NYCUG Fashion: BLING IS THE NEW BLACK

WHO: Rachel Leigh Bravman, former Yves Saint Laurent publicist-turned-jewelry designer. The brainchild of an artist and a doctor, Bravman mixes an innate sense of uptown chic with downtown glam – repeatedly inspired by the runway collections of Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, Giles Mendel, Philip Lim, and none other than Muiccia Prada.

WHAT: Costume jewelry presented in three annual collections – Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter, and Resort/Holiday – introducing approximately 300 new necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings per season. A mix of vintage castings and hand-made bobbles plated with 14k gold, sterling silver, and often iced with a rainbow of Swarovski crystals. To date, all pieces are proudly made in the heart of New York’s garment district off of Seventh Ave. With price points between $60 and $300, there is truly something for everyone.

WHY: When the experts at Lucky Magazine steal the ring off your finger to run a feature entitled “One to Watch,” you don’t ask ‘why’ – you ask ‘how.’ Although if presented this question today, Bravman would likely respond with a mix of aesthetic drive and business-minded ambition – looking to future endeavors that include private label, fine jewelry, and charitable collaborations with key unmentionable Hollywood darlings.

WHEN: Fall ’04, when at the request of buyers, editors, and New York fashionistas, Bravman officially launched Rachel Leigh Jewelry. Having since moved the business from the living room of her Upper East Side apartment, the company now boasts showrooms in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, Sweden, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Canada – not to mention a customer base including high-end department stores, fashion sites for forum and shopping, and a growing number of privately-owned boutiques across the world.

WHERE: Check it out at the semi-annual sample sale: Tuesday + Wednesday November 13th and 14th from 9am to 6pm. 252 W 38th Street #904 (between 7th and 8th). At up to 80% off, there is no excuse not to make an enormous dent in your holiday gift list. For more information, call 646.290.6034.