Photos courtesy of Judith Murat.

Judith Murat has always been a part of the fashion community. Early on, Judith began her career as a top model, working for Eileen Ford and William Morris Agency. After 25 successful years in the business and appearing in countless magazines and television spots, Judith decided to transition from being the art to creating the art. Studying classical art at the Chicago Institute of Art and furthering her education at the New York Art Students’ League and The Armory Art Center, she honed her craft.

It was at her first sculpture and portrait art show, held at the Jimmy Barker Gallery, that she had a conversation with an admirer of her work, more specifically a jewelry manufacturer, that would change her life forever. In 1998, Judith Murat changed her concentration from oils on canvas and sculptures to precious gems and 18kt gold. With designs so original and noticeable, Judith Murat was being carried by Saks Fifth Avenue in Palm Beach and Dallas with in a year of its first inception.

Photos courtesy of Judith Murat.

One year after her introduction to the fashion world as a designer, Judith Murat created House of Murat, based out of her Palm Beach atelier. Extravagant, one of a kind pieces made her a hit in a town known for its charity balls and social soirees. Such high demand for her pieces on the Palm Beach social circuit led her to expand her collection to include men’s accessories, cufflinks, studs, and lapels. Having ventured over to the West Coast in 2006, Judith Murat Fine Jewelry has made a name for itself on red carpets such as the Golden Globes, and has been worn by celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, and Jennifer Hudson.

Most recently, Judith Murat has been working on a book entitled, “Judy’s Journey into the Land of Murat.” The gold-leafed hardcover book, co-authored by Charles (Sunny) Castor, tells the tale of a magical journey to the land of Murat, where all of Judy’s inspiration lies.”The fable, which spans across the ocean, seashore,forest and universe, unearths Judith’s gorgeous jewels while inviting readers to learn the meaning of happiness.” Last Thursday night, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Muffie Potter Aston, and Somers Farkas invited Murat’s closest friends and fans to the Alzheimer’s Association’s summer kick-off event to preview the designer’s summer collection, pictured above and available just in time for graduation season, and to toast Murat’s first book. The book was such a success, it nearly sold out by the end of the night!

Photos courtesy of DuJour.com 

The book will be sold for $65.00 at independent retailers including The Classic Bookstore, Main Street News, Barzina and The Palm Beach Bookstore in addition to Amazon.com and her website: www.Judithmurat.com.

Pattern Pretty

Try mixing and matching colors and patterns this Memorial Day weekend. Start out with a light weight scarf with a simple print, and throw on a thin belt with a bolder print. Don’t be afraid to play with the colors within the pattern when choosing additional accessories to add to the outfit!

Photos courtesy of Eric Javits (hat), Botkier (bag), Kara by Kara Ross (bangles), Kate Spade (belt and scarf).

Gypset Chic

We love the look of layering necklaces and bangles this season. One wide bangle paired with a few thinner ones are the key to making this look work. For necklaces, try pairing an 18″ statement chain with a more simple 16″ chain. Add on a simple crossbody and killer wedges and your look is complete!

Photos courtesy of Polyvore (Jennifer Behr turban), Coach (handbag and shoes), Ela Rae (necklaces), Kara by Kara Ross (bangle).

 Classic Feminine

We love the idea of keeping accessories a fresh and feminine this summer. With a plethora of lace espadrilles and pearl accented jewelry this season, this look is easily in grasp. Lace and pearls making you feel too girly? Feed in a simple ring and layered necklaces bracelet to bring a little edge to the look!

Photos courtesy of Singer 22 (Persol sunglasses), MCM (crossbody), Lionette (neckalce), Ela Rae (ring bracelet), Caroline Rocha (cuff).

What accessories will you be wearing at this year’s Memorial Day Barbecue?

Photos courtesy of Nixon‘s Facebook page.

The Nixon team prides itself on delivering a product that “contributes to a single, unified expression: team-designed, custom-built accessories for a life well lived.” The team’s feedback is essential to the brands DNA. Nixon has a team riders who want to discuss design, to function in their sport discipline, to what makes a great watch when traveling constantly and more. There’s no wrong answer when it comes to its team roundtables. The rider’s contributions are essential and they take pride in being a part of the creative process.

With an opening price point of $75, clients can find watches made from various materials such as stainless steel, ceramic, or leather. Innovative dials, displays, and colors help Nixon stand out from its competitors, and true to its mission, allow the watches to do the talking for your personal style.

Constantly having a few fun projects in the queue, Nixon is currently looking forward to launching its first mobile Bluetooth portable and awarding winning speaker, The Blaster. It launches this summer after it was first introduced at January’s CES show, so stay tuned…

 Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Gillett.

