New Products Make a Glowing First Appearance at Diamond Lounge 2006By Natalie Martin Page 1. Now that all the Oscar hoopla has passed and those who took home their golden statuettes are busy reading the plethora of scripts that poured in the day after the event, Agenda Magazine has a preview of the products that made their debuts in many an Oscar-attendee gift bag.
Isabelle Kellogg knows a thing or two about couture. The PR agent for Giorgio Visconti Finest Jewelry showcased some of the designer’s tastiest selections, including a $45,000 rope necklace piece enveloped in white gold and diamonds. Unlike many high-end jewelers, Visconti’s traditional approach retains the intimacy and uniqueness of the merchandise, which uses Italian diamonds. “It’s a little bit different from the French, Harry Winston, American [design],” said Kellogg. “It’s from a house in Italy—Valenza—and it’s a family company like a lot of these companies are, which are from that area. And everything is made by hand. You’ll find things like ‘father and son, grandfather, grandson’—very few people in the company, but they make everything by hand.” Visconti keeps all of its manufacturing in-house, rather than outsourcing to other countries. That business practice may keep prices higher than companies that do have international labor forces, but the quality retention by keeping it local is worth the extra costs, adds Kellogg. “You get the integrity of design, and the personal touch is one of the focuses of the company,” she said. The unorthodox designs, with beautiful and unusual pairings of gold and diamonds, and broad, detailed shapes for necklaces, which lightly drape down the chest, pay homage to the past (dome-shaped ring) and future (rope necklace) jewelry trends. The rope necklace is a favorite among stars, including Sasha Cohen and Julie Delpy, Kellogg noted. The continuous diamond rope is popular for its ability to show a great amount of both light and shadow, as well as the heart-shaped collections, which vary with white and black diamond motifs. If you want a little wellbeing with your vogue, try Energetix Magnet Therapy jewelry from Germany. Distributor Beatrice Cederstrom said that the product offers simplistic design—perfect for accessorizing, whether for a night on the town or a relaxed day at the beach—and the added health benefit of magnets, which have been known to aid in better blood pressure and respiratory function. Energetix is also registered for Class 1 Medical Devices with the European Union. With a 1,200 Gauss strength, which measures the attraction strength of the magnet metrically, the jewelry can be used to alleviate pain, stress and tension—all while sparkling fabulously against the neck, wrist, and hands. And celebrities can’t get enough of Energetix’s visual appeal and physical benefits: Allergy-free, shower-friendly Energetix has recently appeared on red carpets for the Golden Globes and (twice) for the Academy Awards. “Paris Hilton, Paula Abdul, Oscar-nominee Terrance Howard, and Sharon Stone are just a handful of the celebrities who wear [Energetix] jewelry,” said Cederstrom, who claimed that she initially was skeptical about the jewelry’s physiological benefits. She since has experienced fewer migraines and better circulation from wearing one of the bracelets every day. The company’s catalog features a host of bracelets, necklaces, pendants, and even dog collars, which, according to Cederstrom, offer the same amount of health benefits for pets as the jewelry does for pet owners. With an assortment of gemstones, beautiful black and white pearl designs and gold/gold-plated bands, Energetix is a pleasure to look at and even more to wear. Visit www.Energetix.tv for more information. Jennifer Chang of Kumi Kookoon silk product makers was pleased with the response and success of their line of fine quality comforters and designer clothing. The hypoallergenic sheets, gowns, and bedclothes all use raw, hand-stretched silk that is unbelievably soft to the touch. “Silk is actually the strongest natural fiber, so if you took the same square inch measurement of steel, the steel would break before the silk,” Chang said. “It’s also fire-retardant, so if there’s ever a fire, you can put it out with your silk blanket.” One of the best features about silk products is that, because it is a natural fiber, the proteins within it are good for both the hair and the skin, said Chang, adding that silk proteins are about the closest to proteins naturally found in human hair and skin. The products—from pillowcases to pjs—come in a variety of colors. |
