The theme behind this year’s collection runs deep to the core of what inspires me and the whole of the Kamofie line.Motifs range from the overabundant and scrolling designs of a french chateau to an Art Deco-esque contrast of angular and round shapes. The pieces are infused with an antique charm, lushness and luxury, femininity, natural and sinuous lines, with a touch of the unexpected and whimsy. All things Kamofie! The Regency collection, like all others is meant to become a part of a woman’s everyday wardrobe adding a unique and personal element to her style.

The ring department is filled with scrolling and baguette stackables, as well as large and dreamy statement pieces. Pendants come is all sizes from dramatic medallions to asymmetric scrolls, looking like a shattered reminder of a once beautiful chandelier. Bracelets are shifting from solid bangles and cuffs to more fluid and soft layering chain and diamond dusted combinations. Finally earrings don’t seem to be following any particular trend, save from an absence of the ever popular hoop. Long linear styles as well as both dramatic and simple studs are emerging as the season’s choice.

Sketches:

My favorite piece- a three finger ring.  Admittedly, not the most practical piece, but definitely the most fantastic!

Petite Trianon three-finger ring

2) Some people LIE.

3) Some people take advantage of the goodness in others.

4) Don’t let “some people” into your life…or within 100 ft of your store!

The perfect testing ground/ idea generator

Not every design idea turns into a “great piece.” (Yes, it’s true.) And, sometimes a design’s strength or weakness is only clarified by a trial and error of sorts. The more people can experiment with a piece, the more is brought to light about what that piece can be or how it can best fit into a person’s jewelry wardrobe. My point of view is that jewelry should play a significant- though it can be subtle- part in one’s jewelry repertoire. If it says nothing about that person, well, then why bother?? Here’s one of my favorite examples…

Last year I was spending a Saturday afternoon trying on stack rings with one of my favorite customers. Over the course of numerous mixes and matches she exclaims, “Wouldn’t it be great if these pieces were all 1 ring!”  While her creation was rather amusing, it paved the way for a new idea. Why couldn’t those thorn bands I had designed as bookend pieces, get stacked on top of each other to create a totally new, dramatic piece? A few weeks later I designed the “Leslie Ring” which ended up winning the Couture Bridal Design Award, inspired by a unique woman and created for all women who are not afraid to express their unique sense of style.

The "Leslie Ring"

Which leads me to another great thing about my store…

My customers and staff are awesome

So many of them have become my dear friends. Sticking up for me when the media has been not so nice. Sharing their positive experiences at the store on yelp. Even writing letters of recommendation for my daughter’s kindergarten application!  These ladies (and some gents) make me feel like I am adding something special to the world. Those days of designing in my lonely studio were leading to this. Thank you for that!

And the final thing to mention today…

Trend setting rises to a new heights

As a designer, I am always taking in everything in the fashion world and the real world and figuring out a way to offer something new, relevant, and exciting. I spend time looking through the pages of fashion magazines thinking “… and now what?? What’s next?” But perhaps the most meaningful way I go about this trend forecasting is by watching stylish women who walk in my doors and observing what they wear, how they accessorize, listening to their requests, and then thinking about a plan of what I can make that they would love. Having this venue is the single greatest strength I have as a designer. Not only has it made me see how I can fill in the gaps in my collections, it has helped me create a core of tried-and-true, saleable pieces that are solid reflections of the Kamofie vision and aesthetic.