Officially founded in 1991, Elizabeth Gillett designs Indian crafted scarves out of her New York City showroom. Inspired at an early age by her Grandmother, an artist, Elizabeth has been creating art through paint and design since the age of 8.

What began as “a variety of ultra-cool 70′s macrame bracelets” that were sold in a local, small town gift shop in Hudson, Ohio has transitioned to a focus on quality scarves, and has successfully evolved into a full-fledged accessories company with global reach. Each piece is designed with a mixture of exclusive prints, hand-woven fabrics, artisan embellishments, novelty textures, and metallic accents.  Elizabeth believes that “a scarf is the ultimate accessory , an outfit changer that brightens the face like a great shade of lipstick and lets us edit what’s show versus what’s covered in an easy, one size, timelessly style-able item.”

Elizabeth Gillett designs are currently sold in department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Von Maur, in catalogs Peruvian Connection and Garnet Hill, online at HSN, and at 750 boutiques worldwide. The company also produces private label scarves for a range of national retailers.

With past features on “Gossip Girl”, “Ugly Betty”, “Desperate Housewives”, and in magazines such as Marie Claire, Vogue, Glamour Instyle, and Lucky its safe to say that Elizabeth Gillett has established herself as a player in the scarf design community!

Friends, families, and colleagues flocked to 91 Horatio in New York City’s meatpacking district to help honor Robin and her impressive career achievements. In the intimate venue, white linens were topped with monochromatic floral arrangements and delicate white votive candles.

Interior of 91 Horatio, dressed for the Hall of Fame Event

The night paid tribute to Robin’s impressive career. A proven industry leader, Robin is presently the Group President of the Fashion Accessories and Home division of  LF USA. Prior to LF USA, Robin conceptualized and implemented major strategic initiatives as the President and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, President and COO of Kate Spade, and SVP of Accessories Worldwide at Burberry.

Robin accepts her Hall of Fame award

Robin was introduced by Rosemarie Bravo, former President of Burberry, and designer Jonathan Adler, both of whom lit up the room with Robin’s praises.

Clockwise from top left: Rosemarie Bravo, Jonathan Adler, and honoree Robin Marino / Cornelia Guest and Robin Marino / Robin Marino, Carlos Falchi, and Rosemarie Bravo / Monica Rich Kosann, Jaqui Lividini, and Jonathan Adler

Robin joins past Hall of Fame inductees Elaine Gold of Elaine Gold Enterprises, Mary Belle of The Jones Group, Marge Axelrad of Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine, Dorothy Roberts of Echo Design Group, Ruth Finley of The Fashion Calendar, and Abbey Doneger of the The Doneger Group.

Past Hall of Fame inductees Elaine Gold and Mary Belle with Accessories Council President, Karen Giberson

The Accessories Council is extremely honored and proud to welcome Robin into our Hall of Fame!

Blake Lively, Kate Beckinsale, Emily Blunt, and Beyonce all made a scene with Accessories Council member Lorraine Schwartz’s jewels to complete their fabulous ensembles.

Photos courtesy of www.justjared.com (top left), www.perezhilton.com (top right), cdni.condenast.co.uk (bottom left), and www.imnotobesessed.com (bottom right).

Minka Kelly, one of our favorite looks of night, also donned Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Photos courtesy of cdn2.gossipcenter.com (left) and www.thecoveteur.com (right).

Accessories Council members, Bulgari and Tiffany & Co. helped land Carey Mulligan, Jamie King, and Plum Syke on Vouge’s Best Dressed list!

Photos courtesy of www.vogue.com.

Who do you think wore it best on this year’s Met Gala Red Carpet?

Fashion is something that has been a part of Evie Evangelou’s life since she was born. As a person who has always been associated with the UN, becoming an advisor to the Secretary General was a natural thing for her to do. As an advisor, Evie was given the opportunity to interview designers in a media platform named Fashion 4 Development. “I took a crew and a microphone and spoke to different designers to see what they were doing about their involvement in fashion development in different countries,” said Evie. It was from this media platform that Evie founded Fashion 4 Development and it has grown into the initiative it is today.

Ray Chambers, MDG Advocate and Special Envoy for Malaria (left) and Evie Evangelou, co-founder and Global Chair of Fashion 4 Development. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

Photo courtesy of www.un.org

Fashion 4 Development functions as a platform for women in undeveloped countries to recognize and develop their fashion industry talents. It assists in the distribution of products, and allows the women the opportunity to cultivate the skills necessary to be successful in the fashion industry. Although F4D has strived to train people in skills that are still crafty to the Western world, these countries still lag in technological advances and a lack of machinery. In order to bridge this gap, Fashion 4 Development helps companies partner off in order to finish products properly. It also provides funding to help workshops get off the ground and get a better feel of what they need to do in order to advance quality.

