Get Your Sparkle On: Pink Sugar Crystals

Jeweled Phone Case - My new MUST HAVE Accessory!

Facebook has seriously been an invaluable Social Networking tool. I get to see the current lives of people past, keep in touch with family and meet amazing people like Christina Bias, of Pink Sugar Crystals. She became a fan of Evolution Vintage and this is how I found her. She is my Sparkle Sister who graciously gifted me with a custom creation, a jeweled iPhone case with my personal "L" monogram (exactly the way I sign it). She bedazzles her butt off on everything she can get her hands on; phone cases, lamp shades, lighter cases, jewelry, and MORE! She is a hard working MOMpreneur who's studio is in Portland, Oregon.

The Bling Beauty: Christina Bias

I caught up with Christina taking a break from painstakingly creating my FAB phone case to chat about Pink Sugar Crystals. 

LG: Tell my readers about Pink Sugar Crystals and what inspired you to start your business?

CB: An esthetician by trade, I've always had a love for fashion and beauty. Have all ways been artsy and crafty. When I became a stay at home mom, I thought of a way to raise my child and work from home. After designing my first cellular phone case I became addicted and Pink Sugar Crystals was born. Going strong 2 years and I fall more and more in love everyday with what I do. My amazing customers keep my creativity going and I love them all. 

LG: Where does your love for sparkle and shine come from?

CB: Every since I was a little girl, I would wear all my mother's jewelry. The more sparkles the better.

LG:  What products do you add sparkle too? Is there anything you won't bling?

CB: There is no accessory or item that I wont try to adorn with crystals or charms. I am always open for a challenge.

LG: Can you explain the quality of crystals/stones that you use? 

CB: custom designed pieces are created with only Swarovski Crystals as they have the most brilliance. What makes Swarovski Crystals so brilliant as they are considered "fully leaded" at 32% unlike Czech fired-glass and acrylic rhinestones. 

British Standard for crystal: 

Fine crystal - 6% to 10% lead oxide 

Lead crystal - 10% to 24% lead oxide 

Fully leaded crystal - 24% or more lead oxide 

Precision cut and polished, Swarovski crystals are faceted in the same way that diamonds are faceted or cut. The absolute best in man made glass-lead oxide crystals. 

LG: Do you take custom orders? who would a reader go about submitting one?

CB: Custom orders are the most exciting because, much like an architech designing a custom home, I take pride in working with the customer to create a piece of art made not only by me, but also by the customer. E-mail custom requests.

I'm Obsessed with my case!!

LG: Tell us about your process. What goes into making a "Pink Sugar Crystals" Item? What is your turn around time for orders?

CB: Trade secret of Pink Sugar Crystals and my own personal mantra: Lots of Love, Passion And Patience. Turn around time can vary depending on the type of item being customized. Cellular phone cases usually require, on average, 3 weeks or less to complete.

LG: Please share a DIY TIP For my readers.

CB: If your are working with hard surfaces, I would highly recommend E6000 as an industrial strength adhesive. 

I have to say I am personally OBSESSED with my custom case and suggest EVERYONE get their sparkle on!

A Fab phone case ranges from $75.00-$360.00 depending on the size/type of crystals and custom design.

CONNECT with Christina via

E-mail

ETSY

FACEBOOK

Fabulous! Shout out to my girl Jensine for the RAD manicure XXO

Sole Sister Sunday: Adriano Diamante

Enchanted Peacock

Every day I awake to new followers on Twitter and marvel at how it has made our world a whole lot smaller and has brought forth some of my most amazing connections.  This is the case with Shoe Designer Adriano Diamante. I noticed her following me on Twitter and I immediately had to check out her site! and to my pure delight it was full of amazing shoes and handbags.  All dripping in Swarovski crystals, sparkle and GLAM.

She is a New York based shoe designer and the Diamante collection is definitely one to behold.  The collection has all the elements I love; the pieces are unique, can be customized, vibrant, bold and STUNNING!

Enchanted Peacock Bag

In her own words "In a world where it's easy to shine while walking among the many bright lights, It only those who find a way to shine in the dark, that truly make an everlasting impression. This is my inspiration"

I had an opportunity to chat with Adriano recently about her collection.

The Designer

LG:   Where did your inspiration come from to start designing shoes with Swarovski elements?

