Dweck me out!

There are many blogs out there that focus on jewelry in fashion, what the designers are doing, promoting, what’s in the celebrity world. Well, this isn’t exactly that kind of blog-although you all know I do like to flash the bling around here. For me, my real interest lies in the psycho-spiritual –what’s really going on behind the jewelry and how it affects mentally, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

I think am not unlike most people, in that I tend to be attracted to things energetically. It registers as a kind of “hit” with me, then I take it apart on several levels. It may seem odd, but I interact cognitively and emotionally, with jewels and when I run across something that speaks to me, it can be transforming. Jewelry, for me, is something more than adornment, it is the whole enchilada. It is medicine.

And so while I’d always admired his work, it wasn’t until I stumbled into the hands of a odd sort of red- headed make up artist at the Trish McEvoy counter at Saks one day that I came face to face with a Stephen Dweck creation up close and personal. (It’s a rare occurrence that I let myself be absconded with during a meandering shopping haze, but it can happen to anyone I suppose.) Maybe it was her energy, maybe it was her quirky but compelling sense of style, maybe it was because I’d lost all my make up in Katrina and needed some new stuff, who knows, but before you know it, the pots, creams, and powders were lined up like little toy soldiers ready for battle.

Amidst a flurry of powder, sparkle and fluff, I became mesmerized by the gigantic, amber faceted stone ring in an antiqued shade of silver that was flashing before me as she waved various magic wands about-swoooosh, blot- blot, dab. The hell with the makeup, I wanted the ring! After she had her way with me, I went right over to the counter and found this Dweck ring,

as well as this pair of earrings I bought myself for my birthday later that year. Ca-ching for Stephen!

As I got to know his work better, I realized that Dweck comes to his designs by way of a love of nature, three-dimensional design, and honor for the stones. It’s what sets his work apart in my mind. Whether Dweck actually interacts with his stones consciously, in a metaphysical way, is unknown to me as of yet.

Still, I like to think that magic lurks in Dweck’s studio. “There is his One of a Kind Stone Room, that that apparently is not to be believed, and difficult to describe. It is a room with 4 walls where every square inch is covered in a rainbow of colored stones and strands of beads Beginning with whites on one wall and ending in variations of black, it takes the eye through the spectrum of color from whites to yellows, pinks to oranges, reds to purples, greens to blues, browns to blacks and every color in between. It is a room that generates a powerful synergy between imagination, creativity and design.” (www.stephendweck.com).


Ad campaigns are another kind of magic that can influence a jewelry line, and while Stephen Dweck runs some beautiful ones, I must admit, most of the time, the glossies don’t influence me that much, and there are some dramatic ones. For example:
"Stephen Dweck silver ring, $345. Available at Valentina. "

And here’s a shot of some gorgeous bracelets in a bridal ad (brides.com) –a website you won’t find me on too often! (Do you know the last time I was at Borders, I counted 28 separate bridal magazines. yikes! ) Love the white polish!

"The refined look of this white taffeta gown comes from the Empire-waist bow in front and the elegant waterfall back, price upon request, by Pronovias, pronovias.com. Silk-charmeuse headband, $35, by Renée Rivera, reneerivera.com. Mother-of-pearl earrings, $320, intaglio rock-crystal bracelet, $1,555, mother-of-pearl bracelet with faceted and intaglio rock crystal, $1,445, mother-of-pearl ring, $375, all by Stephen Dweck" (Brides.com)

And, can anyone forget this incredible picture of Drew Barrymore that was featured in the OUTRAGEOUS ACCESSORIES BEST OF 2007 line up?

"She complemented a draped Donna Karan gown with a show-stopping bronze and pearl necklace by designer Stephen Dweck. When asked by the New York Post if she would be able to take the necklace home the star replied, "Probably not." Too bad—closer examination would have revealed the bronze beetle (named Adam) that Dweck incorporates into all his designs." (instyle.com)

For all you Real Housewives fans, be on the look out- this multi-strand-pearl-smoky-topaz-necklace was featured in a scene with Jeana-that was supposedly inspired by the show. "Cultured champagne dyed pearls and engraved cylinder-shaped smoky topaz stones.Sterling silver with contrast bronze links.Hook and chain closure.Shortest strand, 13"L. Longest strand, 18"L." (seenon.com)

Fashion-wise, I’m happy his work is out there enjoying such celebrity because to me, it means that maybe people are attuning to earth energy as well, even if they are unaware. He actually describes his work as “ artistic fashion jewelry”, which makes total sense, given his love of the stones. This to me, is a long tall drink of water in an industry that seems so driven by an over abundance of base metal and stone stimulants.