Oliver

Introducing NYC-based Jewelry Line Lex & Lynne

Gloria — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:33:47 +0000

We are thrilled to introduce the NYC-based jewelry line, Lex & Lynne and recently had the chance to correspond with designer Alexis Corry to learn more about her.

O: How did you get into jewelry design?

L&L: I began beading necklaces and bracelets as a hobby for friends and family whenever I had time from high school on. As my career grew in New York more people began to notice my designs and began purchasing and recommending the jewelry to boutiques. I began selling out of boutiques and decided to create my own ECommerce website and officially start my own company.

O:Who would you like to see wearing your pieces? Any dream celebrity clients?

L&L: Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sofia Coppola, Elle Fanning

O: Can you tell us about the materials used in your jewelry? Where you got the idea to incorporate bone/horn, etc.

L&L: I’ve always had an interest in wooden beads, and that is where I began designing – simple wooden beads (example, the Ronnie). My beads have become more exotic over time, and I am constantly researching and searching for more textures, cuts, materials, and the like. I strive for my jewelry to have a consistent look with materials that blend well together, and feel good, for example jasper with wood, or czech glass with bone.

I love jewelry, but I am most attracted to easy-wear items and accessories, and the same goes for my wardrobe – effortless style is the overall attitude behind my designs. This attitude inspired me to make long strands that have the capability to be worn many different ways. I am passionate about creativity and originality, so the ability to make a bracelet or necklace your own inspires me most. I advise those who wear Lex & Lynne to use our signature metal tag as a guide to style.

I am always looking for new materials to incorporate in to my designs. Right now I have three collections – the Classics, the Wanderlust, and the Graces. The Classics, our sport collection, includes bracelets and necklaces composed of wooden beads and earth-toned gemstones, such as jasper. The Wanderlust Collection is made up of various necklaces and bracelets inspired by the region of their materials, with all types of materials – horn, bone, metal, wood, precious gemstones, shell, etc… The Graces Collection is our formal collection, it originated with a crisp-white bone foundation per bracelet and necklace and has recently evolved in to a black-onyx foundation for a darker look.

Fall Addictions: The Oversized Cardigan

Gloria — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:26:06 +0000

It’s finally here.

The time of year that stirs the blood and daydreams of all fashion mavens.

It’s fall and our new series of killer must-haves will rock your closet.

Enter Wildfox Couture’s Manhattan Cardigan

What better way to lunge over last season’s fur fiasco than with a cheeky cheetah-spangled sweater around your shoulders? This baby will be your go-to and pièce de résistance for autumn’s brisk days and chill nights. You can wear it open, closed, belted, with flares, leather leggings, red lipstick, skirts, dresses, and anything pleated.*

Plus, this cat can kill two birds with one stone. With this season’s fashion forecast calling for oversized sweaters out the wazoo–you can look cool and stay warm in this statement staple.

Manhattan Cardigan, $275, available at Oliver

*the fashion gods have spoken and they want you to know that pleats are IN…and oh let us tell you about the things that are to come (next time)!

Here’s the skinny on spring jeans…

Gloria — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:09:18 +0000

The fashion gods have spoken and they are over our favorite silhouette of the past decade.

Enter: the flare.

Now, we’re not saying to throw all of your skinnies in a hefty bag to Goodwill or anything (GOD, NO!), but how refreshing to have the rebirth of an old favorite. A style that…dare we say, is more flattering on more figures and more fun to pair with EVERYTHING and thank you bohemian style that is still so prevalent today because that really makes us feel like a goddess from the 70s…platforms and all.

The beauty of the flare is that you’re options are pretty much limitless (cue image of a wide open desert road). They come in a sophisticated high rise, they come in a super snaky hot hips low rise and, if you’re not one for extremes, they’re also available in a classic mid-rise. You can get ‘em inky dark or summertime light or that perfect lived-in vintage blue. Oh and did we mention that you can pick your width? We’ve got bell bottoms, flares, micro-flares (for the less festive girl who still wants a smoking’ profile) and we even have the ever-present bootcut (so you’re not ready to make the jump, but you still want to simulate participation).