According to Evie, “During a 6 month period, the African market distributed over $1 million of merchandise and increased its employment. Fashion 4 Development is about utilizing fashion as a tool, a voice, an industry to uplift Africa in every way imaginable. F4D is using fashion as the voice of fair trade and safety regulations in order to prevent accidents such as the Bangladeshi factory fires, and as an outreach for the fashion industry.” Fashion 4 Development is currently partnered with Millennium Development Goals in order to develop eco and sustainable fashion, both of whom are involved in a joint initiative to discover solutions on how to make changes to the fashion industry for the betterment of the environment.

Photo courtesy of www.fashionreverie.com

Fashion 4 Development has been able to have a successful campaign in Eastern countries thanks largely in part to the constant support of the UN in its initiative to create awareness and create opportunities in these developing countries. The UN provides guidance to F4D, and works as a gateway to developing countries. It works with member states and the 196 ambassadors in order to allow entry into governments and countries. In addition to guidance and being the main liaison between F4D and the world, UN along with the World Bank are supporting environmental betterment efforts by working for a possible campaign to promote better water and sanitation to the 1.2 billion people across the globe that don’t have proper sanitation.

When I asked Evie what long term goals she sees for Fashion 4 Development her answer was simple; “Fashion 4 Development wants to be a global brand that can umbrella various projects, products, and campaigns, and really feel that we have touched upon all of the UN Millennium Development Goals and can come to show all the results of our actions. We want everyone in the world to know of Fashion 4 Development, so they can follow suit on their own.” Proving to really be the embodiment of fashion and diplomacy for the entire world, last May the UN Secretary-General committed to appear on the cover of L’Uomo Vogue, the first time a diplomat has been on the cover of a fashion publication, setting F4D on the right track to reach the goal of being a worldwide phenomenon.

 Photo courtesy of www.blacktiemagazine.com

Many of our members are exhibiting at the show this year, some of whom will be there for the very first time. If you’re attending the show, please make sure to stop by their booths and say hello!

Angels & Emeralds
Booth 4305

HEET
Booth 3041

Jill Haber Design Group
Booth 4304

Urban Boulder
Booth 2960

The Accessories Council is wishing the best of luck to all exhibitors at this week’s Accessorie Circuit show!

MCM 2013 Armour Collection, and its Armour Double Bracelet, $220, is inspired by the equipments of horsemen who protect European royal family and nobles in the middle ages, namely the shining armors of the great knights. MCM uses snake-embossed pattern to show the chivalry. The powerful snake-embossed pattern is MCM’s new try on its classic Visetos material, decorated with 24K gold plate and gunmetal studs. The whole collection is full of exotic atmosphere. The Armour collection creates unprecedented boldness and personality in MCM history, fully expressing the romantic feeling of dark legends and confidence of knights. The collection includes popular items like backpacks, shoppers, totes, handbags, and bracelets.

Take a walk on the wild side with this Roman and Sunstone python skin inspired bracelet, $20.  A textured python print inlay is set in gold tone metal.  A functional buckle closure and back hinge allows for an adjustable fit.

The environmentally friendly mom will love this watch, $65, from Sprout! All Sprout watches use biodegradable corn resin, genuine mother of pearl and mercury-free batteries.

Jill Haber is pleased to introduce the JILL HABER Collection of exotic skin handbags. Each original design is meticulously detailed and crafted using the world’s finest python, alligator, lizard, stingray, and ostrich skins. Exclusive hardware made by Italian artisans and exotic woods selected for their organic beauty adds to the uniqueness of each piece. The JILL HABER collection is made by hand in New York City by European trained craftsmen. The JILL HABER collection is a modern interpretation of iconic silhouettes designed to showcase luxury created for today’s global woman who inspires beauty and individual style.

Remember, no matter how big or small your budget is, it’s always the thought that counts when shopping for Mom!

While the men may be putting money on what horse will win the race, we’re betting on what styles are sure to be hitting the scene this year.

The Bigger the Better

Photo courtesy of Eric Javits.

Photo courtesy of Sunny Daize.

Photo courtesy of Crush Boutique.

Fascinators

Photo courtesy of Eric Javits.

Photo courtesy of Astonish World.

Photo courtesy of Eric Javits.

What couture hat and fascinator styles are you betting will win at the Kentucky Derby this year?