AD: I always tell people my inspiration came from the simple desire to have something that did not already exist.  I was in need of a sapphire blue stiletto for an event I was attending last summer. I wanted something that sparkled! After an extensive search for the perfect shoe, with absolutely no luck; I decided to design my own. I went through a lot of sketches before I decided on the British Beauty design.  The first British Beauty was done in Australian crystals, I still have that pair for keepsakes…lol, but the crystals did not quite catch the light as I had envisioned. After visiting the Swarovski in London, I quickly knew the shoe had to be done with Swarovski.

LG: What was your first design? When did you start your creative journey?

AD: My first design was the British Beauty which I designed in April of 2011. Once each one of my designs is sketched; I then digitally create the stone placement on a computer program. A lot goes in to creating an Adriano Diamante shoe. Each sketched is scanned, and then I break it down into Swarovski stones. Each stone placement is extremely important in creating the design. I put a lot of thought into where each stone should be placed to assure the shoe has a continuous flow when the light hits it.

British Beauty

LG: Are the majority of your designs platform heels? Why did you choose this style?

AD: A majority of my designs are done on the closed toe platform because this is a very popular shoe shape. I chose this design because the shoe style gives me plenty of room for my creativity to flow with the Swarovski stones. However, I do offer sport shoes, low wedges and some peep toes when custom ordered. I love love the higher heels. I even offer a 7 inch platform in my collection. However the lower heels are just as fun to design.

Butterfly Magic

LG: Are your shoes made to order? what is the availability?

AD: Yes, my shoes are made to order. Mainly because most of my shoes are purchased for a specific event or dress, so I get a lot of request to change colors in the design. I love for women to feel they have something made specifically with them and their event in mind. I communicate back and forth with each customer assuring the perfect fit and color for their shoe. I carry them through the whole process until the piece is complete. I keep different shoe molds stocked, so once ordered it is just a matter of sketching and digitally creating the stone placement. Once that is done the shoe can be completed in 7 days.

Bridal Collection: The One

LG: Who / What inspires you?

AD:   I take inspiration from everything around me, but mainly nature. I love the mixture of earth tones. A scenic view such as a Dubai sunrise can set off my creativity.  Even smells can inspire me, for example when I smell lavender I run to sketch a design using different tones of purples.

Cheetah Black Bag

LG: If you could give women one piece of style advice , when it comes to shoes what would it be?

AD: When it comes to picking a shoe always dare to be bold. I love shoes that make a statement. A bold shoe can completely change the look of an outfit, but it can also change the attitude of a person as well.

 

My 2 FAV's from the collection: The Enchanted Peacock  & British Beauty  (Size 9 please)

EXCLUSIVE to EVOLUTION REVOLUTION READERS Get 20% off ANY purchase - USE CODE: evolution2012

 

 

 

Blue Ocean

 

 

Get Your Sparkle On: AB Jewelry

I LOVE costume jewelry.  Anyone who is a regular reader of this blog or who knows me knows how much I wear it, talk about it and BUY it! In my mind costume is the new fine

I have also been interested in the history and craftsmanship of Vintage jewelry. I think this is a great place to pass along some of the knowledge I have gained and recent facts I have found. 

First up, AB stones. AB is short for Aurora Borealis. A name taken from the Northern Lights.  AB rhinestones/crystals have a special iridescent finish that shines in a wide range of colors. Ever notice when you style AB stones with a certain color it picks them up?

The iridescent surface is a direct result of a very thin layer of metallic atoms that have been deposited on the lower surface of the stone. This process was invented and perfected by the Swarovski Company together with Christian Dior in 1955/56.  They dub it "The Aurora Borealis Effect".

I have seen this effect on both coloured stones and clear crystals of all shapes and sizes. It is produced in a vast array of jewelry over the decades. My FAV AB pieces are obviously Vintage but Swarovski still creates some amazing elements and embellishments for jewelry & accessories that are truly beautiful. I have even seen the effect on some sequins and fabrics.

Do you have any Aurora Borealis Pieces? Do you find them to be a versatile accessory, compatible with  a multitude of textures and colours?  You can get more bang for your bead with the AB stone or crystal. you can mix and match them with the rainbow of colours in your closet. They are not just reserved for "formal" events anymore either. Style them in a contemporary way; with jeans and a great blazer for a night out.

How do you get your sparkle on??

