Pin worthy news “From Barbara’s Studio”
Hello friends … I’m new to the Bixby team, my name is Maria and I have always been fascinated by jewelry. I owe this interest to my dear Aunt Joan with her big trendy hair styles, draped in ornamental regalia and always exposing me to the latest in fashion. The interest turned to love and I’ve collected vintage jewelry (much like my aunt wore) for most of my life. I’ve merchandised and been a buyer on a wholesale level for many years never intending to work for a designer of fine jewelry but, it’s funny where life leads you and how the dots always seem to be connecting. I now find myself over the moon to be working closely with not only a designer of this caliber but a genuine, authentic, beautiful person who is very aware of the spiritual vibrations and forces that co-exist within our physical plane. I hope you enjoy my blogs and that I can bring you into and illuminate the world “From Barbara’s Studio”.
In fashion, everything old is new again and again and again. When the Japanese participated in the 1862 International Exhibition in London, their simple yet elegant interpretation of nature would have a profound influence on those looking for a new aesthetic. Jewelers soaked up the Japanese bond between nature and design, giving birth to an entirely new decorative style.
The designer’s inclusion of art into everyday objects provided a place for art in all our daily lives, these ingredients would blend together and become Art Nouveau.
The Art Nouveau movement, which made brooches widely popular, drew to a close and was not picked up again until breakthroughs in 1930’s pop culture. Brooches became trendy again in the 1950′s & 60′s and most of us can’t forget brooches on big shouldered blazers in the 80’s.
Barbara’s clear love of nature, her gardens and all creatures induced her to create pins and brooches inspired by her many different collections over the years. She forecasted the return of the brooch more than two years ago and introduced us to her interpretation of dragonflies, spiders, butterflies and bees. The charismatic charm of her Zen Garden grasshopper pin is the embodiment of this nature inspired craftsmanship.
“The brooch is having something of a renaissance on the runways with designers picking up on it’s classic appeal.”
~Vogue
“Kate Middleton brings back this elegant old- world accessory”
~Vogue
~Be on the lookout for more pin-worthy fashion from Barbara Bixby