Who Needs Candy?

Though I’m not so fond of spider webs, ghosts or scary movies (they give me nightmares), I’ve always loved Halloween.  The chill in the air, crisp falling leaves and anything made with apples or pumpkins is reason to celebrate.

And since my birthday is the day after, it’s even more reason to celebrate for an entire weekend with friends and family.  Whether it be trick or treating when I was younger or throwing costume/birthday parties (to which a lot of my friends object but have run out of excuses to not dress up), it is just another chance to coordinate a fabulous ensemble and pile on the jewelry!

Here at Ben-Amun we got to thinking about costumes where jewelry is the focus.  And not surprisingly there are plenty!  Here are some of our much loved celeb-inspired costume ideas...

Cleopatra

 

Blake Lively looked stunning as Cleopatra a few years ago.  This is one our favorites since Egypt is Isaac’s homeland and he does this style oh so well! Two regal gold cuffs on each wrist, some chandelier earrings and a gem-stone necklace can be added to a simple flowing dress and gladiator sandals and you’re ready to go.

 

 

A Princess

 

Anne Hathaway dazzled us after her transformation in The Princess Diaries.  Grab your sister’s prom or pageant gown (as the youngest of four girls, I’ve always had plenty to choose from) and pile on the crystals to be a princess for the night.  Just be sure to be home before your fairy godmother turns your carriage back into a pumpkin!

 

 A Hippie/ Band-Aid

Kate Hudson’s effortless look in Almost Famous made us want to hop on that tour bus.  The hippie style she often repeats in her everyday look suits her laidback attitude perfectly and is easy to re-create.  Scour your closet for your best flare jeans (we love these from Rich and Skinny), the vintage store for a long jacket with faux fur detail, and accessories like these flower child inspired pieces.

 

 Rockstar

Fergie is the definition of cool on and off the stage.  Faded gray skinny jeans, booties, and a ripped tee are a good start, but her edgy accessories are what really make the statement.  Our new Rock n’ Roll collection and any pieces from our Star and Spike collection are a simple way to get this look.

 

All jewelry pictured, Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz. Available for order at (212) 944-6480.

As you can see, none of these would be possible without the added jewels.  We hope we’ve inspired you to find the perfect finishing touches to your Halloween look.  Happy Shopping!

P.S. Check out these cute Pumpkins from Fashionista! Next year we'll have to do a Ben-Amun version!

All That Sparkles Round Two!

Yesterday afternoon, we were invited to preview the Swarovski Crystallized Spring/Summer 2011 Collections. We are honored that Isaac, Ben-Amun's designer, is continuing to collaborate with Swarovski Crystallized. This is our second consecutive collection as part of Swarovski's Designer Collections.

 

Ben-Amun on display at Swarovski

The Crystallized Wheels Collection is an amazing line that was inspired by Issac's Breguet watch. He took the industrial and masculine influence from the innerworkings of the watch. Then he used the Swarovski Element to contrast the metals and feminize them. The end result is a beautiful collection of pieces exclusive to the Swarovski Crystallized Concept Stores.

  

The Wheel Collection close up!

After checking out the full round-up of designer collections, Issac did an interview for the Swarovski team about his collaboration with the brand. As usual, the whole team was more than a delight to be around. A special thanks to Jason and Lainee, who could not be more fantastic if they tried (seriously, not possible)! 

 

Isaac being interviewed!

P.S. Since we've already discussed my obsession with sparkles... and it was Swarovski.... don't think any sparkle went unnoticed! Check out a few of the photos from my store raid to find all things that sparkle, that would not ordinarily sparkle. 

 

This was on the floor... yes, the floor. Sand and Swarovski Elements. Can I visit this beach, please?

 

Ok, so a chandelier is made to sparkle, but the last time we popped in, I was told how much this Chandelier costs (this is only the bottom half). I can't remember the exact number...but let's just say Donald Trump might wince.

 

This case of Swarovski Elements hangs on the ceiling! This light... again.. on the floor! Can I please redecorate my apartment with these lights? They're amazing.

P.P.S. Cafe Kristall is opening soon in the Swarovski Crystallized Concept Store! Stop by soon to have a bite before or after you induldge yourself in all that sparkles!

G' day, mate!

Trilby Phoenix is a really cool store that hails to us from Sydney, Australia. They also have a great online shop for those of us who don't get to drop down-under all that often! I spent a large portion of the afternoon scouring their 'celebrity' section to see who's been wearing what.

I forgot to mention the super fun blog they run to compliment the website. They chat about trends, designers they love, and celebs. I'm addicted. We love them everyday, especially today.... because they love us back!

 

A Trilby Phoenix Favorite!

The team from Trilby Phoenix dedicated an entire post to Ben-Amun, calling Isaac the 'Designer of the Moment'! They featured their favorite Ben-Amun pieces and posted a bunch of recent celeb shots. It's fantastic. 

