Red Carpet Research

First of all, don't you love the new Montage blog post header?!! Be sure to look for it at the top of all my posts. So unique and dramatic...................

 like my jewels!

Now let's get down to business. It's Oscar Night and like all faithful jewelry designers I will be doing research. The dress designers will be checking out the fabulous gowns. The hair stylists will be surveying the updo's and side swept curls, but I'm really into the earrings. I've watched earring styles evolve dramatically over the years.

You can tell how old this red carpet photo is. Look who's with who! More importantly, look at J Lo's chandeliers. Beautiful, but not for Oscar Night 2013.

Here is (was) Nicole Kidman (she had Tom Cruise at her side in this photo) with her dated chandeliers. We know by her companion how old this photo must be, but her earrings also give it away.

Fast forward to the 2013 Golden Globes and take a gander at gorgeous Megan Fox. She is sporting some amazing bezel set stone earrings. LOVE them.

Also at the 2013 Golden Globes is Taylor Swift with a pair of earrings I covet. See the trend! 

To further support my Golden Globe "research," here is Debra Messing in some truly spectacular sparklers. Get the picture!

Tonight is the night for all good designers to don their lab coats and get to their laboratories (i.e. in front of their flat screens) to conduct their earth shattering scientific research. Hope you will join us and let me know whose fabulous earrings you thought to be the most dazzling!

A Work in Progress

All of us are, in a sense, a work in progress. Whether you are working on your career, your weight, your exercise regimen, your relationships, or whatever.... we all have work to do. Staying focused, following through, and being true to yourself are key. A personal mantra helps too. Here's how we translate this into jewelry design.

The team at The Montage Collection is currently putting the finishing touches on our Fall/Winter 2013 collections and there are definitely still some works in progress that we must bring to fruition. It helps us if we stay focused on our mantra... "Every piece tells a story." With that focus in mind, one by one, the stories do finally unfold. 

We also must think about who is going to wear our products, where they might be when they are stopped to receive compliments on their jewelry, and what they may be doing at the time.

Chances are they could easily be in an airport! One thing we know for sure is that our jewelry travels the world! Our customers are intrigued with interesting places to explore and often have to travel for their work. Therefore versatility is a key element in all our designs.

We also know that our customers appreciate interesting artisan food as much as they appreciate our interesting artisan jewelry. Picturing our customers as they might be dressed at a girls night out at some fabulous restaurant aids in the design process.

Our customers are busy girls! They are on the go and constantly multi tasking! That tells us that we need to apply the KISS principle: Keep it Simple Stupid. We all have enough to make life complicated. Adorning yourself needs to be a simple process.

This is an actual work in progress. It has not been fabricated and is still in the incubation stage, but we think it's a winner and you'll hear more about this piece in one of our future blogs.

And finally, here is one of our happy customers wearing our bronze pearls hand wrapped in gunmetal chains for extra edge. Looks like she's out to dinner, and I bet she likes to travel and is a great multi tasker!

Find out more at www.myrnahalpern.com

Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow!

Valentine's Day is upon us, and chances are if you are reading this blog, you have a love of fashion, as do I. Thought I would show you some of the spring 2013 fashions that have made my heart flutter! I am over the top over tops  for spring!

This M. Missoni print top is one love of mine. It incorporates the Pantone color of the year for 2013, emerald. Don't know that I could pull it off head to toe, but this gorgeous model sure looks good in it. Notice her funky shoes. We'll talk about oxfords later.

Diane Von Furstenberg's Addi sweater is a sensible and stunning wardrobe basic. Love that it is see through in front. You can add any color tank underneath for a pop of color. The back is solid and has a keyhole opening for a very retro finishing touch.

Marni's graphic prints are a must have. I want them, the wilder the better! 

Elizabeth and James pulled off the perfect white shirt that I adore for spring and summer. The jeweled collar keeps it from being boring and be sure to notice how the back is longer than the front. Wonder why!!

Call me crazy, but here is the shoe to add an interesting touch of quirkiness. These oxfords are by Frye. LOVE them! Planning to wear them later this spring as I trudge through Eastern Europe to gain inspiration for my next creative challenge.

Head over heels about these cropped trousers from 3.1 Phillip Lim to pull the entire look together. Wear the oxfords sockless to pull it off.

Bet you were wondering if I had any accessory advice for the lovelorn. Well, yes, I do. BRACELETS, the more the merrier. They will add interest to your outfit without taking away from all the fabulous, over the top tops I have mentioned. Our Perla bracelets with their edgy bullets and user friendly magnetic closures would be the perfect answer. Stack them with lots of your favorite bangles, and, above all, have a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Visit http://www.myrnahalpern.com/443168/perla/ for more info. on the Perla bracelets.

