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Name:Kara Ross
Hometown: New York City
When did you first start designing jewelry?
In 2002, I launched my fine jewelry line at Bergdorf Goodman and an exotic handbag line followed in 2006. Since then, the company has really grown. I now have a fashion jewelry line called Kara by Kara Ross which features the same gemstones and exotic skins that are used in the fine jewelry and handbag collections. The most recent evolution in the brand is The Kara Ross Gemstone Collection. This jewelry collection is made of sterling silver, 18k gold accents, and gemstones. It has been an incredible journey and a privilege to see the company grow over the years, and I'm excited to see what the future brings.
What was the inspiration for your current collection?
The entire vision is upbeat and whimsical. We just had so much fun designing this season’s pieces and want that spirit and carefree whimsy to show in all of the designs.
For our jewelry collection, we were inspired by the ocean, and an "under the sea" fantasy was born in this collection. We feature cool color palettes, layering designs in a fresh light and playing up ideas of free flowing strands and layering. However, the elements of the pieces still retain our signature structure and geometric shapes.
For our handbag collection, I was inspired by summer desserts. Almost all of the exotics used in the collection have a “berry” reference (blue raspberry, pink berry, black berry wash) while still remaining edgy and fashionable with touches of metallic and neutral washes. We also have a python skin we call “cookies and cream”.
What will you be showcasing at the CIRCA Accessories Salon?I will have the highlights from each of our S/S 2012 Collections: The Gemstone jewelry line, the Boutique jewelry line and the exotic skin handbag line.
Who is your style icon?I try to take in as much as possible from everything/everyone around me.Do you have a piece of jewelry that has particular meaning for you?
Of course – My wedding ring, as it’s a symbol of the love I share with my husband, and our beautiful family.
As one of the largest ‘recyclers’ of jewelry in the world, CIRCA is committed to sustainability by reducing the need for excessive mining of gemstones and precious metals. What are your thoughts on sustainability in jewelry and fashion?
Jewelry that we consider to be art is almost always timeless. However, there are cases where pieces become outdated or just no longer suit the needs of the owner. In these cases, the intrinsic value of the metals used in jewelry (silver, gold, platinum) coupled with the value of the gemstones, make jewelry a wonderful thing to recycle. You can put your jewelry back on the market, or have it redesigned or updated. After all, jewelry is meant to be worn and appreciated.
To preview Kara Ross’ Spring/Summer 2012 collection, visit the CIRCA Accessories Salon, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center on Monday, September 12, 2011. Print this post
