Ivanka Trump's Diamond Days
Jewelry: Besides following in her father's footsteps as a real estate mogul - 26-year-old Ivanka Trump is a vice president at Trump Organization of real estate and acquisitions - she was inspired by her mother to also put a personal stamp on the notion that diamond's are a girl's best friend with her fine jewelry collection.
After partnering with Dynamic Diamond Corp, Trump launched her boutique last September on Madison Avenue. The Ivanka Trump collection mixes a modern, youthful sensibility with the traditional allure of classic diamond settings. Diamond bands might include the addition of spherical charms, while Trump's Tassel collection, which includes tassel necklaces and earrings made from South Sea pearls or diamonds, add a particularly sassy sensibility to the usual luxe materials.
A black and white theme pervades the entire collection, with a special emphasis on materials like rock crystal and black onyx.
For Trump's latest collection, to launch in September, there are thin mother of pearl inlays behind clear rock crystal cabochon, worn as a pendant on a necklace or as an oversized cocktail ring, one of the most popular items in the store. Pagoda-shaped earrings and necklace pendants continue on an Asian-inspired theme from last season, and black diamonds are incorporated into delicate bangles.
Prices range from affordable - by fine jewelry standards - to "honey-sell-the-BMW." Mod looking black onyx bead earrings with diamonds would set you back $750, while a signature step cut oval diamond engagement ring costs $3,500. Diamond "door knocker" earrings, inspired by Old Hollywood glamour, are $35,000.
All the jewelry is produced in New York, so the store can customize any piece according to the customer's specifications. But custom-made jewelry is not the only way to personalize the jewelry. In fact, most pieces can be worn several different ways - earrings with removable charms that can be added to a necklace, for example, or reversible earrings in the upcoming collection, which can be worn to reveal either black or white diamonds.
The store's intimate boudoir-like setting facilitates the idea that you're trying on jewelry in your own bedroom, and that's precisely the kind of comfortable space Trump wants to create to sell her diamonds. Customers are encouraged to try anything on without any stuffy or pretentious airs. Instead, as Trump explained in an interview in April with "The Insider," it's a relaxed environment where independently-minded, self-made women can go with their girlfriends to buy jewelry for themselves.
Though the store is less than a year old, Trump plans to open another five stores in coming months - Las Vegas in 2009, then L.A., followed by international locations to be determined. For those who can't make it to a store, the jewelry can be ordered from anywhere on her Web site.
By Renata Espinosa
Courtesy of Fashion Wire Daily
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