DOPE NYC Jewelry is Really Something Special

The word "dope" is such a versatile and colorful one.  In the good ole days, it just used to mean someone who was a little slow, or  "stupid."  It is now also a term for drugs (I don't have to go into that...you all know what "dope" is). and now, "dope" is synonymous with excellent or cool  (as in  "Yo, that ring is dope, girl!"


Which brings me to the real reason for this post.  Dope NYC Jewelry. This unusual collection are created with the finest 925 silver from Mexico by partners and Codesigners, Michael Wenzler and Francine Civello. Michael is a designer by trade, and you can see the influence of Francine in the large "word" necklaces for she's an actress, poet and "purveyor of the spoken word."

One Race Human Large Size

Go Green Necklace Medium Size

I have to admit, when my friend told me about this unique jewelry with bold, hip-hop-ish, and edgy pieces  line, I wondered what I'd be getting into if I agreed to wear it and review it.   For example there is an eye-catching collection of socially-conscious pieces, separately entitled, "ONE RACE HUMAN", "GO GREEN", and the universal "ONE" symbol.  These come in small, medium and large sizes, with substantial chains and pendants created of the words: "go green;" "one race human;" and "one." 

The large One Race Human piece above, for example, has letters that are  2" tall and 1/8" thick. The impressive drop is 24" and the piece weighs a whopping 392 grams. There is so much silver in this piece that you could probably melt it into a service of flatware for six, seriously.  And the price is no small piece of change, either at : $1,700.00 (US). Of course, if you're not a rock star or Hip Hop Mogul, or a really large person, you'll probably opt for either the medium size (letters measure 1" tall and 1/8" thick. The drop is 18" and the piece weighs a hefty 94 grams) for $398.00  or the one I tried, small (letters measure  3/4" tall and 1/8" thick with a 14" drop and this piece still weighs a hefty 75.3 grams of silver, The small size is still very substantial, and costs a more affordable, $270.00 (US). There are also earrings (they say just "HUMAN"), a bold knuckle ring and some bracelets and chokers with the same sentiment emblazoned on them.

Another collection that's more "girly" is the BOW collection. The collection immediately brought back memories of a pin my mother or grandmother wore, which must have been from the 1920's or 30's.  The thing about these pieces is that while a bow is a girly icon, these are made completely "bad ass" by being HUGE and shiny and not at all for the shy.  The pieces are also made of heavy silver.  The collection features two types of earrings: post earrings and dangling earrings (4.2 grams of silver at $80.00)/pair) ;  a large bow brooch (5" long by 2 3/8" tall, 50.6 grams of  Mexican 925 Silver at  $265.00) ; and my favorite piece --the bow ring that fits over three fingers but with one, easy to wear, shank.  It seems to cause a minor sensation every time I wear it out in public.  It weighs in at 3" wide by 1 5/8" tall and 37 grams of silver. It's well worth the $185.00 for the wow! factor.

There are other pieces, including some really exciting-looking two-finger "engagement" rings with CZs, crown earrings (that I'm eyeing, for sure) and everything from NYC dog tags and manhole covers, to a carousel belt that will run you a cool, $2,125.00 (US)  (but it has 606 grams of fine Mexican silver in it).  When you're buying jewelry like this, it's not just impressive, but a collector's item.  Dope NYC will only produce a a limited number of each piece.  In addition, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to charities that are involved in helping people worldwide.

In modern slang terms, the word "DOPE" definitely fits these pieces.  Having just one of these amazing jewelry pieces in your arsenal of accessories could really be an attitude adjuster. It isn''t just how they make you look, but also how they make you feel.  I don the ring and a DOPE NYC necklace, and somehow, the weight and the cool-factor in these pieces really do make me instantly feel a little edgier and hip.  They are jst such fun to wear, even though  they're not what I would usually select for my more subdued, personal style.  But now that I've worn them and gotten such positive reactions, however, I am really beginning to enjoy wearing them more than ever!  Whether you're male or female, young or old(ish), these pieces will add something "DOPE" to your look!

You can see and order all the DOPE NYC jewelry pieces on their web site


Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Pretty, Trendy Jewelry You Can Really Afford!

You may not recognize the name, Holsted Jewellers, but it's likely that you have admired some of their jewelry items on a chic woman or perhaps, in a popular catalogue. Holsted Jewelers has created classic and trendy jewelry for other companies for more than 30 years, but now, they're also offering high quality fashion and fine jewelry to the general public through their own web site and a print catalogue.

I got a chance to check out some of their designs, up close and personal, such as this perfect for Springtime Fashion Watch for just $40.00.
This "gift-able" watch (I'm thinking for mother's day or a graduation gift) is impressive, especially for the price. The leather "croc" band is substantial, with two keepers to keep it closed at your wrist. The watch case is heavy stainless steel. And the silvery face is really elegant, with 22 beautiful sparkling cubic zirconia accents flanking the sides and another design touch: four small blue "topaz" accents anchoring the four sides of the watch face. The movement is accurate quartz, and there's a second hand for even more accuracy.

This beautiful watch looks just like the ones I've seen being touted as "must-haves" for Spring in popular fashion magazines, but unlike the costly versions you're seeing erverywhere, Holsted's version only looks expensive!

If you want to own this watch, or any of of the hundreds of other jewelry items in Holsted's catalogue, go to the user friendly web site http://www.holstedjewelers.com/ where you can check out a virtual garden of jewelry delights nicely organized by category and theme. You can also request a print catalogue to oogle at your leisure. If you see something you want right away, you can also order it directly, online. As a bonus, the company is offering a free gift and free shipping with a $75.00 order.

