In the spirit of “April showers bring May flowers,” the Jewel of the Month is the poppy ring I created for my designing friend Zang Toi’s 2007 spring runway show. I also designed a matching bracelet, choker and giant belt buckle — all in gold-plated silver.
On the runway: Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi belt buckle and ring.
On the runway: A closer look at the ring.
On the runway: Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi bracelet.
On the runway: Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi choker.
With Zang’s approval, I wore the ring myself with one of his dresses for New Year’s Eve, before the jewelry appeared in his show.
Wearing the Wendy Brandes for Zang Toi ring with Zang's dress and my Cleopatra earrings on Dec. 31, 2006.
Why is this ring Jewel of the Month more than four years after I made it? Because Zang customized one of his spring 2011 dresses for my gorgeous friend Christine. His original design was black with pink flowers …
Zang's dress on the runway. Click for photo source.
… but he made it in chocolate brown with lavender flowers for Christine.
Christine's customized Zang Toi dress. (She couldn't pose in it because she's gotten so slim that it needs to be altered!)
Then he suggested adding amethysts to the poppy ring to match. And voila!
Christine's customized poppy ring.
One of the things I love about jewelry is that I can always bring back an old design especially for you, as long as I have the original mold. Jewelry designs are forever!
Click to see more photos on my website.
Wendy, what an amazing collaboration! Your flowers are gorgeous against the orange and you look so chic and happy in the picture!
The model in that orange dress and flower belt is stunning. You can’t help but be mesmerized by her. Your beautiful accessories really make the whole look pop.
Oh, how I wish I were as lucky as Zang and I was able to have you do some gorgeous pieces for my Spring ’12 collection!! Those runway pieces are crazy amazing and Christine’s ring is to die for.
Wendy, the photo with the model wearing orange and your jewelry is soooooooo beautiful!
Creativity runs rampant through you and Zang. Gosh!
Hi my dear-wow, I adore the belt, choker necklace, ring and bangle, but the ring with amethysts in it is so stunning indeed!! Love the dress too, very unique and totally gorgeous xx
This one is dreamy! A gorgeous ring.
That colour of the metal is glorious, it really makes your amazing design pop. xxx
WOW! That is quite a piece. I like. Jewelry designs are forever!
I love this ring and the belt!!! They are fabulous!! Thanks for your input on my blog dilemma….we live and learn…it was an interesting situation!!
I am truly blessed! When I get a picture of me in the dress, with the ring of course, I will send it pronto!
I do not normally wear florals, and especially not floral themed jewelry which I find a bit twee, but this ring is amazing. The workmanship is stunning. Even looking at the back of the ring, the petals are beautifully carved; the ring is pure sculpture. I wore it to Zang’s A/W 2011 show and so many people remembered it from the 2007 show and loved it.
One piece of Wendy’s jewelry is so superior to any other “designer”. I have some nice pieces of jewelry, but it’s the pieces I have from Wendy that I wear and treasure most!
Thank you Wendy!
I am truly blessed! When I get a picture of me in the dress, with the ring of course, I will send it pronto!
I do not normally wear florals, and especially not floral themed jewelry which I find a bit twee, but this ring is amazing. The workmanship is stunning. Even looking at the back of the ring, the petals are beautifully carved; the ring is pure sculpture. I wore it to Zang\’s A/W 2011 show and so many people remembered it from the 2007 show and loved it.
One piece of Wendy\’s jewelry is so superior to any other \”designer\”. I have some nice pieces of jewelry, but it\’s the pieces I have from Wendy that I wear and treasure most!
Thank you Wendy!
Love the one with purple…could you email the price to me?
you always go above and beyond. i adore that.
what a great collection
loved all of the pieces, but especially the ring
kudos to you
brett
What a stunning collection, I am gaga for the belt buckle!
Wow, these statement pieces are extraordinary! My policy with rings is, the bigger the better, so I adore this.
There is so much gorgeousness in this post, I might have to avert my eyes. The amethysts in the poppy ring are utterly perfect!
The models, the clothes, the jewelry, you, I agree with Sally, a person needs sunglasses in the presence of so much radiance.
The jewelry is fantastic. Thank you for the photos!
Beautiful dresses and jewelry!
Love poppies! Fun fact: it’s illegal to pick a California poppy (in California, where it’s protected as the state flower). Bet this would gorgeous with yellow or orange stones, too.
I love the addition of the amethysts. The ring is gorgeous. I’m a big fan of big rings.
OMG it’s freaking gorgeous!!!
Wow, that ring is such an amazingly gorgeous piece!
amazing pieces!
love that arm bracelet on the model and the ring <3
Your flowers are gorgeous!!!!
xoxo
I cannot get over how incredibly beautiful that ring is. I mean wow. It has heirloom piece written all over it. Zang must have been thrilled!
So gorgeous. Christine is one lucky lady!
well that ring is pretty frakkin’ awesome! love it! and you are in the big time, little lady! congrats!
Woah, it’s beautiful!
It’s lovely! What a unique piece.
xo L.
I really love this ring. It’s so huge! All the pieces are brilliant. Lots and lots of lovely gold.
I am in love with these pieces – omg – the choker! i I like my rings large. 🙂 The color pallet of the whole show is really quite lovely. You must be so proud, Wendy!