FASHION BY THE RULES: Christmas Wish (es)

Somehow with all the events of everyday life becoming more stressful, is it possible that our Christmas Wishes became more realistic? The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas used to be a time pregnant with possibilities of good times, wonderful gifts, both given and received, and just about a month that seemed a whole lot more care free than the other 11 months.

In honor of both sides of the coin, let’s have a look at what those wishes might be.

One might simply wish for a white Christmas (“just like the ones we used to know”), or a “cottage” by the sea in Newport, a yacht like Paul Allen’s, a diamond watch, an Hermes Kelly bag in Croco, a made to order couture gown or suit, a diamond and emerald necklace or maybe just oodles of money that you can spend as you please on yourself and everyone else you know and never worry if there will be more.
On the flip side, wishing for a less dysfunctional government, a news day without any political or cultural zealots (including Sarah Palin), a 3% unemployment rate, more time to spend with your family and friends without worries, a cure for Cancer and all diseases, less days felled with news of  disasters and death, and just maybe a month or so of “happy news” rather than all the bad news we get barraged with on a daily basis.

Whichever you wish for, whatever your combination, let’s just hope that this year you do get what you wish for, no matter what else might be going on around us, and just maybe your wish(es) will be granted.

And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you.

Don’t forget to look for me on Facebook and at http://www.examiner.com/aging-style-in-new-york/jeffrey-felner.

FASHION BY THE RULES: William Belack Jewelry

He believes that “there’s a beauty, in a kind of misshapen roughness, in both art and life.” So, Mr. Belack takes his thought and translates it to his métier which is fine jewelry. The end result is a hand made work of art which has been crafted in the manner of the master jewelers and metal workers of times gone by. The pieces might be wrought in gold or sterling and some with stones but always with an incomparable level of awareness for the inherent beauty of each unique creation.

Even though it seems that the jewelry is perfect, there is always an underlying quality of imperfection which echoes back to Mr. Belack’s philosophy. Take for example the winged cuff with its hand wrought hammered surface and yet its perfect depiction of a single wing or notice the semi precious stones which by nature are not perfect. An even more stunning example is used with the branch necklace and twig cuff bracelet where one has only to see it to know the perfect imperfection of nature itself.

Mr. Belack, who is based out of the Miami area, has a very limited distribution but can be found online on his website http://www.belackinc.com/ and don’t forget to keep up with me on Facebook or at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/.

FASHION BY THE RULES: What’s Old is New

There seems to be a growing trend amongst new talent that entails old world artistry.  In particular, I have noticed this growth in the accessory area. One classification which is almost totally overlooked is millinery and yet there is a burgeoning industry amongst the young designers. There was a time that ladies never left her home without the appropriate headwear but today’s milliners have fashion in mind.

So first up is Victor Osborne who started his business with Zachary Bennett in 2007. They have steadfastly worked together with one aim, to grow their nascent business into a thriving industry. The guys have set up a shop in Williamsburg which also doubles a factory and showroom for their wholesale accounts. The art of hat making is alive and well within these confines and once again we can be introduced to hats as a must have fashion accessory.

Keeping with the old world ways of manufacturing is a jeweler located in London by the name of Duncan Stevens.  Whether creating his works in sterling or in gold or as an accessory or decoration, he continually demonstrates the fine art of manufacturing jewelry. His pieces take on many themes and looks and he is constantly creating new looks for his clientele which now stretches to Dublin and Johannesburg. Duncan has grown to a point where he can now offer “one off” pieces which greatly appeal to the luxury customer.

Both designers hearken back to a  time to when craftsmanship  was an art form as well as to when these items were the must haves of  every ” proper” lady or genleman in their daily wardrobe.

Please look them up on their websites and as always look for me at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

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