Accessories... Fashion Trends and Inspiration

Donna Karan Spring 2012-With a Purpose Haiti Inspiration

2011-12-30T09:12:00.001-08:00

Donna Karan’s Urban Zen will open a pop-up store at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, offering jewellery, art and home accessories made by Haitian artisans in aid of the MOCA North Miami and the Urban Zen Foundation’s Help & Rebuild Haiti mission. (Also, in the store will be pieces from my Mollye Jewelry Collections available for purchase.)

NEW YORK, September 12, 2011
By Nicole PhelpsDonna went tribal for Spring. She's been down this path before, but here she had renewed purpose. Her program notes explained that she's been traveling to Haiti for the last year, post-earthquake, and now her "two worlds come together." Translation: The collection may have its roots elsewhere—the bold brushstroke prints were inspired by the work of the Haitian artist Philippe Dodar—but it's still totally, characteristically urban. Chalk that up to the clingy, body-loving silhouettes of the designer's one-shoulder dresses; the sleek, sports-influenced vibe of fencing jackets and vests; and bold, oversize wooden bangles and necklaces strung with shards of wood and plastic. So well-established are the Donna Karan codes that she can do Grace Kelly ladylike one season (as she did for Fall) and ethnic the next (what we saw on the runway today), and both are equally recognizable as her own.

A Picture can tell a Thousand words, good bye 2011, hello 2012

2011-12-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

My Designer Inspiration Spring 2011..Channel To Mawi-Colors,Chokers and More...

2011-02-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

White is the color of the Spring 2011, with optimistic pops of bright colors in unexpected combinations lending an air of delightful surprise!

2011-02-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

Gurung

Michael Kors

Oscar De La Renta

Rag Bone

Ralph Lauren

Rodarte

Top 10 PANTONE Colors for women’s fashion chosen by New York designers for spring 2011

2010-12-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

click on Pantone link top of page to see full fashion report!

Inspire:Most Popular Gifts From The Expert-Vogue's Candy Price

2010-12-16T20:19:00.000-08:00

Inspiration: Tom Ford 2011-W Magazine

2010-12-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Marci Fried Introduces the new Freddye Collection for Gentlemen www.freddyecollection.com

2010-12-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

Full-On Fashion -Fearless and Fabulous

2010-11-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

Fall/Winter 2010-2011

Brass/Pewter- These metals may have understated shine but adding a bit of industrial looking glamour can add a little naughtyness to even the most understated neckklace,earrings or bracelets.

Spring/Summer 2011

Jungle Patrol & Brazillian Beat

Bollywood Betsy

2009-01-30T16:19:00.000-08:00

Bollywood Betsy..Spring/Summer 09

2009-01-30T16:12:00.000-08:00

Sign of the Times...Spring/Summer 09 Collections
I have been reading and listening to my women friends, family and clients to understand how they are feeling about themselves during these difficult economic times. What I found is that as always, women rise to the occasion, we get creative and resourceful.
History has many examples of this.

RESOURCEFUL-Women Rise to the Occasion
During World War II the percentage of American women who worked outside the home at paying work increased from 25% to 36%. More married women, more mothers, and more minority women found jobs than had before the war.
Because of the absence of many men who either joined the military or took jobs in war production industries, some women moved outside their traditional roles and took positions in jobs usually reserved for men. Propaganda posters with images like "Rosie the Riveter" promoted the idea that it was patriotic -- and not unfeminine -- for women to work in non-traditional jobs. "If you've used an electric mixer in your kitchen, you can learn to run a drill press," urged an American War Manpower Campaign. As one example in the American shipbuilding industry, where women had been excluded from almost all jobs except a few office jobs before the war, women's presence went to over 9% of the workforce during the war.
Thousands of women moved to Washington, DC, to take government office and support jobs. There were many jobs for women at Los Alamos and Oak Ridge, as the US explored nuclear weapons. Minority women benefited from the June, 1941, Executive Order 8802, issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after A. Philip Randolph threatened a march on Washington to protest racial discrimination.
The shortage of male workers led to opportunities for women in other non-traditional fields. The All-American Girls Baseball League was created during this period, and reflected the shortage of male baseball players in the major league.
The large increase in the presence of women in the workforce also meant that those who were mothers had to deal with issues like childcare -- finding quality childcare, and dealing with getting the children to and from the "day nursery" before and after work -- and were often still primary or solo homemakers, dealing with the same rationing and other issues other women at home faced.
In cities like London, these changes at home were in addition to dealing with bombing raids and other wartime threats. When combat came to areas where civilians lived, it often largely fell to women to protect their families -- children, the elderly -- or to take them to safety, and to continue to provide food and shelter during the emergency.

