Championship Season for CIRCA Polo

Neither rain nor hurricane nor dark of night could thwart the CIRCA Polo Team in its quest to win this year’s prestigious Hampton Cup on the aptly-named CIRCA Championship Field at the Bridgehampton Polo Club. Despite scheduling changes forced by Hurricane Irene and the unusually rainy weather this August, the Hampton Cup went forward and the final was played a week late, on September 3rd. After reaching the finals a year ago and coming up just short, team CIRCA found itself in a rematch of last year’s final with rival White Birch. Revenge was sweet as CIRCA rallied behind 8 goals from Magoo Laprida and 5 more from game MVP Martin Pepa to win 8-6. Congratulations to Chris Del Gatto, Guille Aguerro, Martin Pepa and Magoo Laprida on a great season in Bridgehampton! Look for more CIRCA Polo action in February from Palm Beach.

Read more >>

Fall Back, Spring Forward

Now that I’ve fully recovered from the whirlwind of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the fabulous fashion from the runways and provide some tips on how to accessorize. This season, Lincoln Center was full of the spectacular – particularly at the CIRCA Accessories Salon, which displayed the new collections of some of today’s most innovative jewelry designers and a breathtaking selection of CIRCA’s iconic estate jewelry purchases. With my official schedule in hand, I hopped around town to as many shows as possible, and spotted these fabulous trends for Spring 2012:

Trend I: Metallics

One of my favorite trends this season, that certainly adds an edge to any ensemble, is the use of metallics. Not only is the material eye-catching, but the colors are very festive, like this Prabal Gurung purple metallic and white chiffon dress shown below left. Similarly, designers Badgley Mischka and Elie Tahari incorporated striking metallics in their Spring 2012 collections. Badgley Mischka’s dress made of an embroidered floral skirt was complemented by a metallic bustier, while Elie Tahari paired a gold metallic skirt with a clean white blouse. Tres chic! Since the shine is in the garment, complement the look with opaque stone jewelry in lapis, malachite or onyx.

Read more >>

New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala 2011

As a platinum sponsor of the annual New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala held on Tuesday, CIRCA was proud to support such a worthy cause and be a part of the star-studded event. Here are some of the moments caught on camera:

Read more >>

Ruby Kobo Short Films

Jewelry designer Ruby Kobo, featured at the CIRCA Accessories Salon for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, asked three filmmaker friends, Jen Campbell, Arian Camilleri, and Greg Broom, to create a short film inspired by their collection. Each resulted in a unique interpretation:

Ruby Kobo by Jen Campbell

Read more >>

Scene at the CIRCA Salon

The CIRCA Accessories Salon just finished another successful Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week season at Lincoln Center. Here are some of the famous faces that turned up at the CIRCA Salon:

 

Susan Sarandon

Read more >>

CIRCA Sweepstakes Winner

Congratulations to Shauna Keough, winner of the CIRCA Sweepstakes for VIP access to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!

Read more >>

CIRCA and NYers For Children Close MBFW

In a fitting end to a spectacular week of fashion at Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, CIRCA joined forces with New Yorkers for Children to celebrate the very talented designer Sophie Theallet. Theallet, who wowed the crowd at Milk Studios with her runway show on Tuesday, perfected her craft working with design legends Jean Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaia. (For more photos of the event and of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, visit the CIRCA Facebook page)

CIRCA CEO Chris Del Gatto plants one on designer Sophie Theallet

Read more >>

Guest Blogger: Mary Alice Stephenson

From the front row of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, CIRCA caught up with fashion and beauty expert Mary Alice Stephenson, to find out the story behind two of her favorite vintage pieces.

Why did you select these two vintage pieces in particular?
The earrings and necklace both represent significant firsts in my life. To me, jewelry is extremely emotional; each piece in its own way tells a story.

Read more >>

CIRCA Celebrates Sophie Theallet

CIRCA sat down with designer Sophie Theallet, who will be joining us at the CIRCA Accessories Salon for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, to find out what her style influences are:

Name: Sophie Theallet

Hometown: Bagneres-de-Bigorres, France


At CIRCA, we believe that every jewel tells a story. What’s your story?

