Sew 70’s, So Accessories!

While some girls spend Thursday evenings getting dolled up for a hot date, choosing their Ben-Amun jewels with special care, I prefer to spend mine with Tim Gunn. Since I don’t actually know Tim Gunn, that translates to the following: eagerly anticipating the new episode of Project Runway, watching with bated breath the new episode of Project Runway, and then mentally bedecking the designer’s runway looks with the perfect Ben-Amun pieces.

While I personally think that Ben-Amun jewelry can be paired with anything, last night’s 70’s inspired episode was a particularly fun one to imagine accessorizing, as the prints were louder than life, and the 70’s was precisely the era of Ben-Amun’s conception. That said, although the designers were charged with making “sophisticated” 70’s looks, some seriously missed the mark. I can’t help but think that if they’d only started with some killer jewelry rather than sky-high platform shoes, fewer of the contestants might have gone astray. Oh well, we all make mistakes, (ahem, Anya, in the future, not losing all of your money on the way to Mood might be a better way to start a challenge!)

So, without further ado, here’s what I came up with for last night’s winning look, which just so happens to have been designed by miss dropsy-pants herself.

Anya’s winning look was a classy but cozy jumper, perfect for day-to-night transitions. What better way to luxe up your look for the evening than to change up your jewels?

For daytime:
Twisted Rope Necklace

For a night out:
Portofino Gold Pendant Tassel Necklace

 If you want to get the look for yourself, or if you want to play my Thursday night Project Runway/Ben-Amun mash-up game on your own, check out http://www.ben-amun.com/ and get inspired!

-Kristin













Red Carpet Ready With Ben-Amun

I don’t know about you, but my invitation to the Emmys got lost in the mail again this year. That said, just because my red carpet moment seems to be postponed indefinitely doesn’t mean I’m not going to borrow some of the celebs best looks. So, sans stiletto cam, here are a few pointers for how to achieve award show glamour with the help of some key Ben-Amun jewels!

In a sea of red dresses and enviable physiques, Nina Dobrev of The Vampire Diaries was a standout. She looked amazing from head to toe, but perhaps the unsung hero of the outfit was the diamond choker. Pair Ben-Amun's Swarovski crystal version with your favorite of-the-moment red for a look as jaw dropping as Nina's.   
 

 

Ben-Amun's Simple Crystal Necklace



Michelle Enos was killing it in red as well and we were particularly fond of her doubled up diamond bracelets. The effect was glamorous but playful and can be borrowed by mixing and matching any of Ben-Amun's Swarovski Crystal Deco bracelets.



Crystal Vintage Deco Bracelet

                 

                    Jonquil Crystal Deco Bracelet







The last lady in red we can't help but mimic is Modern Family favorite Sofia Vergara. She was thrilled to wear Colombian emerald earrings with her fabulous floor length gown and was eager to spotlight them at every opportunity. Not only were the earrings themselves gorgeous, but they added an unexpected pop of emerald to an otherwise elegant but forgettable ensemble. Get the look yourself by adding a pair of Ben-Amun's Maharaji earrings to your wardrobe!



Majaraji Chandelier Earrings











Dancing with the Stars hostess Brooke Burke stood out in the crowd not only for her refreshingly-not-red gown but for her stunning necklace as well. The simplicity of Brooke's styling allowing the intricate diamond necklace to elevate the entire look, and the effect was effortlessly chic. Let Ben-Amun's Crystal Deco Pendent necklace take you to that place of carefree glamour.



                                                                                                 Crystal Deco Pendant Necklace



Just because you aren't walking a red carpet anytime soon doesn't mean you can't make these looks work for you. Add any of these pieces to your simplest cocktail dress for instant celebrity style, OR shop the website and set the trends yourself!

http://www.ben-amun.com/

-Kristin

Ben-Amun and Cynthia Steffe Go Global

Last night at the Cynthia Steffe Spring 2012 presentation atop the Mondrian Soho Hotel, viewers were transported from New York City to the deserts, to the tropics, and back again by the collection’s uniting of an earthy color palette, relaxed, travel inspired separates... and Ben-Amun jewelry!

The Cynthia Steffe girl this season is a worldly adventurer, and her clothes reflect her free spirit as well as her journeys. It is no wonder that the Cynthia Steffe team turned to Ben-Amun again this season to add to the fantasy of the collection. Ben-Amun designer Isaac Manevitz is constantly influenced by world travel, and his tribal inspired jewelry is always a favorite.

