Harlequin Romance

I just love the mix of bold graphic prints at Kelly Wearstler, for Spring 2012. Ms. Wearstler's fashion designs tend to serve a dual purpose in my book. Each set of looks here doubles nicely as a mod-glam inspiration board for your latest interior decorating scheme.

Pictures courtesy of style.com.

Neo-Geo

New for fall, my Mixed Messages collection made it's debut last night at Hester Street Fair Takes Over Bendel's for Fashion's Night Out.

Cynthia Rybakoff collection in sterling silver with polished brass. Available at Artists & Fleas, Williamsburg, weekends 10-7pm.

Movin' On Up!

An unlikely combination, or the best idea ever? Hester Street Fair is movin' on up, to midtown's tony Fifth Avenue shopping district, for one night only, on September 8th. Stepping out of their Lower East Side outdoor market mold, and transforming the 3rd floor of Henri Bendel on Fashion's Night Out, the Hester team will re-imagine the space as a new world market.

Over 50 vendors, including artists, designers, and chefs will be there, plus live jazz and "interactive booths" to create their new world shopping experience. Henri Bendel has long been a supporter of emerging designers, with their Open See! initiatives. Bringing Hester Street Fair to Bendel's for Fashion's Night Out 2011, underscores this commitment to new and innovative talent.

On another note, Henri Bendel was the first major specialty store to carry my hand-crafted jewelry, back in the late 80's and early 90's. Now, some 18 years later, I'll be there again, on Fashion's Night Out to launch my new Fall 2011 collection!

The Hester Street Fair Partners with Henri Bendel for Fashion's Night Out
September 8th, 3pm - 11pm
Henri Bendel, 712 Fifth Avenue

Jean Therapy

What do you do with that pile of worn out denim jeans in your closet? The ones that are ripped, and not in a cool, carefully distressed way? Reincarnate them perhaps as upcycled art? That's the unique vision of photographer and printer Matt Shapoff of Handmade On Peconic Bay, who's know for creating unique modern prints, stationary and textile accessories, using 19th photographic techniques.

This weekend Matt unveils his newest collection, in collaboration with über kreativ Montauk textile artist Anne Drager, and the results are nothing short of 1960's Woodstock flower child meets BoHo chic. The abstract patched denim and cyanotype printed textile throw pillows will look equally as home in your prefab Leisurama weekend getaway, as they will in your Williamsburg glass power tower. See the entire collection here.

Anne Drager for Handmade On Peconic Bay one of a kind upcycled denim and cyanotype patched throw pillows, available exclusively at Artists & Fleas. Custom work available on request (just bring us your old denim and Matt + Anne will create something special, just for you).

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby

"Let it never be said that romance is dead" ~ Kaiser Chiefs "Ruby".

I adore precious gemstones in their raw state. Here are two examples of delicate ruby and sapphire slice pendants, with oxidized sterling silver. Always one of a kind, these geometric lovelies were sliced from naturally occurring hexagonal crystals in the corundum family.

This season on Breaking Bad, Hank, the cranky bedridden family narc and gunshot victim, who's new hobby is collecting mineral specimens, scored a premium example of natural blue corundum on eBay. "Sapphire", I screamed out loud to the TV, to no one in particular. I love mineral specimens too.

Cynthia Rybakoff Ruby, Ruby, Ruby Pendant, $138, currently available online at Supermarket and weekends 10-7pm at Artists & Fleas.

Sapphire pendant photo courtesy of Ashdel Handmade.

Heavens to Murgatroyd!

That's what gay cartoon icon Snagglepuss might say, if he saw you sporting this chunk of ruff rock crystal points around town. I don't know which galaxy Murgatroyd is located in, but just think of all the gems that might be found there! Exit, stage left!

Cynthia Rybakoff Murgatroyd Crystal Pendants with oxidized silver foil bezel on a heavyweight sterling silver chain, for boys and girls, $128. Available at Supermarket and Artists & Fleas.

Swede Times

One chilly June, in the late 90's, I spent a blissed out two weeks in Sweden, scouring flea markets, pristine antique shops, salvation armies, tony mid-century galleries, and dusty old junk stores, until I had filled several suitcases with treasures representing over 100 years of Scandinavian design in wood, glass, metal and ceramic. It helped to be staying with an expert Swedish design picker, who led me through the modern city of Stockholm, into the cobbled streets of the historic Gamla Stan, and out into the surrounding provinces like a pro, on what was to be the design trip of a life time.

Waxing nostalgic for 11pm sunsets, Josef Frank prints and crayfish, I couldn't resist this recent aquisition of colorful limited edition vintage Swedish map charms; eye catching mod souvenirs of a country that personifies good design. Celebrate your love for all things Swedish with these collectible kitsch pendants in the shape of one very cool country.

Cynthia Rybakoff one of a kind and limited edition vintage travel charm collection, available weekends at Artists & Fleas, Brooklyn and online at Supermarket.