Flowers, Oysters, Whatever - I Like It
I decided a cuff was missing from my
accessories collection so I set out to find one with my Christmas money
earlier this week. I was at Holt Renfrew in Toronto where the
bangle/cuff offerings were plentiful, but that "I'll know it when I see
it moment" was proving elusive - until I rounded the corner and saw the Kara Ross petal collection, one of
which looked a bit more like an oyster than a flower as my good friend
and shopping partner-in-crime Tammy pointed out. Nonetheless, we both
agreed they were beautiful and unique pieces, whether sea or
garden-inspired. And each was slightly different and therefore
one-of-a-kind. C'est bon.
I chose the striking ivory and black combo with the smooth and shiny gunmetal finish, rock crystal and python petals - Kara Ross often works with exotic skins - and also considered the matching ring (to be worn on separate occasions, of course). The cuff was a done deal, but while mulling over the ring we wandered over to the sale table, which again, as it is, is a sight that should not be seen in Holt Renfrew. Why? Begin rant: Once deemed luxury goods at full price and given their rightful place in the locked, glass, display cabinet, these same items get marked down and tossed on what essentially becomes a crap table, carelessly pawed at and just so sad looking. Among the cast-offs were the matching petal earrings, the pairs separated and strewn about, which just soured me on the ring and also on the cuff, somewhat.
Unlike stray animals roaming the streets or peering out desperately from rescue shelter cages, clothes, jewelry and bags looking pathetic on a sale table do not pull at our heart strings and prompt us to bring them home. Rather, it makes us question the real value and reflects very poorly on the store. I think it's safe to assume the design houses behind the goods would hardly approve of this haphazard approach to 'merchandising', never mind how disheartening it would be to the small, independent designers who take a hand-on, personal approach to their creations.
Imagine if say, Net-a-porter delivered sale items to us with a sleeve hanging out of the box and seams coming apart (I saw that at HR as well and the staff didn't pull them after noticing). Instead, the only difference between the sale items and their presentation from NET's regular priced ones is the cost. And that's how it should be. Sure, brick and mortar versus online certainly has its challenges, but certainly it's not too much to ask that $3500 handbags not be chucked onto a table in a big pile, only to have their delicate embellishments left hanging by threads, tagged with the BARGAIN price of $2500. Taking a little care makes all the difference. And when they do, we feel good about our purchase rather than wondering if we've been duped into wanting these things in the first place.
Rant over. In the end, I do love my beautiful cuff, especially after seeing more of Kara Ross' work on her website,
there are some bold and pretty pieces. And most of her petal collection
does actually look like flowers rather than oysters (I think it was the
colour combo of mine that resembled a tasty mollusk).
I chose the striking ivory and black combo with the smooth and shiny gunmetal finish, rock crystal and python petals - Kara Ross often works with exotic skins - and also considered the matching ring (to be worn on separate occasions, of course). The cuff was a done deal, but while mulling over the ring we wandered over to the sale table, which again, as it is, is a sight that should not be seen in Holt Renfrew. Why? Begin rant: Once deemed luxury goods at full price and given their rightful place in the locked, glass, display cabinet, these same items get marked down and tossed on what essentially becomes a crap table, carelessly pawed at and just so sad looking. Among the cast-offs were the matching petal earrings, the pairs separated and strewn about, which just soured me on the ring and also on the cuff, somewhat.
Unlike stray animals roaming the streets or peering out desperately from rescue shelter cages, clothes, jewelry and bags looking pathetic on a sale table do not pull at our heart strings and prompt us to bring them home. Rather, it makes us question the real value and reflects very poorly on the store. I think it's safe to assume the design houses behind the goods would hardly approve of this haphazard approach to 'merchandising', never mind how disheartening it would be to the small, independent designers who take a hand-on, personal approach to their creations.
Imagine if say, Net-a-porter delivered sale items to us with a sleeve hanging out of the box and seams coming apart (I saw that at HR as well and the staff didn't pull them after noticing). Instead, the only difference between the sale items and their presentation from NET's regular priced ones is the cost. And that's how it should be. Sure, brick and mortar versus online certainly has its challenges, but certainly it's not too much to ask that $3500 handbags not be chucked onto a table in a big pile, only to have their delicate embellishments left hanging by threads, tagged with the BARGAIN price of $2500. Taking a little care makes all the difference. And when they do, we feel good about our purchase rather than wondering if we've been duped into wanting these things in the first place.
I also like this gunmetal and hematite cuff and these petal necklaces - a lot. And they're on sale. (But instead of being thrown onto crap tables they are pretty pictures on your monitor and will arrive at your door looking just the same.)
Speaking of jewelry!
For those of you who may be interested in the possibilities that adornment like jewelry can hold check out some of the artist jewelers that are represented by Sienna Gallery.
Here is one of my favorites, Lola Brooks... sure it may be pricey, but damn it is beautiful, handmade and innovative in thought.
http://www.siennagallery.com/artist-bio.php?artistID=7
Posted by: Molly Vogel` | December 28, 2008 at 02:20 AM
Thanks for this, Molly - her work is gorgeous and should be seen. I feel a post coming on! xx
Posted by: Denise | December 28, 2008 at 03:24 AM
wow that is an amazing bracelet! holt renfrew is so awesome! hope your taking advantage of the big sale that they have going on right now =)
Posted by: nicole | December 28, 2008 at 05:34 AM