Whether you're seeking high fashion trends at a reasonable cost, or genuine gemstones, you'll find it through this company. Jewelry shopping has never been easier, more affordable, or more pleasurable. Holsted Jewelers is a real find!

Forget Winter, The Accessories Show & Moda Manhattan Look To Spring/Summer 2007

For the last three season, on the specific day I plan to attend the Moda Manhattan and Accessories the Show at the Javits Center in New York, disaster strikes. This season was no different (could I be jinxed?) but I was determined --before the show closed today, I was going to attend.

The organizer of the Moda Manhattan Show (and I'd guess, Accessories The Show as well) is Business Journals Inc (BJI), a business media company that produces 5 business-to-business magazines, 8 trade shows, and a number of seminars and web sites. They have always been gracious to the press, and attending the Moda Mahattan and the Accessories shows is always a very pleasant experience. Moda Manhattan offers juried, ready-to-wear fashion, while the Accessories Show is the only juried, all-accessories trade event in the entire USA. These shows attract throngs of buyers from speciality stores and boutiques, to department stores, catalogues, and even duty free shops looking to see what's available for the next season in activewear, special occasion/evening, outerwear/coats, suits/ careerwear, dresses, knitwear/sweaters, sportswear, related separates, soft separates, loungewear/sleepwear, fur/leather, and accessories from belts to bags to hats to tons and tons and tons of jewelry in all price points. If you can't spot trends here, you're not looking very hard.

It was pretty cold outside, especially after days of record-breaking warm weather, but I began to "think Spring" as I walked in and heard "Itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, yellow polkadot bikini" blaring out of speakers into the exhibit hall. Once inside and walking the aisles, I wished I was a buyer, because there is a dizzying array of "eye candy" that will soon find its way into stores and I want a lot of it -- now But these are shows for writing orders, not retail sales . Even so, my press badge gives me the opportunity to check out "what's next," and I always find at least a few unique items that I know readers of my Advice Sisters online publications, will want to know about.

For example, Spare Change Jewelry by Designers Erin Walker and Betty Bobrow create reasonably-priced, "stretchy" fashion jewelry (made in Chicago) that supposedly appeals to young girls to teens, but when I saw their CZ rings and necklaces, I realized they have a huge market for women, too. Stacked up on a post were rings made of stretchy rounds of material in various colors, the centerpiece of which was a large, cubic zirconia (and I mean, eye-poppingly large--I'm estimating a 20-carat round). They're obviously fake, and obviously meant to be fun, and they are. What I love about these (besides the fact that they retail for only around $20.00) is that the soft, really stretchy fabric that comprises the "ring" really is "one size fits all." If your fingers are tiny (mine are, and I never get big rings that fit) the "ring" part won't need to stretch much, but if you are like my friend, who has large fingers, the ring easily stretches to fit without pulling or digging into your hand. "You'll forget you have it on" said the woman I met at the booth (I think it was Erin). She was right--it's effortless fashion. Moms and daughters , best friends, even women who are gaining or losing weight can share and wear and get a bit of "bliing" for not a lot of cash. There are matching necklaces, too.

I also liked the Locked by Love bracelets from I.D. Jewelry. The simple, but eye-catching design pairs a corded bracelet with an adjustable slide on both sides for a perfect fit, with two silvery "cuffs." You fasten the bracelet by angling the cuffs and sliding each cuff into one another. There were simple silver ones, heart-shaped ones, and even CZ-studded bracelets in small, medium and large (so men can wear them, too). I thought these Locked to Love bracelets were really unique. Apparently, so do celebrities such as Teri Hatcher, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Osbourne, Sylvestor Stallone, and even Ice Cube, just to name a few.

So what else will we be seeing for Spring/Summer 2007? At Moda Mahattan, where there were more than 450 lines exhibited, Trapeze, tent, baby doll, sack dresses in beige, black, brown, navy, mauve, and a bit of soft lemon and lime predominated, with almost no brights at all. Rock "Color, I need color!" I heard a buyer, sigh. And the styles were conservative and subdues, too. Rock star vibe replaces hip hop bling, body-baring fashion is out, and unconstructed, flowing, and perhaps, a bit looser clothes seemed to be the popular offering. But the clothes we saw on the runways during Spring 2007 Olympus Fashion Week were also subdued and covered-up, so none of this was a big surprise. There seemed to be as many long dresses and short ones, and the short ones weren't mico-mini. and few were anything but conservative and definitely not splashy. My general impression was that fashion is just reflecting the mood of the country. The items we'll be seeing for sale in stores are attractive and you'll want to stock up, but I miss the "pop!" and sex appeal of season's past.

The accessories exhibits, on the other hand, were a bright spot, literally and figuratively, and may provide buyers in the stores with excitment, after all. Row upon row, table upon table were laden with embelished and studded belts and bags, large-brimmed hats, and so much jewelry from huge (the size of a fist) crosses and pendants, to diminutive chains dangling a crystal or a dainty bead. One trend I liked was the use of natural material such as mother or pearl and wood, either carved, or added to long chains. Crystals and crystal beads add shine and glitz to otherwise restrained fashions. Flip-flops and sandals with crystals, beads, feathers, and embellishments were popular as well. The red, straw satchel with leather handles and wild, floral print cotton lining from Magid (created expressly for Accessories, the Show and Moda Manhattan) and given to VIPs and press, summed up the exciting feel of the accessories nicely: Bold, functional, bright, and fun to wear.

As I left "Wipeout" was blaring through the speakers. I was exhausted, "wiped out" but glad I'd taken the time to attend, and report on the Spring/Summer '07 trends for you!

Alison