NYLON STOCKINGS-We just love that special feeling...
In 1942, nylon went to war in the form of parachutes and tents. Nylon stockings were the favorite gift of American soldiers to impress British women. Nylon stockings were scarce in America until the end of World War II, but then returned with a vengeance. Shoppers crowded stores, and one San Francisco store was forced to halt stocking sales when it was mobbed by 10,000 anxious shoppers

COSTUME JEWELRY-Fake it till you make it!!
Vintage costume jewelry has a long and fascinating history. It is prized not only for its style, but also for the reflection of the historical period it represents. The brightness of Deco rhinestones and the shine of Bakelite cheered up the depressed 1930s. The bold, lavish 1950s jewelry expressed the mood of postwar booming economies.
In the early 1900s, working class Americans wanted to feel elegant but lacked the money to purchase precious gems and found that the sparkle of rhinestones rivals that of any precious stone. Source About.com
The point is we adjust, we know it is critical to keep our sprits and appearance up, we choose each day to move forward.

My spring collection is very much influenced by our new President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama and Bollywood!

We need a bit of Bollywood in our lives, a moment to just sing, dance and smile, we have it in each of us and we deserve it!!

Enjoy the Bollywood Betsy Collection and wear it well.

Photo credit: Deborah Kolodkin, Alpharetta Georgia

www.mollye.net

New from Mollye Jewelry Collections

2008-12-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

An "Eco-Friendly" product, the Tagua Nut "Vegetable Ivory" is a renewable and sustainable product, and helps support the employment of nearly 35,000 people in the rainforests

Spring 09

2008-11-25T18:23:00.001-08:00

Is it too early for Spring Fever?

2008-11-25T17:34:00.000-08:00

Is it too early for Spring Fever?
April Outlook 09
Think Flower Child

Shades of pink, coral and blue dominate this springs' color palettes either as deep hues or brightened tones. Balancing out these important shades in each color story are cheery yellows, natural greens, basic neutrals and black and white. All in all, count on color to set the proper mood. - accessories magazine

Florals are always big for spring and that holds true in 2009. Spring 2009 Fashion Week featured dozens of floral headbands in every color imaginable. Look for floral headbands, hats, headwraps, hair clips and other hair accessories this spring.

Make a big statement with a long necklace this spring. When you wear a necklace , keep the rest of your accessories very minimal. If this style is too long for your taste, pick a shorter chunky necklace in a bold color.

Pantone Fall Fashion Book-Guide to Fall Colors

2008-10-27T18:16:00.001-07:00

Click link above to access this site

Statement Colors for Fall

2008-10-27T15:26:00.003-07:00

Purple Reign

Versace Croc Red Bag

Alexander McQueen statement pieces

Pom Pom Squad

Pomellato's new colorful cocktail rings are sizable treasures.

Fall Trends & Inspirations- Zac Posen,Chanel,Bottega Veneta,Bluemarine

2008-10-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

Just Because

2008-10-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Love Fashion, have the Passion but not the Time

2008-10-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

"I love that necklace, earrings, bracelet.." friends, family, clients and people I meet often ask me where my inspiration for my designs come from? This has made me consider all the time I devote to researching and following many books, blogs, magazines,websites to inspire me in all areas of fashion. This blog is for those who have the passion but not the time. From vintage to contemporary jewelry and fashion, my goal is to be on your top ten list.

Fall - Trends & Economy

2008-10-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

I recently received a lovely thank you note from a client who had recently purchased a piece of jewelry from the collection, actually it was a Peace Sign Necklace. Her closing comment was "when the economy is bad, buy jewelry"!

What is it about a piece of jewelry? Regardless of personal and economic ups and downs women have purchased their favorites for centuries.

Jewelry purchases have endured periods of war, depression, stock markets ups and downs, marriage, divorce and death.

What is this magical allure of jewelry and the power it has to make us feel more attractive and special, cheer up a friend during a crisis or mark an important event?
I would love to hear your comments..