Adornments Watch » Getting onto the Runway! Project Runway!

Project Runway: Episodes 12 & 13!

Adornments — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:32:16 +0000

Well, we are nearing the end of our project as Project Runway comes to a close. Episode 12 determined which three designers would move on to the finale and challenged the designers to take their theme from the circus! We have chosen to work with Jay Nicholas’ design: This smart and sassy outfit features the military lines of the ringmaster with a decidedly sexy twist. (click on image to see pictures from the runway)

Project Runway Season 7 Eps 12 Design by Jay Nicholas

For this unusual look, the Adornments’ design team decided to add a sophisticated twist on a whimsical clown collar. Formed entirely from hammered metal, this collar is both glamorous and fun!

Project Runway Season 7 Eps 12 Fashion Design by Jay Nicholas, Jewelry Design by Laura Dugger

Episode 13 begins the Finale and we begin to see the runway ideas of our finalists. From this group we again chose Jay Nicholas’s design (what can we say? They’re great clothes and they leave us room for jewelry!) This ultra modern mini dress features stitched seam texture and tiered pockets all with slinky clean lines and a sexy silhouette. (click on image to see pictures from the runway)

Project Runway Season 7 Eps 13 Fashion Design by Jay Nicholas

With this dress, we’ve paired a macrame pearl-studded silver choker. This elegant piece adds a touch of brightness and lacy femininity to the smoothly contoured lines of the dress but remains true to it’s edgy modernity.

Project Runway Season 7 Eps 13 Fashion Design by Jay Nicholas, Jewelry Design by Alexis Anbari

Pearl Macrame Choker by Adornments' Designer Alexis Anbari

Let us know what you think as we draw ever close to the end of Project Runway, Season 7! Leave a comment and/or take our poll!

Project Runway: Episodes 9 and 10!

Adornments — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:58:30 +0000

In episode 9, the designers were tasked to create two looks inspired by a distinct NYC neighborhood. There were some truly fabulous designs, and we chose this one by Jonathan . Even though it wasn’t one of the winning designs, we instantly had a vision for some jewelry that could be paired with it.

Click on the picture to see the original dress!

This particular dress features some complex contruction with patterned cut work in the bodice. We’ve echoed the cut out pattern of the fabric in these earrings, made from sterling silver wire with a smoky quartz drop.

We also designed a hand fabricated link bracelet in silver with interspersed smoky quartz beads to coordinate. While we usually focus our designing talents on necklaces- this installment is all about earrings and bracelets.

Here’s the final look!

In episode 10, the designers had to design their own fabric to create their look. The winner of this week was Emilio and we had to agree that his finished piece was stunning! Here’s our artistic rendering of the dress, click on it to see the original.

One thing these two designs had in common was that they were complicated. While we love to design big, show stopping jewelry, we tend to feel that if you have a show stopping dress, the jewelry should be more on the subtle side (of course the opposite is also true! Nothing makes a better statement than a simple black dress with some amazing jewelry!). Here’s a simple, slightly domed silver earring design with a hammered texure to play with the light.

Once again, with a matching bracelet- a bangle this time!

For a truly polished finished look!

Well, we’re nearing the end of Season 7. Just a few more episodes left. We hope you like what we’ve done so far! Let us know, leave us a comment!

Project Runway: Episodes 7 & 8!

Adornments — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:00:20 +0000

In the 7th episode of Project Runway, the designers were challenged to construct garments from materials they found in a hardware store. Our favorite from this challenge was the design by Jay Nicholas. This edgy and modern design is constructed from trash bags and blue painters tape!

(Click on the image below to see the original design as it appeared on the show)

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 7, Design Jay Nicholas

This ultra modern and eye-catching look is complemented by an equally edgy woven silver collar featuring lapis lazuli.

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 7, Clothing Design by Jay Nicholas

Check out these details from a similar piece by Adornments’ designer Alexis Anbari!

