My Latest Article for The Jewelry Book: Trends 2014: It's Eclectic!

May 09, 2014 by allyson riccardi in jewelry, retailers, fashion

I consume so much information on a daily basis about trends, including meeting with clients and colleagues to see their latest collections, so it's nice to step back and outline the movers and shakers. This piece was written especially for retailers who will be at Market Week in Las Vegas the end of this month, to serve as a guide for what their customers will be asking for in the coming months. Click here to view the full article, pp 35-37.

Judi Powers for Hatch Jewelry - Interview

April 10, 2014 by allyson riccardi in jewelry, designer interview

I first met Judi Powers at our initial photo shoot for the Hatch Jewelry website. Her bubbly personality and passion for her new career as a jewelry designer was infectious. Later, I visited her at her bench at Brooklyn Metal Works and we had a great interview, talking about everything leading up to her career change and lots more. Click here to read the full interview and you can find out more about her latest designs on her website.

Event Recap: "Style Goddesses: Chanel and Schiaparelli Bijoux de Couture"

March 29, 2014 by allyson riccardi in jewelry, fashion, events

If you ever heard your grandmother use the term "paste jewelry," as I did, you probably didn't really understood what it meant, but you knew from her disdainful tone that it was derogatory, something not as good as the real thing. Until a few days ago, I never realized that the term comes from the French "pate de verre" which means glass paste, and has nothing to do with fake gems being pasted to metal, which is what I'd always assumed!

I was enlightened in more ways than one by a fascinating lecture hosted by the American Society of Jewelry Historians on March 27. The lovely Deanna Farneti Cera was our guide to a very specific period of history, 1930-1950 in Paris, when 2 formidable doyennes of fashion enjoyed a fierce rivalry. Back then, couture simply meant "made to measure" and fashion shows were merely défilés of ten or so girls parading around an atelier for a select group of well-to-do clients.

Joanna Bengoa for Hatch Jewelry - Interview

February 21, 2014 by allyson riccardi in jewelry, designer interview

In early January I sat down with my very pregnant friend Joanna Bengoa to talk about her career as a jewelry designer and her collaboration with Hatch Jewelry (which I helped to facilitate!) It's a bit different from my other interviews for HJ as we just sat down in her apartment, rather than her studio. The result is a bit more intimate and I hope, shows not only what a talented designer she is, but also the ambition, smarts and artistic tendencies that helped her get to where she is today. Click here to view the full post.

My Latest Article for The Jewelry Book: Interview with Designer Deirdre Featherstone

February 03, 2014 by allyson riccardi in designer interview, jewelry

I really loved writing this latest profile for TJB - I was captivated by her talent, her space, her team and her joie de vivre, so much fun! Click here to view the article, pp 46-48.