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By Sandra Mateu Artist and creator of BEV’S BEADZ, Beverly Moore, brings to the world a recreation of past-life in jewelry. Her passion for designing her unique pieces is rooted in antique Trade beads. A practice, dating back to the end of the fifteenth century, when the Portuguese arrived on the coast of West Africa to exploit its resources. The history behind each piece, the exchange, and the designs convey the originality and richness of her work. Moore is a collector of ancient treasures and a creator of new adventures. BEV’S BEADZ includes hand-crafted jewelry accessories for men and women created in a free spirit. Moore’s pieces may be similar, but never identical. The jewelry comprises rich dessert hues and materials such as Lapis, Coral, Jasper, metals, and beads of wood, bone, and glass. Each piece features hand-sculpted clay beads inset with a Turquoise. Men’s pieces include bracelets and necklaces. Some models such as Element, Fossil Fish, Apache, and The Bounty can be found by itself or as a collection with its matching necklace. Other designs come in only bracelets or necklaces such as the Karma bracelet with Skulls and Prayer beads or the Ra necklace, which represents the sun God. BEV’S BEADZ Women include a variety of bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and earrings. An amazing piece is the stunning bracelet/necklace called Kaleidoscope as the one used on model Monica Carreros on location with Miami Shoot Magazine’s production team. The Kaleidoscope is an arrangement of hundreds of vibrant blue seed beads that make a 54 inch wrap bracelet with stripped chevrons, clay beads, and copper. Other pieces include the Energy bracelet with minerals, stones, and metals, a beautiful Rain anklet made of Turquoise or a gorgeous pair of Harvest earrings with Amber and Jasper. The tradition of using beads that once started with the protection against uncontrollable events, a sign of status, or the enhancement of beauty still alive today. To share Beverly Moore’s fascination visit www.bevsbeadz.com

Tiia Mandell of Tiia Design Interviewed by Yuliya Jade Winter issue 2010       YJ: How did you discover your aspiration to be a jewelry and accessory designer? TM: After working with several Fashion Designers in New York City (Carolyne Roehm, Adrienne Vittadini and St. John), and later working in the Interior Design field in Los Angeles, I decided to focus my creative energies on jewelry and clutches, and have continued to evolve it to where I am today! I actually started designing and making creations before I was a teenager. This interest continued and I eventually attended art and design schools (Skidmore College, Parsons School of Design, The Art Students’ League in New York), and later earned a degree in Interiors from UCLA. YJ: D: Do you remember the first jewelry piece you’ve designed? (describe it)? TM: The creation that more or less launched Tiia was a clutch covered in turquoise nuggets with jasper accents and lined with a muted turquoise and taupe zebra patterned fabric. Whenever I went out with this clutch, I would get so many comments and offers to purchase it that I decided to start my business. Since I love stones and fabrics in all their different colors, textures and shapes, I naturally started designing jewelry as well. YJ: How many pieces are in your collection now? TM: At any given time, I am likely to have about 40 necklaces and 15 clutches available for sale, as well as several other designs that are in progress at varying stages. They are one-of-a-kind and the collections are small, geared towards women who want something that expresses their own individuality. YJ: Where do you get your inspiration from? TM: A lot of my creative inspiration has come from traveling to some of the most interesting places in the world – be it Patagonia, London, Australia, Northern Africa or Hong Kong.  Through these life-enriching experiences, I have been immersed in different cultures, and inspired by what I have observed, be it a historical detail in a museum display, an architectural flourish on a building, or unique styles of dress worn by a local. YJ: Describe your designing process. Do you start with the materials or a drawing?  How do you go from an inspiration to the finished piece? TM: Usually, when I am struck with an idea, I sketch it out in my “process” sketch book. Frequently though, my ideas come to me while I am at the gym either on the treadmill or in spinning class. Even though I cannot sketch at that moment, I am able to visualize the design and “problem solve” how to actually construct it and bring it to life!  I am also constantly searching for stones based on their intrinsic beauty or uniqueness which in turn will drive the design process; I try to create something that is inspired by the elements themselves rather than force a design. You could say my approach to design comes from both directions. YJ: What are the most favorite accessories you’ve created and why? TM: My favorite piece is the turquoise nugget clutch (pictured) that I mentioned above. Not only is it a great looking bag to use with any outfit, I really enjoyed designing and creating this piece. My other favorites are some fun and whimsical coral pendants I have created using coral branches that I have found on the beaches in Miami to which I have added semi-precious stones. They are easy and light necklaces with just a bit of sophisticated sparkle; a wonderful reflection of Miami. They have been some of my most popular pieces. YJ: Are you working on any new designs that you’d like to tell us about? TM: I am in the midst of planning a trip to India including a visit to Jaipur, known as one of the gem centers of the world. So, I expect to be full of ideas for exciting new clutches and necklaces inspired by what I see! Visit Tiia Design at www.tiiadesign.com

By Sandra Mateu What is it about designer label handbags that make women so passionate about them? Is it the amazing quality? Is it the status attached to its elevated prices? Is it a fashion forward pleasure or necessity? What is behind the love affair of a magnificent purse and its stylish owner? Starting from a logical point of view, designer label handbags are high quality products that guarantee a long lifespan. Many women see them as investments that can be passed from one generation to another. The superiority of the materials used to assemble the bags creates durable merchandise that keeps its original shape and look for years. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. This lets women enjoy the status, quality, and flair that comes with owning an expensive bag for a long time. They also provide functionality. Purses carry women’s items such as wallets, cell phones, keys, makeup, and more. Designer label handbags are classic. The brand’s logo and specific patterns make them unique and recognizable from the rest. Labels also launch designs that are trendy or seasonal, but they always keep producing its classic models as their main product. Traditional models are always in style. As Coco Chanel said, “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” From a marketing standpoint, entrepreneurs have been successful at implanting the pleasure, necessity, and facilities for consumers to buy these items. Effective commercials, ad campaigns, and other advertising strategies with celebrities and models have been victorious in making people think that  wearing these handbags make people look beautiful. They are also considered a status symbol. The high end brands reflect wealth and power in the women that carry them. Designer label logos are worldwide trademarks recognized by all, even by those not remotely interested in fashion. As a stylist and fashion follower, a bag defines, sets the mood, and even puts together an outfit. The bag  will transform a simple black dress into a night out with the girls with an exotic clutch, a hot day on the beach with a colorful tote, or a romantic date with an elegant pochette. The bag is a symbol of style and personality. It reflects the taste of a woman. A great purse can add a hint of color or design to an outfit and make it stand out in a crowd. “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different,” Coco Chanel. So what does Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, and other designer labels  provide to women with their bags? A designer label handbag is more than a guilty pleasure. It is a rational and irrational passion rooted in numerous consumerism principles and a natural phenomenon: a wonderful stylish experience, the luxury and the joy of a splendid splurge. As designer Christian Dior says, “Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest.” Designer label handbags are part of this zest.