Still not sold? Did you know that flares make your legs look seriously long? L-O-N-G, we say! Yes! Think gazelles! And supermodels! So, do the Charlie’s Angels girls (original cast, of course) proud and bring some drama into your denim collection!

Image L to R: Genetic, Rich & Skinny, Genetic, Farrah Fawcett, True Religion, Goldsign

LET THUMPER LIVE

Gloria — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:30:59 +0000

We are pro-life when it comes to fur. Gone are the days where we need to slaughter animals to stay warm (hello electricity, automobiles, Starbucks). We, at Oliver, pledge to be fur-free.

But as you all know, fur is the biggest trend this fall. Runways are teeming with the skins of bunnies, goats, foxes, and minks. So, we have found some of the most beautiful, luxurious, cruel-free, keep you warm and stylish and feeling like a supermodel furs on the market. Faux is fabulous and you can sleep easy knowing you won’t be haunted by the forty odd critters that died to make your cloak.

More fur-ocious options that have the bark without the bite:

Simone’s take on how to add some faux fur glam to any outfit.

Combine trends with this faux fur militaristic jacket by Cynthia Vincent.

STOP THE KILLING and visit these sites for more information:

www.furisdead.com

www.antifursociety.org

www.peta.org

www.furkills.org

Or visit www.youtube.com and search “fur farms” for a peek into the mad cruelty that goes on to make those frivolous frocks.

Don’t sweat your pants off

Gloria — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:56:30 +0000

Is the summer sun
trying to kick your jeans and t-shirt habit?

We have your newest addiction–jeggings! They’re lightweight, feel better, move better, and more forgiving.
They’re soft as snow without the winter!

L-R: SEVEN, CITIZENS, GENETIC, JOE’S JEANS, GOLDSIGN, & SIWY (ALL MADE IN THE USA)

Behind the Scenes

Gloria — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:47:23 +0000

It was Beth Mondie who heard us calling when we decided to do a summer shoot to help launch our re-designed website.

A small town shoot can be stressful enough with a model, but without one we were running around begging photographers and anyone who’d listen to HELP US OUT. All thoughts went back to Beth. A veteran to Oliver ads (we discovered her while she was visiting Wilmington to celebrate her 18th birthday!), she moved to the Big City in 2007 to pursue modeling (and be pursued back!) and, oh, how would we lure her down to help us out? Luckily, we didn’t have to!

Beth, along with her ex-model boyfriend Mike Carver, recently started MC Scouting and just happened to be touring the US in search of high fashion beauties…1st stop—WILMINGTON.

But before we get sidetracked, let’s take a little walk down memory lane…

So now, we have our model! A real-life I live in New York and work as a model model (and she has a hot boyfriend! Male model…check!)!

Next, we needed a venue! We needed a chic, modern, environment to shoot our chic, fabulous clothes in! We played with bars (too shabby chic), parking garages (too edgy), and anywhere else we could think of, but nothing was that puzzle perfect fit.

Enter Sarah Harmon of Glen Harmon in Lumina Station. Sarah offered her exquisite (harmonious, even!) store to us and it almost worked, until the white tufted leather sofa didn’t arrive on schedule. And then, our savior arrived! Robin Stanfield, Sarah’s #2 at the amazing furniture design shop, offered us her home! And oh, what a home! From the paneled fireplace to the Agrestic-perfect backyard, it was a match made in fashion god heaven!

Through Justin Mitchener, our web designer (who is so imaginative that he bleeds creativity) we found our photographer, Jason Kolsch. Jason recently shot the Encore Magazine summer fashion spread and is now, through a career rebirth, leaving us for the Big City and bigger commissions! It was through Jason that we found our hair and make-up artist, Bryan Moss and, finally, our vision was ready to be realized!