 

Diane Kruger and Halle Berry in Ben-Amun

  
Designer of the moment: Ben Amun by Isaac Manevitz 

'If we had to sum up the Ben Amun look in one word, we'd say "why only one word? That makes no sense, there's plenty of space here." But then, we'd say "diverse," because the Ben Amun design sense is as unique as the label's varied celebrity fans.

Trilby simply adores New York-based Ben Amun designer Isaac Manevitz's diversified range, which features a constantly-evolving array of stunning pieces that respond to changes in fashion trends and consumer needs more effectively than any other label we know.'

Check out the rest here!

Cynthia Steffe is Awesome.

Of course, I am saying this from my completely unbiased opinion. It's not like I work for a company that has collaborated in any way, shape or form with Cynthia Steffe.... especially not on runway shows.......Ok, ok.

Cat's out of the bag! Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz has spent the past few years providing the jewelry for various Cynthia Steffe runway shows. A pin here, a bangle there. It's been a fantastic collaboration for both teams.

 

Fall '10

In all seriousness, Cynthia Steffe is awesome. If you aren't yet aware of how fantastic Shaun Kearney's design aesthetic is, or how wearable his pieces are, then you need to find out. I recommend heading to CynthiaSteffe's website and then checking out his past seasons' shows (Kearney has been designing since SS '09). His talent and flair are undeniable.

 

Cynthia Steffe Fall '09 and Fall '10 looks

For SS '11 Ben-Amun provided some great bangles for Cynthia Steffe's show. The collaboration of the pieces came together so seamlessly that our bangles were requested back for the the SS '11 lookbook shoot!

 

SS '11

We were already excited enough to see how fantastic everything looked on the runway, but now this, too? We are flattered and excited to be included. Here's a sneak peak behind the scenes for the Cynthia Steffe SS '11 Lookbook shoot!

  

P.S. Don't forget to check out our In the News tab and the Celeb tab up top. We've been updating like crazy!

Peanuts, Crackerjack and Necklaces

Even in a sport as superstitious as baseball, you wouldn’t think that the whole game could come down to, yup – you guessed it – JEWELRY!  For the past few years you might have seen your favorite players sporting a hemp-type necklace made out of titanium (created by a company called Phiten).  I always expected these at Dave Matthews Band concerts in the 90s, but on full grown men in pinstripes?  It’s very surprising.

 

We’re used to hearing about players wearing lucky socks they haven't washed since the season opener, or not cutting their hair until season's end, but these necklaces are said to promote stable energy flow throughout the body, lessen fatigue, shorten recovery time and relax muscles. Imagine if lucky socks could do all that?!  Since the Phiten necklaces have never been FDA approved, then it quite possibly is just a placebo effect – which is really just as good as socks.

This got us thinking about our own “lucky” pieces of jewelry.  Our intern, Jasmine, has a small pendant she received from her grandmother right before her passing that is special to her.  Emily has a necklace she bought right before her first date with her now boyfriend, and the pearl earrings from my parents for my college graduation or any piece of jewelry that belonged to my Nana makes me think of happy times. 

Most often, “lucky” jewelry makes us think back and remember the times that were.  Since Ben-Amun has been around for over thirty years now, here are some shots from the early 80s that Isaac still holds dear...

 

 Just last week a Ben-Amun customer brought in one of the bracelets in this ad to be replated... it must have special meaning to her after all these years! 

 

 Did we mention how much we love gold?

 

Very Jackie O, one of Isaac’s first celebrity fans.

 

This ad still hangs in our office hallway!

 

 

One of Ben-Amun’s Vogue covers from the 80s – lucky us!

 

I’m pretty sure none of these will make us run any faster, pitch a no-hitter or slide in to home plate just in the nick of time, but as we’ve mentioned before, if it helps put us in the mindset that we can do anything, then that’s really all that matters.  And even though I am now a New Yorker I still have to say – go Phillies!  They’ll always be my lucky team!

ghetto, gaudy or glamourous?

This morning, Lexi, a favorite assistant stylist of ours, stopped in. While pulling some Ben-Amun pieces for an upcoming shoot, we stumbled upon our mutual love for all things gold.

We like it in touches, and we like it in heaps. Give us a simple stud or a massive, studded cuff. If it's gold, we want it. Lexi was even gold for Halloween last year, and she loves it so much her nickname is based around the shiny metal. Crazy? I think not.

 

Jewelry, Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz.

Anybody remember Carrie Bradshaw? She called it 'ghetto gold', and she loved it, too.

Beyonce? Most people don't picture this diva and think silver. I certainly don't.

 

Even Taylor's jumped on board!

 

I'm declaring it- Gold Fever! I have it. Lexi has it. Everyone here at Ben-Amun is obsessed with it, and for a good reason, too. Nobody does a chunky gold chain better than Ben-Amun. In honor of our metallic ways, here are some of our finest gold pieces. 

 

All Jewelry, Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz.

Available by phone at (212) 944-6480.