Several recent articles have grabbed my attention for various reasons — sometimes, unpleasant reasons. Starting out on the bright side, I enjoyed the Wall Street Journal’s story about how Janis Joplin came to write the acapella song, “Mercedes Benz.” CLICK HERE TO READ THE WSJ STORY ABOUT JANIS JOPLIN. As a designer, I’m always interested…
stores
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in New York’s Story
If you lived in New York City in the 1980s, you might be familiar with a nightclub called Area. From 1983 to 1987, Area transformed itself every six weeks or so to express different themes, which included Night, Gnarly, Surrealism and Suburbia. (I went there just once while I was in college and I felt…
Hey, Texans! Check Me Out at Jewel Gallery in El Paso!
I’m happy to announce that Jewel Gallery in El Paso, Texas, is now carrying my social-media-inspired WENDYB by Wendy Brandes diffusion line! Celina Ortega, the gorgeous sales manager at Jewel Gallery, came across my work in JCK Magazine and — voilà! — I’m in Texas. Here’s a peek at the store. This spot looks cozy….
Throwback Thursday: ’80s Stores American High and Think Big
This photo was taken during my senior year of high school (1984/1985). The oversize sweatshirt was from a New York Store store called American High. It had a Camp Beverly Hills kind of vibe and put its “American High” seal on basics like sweatshirts, t-shirts and high-top sneakers. Earlier this week, my sister reminded me…
Throwback Thursday: Program From ’82, Dress From ’89
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that my parents are moving out of my childhood home in New Jersey. They’re clearing out all their old stuff, so I visited last weekend to take a look around. I couldn’t believe some of the things I found! Just last month I was trying to figure out when I’d…
Too Mainstream? Get the Fuck Out of Here.
The reaction to my “romantic, gothic, alien” jewelry that I hear (and enjoy) the most is, “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.” Other jewelers gasp when they see that my golden egg locket opens to reveal a tiny, diamond-eyed silver chicken … which, in turn, opens to reveal three gold eggs. I…
Bright Lipstick Is Back and I’m Out of Time
The Wall Street Journal has a story headlined, “Very Bright Lipstick, All the Time.” In it, Elizabeth Holmes writes: “In the beauty world’s eternal cycle between eyes and lips, it’s lipstick’s moment. Many women are adopting a signature standout lipstick color—bright red, rich coral, vivid pink—to wear day or night with everything in their closet.”…
Wendy Brandes Jewelry Is Now at Max & Chloe
I’m proud to say that my jewelry line is now being sold at online retailer Max & Chloe! CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SELECTION. Certain designs are exclusively available at Max & Chloe, so if you want the one-of-a-kind, rutilated quartz and diamond Venus necklace, please go there instead of my website. Some of my…
Big in Japan … and Big at Barneys, in a Weird Way
A reporter from Japanese newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun attended the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference on September 7 and did a story about people wearing prints. My Lego-print Castelbajac dress caught her eye, so I’m in the story, along with some other gorgeous bloggers. And here’s the online version. Mami, the reporter, asked me why prints…
On the Town: Fashion’s Night Out in New York City
I wasn’t planning to go anywhere for Fashion’s Night Out, but then my gorgeous hairstylist friend Julie Matos told me that vintage showroom Post Script Couture had some pieces from Debbie Harry. I had to check that out, so I put on what I hoped was a Debbie Harry-worthy vintage Stephen Sprouse skirt and headed…