I have always wanted to be a fashion designer; I was almost predestined to be one by my history. My father's mother was a fashion illustrator and a very eccentric Bourgeoisie woman in the thirties. She would walk with a black panther in the streets of Bordeaux! On my mother's side, they were industrials from the South of France and owned a factory that produced high end wool blankets and dressing gowns.

Read more >>

House of Waris at the CIRCA Salon

Waris Ahluwalia, featured at the CIRCA Accessories Salon, recently sat with Veronica Webb to discuss his journey as a jewelry designer:

Kara Ross at the CIRCA Salon

Jewelry designer Kara Ross, who was featured at the CIRCA Accessories Salon for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, recently sat with Veronica Webb to discuss the story behind her collection:

Kimberly McDonald at the CIRCA Salon

Sustainable jewelry designer, Kimberly McDonald, recently sat with Veronica Webb to discuss her love for stones and the importance of sustainability in the luxury industry:

Kimberly McDonald is showcasing her collection at the CIRCA Accessories Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week today, September 11, Sunday.

CIRCA Presents: Ruby Kobo

Ruby Kobo will preview their new collection at the CIRCA Accessories Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. We recently sat with jewelry designer Yuvi Alpert (pictured here with design partner Danna Kobo), to find out what influences his style:

Name: Yuvi Alpert

Hometown: Los Angeles

When did you first start designing jewelry?

I originally started designing jewelry in college in Miami for friends. A Miami boutique, Base, then I bought the line.

Read more >>

CIRCA Presents: House of Waris

Jewelry designer Waris Ahluwalia will preview his new collection at the CIRCA Accessories Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. We recently sat with Waris to find out what influences his style

Name: Waris Ahluwalia (House of Waris)

Hometown: Amritsar, India (foothills of the Himalayas)

When did you first start designing jewelry?

I didn't choose this path, jewelry chose me. I have no formal training in jewelry, but like everything else in life, I trust my instincts. It's a skill we're given- a tool. It's up to us to sharpen it and learn to use it. We all have it to some degree. I have spent the last six years searching the world for the best craftsmen. They make it possible- the generations of skill in their hands. My journey started in Rome, where I found my first workshop, then onto India where the family has been working in jewelry for centuries. They have a love and an innate understanding of the materials. Once again, it's magic. From there, onto Bangkok, and then somehow found my way home to work with a hand engraver in New York.

Read more >>

CIRCA Presents: Kara Ross

Jewelry designer Kara Ross will preview her Spring/Summer 2012 collection at the CIRCA Accessories Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. We recently sat with Kara to find out what influences her style:


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.

Read more >>

CIRCA Presents: Kimberly McDonald

Jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald will preview her new collection at the CIRCA Accessories Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. We recently sat with Kimberly to find out what influences her style:

Name: Kimberly McDonald

Hometown: Asheville, NC originally. Now split between New York City and Los Angeles.

Read more >>

CIRCA Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

I’m happy to announce that CIRCA will continue our support of top CFDA-affiliated jewelry designers with the return of the CIRCA Accessories Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The CIRCA Salon will provide a platform for innovative jewelry designers and feature a curated exhibition of iconic estate pieces selected from CIRCA’s recent purchases.

As the leading global buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches from the public, we have a unique authority in determining what’s collectible in the jewelry world. The following designers were hand-picked by me and other industry experts as brands who exhibit innovative design and attention to quality. Each will preview their new collections in the CIRCA Salon:

Read more >>

CIRCA Presents: Paul Morelli

Jewelry designer Paul Morelli will preview his new collection at the CIRCA Accessories Salon at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. We recently sat with Paul to find out what influences his style:

Name: Paul Morelli
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

When did you first start designing jewelry?
1980.

What was the inspiration for your current collection?
The Art Nouveau movement was my inspiration for my current collections. I love the harmony between the hardness of a structure and the curved lines inspired by nature.

Read more >>