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Lagos veterans begin again, in their own Realm

TrendsAug 15, 2016

Lagos veterans begin again, in their own Realm

Ann King Lagos and Toni Renee Leslie have teamed up to create their own kingdom where the line between fine and fashion jewelry is blurred.


A sterling silver and 18-karat gold vermeil bracelet from Realm’s core collection. See more of the brand’s pieces in the slideshow below.
Las Vegas--Two veterans of Lagos looking for a fresh start have banded together to create their own line of gold vermeil and sterling silver jewelry set with cubic zirconia that blurs the line between fine and fashion.

Ann King Lagos, who co-founded Lagos with her now ex-husband Steven, teamed up with Toni Renée Leslie, Lagos’s former creative director, to launch Realm in the spring of 2014.

The company just exhibited at its first JCK Las Vegas show.

Though it is silver and vermeil with cubic zirconia, Realm is made using fine jewelry-making methods. The cubic zirconia are, for example, full-cut and prong-set like precious gemstones and the jewelry is treated with a protective anti-tarnish layer. In addition, the plating is thick and Realm will re-plate pieces at a “reasonable cost.”

Lagos and Leslie came together to launch Realm at a time when both were looking to start over in their lives. Leslie, a graduate of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), began creating lists of words inspired by Lagos’s maiden name, King, and eventually they arrived at Realm. 

The goal of Realm’s “fiercely female” team is to inspire and empower other women while at the same time building their brand and following by “Reigning Thoughtfully.”

Or, as they explain the brand’s mantra, “In the most simple of terms, it’s about being strong and kind in the same moment--acting on your dreams, achieving your goals and leaving an imprint of thoughtful acts along the path that leads you there.”

Price points in Realm range from $125 to $1,850 retail, with an average price point of $375.

Like Lagos, the brand is based in Philadelphia. It is sold online at ExploreRealm.com and is available for wholesale as well.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

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