JEWELRY

I recently had the pleasure to speak with accessory designer Shara Porter, whose products are featured at various locales throughout New York City, about her experiences as a young artist. The rest, they say, was history – and is featured below for The Vogue City readers.

What got you interested in art, leatherware and design?

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve like making things. I didn’t realize it could become my career. I pursued a more straight and narrow path for awhile; I studied public policy in college. I just didn’t realize what else was out there.”

What was spark that helped transition it into your career?

“I started listening to my heart instead of listening to what I thought I should do, and gave myself the space to do that. After I finished college I searched for awhile to see what I could pursue. I worked in New York City on custom wood furniture and custom design projects. I’ve been thrift shopping since I was young, and love the idea of finding something, cutting it up and turning it into something entirely different. I actually started a line the mid-to-late 90s of slip dresses. I would go around the country, picking up these great old slips at thrift shops; then, dye and embellish them. I eventually took a class at a craft school in North Carolina and it changed the way I approached everything – I realized I’d been too practical about what I was doing. I learned how to take an image and transfer it onto fabric; it got me excited conceptually. I came back to Brooklyn and took a few classes at FIT and Parsons, then applied to graduate school without having too much of an art background, but figured I could find my way. These experiences brought me to where I am today.”

Do you look toward any artists or designers for inspiration?

“David Ireland [cite what medium he specializes in] is great. He bought an old house in San Francisco with the intention of renovating it and started to break it down and just stopped. He left the walls bare, with the foundation exposed, and exhibited the house through installations and photography. I like the idea of making every day special in some way and looking for details in the obscure. I’m touched by things that are overlooked; probably because I felt like I was overlooked for awhile. I look for things that are discarded to see if I can resurrect them in some way. I also admire Rei Kawakubo, of Comme de Garcones, for her unique designs and the way she puts together
unexpected elements.”

What about bag designers?

“I don’t look to other bag designers for inspiration for my own line. For me, it’s about shape – simple shapes – and quality, and letting those things shine on their own. I love old Aigner bags. Old things are made so much better than they are today.”

How would you describe your personal style?

I like things that are worm – things that have an age and clothing that has some wear to it. I love quirky, unique things that I can chop up; things that are asymmetrical and unexpected. There has to be an element of surprise – a slit in the sleeve of a shirt or a print on a bag – in my style. I appreciate the unpredictable. You’ll notice a recycled element to my work; there’s so much waste and excess that I’d rather not contribute to the problem.”
Describe your ideal customer.

My products tend to do best in big cities. I’d say that my ideal customer is a woman in her mid-20s to early 40s, but am sometimes surprised – I’ve had women in their 60s respond positively to my bags as well. I guess more than age, my customers tend to be people who already have a unique style and want something that’s different and one-of-a-kind.”

Do you have any advice for those who are interested in starting their own accessory line?

“Just follow what you’re passionate about and eventually other people will see that passion. Be willing to learn the ropes of the industry as you go. I came at it through the back door, which is not conventional.”

Would you go back to what you were doing before?

“I wouldn’t go back. I just love the freedom of everyday doing something towards my business, making it my own. I hope that I can continue for awhile.”

Shara’s work can be found at 4 Play BK, 360 7th Avenue (718.369.4086) and Neda, 302 Court Street (718.624.6332) in Brooklyn, or at The Clothing Warehouse, 8 Prince Street (212.343.1967) in Manhattan. For further information about Shara Porter, or to get the full list of where you can purchase her pieces, please go to HYPERLINK “http://www.sharaporter.com/”http://www.sharaporter.com.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

Size aside, there’s something refreshingly simple about statement jewelry.  With consumer attitude shifting away from the “More is more and less is bad” attitude of yesteryear, there’s no wonder that complex necklaces, bracelets and rings are standing their own this spring.  Whether you’re adhering to status quo or just don’t have the time to fuss with accessory overload, consider a cuff bracelet to complete your look – and let The Vogue City show you how to do it well.

Fendi gives a new meaning to bondage with their perforated suede cuff in aqua, $465 (Get Out of Jail Free card not included).  While this bracelet isn’t particularly busy, it’s loud – what else would you expect from an Italian design house? – and should be worn with something remarkably understated, like a neutral tunic and cigarette pants. 

This Luc Kieffer resin cuff, $286, is both demure and daring.  Golden floral details radiate warmth through the clear resin, while Swarovski details highlight the bracelet’s shine.  Resin, a durable plastic, scratches easily; consider leaving this at home while clawing through your next sample sale.

Of course, a trend isn’t a trend unless Forever 21 fornicates a version of their own.  In this case, they’ve done surprisingly well with their jewel burst cuff for less than $7.

With Saint Tropez-inspired design and a choice of (faux) gold or silver base, you’ll forget you’re dredging through the last bite of winter’s arctic blast as you march uptown with visions of little pink drinks with umbrellas pouring through your head. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

new york bargains

TheVogueCity.com would like to apologize for the misprint in the date of the Tourneau Sample Sale. Below is the correct information as well as the correction in the calendar:

WHAT: Tourneau Sample Sale

WHY: Brand name watches are marked down by 50-70% at the Tourneau Sample Sale.

WHEN: 2/7-2/12
9-6:30

WHERE: 317 W 33rd St (nr 8th Ave)
Telephone: 718 747 1656

Attention all rockstars, or those who think they are but are secretly scared of a lifestyle fueled by sex, drugs and easy women:  your time to shine has arrived!  After a season of muted tones and subtlety, rock and roll design – with metal, metal, everywhere – reigns supreme once again. Perhaps it’s the designers’ hidden innuendos that we’ve got to toughen up a bit.  Or, perhaps we need to strike a balance between the featherweight trends that floated their way down the runways at Fashion Week with something more solid.  What better way to say it than with a statement necklace?  With statement necklaces, actions speak louder than words.  A statement necklace stands strong enough alone – nix the chandelier earrings in favor of simple studs, and lose the bangles around your wrists in favor of going bare – and brings even a basic solid tank to life.  While engaged in my favorite Saturday morning sport – window shopping online, within the comfort of my apartment and coffee-stained pajamas – I came across several worth sharing with The Vogue City readers.

I found the Baroque pearl necklace at Neiman Marcus for just under $14,000.  This one says “I live in a rent-controlled walk up on the Upper East Side and haven’t paid my student loans since kindergarten.”  If pearls are a bit too “soft” for your style, try the Zephyr pendant necklace from H. Stern for just over $6,000.

Perfect for lunch at Pastis with your sugar daddy du Jour and his divorce lawyer!

For us realistic recessionistas, Maison Martin Margiela has a great line of bold-yet-reasonable pieces available at eluxury.com.  Priced around $400 or less, these intricate necklaces won’t break the bank – or wedding vows.  

My favorite place to score discounted jewelry trends, H&M, didn’t feature much on its site aside from waif-like teenage models in skinny jeans and patchwork vests, giving this bargain babe reason to change out of her frumpy weekend wear and hit the ground running to the nearest location to scour the racks herself.  I wonder if Mick Jagger can give me a lift?    -Karyn Polewaczyk