Wood, woven, and animal print bangles as well as beaded necklaces added to the exotic aesthetic of the looks. Check out the pieces used from Ben-Amun's latest Tribal collection online now at
www.ben-amun.com.


Red and Gold Cluster Beaded Necklace
http://www.ben-amun.com/shop/product576.html

Rectangle Horn Bangle, $70
http://www.ben-amun.com/shop/product573.html

Tan Resin Bangle, $30
http://www.ben-amun.com/shop/product584.html

Brown Resin Bangle,$50
http://www.ben-amun.com/shop/product586.html

Woven Bangle, $15
http://www.ben-amun.com/shop/product139.html

-Kristin

Joy, Love, and Lucite

We’re thrilled to report that the collaboration between Ben-Amun and Joy Cioci, which culminated in the presentation of Joy Cioci’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection on Friday night of New York Fashion Week, was a head to toe success. Not only did the Ben-Amun Lucite jewelry perfectly compliment the collection’s punchy colored romance, but it worked in unison with the models’ Lucite tipped manicures.

While the Lucite nails are creating quite a buzz in the beauty scene—one of a kind lace stenciling per nail, and almond shaped Lucite tips, of course they’re noteworthy—we were particularly impressed by how, with the help of perfectly placed accessories, each look came together to achieve Joy’s vision of “a free spirited woman in pursuit of love.”

The collection showed intricate detailing, a saturated, unexpected color palette, and whimsical silhouettes, that with the addition of Ben-Amun’s Lucite jewelry, left viewers with the satisfying feeling that vibrancy does not have to mean the renunciation of delicacy, and that if dressed in the perfect pairing of Joy Cioci and Ben-Amun, seduction can in fact be quite ladylike.

Want to give the look a whirl? Shop the Ben-Amun Lucite collection at Max and Chloe !
 
-Kristin

FNO With Ben-Amun!

Come celebrate NYC’s biggest fashion bash with Ben-Amun at Henri Bendel! Not only is the Bendel’s extravaganza not to be missed, but stopping by will guarantee you first dibs on Ben-Amun’s latest pieces. The Swarovski Jet Collection from Ben-Amun launches tonight in honor of Fashion’s Night Out, and will be sold exclusively at Bendel’s for the next two weeks.

Comprised of Swarovski jet beads and crystal, the variety of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and even pins in the collection range from subtly luxe to fabulously flashy, and draw on one of designer Isaac Manevitz’s favorite fonts of inspiration: art deco. Manevitz’s background in sculpting and talent for creating jewelry with vintage charm shine in the Swarovski Jet collection, available tonight at Bendel’s! Check out a smattering of the pieces that will hit floors tonight in the pictures below, and don’t forget to stop by and join in the festivities!

Test a necklace while you sip champagne!



Earrings for your favorite occasions!



Not your grandmother's brooches!













                                    

Don’t miss out on the rest of the Ben-Amun jewelry at Bendel’s! Check out our Boho Naturals Collection on the second floor. It’s chock full of perfect pieces for fall.

Happy Fashion Week!

-Kristin

Tangerine Transition!

Who says the arrival of fall has to mean the departure of color? Carry your summer glow straight into fall with the help of our summer staples!

Usually when September hits I start reaching for scarves, but this time around I’m committed to transitioning my summer spirit into the next season by refusing to bid farewell to brights. The best news is that I’m in good company! Everyone from Gucci to Blumarine to Burberry Prorsum kept punchy colors in their collections this Fall and Winter, so there’s plenty of room for some of Ben-Amun’s Brazilian Brights!

Want to test the trend yourself? Try taking a cue from fashion blogger Aimee of Song of Style. Sub in some trousers and booties for her skirt and sandals and you’re fall fabulous!

Aimee’s wearing Ben-Amun’s Brazilian Beads Blue Sea Bead Layered Bib Necklace, and the Brazilian Brights Orange and Yellow Bead Layered Necklace with Silver Petals.

How you’ll find me sporting the style: With my personal favorite Brazilian Brights necklace layered over a white oxford cloth button-down and jeans, and peaking out from under a cozy faux fur vest like this one by Michael Kors.

      

Not ready to talk about the season change just yet? Then enjoy the holiday weekend in a maxi dress or a romper decked out in our stackable, brightly colored bangles and beads!

-Kristin