My Birthday Girl

Young Miss de Ville turns 25 today!
How quickly that quarter of a century went by.

Jewelry Biz - We Get Quoted...Sometimes

Just to let you know that occasionally someone does take our opinion seriously...

as this is the second article in Rapaport where we've been quoted.

Sorry, but we can't let you know what we actually said...because you have to have an account

with the top secret 'to the trade only' Diamonds.net.

We just want to know when the Wall Street Journal is going to call us for a quote....

We are patiently waiting.....

Jewelry Biz - All Things Webb and Wonderful

Here at Beladora.com we are big fans of all things Webb and Wonderful

although we prefer the fabulous vintage jewelry to the newly manufactured pieces

Here are a couple of our favorite vintage Webb wonders

Vintage David Webb Emerald and Diamond Ring $5850

Vintage David Webb Carved Emerald and Diamond Necklace $19,550
(Why the hefty price you ask...a 90 plus carat emerald!)

So now we have some big news in the Jewelry Biz -

We are just hoping that now that company has been bought by a group consisting of three well known estate jewelers, that the Webb brand can thrive in the way that the Verdura brand has endured.

From National Jeweler

David Webb bought for $11M, exits Chapter 11

Founded in 1948 by David Webb and Nina
Silberstein, and owned since 1975 by the Silberstein family, David Webb operates
two retail locations--with one being the flagship store on Madison Avenue in
Manhattan and the other a company affiliate at the upscale Regent Beverly
Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The company also owns a factory where it
manufactures its own jewelry.David Webb filed for bankruptcy in June 2009,
citing substantial cash flow difficulties and a drop-off in sales brought on by
the economic downturn. At the time of the filing, the company reported that its
sales fell to less than $5 million for the year to date, as compared to $13.25
million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, court papers show.

"For decades, David Webb jewelry has been covered and highly collectible," a release announcing the sale said. "The challenge of maintaining continuity while engaging in renewal involves honoring the essential lexicon of this legendary American designer and projecting it with a 21st century blueprint."The brand has said that it will attempt to reach a broader audience, one that includes the next generation of young shoppers and that it will elevate the brand to "a global position appealing to women who are looking for modern jewelry with bold and expressive style and design."

Monday Morning Music

Awesome video directed by Spike Jonze...shamelessly stolen from Fashion's Most Wanted

for my soon to be 27 year old skater boy, Alex.

How beautiful is this song?

Mickey Drexler -The Retail Maven Who Makes It Work

While you are sipping your Sunday coffee over the New York Times
a paper that I find to be a plethora of punditry, better avoided
I am perusing the Weekend Wall Street Journal
With the article about low key designer Richard Chai, John Derbyshire's list of the Five Best curmudgeonly books, and a review of uber Romantic Caspar David Friedrich's "Monk by the Sea", the Weekend Journal is a wealth of wonderment.

Not to be missed is the profile of retail maven Mickey Drexler, the man who made J.Crew. After building the Ann Taylor and Gap brands, Drexler has made J.Crew into the all american clothing company with Michelle Obama as the unofficial face of the brand.
Drexler knows his clients and brings them what they want at an affordable price.
Very smart.

A key step forward for J.Crew was opening the Wedding Boutique and capturing a slice of the huge wedding/bridal market.
I've watched friends put off getting married because the cost of the wedding, especially the dress which is worn only once, is so exorbitant. Drexler's J.Crew helps make an inexpensive wedding wardrobe chic.

How to wed the J.Crew way in Southern California
Start with a Vintage Art Deco diamond ring in platinum $1450 from Beladora.com
of course
Then plan the wedding

J. Crew cotton wedding gown $750

J.Crew Italian Chino Suit $366

Southern California Beach Wedding $1499
(without catering so take your guests to a local restaurant for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres)

Then check into the Laguna Cliffs Resort and Spa
for 4 or 5 nights
and bring your

J. Crew Honeymoon Essentials

J.Crew Blue Bikini $100

J.Crew Casual Shorts $49.50

I think the wedding, with ring and hotel stay, can be pulled off for under $10,000
depending on how much your guests drink...