About the Designers

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	Adha Zelma handcrafted and one of a kind jewelry is the work of long time best friends Sheanan Bond and Cherise Trahan Miller. All pieces are created in their Brooklyn, New York studio. This audacious and distinctly international jewelry line is inspired by world culture, blending edge and elegance. The designs reflect a distinctively sexy yet sophisticated point of view. Adha Zelma experiments with traditional adornment concepts and reinterprets them with a modern eye. Elemental themes of earth, air, fire and water can be seen across the collection. Among many accolades, Adha Zelma produced the accessory line for MTV’s Spring Break Fashionably Loud in Cancun; and their designs have been featured by Dirty Girl Productions. Jennifer Lopez, Ananda Lewis, Rosie Perez, Keri Hilson, Rocsi, and celebrity make-up artist Scott Barnes have all been seen in Adha Zelma designs.
	Astali Jewelry is handcrafted and designed by New York City-based artist Shannon Astali DeJong. Since childhood in rural Iowa, she has collected discarded objects, crafting them into something new; she would often rescue materials from wastebaskets and use them to fashion ornate gifts. In her adult years, DeJong began to customize jewelry, continuing to find new ways to turn just about anything into adornment. While playing with a Los Angeles rock band at night, DeJong cultivated her passion for jewelry design during the day, working behind the scenes for many successful L.A. jewelry designers, most notably, Chan Luu. Her double life culminated in the birth of Astali Jewelry—named for her alter ego Jack Astali—which became a full-time endeavor when Shannon moved to New York City in the fall of 2008. As the line evolved, its subversive, rebellious nature emerged. Hallmarks of Astali designs include rugged and unexpected materials, such as spent bullet casings, used guitar strings, violin strings, snake vertebrae, shark teeth, old coins, and antique keys.
	Bijoutique is the New York City-based jewelry design firm founded by Katerina Bogatireva. Embracing the complexity and grace of feminine form in her line of bijoux, Shelter Magazine has lauded her work as “evocative and tantalizing.” Bogatireva builds on the bold and varied Art Nouveau influences of her native city of Riga in Latvia, creating highly stylized, curvilinear designs of gold, silver and semi-precious stones. The sophisticated necklaces, rings and pendants of Bijoutique adorn the bejeweled and exalt the mastery behind these artisan-crafted pieces. Each piece unique, they blend lithe and lengthy coils and delicately accentuate sapphires, topazes, or garnets, creating a harmonious counterpoint between form and beauty. Bogatireva says, “I cherish knowing that my customers love to wear my jewelry, and that it makes them feel special that they can express their personal style through the distinctive jewelry of Bijoutique.”
	botticelli's niece is the work of designer Ellen Miller. At the Maryland Institute College of Art, Miller perfected her skills in design and metal work and honed her craft in mixed media and collage. Her love of texture and one of a kind styling radiates in each design. From found objects to rare stones and scrap metal, she combines materials to give them originality and new purpose. The genesis of her designs, she says, comes from the material itself: “It’s like inventing something completely new and unexpected from the ordinary . . . becomes a wonderful challenge to bring together objects that would traditionally not belong together and find the perfect medium and setting for each design I create.” Her inimitable combination of recycled and organic materials, high karat gold and treasured amulets reflect the strength and spirit of each individual. “With its ease of wear and ray of renaissance, these expressions form a pure balance of style and beauty without pretension.” botticelli’s niece has been featured in Vogue, Lucky, People, Cosmopolitan, and Women’s Health, among other publications.
	David Tishbi Handcrafted Jewelry spans more than one man’s ideas. Nearly a decade ago, Tishbi began his ascent as one of the world’s premier jewelry designers. Enlisting expert artisans, he composed a dynamic collection of stylish luxury jewelry. With each piece handcrafted in Israel, he carved an inimitable niche. Through elegant yet progressive designs, David Tishbi Handcrafted Jewelry quickly moved to the forefront of the U.S. industry and the avant-garde assortment has since gained international notoriety. Tishbi specializes in a two-tone jewelry process, emphasizing the striking juxtaposition of gold and sterling silver. Unique designs in conventional solids are staples of his expansive collection. Each piece stands alone in its distinct motif, craftsmanship, and allure.
