Vancouver
February 28th, 2012
For the Love of Jewels
Christmas passed… Valentine’s Day is but a memory… and we still don’t own a piece of Liz Taylor’s estate. We are now sure our partner didn’t bid on any of the jewels. Sob.
But owning a Taylor-esque piece is not completely impossible. Alan Anderson, a Canadian costume jeweler whose amethyst cuff was amongst the many pieces that sold well beyond the estimated price at the late actress’ jewellery auction, will be holding a special sale of his spring summer collection at Holt Renfrew this week. Expect rare vintage pastel coloured crystals set in 14 carat rose gold, and sautoirs of tanzenite and amethyst.
Now all we need to do is find ourselves a Richard Burton and send him down to Holts on Saturday. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg
See Alan Anderson’s spring summer 2012 collection at Holt Renfrew on March 2nd and 3rd. Holt Renfrew, 777 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver, 604-681-3121, www.jewelsbyalananderson.com
February 6th, 2012
You Deserve a Medal
When our jewelry comes packaged with a certificate that says “Wear this small yet powerful Love Medal to maintain an incorruptible kinship of spirit and truth,” we follow orders, sir!
You can expect a certificate with every piece from Love Medals, a jewelry collection by Emily Carr graduate Talia Tanaka. Featuring military-style pins, necklaces, and bracelets cast in bronze, gold, or silver, with luxurious ribbon trim and the option to add Canadian diamonds, her statement jewelry is allowing us to decorate ourselves.
So after the Valentine’s Day battle to secure a date and good reservations, give yourself a medal for bravery, honour and strength. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg
Beloved Medal, $183, from Love Medals, www.lovemedals.com
November 10th, 2011
Do the Twist
The wise poet Robert Browning once wrote "less is more," and many designers, like legendary architect Mies van der Rohe, have followed that mantra.
But simplicity itself is one of the hardest things to achieve style-wise: it has to appear effortless. Leave it to two architects, who go by their initials HK+NP, to design a perfect bangle. And by “perfect,” we mean it has a minimal yet sculptural shape, glistening in sterling silver. Its elegant design mimicks the image of a water ripple, and also follows the ingenious Möbius strip. Available in mirror ($300), hairline ($300) or matte ($330) finishes, the Twist Bangle is the kind of bauble both Robert and Mies would approve of. —Anya Georgijevic
At Walrus, 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, www.walrushome.com
August 19th, 2011
The vikings are coming
Put away your girlie trinkets, warrior chic is all the rage these days.
Well, at least according to Meagan Howard, designer behind Sleep Standing Up. This Vancouver-based jewellery line borrows from Viking culture with a collection inspired by their weaponry. Handcrafted in oxidized sterling silver, these sharp geometric objects of dangerous beauty have us thinking medieval thoughts. With the armor-like Holy Cross Ring ($170), the long and regal Saxon Breastplate necklace ($240), and the ritualistic Amulet pendant ($190), we are all set to embrace our inner urban warriors. —Anya Georgijevic
At Obakki , 44 Water St, Vancouver, 604-669-9727, www.obakki.com
August 9th, 2011
The girl with the pearl rings
I wear two simple, raw-pearl rings: one white, one a sun-bleached black. Everyone asks who made them, and I always say I can't remember. But I've had a twinge of heart, guys, and I'm ready to 'fess.
The perfectly imperfect pearls, balanced on a slender sterling-silver ring, are by Vancouver jewellery line Mindan's. She makes them in ivory, pink, grey and black; separately, they're a minimalist statement, and two together are magic. Surrounded by faddish, faux-punk jewellery, they look unfussy and—dare I say—unique.
These aren't your grandma's pearls. —Sarah Nicole Prickett
At Twig & Hottie, 3671 Main St., Vancouver, 604-879-8595, www.twigandhottie.com
March 1st, 2011
If It's Broken, Don't Fix It
Hip Vancouver-based jewellery brand Broken English makes delicate and detailed pendants featuring some our favourite animal friends.
