Like minds think alike, at least that's a maxim the fashion-minded can bond over regardless of their place in the real world. Artist-turned-designer Christie Frields emailed me, with a wink and nudge, regarding Madonna's latest outing and our shared obsession for piling on the necklaces she hand strings from colorful silk ribbon and industrial washers. Yes, those tiny stainless O’s used when a bolt or screw need that little extra bit to stay in place.
An installation artist, Christie took to creating these endlessly long strands as a way to unwind from working on her sizeable installation projects. It’s her version of knitting. Looped as a necklace, bandolier or belt, the strands are modern talismans, says Christie, who draws inspiration from the African cowry shell (the first form of currency on the continent and representing wealth, prosperity and luck); the Mediterranean tradition of stitching coins known as sequins on clothing; and the handiwork of Bauhaus textile artist Anni Albers, who incorporated unconventional, industrial materials in her work.
Add motorcycle chains to the litany of references, since they do sort of suggest it. The jewelry line is called Baron’s Family Jewels, after her father and uncle’s Bay Area motorcycle gang during the 1960's. How cool is that? I'll take a handful of them over conventional gold strands any day because there really is nothing like them out there.
Ok, so in the interest of full disclosure, it's true that A+R is the only store showcasing the collection right now, which we've been totally thrilled about since first getting them a couple of years ago (it should be on our e-com store soon enough). Still, by the looks at what that fashion plate Madge is flaunting, it appears that when it comes to this trend call, Ms. Frields made the link.