in the semifinals in the world cup- so it would probably end up looking like a Swarovski encrusted vuvuzuela in red and yellow....
17. Black or white?
Black or White or black... or white...grey?? depends on my mood.
18. The best part of New York City is
I love New York, the energy, the shopping ,the amazing restaurants... I don't have a best part-I have many... to shop for gifts, I would say Henri Bendel, to shop for myself...Barneys and to eat Thomas Keller's Per Se
19. Tell me your greatest asset and your biggest flaw.
Asset= chaotic perfectionist
Flaw= chaotic perfectionist
20. If you could have any piece from Fragments, what would it be?
I have so much jewellery that I would have to choose a dinner date with all the lovely girls at fragments (Rob is also invited )

You can catch a glimpse of Anton's jewelry here on Fragments.com, and learn more about the designer and his collections on his official site. Please feel free to call us if you are interested or have any questions! We hope you love Anton as much as we do!

xo,
Janet