Mail Bag: Brooch The Subject

For every negative message or tweet I receive 100 positive ones. The haters are out there and I never usually respond to them but this time (for me) I wanted to.

I received a few tweets recently regarding my Evolution Rewind Ring collection. The woman accused me of "destroying vintage jewelry" and ranted on and on until I had to block her. I rarely block people either because I'm always open to a healthy debate or growth through constructive criticism. This person just didn't get it.

It is hard in 140 character or less to define WHY I created my ring line and HOW the pieces are chosen. Thankfully I have a blog.

WHY? The brooch over the years has been an accessory or a piece of jewelry that was widely worn and styled by women of all age ranges and classes. I have read that it is one of the oldest pieces of jewelry, dated back to the Bronze Age when pins were a popular adornment for clothing.

In recent years it has not garnered a lot of attention. From where I sit "modern day" women sparsely style these pieces. Fashion and trends are cyclical in nature; what was old always comes back around in a new form. For some reason, I have yet to see a contemporary spin on Re-Styling the brooch in a modern way with any consistency.

People do wear them, like myself, the odd celeb and fashionista but it is not a style staple, like a cuff or cocktail ring. When discussing the topic with other women the words "matronly" or dowdy" have been thrown around. I personally think they are a chic accessory with styling possibilities only limited by your imagination!

I wanted to bring back the brooch in a contemporary way via unique cocktail rings.

In my travels I found it difficult to find the authentic Vintage cocktail rings that I liked so I thought merging the two elements would be fabulous: Evolution Rewind was born. The rings are also reaching a new demographic of women who may not otherwise brooched the subject.

HOW:  Each brooch is hand selected by myself and all of the REWIND pieces are one of a kind. Some of the brooches have broken pins/backs and otherwise would not be functional. I have rescued these pieces from flea markets, old auntie's drawers as well as amazing Vintage jewelry collectors/dealers. Some are procured and created using amazing pieces from ladies personal collections.

I personally feel that Re-Styling these pieces is RESPECTING fashion's past and Vintage jewelry. A modern nod to the craftsmen and designers of days gone by. The pieces are too beautiful to sit in a thrift store or a drawer. The metals, stones and designs should be worn and given a new life. 

I still style brooches as they were intended (turbans, hats, lapel, bags, scarves, etc) but I have also made them Eco-Chic and Re-Styled them on the fingers of Fab fashionistas all over the world.

Bring the brooch back and Re-Style them in these ways: 

HAIR

A Large Modern Scarf

At the waist for evening (or day)

Double Duty: Oscar de la Renta brooches the band & sweater!

DIY Brooch belt - using a large brooch and vintage printed scarf. Adds a new look to the plain dotted dress. See more HERE

The lapel X 2

The Brooch Bouquet

 On a hat or beret

 Worn at the neckline for Day or Night

 Multiple Brooch Details at neckline of a dress or blazer.

Turban

Trim out a neckline on a solid color

An Evolution Vintage Brooch on a clutch!
(Thanks the Creative CjBlue for this)

Even the men can get in on this. A Fabulous brooch adds an extra something to a
traditional necktie.

How do YOU brooch the subject and style this accessory?