Elite Traveler March-April 2015

DISCOVER

elite traveler MAR/APR 2015 ISSUE 2 50

Jewelry

Irene Neuwirth necklace with green tourmaline, indicolite, aquamarine and diamonds Barneys New York POA

TAKE THREE /// PAIRS OFWHITE-GOLD EARRINGS Always cool and classy, the steely shimmer of white gold makes an exquisite, refined setting to offset fiery diamonds. Enhance your earlobes with its timeless beauty

1 BULGARI Fabulous Art Deco-style Intarsio earrings in 18 karat white gold with black onyx and pavé diamonds. $16,400 bulgari.com

MEET CALIFORNIA-BASED JEWELRY DESIGNER IRENE NEUWIRTH, WHOSE EVERY PIECE IS AWORK OF ART Irene Neuwirth There are two kinds of jewelry lovers:

2 HARRY WINSTON Elegant 18 karat white gold earrings, set with six (per pair) round, brilliant diamonds. POA harrywinston.com

labradorites or a Lightening Ridge black opal, with diamonds and gold. “They are for a woman who’s very self-confident and likes to take a risk,” Neuwirth says. “About 80% of the time, women buy my jewelry for themselves. I love working with these badass business women.” “The appeal is the uniqueness,” says Tomoko Ogura, senior fashion director at Barneys New York, which has a large selection of Neuwirth’s designs. “Each piece is one of a kind. You’re wearing something that’s a piece of art you’re not going to find anywhere else.” While based in Los Angeles, Neuwirth travels extensively, meeting customers at trunk shows and personal appearances drawing inspiration from this. “I’m constantly thinking of how to evolve my jewelry once I see it on somebody,” she explains. “I’m really inspired by the women who buy it.” Neuwirth’s business and profile are growing. Last year she opened her first store, a boutique onMelrose Avenue in Los Angeles. She created 300 unique launch pieces and won the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Swarovski Award for Accessories Design. But her distinctive blend of luxe materials and earthy wearability remains the same. ireneneuwirth.com

those who veer towards classic, understated pieces and those who prefer their accessories to make an intense statement. Jeweler Irene Neuwirth speaks to the latter, creating distinctive pieces that are unique, juxtaposing unexpected stones, such as huge, faceted, deeply colored

3 VAN CLEEF & ARPELS These pretty Cosmos earclips are comprised of white gold, onyx and diamond petals clustered around a single diamond. $21,300 vancleefarpels.com

COCKTAIL HOUR: PIAGET Limelight “Blue

Lagoon” cocktail ring in 18 kt white gold set with a cushion-cut aquamarine, 13 brilliant-cut fire opals and 58 brilliant-cut diamonds. $85,000 piaget.com

Photos: Emily Berl