Woven Silver Collar with Lapis Lazuli Cabochon by Adornments' designer Alexis Anbari

Episode 8 saw the designers attempting to incorporate the elements of nature: Earth, Air, Fire, or Water into their designs. Mila’s design calls to mind the minerals of the earth with all their varying texture. Her striking tone on tone vest is the essence of sophistication.

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 8, Clothing Design by Mila

This pendant echos the cut-outs of the vest while adding a flair all it’s own. Nestled in the center of this this serenely balanced piece would be an obsidian cabochon. This volcanic glass has unexpected depth, beauty and richness of color while remaining true to the designer’s vision of earth in her fashion.

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 8. Clothing Design by Mila

Think we’re on the right track?

Leave us a comment or take our Project Runway Poll!

Project Runway: Episode 5

Adornments — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 20:48:31 +0000

In Project Runway’s Episode 5, the designers were challenged to design a dress for Heidi Klum to wear on the cover of Marie Claire Magazine.

This dress, by designer Anthony, is fun and frisky in a vibrant turquoise with a unique ruffling that has nothing to do with prom!

(Click on the image below to see the original dress from the show)

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 5, Dress Design by Anthony

To add to the dresses flair without distracting, Adornments’ designer, Laura Dugger, chose dazzling earring featuring diamond-shaped fresh water pearls suspended from a chain in the midst of a shining silver spiral- simple, elegant and fun!

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 5, Dress Design by Anthony

The second design that we selected was that of Jay Nicholas’ fairy tale-esc confection. Light and flowing without losing it’s sexy edge, this dress is feminine and dramatic.

(Click on the image below to see the original dress from the show)

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 5, Dress Design JayNicholas

This stunning necklace design by Adornments’ designer Laura Dugger features cut silver flowers with garnet centers on sinuously twisting silver vines balancing the flowery ruffling and complementing the overall femininity and drama of the gown.

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 5, Dress Design JayNicholas

Like what you see? Hate it and want us to stop these posts (say it ain’t so!)? Let us know what your think!

Leave us a comment or take our Project Runway Poll!

Project Runway: Episodes 3 & 4!

Adornments — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:30:02 +0000

Hello! Once again, we’re back to show you what our designers have been working on for our very own Project Runway Challenge. It’s been a little while so we’re going to do 2 episodes at once!

In Episode 3, the designers challenge was to create a high-end signature look and a look-for-less inspired by another team’s design. For this episode we were drawn to Anna’s sleek, classic jacket and dress.

Anna's Design from Episode 3

This dress seems to want just a touch of embellishment at the neck, so we designed a modern pendant using complimentary colored gemstones. This is a sterling silver pendant with a large, angular snowflake obsidian as the focal point with a smaller accent cabochon above.

Design by Alexis Anbari

Here’s what the snowflake obsidian looks like!

Pretty stunning just on its own!

Here’s the design drawn on the our sketch of the dress so you can get an idea of how they fit together.

For the 4th episode, the designers created a signature dress for the Campbell’s AdDRESS Your Heart program. For this week, we chose Amy’s fun and flirty dress.

Amy's design from Episode 4

In keeping with the theme of the challenge, we designed a heart pendant to coordinate with this dress. This is a sterling silver pendant with red and white gemstones.

Design by Alexis Anbari

And with the dress.

So, once again, we implore you- let us know what your think! Leave us a comment or take our Project Runway Poll!

Project Runway- Episode 2

Adornments — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:05:06 +0000

Our campaign continues this week with a look at two new dresses and the jewelry we would create for them! This was a fun challenge taken from the classic phrase “She’s so beautiful, she‘d even look good in a potato sack!” To that end, the designers were to use burlap to create unique and stunning new looks!

First up Anthony’s design:

(click on the drawing to see the Project Runway photo of the original from the show)

Project Runway, Season 7, Episode 2, Anthony's design

This soft and sassy look left us a lot of skin to work with and begs for something spectacular- we rose to the challenge- check it out! This necklace would be a netted silver wire collar with coral and fresh water pearls!