*Evolution Rewind Ring Collection Coming May 2012

Style Maven Series: Dita Von Teese

If I could use only 2 words to describe Dita Von Teese they would be Timeless and GLAMOUR. To me Miss Dita is like a live avante guard runway show, a Hollywood silver screen film in Technicolor and a Swarovski crystal swathed enduring piece of artwork. I have to say that she is the ULTIMATE vintage style maven, a fashion icon and a true style inspiration for me. I love the bold colors, the hats, the accessories and the mixing of the vintage with the contemporary. Her display of fashion forwardness by highlighting and paying homage to fashions past is second to none. She is one of the only people who can pull of a head-to-toe vintage look to any event, with the hair, makeup AND accessories.

3 things you may not know about Dita:

*She is a natural blond

*Given name at birth: Heather Sweet

*Her Christmas Tree: “I have a pink foil tree that has chandelier pieces. It’s not bubblegum pink, but real Victorian, shiny pink. I like pink lights—I think it’s really romantic and flattering.” (www.fashionmagazine.com)

She is as famous for her Burlesque numbers as she is for her fashion. She is a fashion designers dream and a darling at several of the world’s most famous fashion houses ~ Jean Paul Gaultier, Elie Saab, Christian Laboutin, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Swarovski. She is the extraordinary showgirl on and off the red carpet. Her costumes are like a jewel encrusted dream. Dita has been compared to the Burlesque strip-teaser Gypsy Rose Lee but I think that Dita is in a class all her own.

(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

Her world is not just garter belts and feathers; she is a self styled, self created fashion icon and brand. She brought her style to contemporary lingerie, with Wonderbra by Dita Von Teese. This vintage-inspired, limited edition lingerie collection for Wonderbra was a bestseller, and her 2nd season, the "Party Edition," was launched in 2009 all over Europe. Dita also has her own collection of full-fashioned seamed stockings with Secrets in Lace, which are available through their catalog and her website. She has teamed up with Perrier mineral water and limited edition bottles and cans with Dita’s images are now available.

She is the face of Cointreau with a signature drink: Cointreau Teese

1 1/2 oz. Cointreau

3/4 oz. Apple juice

1/2 oz. Violet syrup

1/2 oz. Lemon juice

Ginger

1 Violet

Preparation

Combine all ingredients and frost ginger around the rim of the glass. Garnish with a violet.

You can take a piece of Dita home with her many AMAZING products: Clothing, books, cosmetics, lingerie, fragrance, and MORE. Visit her BOUTIQUE

I had a chance to ask the princess of the pasties my style maven questions.

LISAG: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion

DITA: I admire people that have a personal sense of style that does not falter according to the trends, and I especially love those that dare to be different and take risks! Some of my personal icons are Isabella Blow, Anna Piaggi, Chantal Thomass and Marlene Dietrich.

LISAG: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

DITA: Shapely black dresses with perfect tailoring, classic shapes, with the perfect amount of cleavage and the right hemline. I like to style these dresses with vintage jewelry, gloves and hats. A beautiful coat is also essential!

LISAG: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

DITA: Most of my wardrobe is vintage! I began dressing in vintage when I was a teenager because I was never able to afford designer clothes. I would see similarities between looks I saw in magazines from designers like Vivienne Westwood, and vintage 1940's suits and dresses. I would seek out vintage bullet bras to get the look of Jean-Paul Gaultier. My aim was to get the look for less by scouring flea markets and vintage stores, and that is how my love affair with vintage style began!

LISAG: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

DITA: I wear what I like, regardless of the value. I do own some spectacular vintage designer pieces, like a 1954 Dior Paris Haute Couture suit which is labeled with the season and year, and it's in a famous book about Dior. But the majority of my collection is comprised of no-name dresses, or lesser-known designers. It's all about how you wear it, not how expensive it is.

LISAG: What are you wearing this fall/winter? Tell our readers the key elements for your Fall/Winter wardrobe

DITA: Wearing a fabulous coat is always my favorite thing about the fall and winter. I love bringing out my coats! I don't always have a new one every year, but when you invest in a great style, it doesn't matter. A great coat is THE key to looking chic in the winter! This year I am wearing a fit and flare black Dior, a 1950's Lilli Ann Princess coat, and my favorite, a Dior trench coat with strict shoulders that is dripping in black bugle beads at the hemline. The way I see it, if I can't wear bugle beads in the daytime, what good is it being a showgirl anyway?!?

You are a show girl supreme Dita! 

Here are some of my favorite looks:

(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

You have personally inspired me Dita to even push my own fashion boundaries even further than I normally do. I LOVE cage veiling even more now!! XO

EVOLUTION VINTAGE'S PICKS FOR DITA:

1950's Black Velvet Dress

Feather hat w black cage veil

SHOP: http://www.evolution-vintage.com/