Didn’t you know that fox stoles are all the rage these days? Well, at least animal-friendly ones are, in the form of stylish little necklaces. A fox stole and paw come in antiqued bronze and its head is presented in oxidized silver. For dog lovers, a regal hound. All are attached to a 30” chain.No need to go hunting. —AG
From $75 at Walrus, 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, www.walrushome.com and The Block, 350 West Cordova St., Vancouver, 604-685-8885, www.theblock.ca
February 11th, 2011
Be Your Own Sweetheart
Remember when Valentine's Day meant chocolates and cute cards, not baking 30 sugar cookies for a kindergarten class and ransacking your unmentionables for a pair of underwear without an elastic waist?
Bring back that loving feeling with the Colorblock Hearts Dome Ring by Marc Jacob ($90.90). Slip this playful dome ring on your finger when you want to show the world you've got plenty of heart—and fabulous taste.At shopbop.com
And about those sugar cookies... check out our Editors' Diary for an icing recipe from CTV anchor and uber-mom Tamara Taggart. See more here.
February 7th, 2011
Valentine’s Day Gifts to Get or Give Yourself
Whether you’re satisfyingly single or contentedly coupled-up this Valentine’s Day, these gifts go either way. Herewith, five special things from steal to splurge that don’t wilt like roses:
Fanny Brawne needn’t be the only one to feel John Keats’ heat. With Love Lettersfrom the Everyman’s Library, we can too. Within is a post office’s worth of mad-about-you mail penned by other well-known wordsmiths. $12.40 at Amazon.ca
Smell and memory are inextricably linked, so make a sweet and spicy impression with an all-natural signature perfume by Vancouver perfumer Ayala Moriel. Have yours in a mini bottle, beautiful French flacon or pretty pendant. $48-$150 at www.ayalamoriel.com
In Victorian times, keys were signifiers of guardianship, knowledge and liberation, and what do you know, that’s the key to our heart. Pyrrha boasts a variety cast in reclaimed silver from real vintage keys (and even a medieval one). $128-$275 at www.pyrrha.com/shop
Whether you’re hot or just bothered, a duotone alpaca throw from 18 Karat, dark grey on one side, red on the other, amends to your mood and keeps you cuddled and bundled. $375 at 18 Karat, 3039 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-742-1880, www.eighteenkarat.com
A dip-dyed Agent Provocateur floor-length silk Barbetta kimono that morphs from black to crimson, with shades of aubergine in the middle, makes lounging around luxurious. You’ll feel loved up even when home alone watching The Bachelor. $2,195 (in store Tuesday), Agent Provocateur, 1020 Alberni St., Vancouver, 604-688-2712, www.agentprovocateur.com December 20th, 2010
Strapped For Time? We've got you Covered
5…4…3…2… wait a second, you stopped keeping time when you turned 29 for the second time. Well, have we got the bracelet for you.
Combining vintage watchbands with antique brooches, earrings and pendants instead of clock faces, the very new Eva bracelet collection from Vancouver’s Rocaille is the perfect embellishment for New Year’s Eve. The work of Amanda He, a former Torontonian investment banker who, like Rachel Zoe, has been collecting vintage jewellery for years, Rocaille transforms classic bling into new things.
Auld acquaintance shan’t be forgot, merely revamped.$120 at www.rocaille-design.com
November 18th, 2010
Put a Ring On It
From the peace sign to hang loose, we’re very fond of two finger salutes. Now we’ve gone and made it official by putting a ring on ‘em.
To give double finger rings a trial run, consider Aldo’s subtlety punk Pouge twosome (a steal at under $15). Take your love of the trend up a notch with the clean lines of Homeroom’s two finger ring ($96), or spend a little more for the standout Black Spot two finger with filigree flourishes from Digby & Iona ($220-$240).It takes two, baby.



