Designers & Collections
Gaze at the jewels of a Diva and behold a piece of art - provocative, dynamic, domineering, poised and arresting - you are in the presence of "aakofii" aakofii's audacious fabrications are adorned with exotic wood, African Amber, leather, fine silver, sterling silver, coral, pearls, gold, citrine, turquoise, coral, jade, jasper, agates and other organic gemstones. While studying electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, aakofii discovered her passion for beautifying the world with beaded creations.After enrolling in a metalsmithing class, she fell in love with tranquil art of metalsmithing. Inspired by family, friends and loving spirits, "aakofii THE JEWELRY DESIGNER" was born. More information visit: www.aakofii.com
Shondra Leigh is a life-long fashion addict with a DIY attitude. Learning to sew at the age of 7, crocheting by 9 and winning a blue ribbon for her rock collection at 11, Leigh appeased her disease by creating her own jewelry line. Knowledge passed down from family, gained through various art classes, and discovered by scavenging thrift stores and gem shops generated her priorities of quality construction, finer materials, and creative design. Her jewelry collection has hints of other genres: crochet, applique, plaiting and painting. New collections include silver chain“web necklaces” and copper splash pendants. For more information visit: www.shondraleigh.com
The JeaniQue collection includes hand molded, hand painted acrylic bracelets. Inspired by designer Jean Houndsome’s love for decorative painting and unusual costume pieces, each bracelet is molded, sculptured and painted by hand. Each piece is also signed by the artist. For more information visit: www.jeanique.biz
Sexy and scalloped, Ruby Regis knits are not your grandmother's cardigans, though they might have been in a previous life. All "Cardies" are vintage knits that are re-cut and handmade into superfeminine looks that create an hour-glass shape - finished with vintage brooches. For more information visit: www.rubyregis.com
Nastro Bello Jewelry was born in 2006, to quench a sisterly obsession of wearing timeless & striking ensembles of jewelry. Together, sister-duo designs & handcrafts organza lariat strands, using custom-woven sheer ribbon. Nastro Bello" translates into "Beautiful Ribbon" in Italian. Sold in chic boutiques & retailers throughout the United States, Nastro Bello Jewelry is the only organza-based jewelry company with a design patent & copyright. For more information visit: www.nastrobello.com
JacQueline Sanchez Jewelry Design handcrafts playful, elegant wearable modern art using artisanal methods. Each piece of jewelry from the JacQueline Sanchez studio is created with a passion for design and the highest standards in craftsmanship and durability. JacQueline is the recipient of an achievement award from the American Craft Council and her signature “Forever Young” collection continues to win numerous awards and accolades. For more information visit: www.jacquelinesanchez.com
Aleksa Jewelry Designer Dahli Patel is known for her unique designs that combine bold, beautiful gemstones together with the dynamic sheen of solid sterling silver. Her original jewelry projects a subtle confidence and self-reliance from the wearer. Her unique designs bring together the mysticism of the East with the practicality of the west. Like being transported to a far away place her bold designs transcend the wearer beyond time. Influenced by her travels, her signature pieces depict a spiritual style that blends easily with estate, contemporary and traditional jewelry. For more information visit: www.aleksadesigns.com
French and Italian women stopped traffic long before anyone owned a WonderBra. And you can tell Kendra Bauser spent time as a designer in Paris and Milan. Her designs are quietly sultry, in that fatal-attraction sort of way. The purring started with T-shirts provocative enough for the leading woman in a Fellini movie. Example: white cotton, wrap-around, V-neck, with three-quarter length sleeves, and a bit of sheer black lace in all the right places. They've been spotted on celebrities who have a sexy whisper written all over them, including Liv Tyler. She shapes unapologetic V-necks a little deeper and wider to show a hint of curve, and let the imagination do the rest. Not only are the silhouettes extra-kind, they're extremely comfortable. For more information visit: www.collectivebykendra.com
KikaPaprika is an eco-friendly direct selling company offering women's clothing made from organic and recycled materials. The clothing is designed by women - made to flatter many body shapes & sizes, trendy styles and amazingly comfortable to wear. KikaPaprika started, not as an idea for a clothing company, but as an idea to create a business opportunity to reach the most women possible so they could use their gifts and talents to experience financial and personal success. For more information visit: www.kikapaprika.com
