AskaNewYorker: Hi Wendy. So, you are really into fashion and style, and have one of the most successful fashion blogsaround today… were you always into fashion ??
Wendy: In my own special way, yes. As a very young child, I wanted to be an Indian brave just so I could wear fringe, feathers and face paint. When I was a little older, I read about the six wives of Henry VIII and decided that someday I would have a “B” initial pendant like Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. And now I do. It was one of my earliest designs.
AskaNewYorker: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Wendy: When it finally dawned on me that Native American wasn’t a legitimate career choice, I decided I’d be a poet. In second grade, I wrote an ode to a woolly bear caterpillar. My new ode to nature is my Eden jewelry collection. But now I’ve upgraded from caterpillars to butterflies.
AskaNewYorker: How many pairs of shoes do you have ?
Wendy: More than a Franciscan monk; fewer than Imelda Marcos. I think my ring collection might be catching up on my shoe collection. I have rings for every occasion: the Basket Weave ring is good for elegant events; the nearly indestructible Diana ring can be worn while dragging my overstuffed suitcase through the airport; and the Borgia poison ring is a great conversation piece at parties.
AskaNewYorker: What is your favorite accessory ?
Wendy: Jewelry-wise, it’s my black onyx skull ring. The skull is surrounded by tsavorites (green garnets). I’m also loving two Prada bags. One is a small fringed one (see? fringe is a life-long love) and the other is a big lace-patterned bag.
AskaNewYorker: When did you start your Jewelry design business – Wendy Brandes Jewelry?
Wendy: I started my first jewelry business in 2004, and I started designing under my own name earlier this year. I feel like now my personality is really coming through in the designs, from the sparkling Sunshower Earrings to the bold Clemence Ring. Creativity paired with excellent craftsmanship is my passion.
AskaNewYorker: What are your influences ?
Wendy: Great women of history, especially queens. I’m always fascinated by how women live their lives. Hans Holbein, who painted many of the royal ladies during the time of Henry VIII, also designed jewelry, so I’m a big fan of his.
AskaNewYorker: You always look so polished and perfect; Do you ever wear sweat pants and an old t-shirt ?
Wendy: You mean not everyone wears red lipstick and high heels in the shower like me?
AskaNewYorker: What are your favorite places in NYC ?
Wendy: The little dog run in Carl Schurz Park for small dog exercise; the Rainbow Room (especially during a big storm) for the view; the Museum of Natural History diorama rooms for a pleasantly creepy feeling. When I want Japanese food, I go to Bond St., and when I want Italian, I go to Novita on E. 22nd Street. If I need to cast a spell, I pick up my supplies at Enchantments on E. 9th Street. I don’t need to cast spells that often.
AskaNewYorker: You are in great shape; do you work out ?
Wendy: I frequently run to the refrigerator. Does that count?
AskaNewYorker: Do you have favorite colors ?
Wendy: Red for lipstick and black for t-shirts.
AskaNewYorker: Were you a girl scout ?
Wendy: Yes, but I only liked arts and crafts. If we ever got lost in a forest and had to light a fire from two sticks, I’d be of very little use. I could make you a great lanyard though.
AskaNewYorker: So what’s your creative process like…what does it take in order to arrive at a selected piece?
Wendy: For my Vivat Regina (Long Live the Queen) collection, I am usually thinking about a specific woman. For instance, I wanted to do something for Queen Min, the last empress of Korea, for a long time. I considered a few concepts, but I wasn’t excited enough to move forward. Then I found a piece of lemon quartz whose color and shape reminded me of a calligraphy scroll. I created a pagoda-shaped setting for it and, voila! My Queen Min ring.
AskaNewYorker: What did you do prior to launching Wendy Brandes Jewelry?
Wendy: I was a journalist for 11 years, working at the Wall Street Journal, CNN and People. Then I worked at an investment bank for five years while I saved up to start my own business. People used to ask me if I missed journalism, and I used to say, “Oh, not that much.” But then I started writing up a frenzy on my blog (http://wbjewelry.blogspot.com) — I especially love writing about something first — so I guess I did miss it after all.
AskaNewYorker: As a child what was the first piece of jewelry you remember wearing?
Wendy: A plastic necklace with little elephants hanging from it. My grandparents gave it to me. I admit that I tried to pry the elephants off so that they could play with the rest of my toy animals.
AskaNewYorker: Who are your Fantasy clients?
Wendy: I have so many celebrity clients, but I would love to have more. My work would look great on all “the gossip girls”, Helen Mirren, Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Nicole Richie, to name a few!
Photos on this page are credited to altamiranyc.blogspot.com and www.wendybrandes.com