Then send me a love letter and tell me in the comments below which pieces you loved the most.

Tribeca..... the Bracelet

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

We all know about the wonderful area of New York known as Tribeca, the triangle below Canal Street. 

Tribeca is a great place to people watch.

There are lots of interesting shops.

And we all know about their famous film festival.

However you probably don't know about THE Tribeca bracelet. Since every piece tells a story, here goes. Tribeca is one of our best selling bracelets. Because it has three rows like a triangle has three sides, we named it the Tribeca.  We first called it Tricia, but I think Tribeca is much more sophisticated. In 2012 we showed it in white opal and Pacific opal and we completely sold out. 

We recently modified it slightly and added four new colors: sand opal, and crystal, shown below, as well as turquoise and mint.

The Tribeca bracelet may be found on the arms of many fashionable women and is also currently available at:

Paradise Island, Tampa, FL.

Kittie Kyle,  Memphis, TN.

and coming soon to

Vintage Republic, Port Arthur, TX.

Click here to find out more about the Tribeca: http://www.myrnahalpern.com/443172/tribeca/

Neon Ignites Color Clashing for Spring

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

Seems like every fashion magazine I pick up is featuring neon brights. Spring is all about color and neon seems to be the spark that ignites it all. See how to play those neon brights with the other candy pastels that are so on trend for Spring/Summer 2013. You must get out of your box to achieve this look because color clashing is what makes it all work!

Color blocking is what ties the outfit above by Nanette Lepore with our amethyst, coral and blue chalcedony earrings. Bold, yes, but it works.

Turquoise mixed with neon lime is a great warm weather combination. This powerful pop of turquoise adds just the right amount of interest to take a fun summer suit by Vivienne Westwood to new heights. I think this is the perfect answer to an afternoon wedding or power lunch.

Here is another take on lime and turquoise. The Lela Rose dress is a softer shade of neon and our recycled glass necklace is actually more of a blue green, but the color balance remains the same.

Our Rebekah necklace would be the perfect answer to Equipment's neon yellow silk shirt. Wear the necklace under the collar for a "neon meets tribal" sort of quirky chic.

J. Crew has a great selection of neon cashmeres this season. Any of them would look amazing with our Lynwood necklace. The touches of wood mixed with the candy colored stones adds a casual air that works so well with your favorite jeans.

Clothing available at www.net-a-porter.com.

Jewelry available from the Lexie Collection at www.myrnahalpern.com

Inauguration Day

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

Not only is Obama celebrating Inauguration Day, we are too. Happily we announce the inauguration of our special Lexie Collection for Spring/Summer 2013. Lexie is only available online and is specially priced (all pieces are under $100.) Every piece tells a story at The Montage Collection, and the story behind this collection is a tale about sherbet hues where all the tres chic characters in the story mix and match effortlessly.

Kick off the warmer weather ahead with the Cordelle necklace which sports a flirty and fun silk tassel. Cordelle is lightweight and colorful. Slip it over a simple tee for a casual weekend or pair it with a silk tunic, skinny pants and high heels for a night out.

Speaking of a night out on the town, the Rebekah earring would be perfect. Designed to complement the Rebekah necklace, it is also a great companion to the Cordelle necklace. Amethyst, coral and blue chalcedony are a great color combo. Don't be afraid to wear it with anything neon. It will look amazing.

If bracelets are your thing, this collection is for you. Delicate yet daring, each bracelet is unique and will be a fabulous addition to your personal Montage Collection. And now the best part, a portion of every online purchase goes to Pancreatic Cancer Research, really a win win. Happy Inauguration Day  and Happy Shopping, everyone!

See it all by clicking here: www.myrnahalpern.com

A Dirty Job, but Someone's Gotta Do It

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

Jewelry designing has its perks...... like when you have to go to New York. Where else can you buy your stones and supplies, meet with your rep., and hire a new intern? And here she is... our fabulous new intern Keely-Shea Smith, a senior marketing major at F.I.T. seen here ready to trudge through the aisles with me at Accessories the Show at the Javits Center. From there we moved on to the ENK Shows at the Piers.

And what fascinated us? Not the chandelier earrings, but the chandeliers! Here's the one we had lunch under!

Loved this chandelier as well. Found it in a booth by a jewelry designer from London. Would love to make it into an earring.

The next day it was time to get down to business... so many stones, so little time. (Guess I had spent too much time with my hubby having lunch at Jean Georges that day!)

Speaking of distractions, had to do a little research at the Uniqlo store on Fifth Avenue with its twirling mannequins..........so cool!

All in all it was an exhausting but productive trip, it's a dirty job...... you know the rest.