	Emma Carroll Etc. was born when Emma and Matt met on a train headed for Spain. Together, they offer modern graphic jewelry and accessories from the finest quality Italian vegetable-tanned leathers, which are produced and dyed to order. Drawing on traditional leather craft techniques and geometric shapes and patterns, Emma Carroll Etc. combines simplicity, attention to detail and vibrant shots of color. Emma, a Chicago native, studied design at Central Saint Martins and Cordwainers at The London College of Fashion. She spent a number of years working for London accessories designer Ally Capellino, in addition to a long stint interning for print designer Neisha Crosland. After returning to the U.S., Emma decided to turn her formal training and industry knowledge toward her own designs. Handling the business side of things, Matt has worked in the non-profit sector and is involved in documentary film production. Emma Carroll Etc. launched in April 2009 and the collection has since been featured by a number of style blogs and magazines, including Time Out New York, Lucky, Daily Candy, Style Bite, and Oh Joy.
	Black Chunk is the innovative jewelry line of contemporary artist Gabriel J. Shuldiner. This collection of unique necklaces is a direct extension of his current painting practice and combines his lifelong love of fashion with his artistic aesthetic. Black Chunk started somewhat by accident. Upon graduating with a master’s degree in fine arts from the Parsons School of Design, Shuldiner had to adjust to working in a smaller studio space and thus on a smaller scale. Furthermore, as an artist who uses recycled and hybrid materials in his paintings, he realized that in his own efforts to modify these materials too much was going to waste, “adding to the over abundance of refuse that already litters our planet.” His first Black Chunk necklace took shape, literally, when a fragment of a larger composition broke off, leaving behind, as Shuldiner says, an “irregular, organic, jagged and beautifully dynamic object.” Where the walls, floors, and ceiling of a gallery space act as support for his larger compositions, the neck and chest of the body act as support for the Black Chunk necklaces. The Black Chunk necklaces in the Fleur Du Mal 2010 Spring Collection are unique, hand-sculpted, hand-painted, and one-of-a-kind, using both modified and recycled materials. Made in Manhattan, each necklace is an original—just like you.
	Joseph Brooks traded one rock obsession for another when he launched his self-titled line of jewelry. Before the Hollywood-based designer began cutting turquoise into pyramid studs, and moose antler and ebony into skulls, Brooks had a hand in transforming the alternative music scene. He was the first to showcase such early acts as U2, Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Culture Club in the United States; and was also behind the signing of Guns ‘N Roses to a major record label. Brooks introduced goth, electronica and other music genres to the American underground as well. The designer says, “In some way, this new pursuit is not new at all.” As a boy growing up in Far Rockaway, New York, Brooks spent hours studying rocks, minerals and shells at the American Museum of Natural History, and then carefully gathered and labeled specimens for his personal collection. His “secret life” of ornithology is revealed on the tiny JB medallion that dangles off most of his individually crafted bracelets and necklaces, or is stamped on his belts and rings. Joseph Brooks jewelry is worn by Justin Timberlake (who was draped in two of Brooks’ turquoise necklaces on the cover of Rollling Stone), Dhani Harrison, Joe Jonas, John Mayer, Michael Stipe, Sandra Bullock, Seal, Lenny Kravitz, Siouxsie Sioux, Arianne Philips, and Tracy Feith, among a growing fan base of influential individuals.
	Kim Lyons, a native of Northern California,earned a degree in fine art from the University of California, Los Angeles. Thereafter, she moved to New York City and studied jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her first collection of hand carved rings was launched in 1996, when she and two other designers opened a little store on the Lower East Side called FUSE. The pulse of this legendary neighborhood combined with the soothing landscape of the California coast is a consistent inspiration reflected in her collections. Lyons searches and handpicks beautifully colored and interesting cuts of gemstones for her collections, resulting in one of a kind or limited edition pieces. Lyons recently began experimenting with eco-friendly recycled silver and locally found stones. Her latest collections, such as “Dark Matter” and “Celestial,” are peaceful and reflective, inspiring the wearer, as well as the admirer to, as Lyons states, “boldly go where no woman has gone before.”
	Luke Satoru jewelry is a narration of the designer’s life experiences to date—a fusion of nature with the urban landscape. Born and raised in Seattle, Satoru spent his summers in Asia, immersed in the confluence of his Japanese and Thai heritage. He later moved to New York to study sculpture and design, and currently works between New York City and Bangkok. Fueled by the evolution of his surroundings, where flora meets concrete, his work embodies a boldness that is masculine yet undeniably exquisite. However, when worn, his pieces speak to the style of the individual. While his background in drawing remains central to his work, his experience with polyurethane and metals has made his transition to jewelry design a natural progression. When asked about his influences he notes, “My interest in design relates to the history and process with any given object, particularly when it relates to the body. Being aware of history, but constantly searching for my own perspective, is where I find my aesthetic sense of play.”
