Letter of Rec #101: Summer diamonds, hot off the bench

Shopping notes and a jewelry collaboration. Man it feels good to be back on 47th st!

I came across these slides from Larroude (the Markarian collab is divine too) over the weekend. They’re a pretty literal expression of the classic 90s slides that inspired the ‘Emi’ clog from The Row, but if those ones weren’t for you (I haven’t had blister woes, but know they’ve crushed some feet), the Larroudes are also so Julia Stiles ca. Ten Things I Hate About You —

Can’t actually see the shoes, but in a way, you kind of can.

And it works. Something cool is happening with short-form, blackless platforms: these just launched from Khaite, Ancient Greek Sandals has these, and I’ve been circling these for a little while. They’re all, in some way, a metropolitan take on the classic pool slide (never forget Patrick Cox!), which weaves into a burgeoning of mine that posits the upcoming summer is all about looking like you’re surf beach/pool side. Viva aquatic sports!

Next up is a duet of bathing suits from Doen and Tory Burch, both featuring floral appliques that make them delicate enough to rationalize as proper going-out tops, or the main event for a pool-side look. But in the event you’re not there yet, I’m still so hot on the vintage-looking graphic tee as styled with tiny shorts and all kinds of different accessories. Least not the Cote cuff from Ysso.

Re/done tee (lest you’re after a Jewish one!!), TFS shorts, Doen suit, Tory Burch suit, Supriya Lele x Mango dress times two.

Although…have you seen the Supriya Lele x Mango collab? Maybe this skirt actually is the appropriate counter piece for a vintage tee. I love these two dresses too.

Speaking of collabs…

Simple pieces, unconventional places

I made a jewelry collection for Aflalo. The range is called, “Summer Diamonds” and the basic gist is classic silhouettes (like an infinity band, traditional drop earrings, and three or single-stone engagement-style rings) designed to be worn unconventionally.

Rhea Bassil shot by Ludvig Frossen and directed by Yael Aflalo. Rhea wears Janes Tears. They’re avail single or solo depending on how you like to wear your chandelier ornaments

So consider the fancy earrings as the accessory-complement to a cheeky swimsuit, or a pair of poplin pants worn low rise (or not) w a graphic t-shirt — or that the infinity band (called the rip curl) is sized either to the thumb or middle finger.

The ‘Rip Curl styled on her middle finger, with a Greek Key on pinky

Ditto that the three- and single-stone rings.

“Will you marry me?” She asked herself.

Ida in yellow gold

They look like engagement-finger pieces but are sized to be worn on the middle or pinky finger. I love the Ida in particular on the pinky — it’s such a masculine finger on which to wear a ring (Persian man energy), so the delicateness of the piece creates great stylistic contrast.

Ida is a take on my engagement ring, but with a old mine emerald cut stone and more rebellious character

The fish hook

The earrings are stripped to bare bones: we have 5-carat, antique cut cushion stones held in a raw gold bezel setting (unpolished) that looks like an egg, hanging from full-on (14k gold) fish hooks (great w this outfit), or a couple of emeralds (also antique) with small pink pears dangling down —

The Tennis Drop looks great with plain black sunglasses

Here’s the fish hook (and a great top from Leam Almes)

But the real piece de resistance is an interpretation on the tennis bracelet, rendered with 14-carats worth of emerald-cut diamonds, strung together with durable nylon string that reads silk.

Here’s the racquet bracelet; strings could be removed! They’re a choose your own adventure.

I could never have brought this piece to life in the district without the won’t-take-no-for-an-answer hustle of our “diamond guy,” Alexei Hay.

We’ve made a round-stone version of the bracelet too, set on yellow gold baskets with green-khaki string, which you can have sized to wear as an anklet with…

Bethany styled with the Racquet anklet

The toe ring!!!

Stack her on your pinky when your toe needs a break.

All the diamonds used in the collection are lab-grown, like my first two kids.

My family has done jewelry all my life (and even before it: my maternal grandfather sold gold in Iran — hence the Persian man energy re pinky ring), so this feels a bit like a homecoming —

Necklace is coming soon

And I have to say, it is nice to be back on 47th street.

See the collection here, or if you are local, you can make an appointment to go see it at the showroom.

Have a great weekend,

Leandra