Friday, March 4, 2011
Gorgeous stylist Nicole Young gave me a thrill on Tuesday when she used the black swan version of my Cleves ring in an NY PIX Morning News segment on “Stunning Oscar Trends for Less.” The ring was part of the Natalie Portman look, of course. And the Halle Berry look featured my giant butterfly ring.
Click the picture to see the video.
I hope no one died of sticker shock after looking up the swan ring on my website. The 18K-gold-and-black-diamond, non-mass-produced ring goes for $6,950. Hey, it makes sense to skimp on your dress and put all your money into a ring. The gold has resale value!
Click to shop.
My own “dress for less” version of the ring comes in silver, with diamond eyes, and retails for $625.
Click to shop.
The silver version, like the gold, isn’t mass produced. I keep one in stock in size 6 and make others to order. You can feel special if you’re wearing one of these pieces. As a former business partner of mine used to say, “You won’t see yourself coming and going on the street.”
I’d like to thank a few other peeps for mentioning me lately. I’m always honored and excited whenever anyone writes about me or my work:
If you do write about me, please let me know so I can link to you in the “Thanks for the Love” column on the right side of this page. All interviews go under the Interviews tab on the top. I’ll also tweet you and link to you on my Facebook fan page. If you haven’t already “liked” my fan page, do it now! Fans get a discount on select items that are sold on the page. Click the “Shop Now” link to see what’s for sale.
Wow doll…..both versions are simply GORGEOUS!! I agree, skimp on the gown, never the jewels:)
Twitter: juliaohso
says:
Hehe, when I watched the segment I also foudn it kind of funny that they used teh ring in a “dress for less” feature! But yeah, investing in gold is a smarter idea
Well deserved!I am still hoping that Natalie buys that ring. She so needs to.
wow, love the ring…I actually like the silver version better than the gold!
That is a gorgeous ring, so I’m glad it’s getting attention from the press.
Hi my dear-congratulations on the publicity, much deserved and I’ve always adored the silver Cleves ring, its so stunning xx
Ah awesome! It’s a beautiful ring so the publicity is definitely well deserved. Well done Wendy!
very very cool feature! woot!
WHOOHOO! You so deserve the recognition! You rock
And I just so happen to be wearing my Boleyn “Y” necklace today AND the photo that I just blogged about that was taken 2 1/2 years ago just so happens to also show me wearing it. So, you’re on my mind a lot today!
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
Yay!
Twitter: gawgusthings
says:
WOW!! What an amazing ring – gorgeous
I’ve always loved that ring. It’s such a fine example of matte finish.
Twitter: ldropvintage
says:
My grandmother uses that expression all of the time (coming and going) only it’s comin’ because she is from Louisiana. Lovely ring, such pretty detail. Congrats on the big mention!
gorgeous ring:)
Twitter: pearlwestwood
says:
Great plug! I think it is well worth paying for something exquiste and rare x
Hi WB–I was thinking that I’d wear the ring pointing in the opposite direction, so I could see the swan right-side-up as I look down. The stylist obviously is showing off its beauty to the audience, but I was wondering about your take on how to wear it.
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
I would indeed wear it as you would wear it. When I first saw the clip, I thought, “That’s upside-down.”
Twitter: cuteshopper
says:
Wow Wendy – that Black Swan ring is gorgeous! And congrats on all the props you’re getting these days! Well deserved!!!
Loving the ring, Lets hope Natalie has a girl and she can invest in one to keep for her daughter! x
Congrats on the feature! I’d like to think that people would invest more in timeless jewelry than clothes they’ll only wear a few times, but maybe that’s just me. I’ll have to save up for that gold ring. I do have a weakness for black diamonds…
Twitter: maddytweetz
says:
So pretty! And I’m with the others, hopefully Ms. Portman herself will pick up the ring for herself
so pretty, loving the silver version.
It was my pleasure to feature you on de la Pen, Wendy! Your work is amazing and I enjoyed seeing it. Thanks fir linking to me!
meant for*
Twitter: dresscourage
says:
Oh my gosh, your shoes are amazing. They’re absolutely sculptural. I really adore your personal style! And I would KILL for one of your swan rings. Each is so detailed and special.
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
Thanks, Elissa! I’m always so happy when people enjoy the intricacies of my design!
that ring is really really beautiful…..you could even wear the gold one for everyday, it’s that subtly done. i love the way the diamonds are set at an angle in the wings.
“Hey, it makes sense to skimp on your dress and put all your money into a ring.” i don’t know how i started thinking this way, but in my twenties i had this theory that the amount of money i spent on the outfit should increase according to the fanciness/importance of the event. i even had kind of a scale: going to class about $25-45, weekend evening dinner $75-90, friend’s wedding maybe $100-150….(clothes, accessories, shoes, etc. all added up)
as the years went by, i developed more appropriate (or at least “other”) ideas about event specific dressing. then i got engaged to mr. e, and we ended up having a ring custom made – & i realized that according to my old theory, i could put my ring on and suddenly i could go anywhere!!! anyways your comment made me think of that, and i don’t recall seeing this ‘theory of dress’ explained on the internet yet, so….Congratulations on the exposure and fingers crossed on Ms. Portman! steph
p.s. and my word is ‘nosrsly’. no, seriously
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
I love your dollars-to-event ratio — that is highlarious. (srsly!)
Glad you had your ring custom made. That makes it so much more special! And I do wear the gold swan for every day. It’s really quite subtle on first glance, like a lot of my pieces. The matte finish on the yellow gold keeps things toned down. No one knows that it’s anything unusual until they take a close look.
The ring is awesome – no wonder they featured it on TV! Congrats!
Ohhh, that ring — and to think I got to try it on! It really is a work of art, Wendy.
Twitter: JTwisdom
says:
Beautiful. I love both the silver and the gold. The wing design of the swan ring on each side is so pretty. I do agree to splurge on the ring. I have to add this to my wishlist. I would wear this ring with jeans, dress pants or skirts to work, church, my pajamas when I go to sleep. You name it I would wear it with everything.
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
I love your “wear with everything” attitude. It’s actually a super easy ring to wear because it’s so flush to the finger. Doesn’t get caught on anything. It’s definitely my “everyday” ring.
Beautiful,beautiful ring!! Congrats on the mention!
Congrats on the (deserved) TV spot.
The ring is heart stoppingly beautiful. I remember trying it on at our girly lunch and I was in awe of the beautiful detailing. I would wear it with anything too, it’s a great every day ring I agree. x