	Oblik Atelier is the brainchild of Brooklyn-based designer Mia Hebib. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, she exercised her talents with Jacmel Jewelry, Liz Claiborne and Henri Bendel before launching her own line. Feeling the need to do “more hands on work in a more intimate environment and on a smaller scale,” Hebib opened Oblik Atelier Jewelry Studio in 2008. Oblik, which means “shape” in Croatian, reflects Hebib’s overarching theme: lines. As in nature, lines move, create forms, and finally take shape.Every piece within each of the Oblik Atelier collections is handcrafted and limited to an edition of 13, a number that is of personal significance in the creator’s life. Combining handicraft and the ever-changing trends of fashion, Hebib aims to keep jewelry design traditions alive while still pushing the envelope.
	Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer is based on the hand knitting technique (i.e. made without hooks are needles) used in the industrial rope sculptures of artist Orly Genger. Merging Genger's art with the design aesthetic of Jaclyn Mayer’s jewelry, their pieces are delicate in detail, but command attention when placed on the body. “We like to imagine our work as being created with the strength of a boxer and the grace of a ballerina,” say the designers. Orly Genger was born and raised in New York City. She studied fine art at Brown University and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. An accomplished artist, she is currently represented by Larissa Goldston Gallery in New York. Her work is held in the collections of several major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Hood Museum, and Indianapolis Museum of Art. The New York Times, Washington Post, and Village Voice, among others, have favorably reviewed her artwork. Jaclyn Mayer was born and raised in Marin County, California, just north of San Francisco. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design and New York University as an undergraduate, where she studied photography and art history. She then received a post-graduate degree in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design. She later earned a master’s in Fashion Design from the London College of Fashion. Jaclyn Mayer Jewelry launched in 2004; that same year Mayer was featured in Lucky Magazine as “One To Watch.”
	Poupette designer Geraldine Roucaute attributes her creativity today to her upbringing in the fabled hills of the French Riviera by her father, a recreational painter, and her “fashion-forward” mother. Poupette—French for “little doll”—was the designer’s childhood moniker. Both playful and reflective, the name serves as a guide in her designs. Launched in 2005, this line of jewelry is intended to speak directly to the individual. “The piece you pick should almost be a ‘mirror image’ of who you are—that part of yourself you really like,” says Roucaute. In her use of acorn, branch and animal motifs, Roucaute aims to call attention to the fragility and vulnerability of beauty that surrounds us daily. She says, “If I can evoke even a tiny spark of consciousness in people through my jewelry, bring a smile, stir an emotion, a thought, or create an intention…then I feel I’ve done something good.”
	Sid Vintage is the work of Southern California-based designer Nanci Bennett. A graduate of the School of the Visual Arts in New York City, in 2005, she was recognized by Gen Arts as the “Fresh Face in Fashion.” Bennett’s signature collection of “eco-beautiful” handcrafted jewelry leaves no mark on Mother Earth. Inspired by remnants, histories and old stories, Bennett breathes new life into her creations, which are based in found materials and objects. She scours flea markets for the rare and exceptional, which she then reshapes and combines, transforming what was once forgotten. Using Dead Stock chain and vintage clasps, Bennett’s pieces speak to old-world craftsmanship while conveying a new world and fashion-forward sensibility. Sid Vintage custom jewelry is worn by celebrities such as Cheryl Crow, Jessica Alba, Faith Hill, and Laurie David; and has been featured on the covers of fashion magazines including, most recently, InStyle and Marie Claire.
	Sibilia, the eponymous line of designer Fernanda Sibilia, is inspired by her daily life in Buenos Aires and her travels throughout Latin America. Her company, which began in 1996, is based in the traditional “porteño” district of the Abasto. At Escuela Municipal de Joyeria de Buenos Aires, Siblia learned the sophisticated jewelry design techniques she employs today. Early twentieth-century Latin American art movements, as well as popular art forms, influence her colorful palette and distinctive aesthetic. While each piece offers a different look and feel, these metal objects collectively form a kaleidoscope of beauty.
	Suzanna Dai is created and designed by Houston-native Suzie Gallehugh. After earning a degree in Fashion Design from theFashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Gallehugh worked for Jones Apparel Group, where she honed her skills in beading and embellishments. Today, she brings her expertise in fine detailing to the Suzanna Dai jewelry collection. The line debuted in May 2009, immediately garnering the attention of fashion experts and everyday aesthetes. Gallehugh begins her process by creating an exact swatch of the beading technique. She then sketches out an image of the fully finished piece. “Everything is hand-beaded on fabric, as you would for a garment, with the raw edges finished on the outside edge of the beading and a tight whipstitch. The beaded shape is then cut out and backed with leather or suede,” explains Gallehugh. Inspired by old-world travel, exotic destinations, and diverse cultures, Suzanna Dai jewelry arouses wanderlust in its wearer and reflects the adventurous spirit of its creator.