FinancialsJan 17, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Rise 14% in Holiday QuarterThe company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.
TrendsMay 17, 2019
Wendy Brandes Taps ‘Style Crone’ for New Campaign
The 76-year-old model and fashion blogger is the face of the jewelry designer’s latest imagery.
Model and fashion blogger Judith Boyd of Style Crone is the new face of Wendy Brandes’ jewelry designs.
New York—Jewelry designer Wendy Brandes is known for her bold, unique pieces, and now she’s taking those characteristics and extending them to her latest campaign.
The designer has tapped 76-year-old model and fashion blogger Judith Boyd to be the face of her brand, embodying the fact that fine jewelry is desired and treasured by women of all ages.
The Denver-based Boyd spent most of her career working as a psychiatric nurse and then caring for victims of head and spinal cord injuries, and on her blog said that choosing her outfits was a way to not only express herself but also serve as a form of meditation as she approached her day.
She went on to co-own a hat shop in the 1980s and sold vintage clothing in an antique mall and on consignment from the 1990s onward.
After losing her husband to cancer in 2011, she fully embraced her fashion as a form of art and expression and eventually began documenting how she did that through her blog, Style Crone.
The new campaign featuring Boyd will be released across Wendy Brandes’ website and social media as well as on the Style Crone blog and social channels.
“I’ve known Judith through her blog Style Crone for nearly 10 years, and I’ve watched her look evolve from chic to absolutely regal,” Brandes said. “Certain jewelry themes I work with—like skulls and snakes—are too often dismissed as ‘punk’ when they’ve actually been a basis for high jewelry art for centuries or even millennia. To personify the history and majesty that fuels my work, I knew I had to work with Judith.”
In the images, Boyd models Brandes’ new “Carpe Diem” designs, featuring single black diamonds cut into skull shapes, the largest of which weigh more than 4.5 carats. The collection launched this spring and ranges in retail price from $8,000 to $20,000.
The campaign also features the jewelry designer’s “Memento Mori” skull designs and her “Queen of Scots” serpent set, which includes a solid 18-karat gold tiara with a South Sea pearl.
All pieces are one-of-a-kind or limited edition, available on 1stdibs.com and through brick-and-mortar retailers who participate in Brandes’ concierge service.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
This is the third time Brandes has chosen to go outside the norm for the images in her campaign, choosing to illustrate the diversity not often depicted in the jewelry and fashion industries.
Last year she featured models Grace Ming and Tricia Akello, born in China and Uganda respectively, for the brand’s campaign, released prior to the Couture show.
It was used across the brand’s social channels and booth decor, as well as on print imagery sent to all retailers.
Brandes also worked with Sudanese-born model Tina J for her 2012 campaign.
“One of the joys of fine jewelry is that there’s something for everyone, regardless of age, size, or any other characteristic you can think of, and if a customer’s dream piece doesn’t already exist, I can turn that vision into reality,” Brandes said. “I want to make it clear that jewelry is for everyone.”
More on Trends
The Latest
CollectionsJan 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Picchiotti’s Transformable ‘Classic Blue and Green’ NecklaceThe necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.
MajorsJan 17, 2025
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Name First Winner of Jewelry Designer AwardJameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
IndependentsJan 16, 2025
Lux Bond & Green to Open Sixth LocationThe 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.
Weekly QuizJan 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJan 16, 2025
Timex Launches Collection of National Park WatchesThe watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.
AuctionsJan 16, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Line Bracelet Going up for Auction Offered by U.K. auction house Woolley & Wallis, the yellow diamond bracelet was a gift from Taylor’s good friend Michael Jackson.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Events & AwardsJan 16, 2025
JCK Las Vegas 2025 Open for RegistrationThe jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.
EditorsJan 15, 2025
The Jewelry I’d Bid On in Christie’s Iris Apfel AuctionAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.
MajorsJan 15, 2025
Macy’s to Close 66 Stores as Part of Turnaround StrategyThe closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.
Policies & IssuesJan 15, 2025
JVC Debuts Guide to Americans with Disabilities Act ComplianceThe online guide is available for free and written with the jewelry industry in mind.
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Open for SubmissionsThe awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.
GradingJan 14, 2025
GIA CEO, President Susan Jacques to Retire at the End of 2025The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
ColumnistsJan 14, 2025
Jules Kim: Building Bridges Between Creators and IndustryIn this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
Policies & IssuesJan 14, 2025
These Designers and Retailers Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
GradingJan 14, 2025
Former SSEF Director Henry A. Hänni DiesA pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.
FinancialsJan 14, 2025
Signet Jewelers Lowers Q4 Guidance After Holiday Sales Fall ShortThe peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
MajorsJan 14, 2025
Edouard Schneider Joins Messika as Chief Brand OfficerSchneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
SourcingJan 13, 2025
Zambia Reinstates 15% Export Duty on Precious Gemstones, Shocking GemfieldsGemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.
TechnologyJan 13, 2025
Ultrahuman Unveils Luxury Smart RingWith versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesJan 13, 2025
Brandee Dallow Elected President of Ethical MetalsmithsThe executive brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role.
IndependentsJan 13, 2025
The Seven Pops Up in Palm BeachThe New York City-based retailer is bringing its curation of jewels to a pop-up shop at Love Binetti in Palm Beach, Florida.
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
SourcingJan 10, 2025
De Beers, GJEPC Partner to Promote Natural DiamondsThe pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.
CrimeJan 09, 2025
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. JewelsOfficers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.
CollectionsJan 09, 2025
Karma El Khalil’s New Collection is an Ode to the MoonThe “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.