Capturing the true essence of the casual elegance of the south, designer Michelle Feis unveils the Michelle Feis Collection, a whimsical and thoughtful line of eco-friendly tees. Designed for the everyday woman, the light-weight, graphic tees are designed to evolve with the demands of the day and are perfectly paired with jeans or easily dressed up with jewelry and a blazer for a night on the town. Printed on organic cotton tees, each shirt in the Michelle Feis Collection is designed with a hand drawn graphic, original line of poetry, and an undeniable respect for our planet. The debut, fall collection features the colorful Nature Lover, flirty Earth Day and rustic Wild Horses designs. For more information and to view the entire collection, visit: www.michellefeiscollection.com
Ann Roth Shoes is a luxury line of espadrilles, platform heels, and stilettos by Atlanta designer Ann Roth. Influenced by the romance of a bygone era, Roth produces the collection in Spain, using exquisite fabrics and leathers in interesting patterns and colors. Seasonal collections can be found in boutiques across the US and Europe. Not to be missed are her fabulous shoe parties and custom designs. For more information visit: www.annrothshoes.com
The distinctive Uccé label is derived from a name originating in Africa. Uche means "thoughtful" in the Igbo dialect, and fittingly, thoughtfulness is the driving force behind this premier collection of elegantly tailored women's designer ready to wear. Founded under the creative direction of Uche Ude in 2009, Uccé is the culmination of a lifelong passion for form, fit and design. Fashioned for every woman who appreciates attention to detail, Uccé offers a blend of classic sophistication with an eye to the future. Uccé's premier designer collection achieves classic elegance in contemporary women's fashion through exceptional attention to detail. From the tailored facet of each design, with unexpected lines, pockets and kick pleats, to the custom-made fabrics, buttons, rivets and zippers, the Uccé line was created for the sophisticated stylish woman. The fit is perfection; the look classically sleek. For more information visit: www.ucce.com
Retro is chic and old is new when it comes to the eclectic jewelry designs of Terri Gasway. Terri began designing jewelry in 2006 after being inspired by an inherited collection of vintage jewelry. Some of the pieces were wearable and others were broken but too beautiful to be cast aside. Through the reworking of these vintage pieces and other found objects, Terri combines the classic of vintage with an edginess that is current to evoke a unique, identifiable look that compliments the trends of today. The contrast of natural stone, warm wood and crystal layered against the boldness of vintage metal chains and leather gives her collection a current yet retro vibe. For more information visit: www.anginjewelry.com
Mickey Lynn creates modern timeless jewelry that ranges from dazzling gems to original embossed pendants. Her new "Eco Chic" line inspires you to create your own custom charm jewelry. Zodiacs and other iconic charms are available to create your own unique look. Each charm, representing moments in your life, make a personal statement while bringing style and sustainability within easy reach. All of the pendants are made from recycled sterling silver or gold and are produced in the United States using only socially and environmentally responsible methods of production. For more information, please visit: www.mickeylynn.com
The Lancaster West collection, founded by designer Jennifer West, is created by hand and intended to make you smile, think and feel fabulous as you walk through life. Each design is uniquely created and hand screened on tees and patches. The skirts are handmade from repurposed denim and camo. The tees are made of either 100% organic cotton, 70% bamboo/30% cotton or 100% cotton. May you find the same joy in wearing and using the products that we do making them! For more information visit: www.lancasterwest.com
What happens when friends of the same last name decide to merge their creative engergies? You get brooksBANG! BrooksBANG is the cosmic creation of long-time friends Brad Brooks and Christy Brooks. Combining a variety of post consumer goods and eco-friendly materials, the brooksBANG line brings style to sustainability. Creating a universe of chic and playful fashions for an emerging eco-sensible lifestyle, the first BANG comes in a burst of colorful, mod, sexy, one-of-a-kind, vintage styled bags and totes remixed from jackets, blouses, pants, jeans, curtains, placemats, tablecloths and belts. brooksBANG hopes to encourage the world to Re-use, Re-purpose, Re-source, Re-vamp, Re-style, Renew, Recycle, Restructure and most of all ReTHINK about the way we live. For more information visit: www.brooksbang.com
