A Look at Judith Leiber Bags: Novelty and Pop Culture Fame

August 31, 2025August 31, 2025Michelle

A Journey Through Whimsy, Craft, and Iconic Moments

Looking for Novelty, Sparkle and Veggies

I was looking at my summer activities which have consisted of work, writing and gardening. This got me thinking about luxury pieces around vegetables. Searching for vegetable themed sparkle on auction sites had me run across Judith Leiber, made a 90s name by Sex and the City, which has just announced it’s rebooted third season was its last. As summer is ending, I think some novelty is needed for this post and Judith Leiber bags—sparkling, sculptural, and utterly unforgettable are perfect for this. Revered among collectors and celebrities alike, her creations occupy a unique space at the intersection of luxury and artistry.

Judith Leiber: The Visionary

… Read the rest

The Closing of Lightbox: A Look at the Man-Made Diamond Model Versus Natural Diamonds

August 3, 2025August 3, 2025Michelle

The trends still point to ethical diamonds and an answer the jewelry industry had was man made diamonds. A cleaner, less harmful stone for the environment with a bit more price conscious consumer getting access to this luxury. So when I saw recently the closure of Lightbox on July 31st, the online diamond jeweler that promised affordable luxury by offering lab-grown, man-made diamonds at prices that challenged the very foundation of the traditional diamond industry. I wanted to dive into the story of Lightbox that is not just a business case study—it is a window into shifting values, technological disruption, and the complex interplay between natural and synthetic gems.

The Birth of Lightbox and Its Vision

Lightbox emerged as a … Read the rest

Reviewing Estee Lauder’s collaboration with jewelry designer Sabyasachi

March 16, 2024March 16, 2024Michelle

What colors come to mind when you think of India? The phrase, ‘Pink is the navy of India’ came to mind when I saw the new collaboration between jewelry and fashion designer Sabyasachi and Estee Lauder. The partnership launched a limited-edition lipstick collection of 10 shades that retail for $63. It is interesting to see beauty and jewelry collaborate. Estee Lauder has worked with Monica Rich Kosann on bejeweled compacts.

Purchasing a lipstick

When I saw the lipsticks, I decided I would splurge on one. Recently I’ve been getting into vintage beauty and buying lipsticks. I picked the Devi Pink to purchase. That color was the only one I found unique to Estee’s regular lipsticks.

It is too bad Sabyasachi … Read the rest

Jewelry Business Look Back Series: Gemvara

February 17, 2024February 17, 2024Michelle

A year ago this week, an online jewelry store announced it business was ending not at the end of the month or week but that day. Gemvara, an online jewelry store started in Boston, was a hot new company in the early 2010s due to proprietary technology that created your custom piece through CAD design in real time. Imagine following them and seeing this posted:

This was dated February 13,2023. Jewelry stores closing is nothing new, but this story is interesting in that it tried to have no inventory of jewelry and started entirely online. With my experience of going to school and living in Boston for a time I got a chance to see this company from about the … Read the rest

Jewelry in the Movies: Looking at The Divorcee (1930)

July 7, 2023July 7, 2023Michelle

With summer in full swing, I was hoping there would be some summer movies to look forward to seeing, so far nothing looks that good. As I wait and see what else comes to theaters, I am watching movies online from places like Turner Classic Movies. I recently watched The Divorcee with Norma Shearer and Chester Morris who play a young married couple with a new age thought of equal roles until the husband cheats on the wife. Throughout the movie I saw how jewelry, specifically the rings the wife wears add an extra detail to the story. This had me think of analyzing this movie and others where jewelry takes on a major role.

This movie released in 1930 … Read the rest

How Marvelous was Mrs. Maisel for Amazon?

June 4, 2023June 4, 2023Michelle

This is the first weekend in about 2 months that I have not had a new episode to watch of Amazon’s the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I got interested in it when it premiered in 2017. The show had 2 subjects I loved breaking into stand-up comedy and vintage fashion. Where there is vintage fashion there is vintage jewelry. The show was a success among critics with over 200 Emmy nominations and 80+ wins but after 5 seasons the show ended. I’m going to share my opinion on the show regarding marketing for Amazon and how you can embrace trends that may further your business.

Fashion and Funny

The premise was a 1950s housewife that found comedy due to her husband … Read the rest

How I am remembering Betty White at 101

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023Michelle

“Does desire melt away with age? I’m waiting for that day to come.” Celebrating what would have been Betty White’s 101^st birthday on January 17 by starting off with a quote of hers. Before the new year, a year had passed since Betty White left this life. She was a part of so much entertainment history it was hard not to feel a sense of loss at the news when it happened. I loved her most in the Golden Girls series but as years went on I loved her attitude about life.

Instead of immediately looking back at her death I wanted to remember her at a happier time like her birthday and go over how I came to … Read the rest

Summer Wedding Season Kicked off by Britney Spears

July 3, 2022July 3, 2022Michelle

As June ends and I look back on the month one event that made the summer feel more normal was a celebrity wedding! Sam Asghari and Britney Spears were wed on June 9^th. What I love about this wedding is it was both Sam and Britney’s wedding. Pictures with them together and separate with highlights of the little touches that made their wedding special I want to highlight the jewelry for the wedding and how the jewelers used this to display their product. I also want to show the increase in interest of this event that needed to mentioned sooner rather than later if you are marketing.

Wedding Jewelry

The 4-carat round brilliant engagement ring was by Forever … Read the rest