Jewelry design by Adornments jewelry Laura Dugger

Just to show an example of Adornments’ spectacular wire work, check out this original piece by Alexis Anbari!

Adornments' Woven Copper-colored Pearl Collar by Alexis Anbari

The second dress that caught our eye was the design by Maya!

This fun and funky dress features metallic piping, demanding something edgy and elegant. (Again, click on the drawing to see the Project Runway photo of the original)

Project Runway Season 7, Episode 2, Maya's Design

Check out this stunning design by Adornments’ own Alexis Anbari!

jewelry design by Adornment's jeweler, Alexis Anbari

This necklace would be made from silver wire wrapped around the neck and sprinkled with ceylon blue and white sapphires.

Convinced yet?! Vote on our poll and be part of the decision to bring Adornments to Project Runway!!

Project Runway: Jewelry Makeover!

Adornments — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:26:00 +0000

As we mentioned in our post last week, we at Adornments have been pondering the merits of designer jewelry paired with the designer fashions of Project Runway. And last week was the first episode of the new season! Project Runway is off to an exciting beginning back in New York! After watching the show, and visiting their website (www.MyLifetime.com/shows/project-runway ) we decided to show you a little about what we’re talking about…

Sure, we’ve designed custom jewelry to accentuate designer clothing before- take a look at the necklace one of our jewelry designers created for this Romona Keveza wedding dress in 2009!

Amazing, right? Thought so.

So once again, we put it to you, gentle reader- shouldn’t the unique fashions of the designers of Project Runway be graced with equally unique adornments? Here are a few examples of what we’re thinking…

This first drawing is based on the design by Aaron, from episode 1.

We felt this dress had a somewhat rock and roll feel to it and immediately started thinking that chainmail would be really complimentary. Chainmail happens to be a technique we are very practiced at. Here are a few examples of chainmail pieces we’ve done in the past to give you a feel for how it can look.

Triangle Chainmail Necklace with large coin pearls

Chainmail choker

Here’s the drawing of the chainmail jewelry designs that we’ve created specifically for Aaron’s work! (Chainmail takes forever to make so this is the sketch design of the piece that will be made in the future)

Chainmail is amazing in that in can be extremely dense and heavy, or suprisingly delicate and lacey. Here we’ve gone for a more open, lacey look on both neck and wrist. Edgy, yet feminine this design would feature amethyst briolette drops (to match the purple of the fabric).

This second drawing is based on the design by Pamela!

Pamela's design from episode 1

The plunging neckline of this dress screamed for a dramatic necklace. The one of a kind showpiece that Adornments jewelers designed for this dress would be sculpted from Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and slightly domed. PMC lends jewelry a great texture that would make this jewelry truly unique.

centerpiece of the necklace

Yep! Amazing!!

So if you like what we’ve done, leave us a comment or take our poll!!

Should Adornments’ custom jewelry be on Project Runway?

Adornments — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:00:27 +0000

Project Runway offers fashion designers an opportunity to pit their skills and creativity against other hopefuls on a national stage for a chance to win a chance on the big stage: $100,000 to start their own line and a spread in Marie Claire Magazine! The show routinely produces spectacular designs that dazzle the eye and inspire the imagination, but one thing is missing. They have talented models hoping to make it to the top with professional hair and makeup, they have the tools of their trade, but what about the jewelry? No one wears a one of a kind gown without any jewelry! The accessories provided on the show are sadly lacking when worn with the unique creations of the talented designers and it seems a shame that they have nothing worthy to truly compliment their achievements!

So, the jewelers at Adornments began to think: What if we were able to help? What if the one-of-a-kind fashions created on this show also had one-of-a-kind jewelry to adorn it? What if the designer that wins this contest of talent were able to have in the end, not only their own line of clothing, but a line of jewelery designed to compliment their fashions- completing their look as only the perfect accessories can do?

We put it to our readers: Should this be attempted? If so, how far should if go? Let us know what you think and help us take this thought to the next level or stop it at it’s inception! Check out some of our designs at www.AdornmentsAtTheFactory.com and then vote!