Jason Carl Designs is a modern label with style and sophistication rooted in versatility. Jason Carl has been designing for as long as he can remember. As a small child he would sketch clothes on placemats in restaurants, which his mother began collecting after recognizing his fascination with drawing, as well as his skill. Young Carl also spent hours dressing his younger sister in his father's shirts and ties. "I would send her off to school looking like my own personal version of Annie Hall," he explains, "She was my first muse." In 2009, Carl introduced a new line of silk scarves and his "JAKI by Jason Carl" collection of Kimono wraps - a celebrity favorite. Jason Carl designs are intended for variety of destinations.where you take them is up to you. More information visit: www.jasoncarl.net
Elleira Couture, LLC is the brainchild of Charlotte, NC native, Arielle Parker Bergmann. She began her love for fashion at the mere age of eight years old with the hopes and aspirations of becoming a fashion designer. She expanded her knowledge of fashion and fueled her passion to create with all things around her. Arielle learned more and more everyday by studying the work of the icons and forerunners of the fashion industry. She continued her education by studying fashion design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. All of her clothing is produced in the United States on a small scale making her garments unique and one of a kind. Detail is never overlooked because each piece is created with individual attention given to every element of the garment. She designs everything from casual t-shirts to funky cocktail dresses, making her versatility perfect for all women. For more information visit: www.elleiracouture.com
Drea James is the finishing touch; the details that complete an outfit and kick it up a notch. All pieces are one of a kind or limited edition wire wrapped designs. Beads and findings are bought in small quantities so the pieces are as unique as the person who wears them. Four lines: the main line Belle Saveurs, the vintage line Drea, for little girls, Alexis, and Aurora, the bridal line. www.dreajames.com
With Mary Porter Couture, women can have haute couture "Southern Style." From initial sketch, to muslin fitting to hours of meticulous hand sewing, each haute couture design is created in her atelier in Charleston, SC the old fashioned way. And for her "pret-a-porter", it's still very couture with a limited quantity of any one design. With her incredible eye for designing for women for any occasion from Bridal to Black Tie; Mary Porter expertly creates classic and timeless looks that highlight women's most elegant features. For more information visit: www.maryportercouture.com
Alejandra's new collection features creative designs, radiant colors, and exceptional craftsmanship made from the finest natural fibers in the world. Pillows, rugs, and throws are available in bright and neutral tones adorning both modern and traditional spaces.
www.alejandradunphy.com
The "slow fashion" philosophy of Zoica Matei is reflected through the conscious choices of everyday, while creating timeless pieces through sustainable luxury, simplicity of form, and focus on detail. Zoica Matei's eco chic collection is about clothes that defy trends and seasonal fashion statements.
www.zoicamatei.com
Smart Glass Jewelry is handmade in Atlanta, Georgia from glass, sterling silver, and silver solder using traditional stained glass methods. Each piece is individually selected, with variations in shape and texture in the glass, ensuring that every piece in the Smart Glass line is truly unique and one-of-a-kind original.
www.smartglass.com
Using semi-precious beads and Austrian crystals encased in bimetal wires and chains, Mark Edge's one-of-a-kind jewelry creations owe their success to their deceptive simplicity. Always staying atop trends, Mark blends contemporary and modern styles to give his jewelry a trendy, yet timeless, feeling.
www.markedge.com
Handcrafted by artist Jamie Cassavoy de Gonzalez, Cassavoy and Company's 18K Sterling Silver collection features rings, pendants, earrings, necklaces, and cuffs inspired by nature and crafted with the functionality and elegance of the Art Deco movement.
www.cassavoyandco.com
Made from vintage and antique tapestries, hand-woven by tribal women in Afghanistan, Kimberly Jackson's "Kay Jay Collection" includes unique clutches that are lined in silk and adorned with hand-hammered jewelry closures. During her extensive travels throughout Asia, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, Kimberly was fascinated by the beauty of the countries and the legacy of the locals' handcrafted traditions. Hand-hammered jewelry, jade or asian coins are used as adornments and are selected to complement the beautiful designs of the tapestries. www.kayjaycollection.com
Sally-Bruce Larsen is a self-confessed life-long "product girl". Having always been drawn to the newest fragrances, colors, and textures of every new lotion, soap, and cosmetic she came across, her curiosity and passion finally got the better of her a few years ago. She decided to make these luscious products herself, and a boutique business was born. Sally B's is dedicated to simple applications, high quality organic and natural ingredients, and luxurious results. All products are still handmade and hand packaged, ensuring that each batch of Skin Yummies is perfect for you. Organic Skincare may be the next health revolution!
www.sallybskinyummies.com