Artists Laurie Dansereau and Pierre-Yves Paquette were chosen to participate because of their unique and innovative work.

What inspired you to first create jewelry?

Dansereau: Fashion has always interested me. I remember as a child, my mother would make clothes ... Read More »]]> The celebration of artistry and creativity is as ingrained in the culture of Québec as it is a calling card for New York City.  The “Innovation and Craftsmanship in Metal:  Jewelry Artists of Québec,” opens May 3 at Aaron Faber Gallery in New York, NY. The exhibition, featuring 14 of Québec’s most celebrated jewelry artists and there work, is ongoing through May 26.

Artists Laurie Dansereau and Pierre-Yves Paquette were chosen to participate because of their unique and innovative work.

What inspired you to first create jewelry?

Dansereau: Fashion has always interested me. I remember as a child, my mother would make clothes for me, and I would work on making the jewellery, trying very hard to make sure everything matched.

Later in life, I started studying visual arts, but I was looking for something more concrete with which to work. One day I submitted a drawing inspired by works of M.C. Escher, which the professor loved. Looking over it together, he made me notice that a lot of my art was often reminiscent of jewels. That year I switched to studying and researching jewellery exclusively. To this day, I still have that drawing framed in my studio.

What are your influences when working on pieces?

Paquette: My inspiration comes from everything that surrounds me such as architecture and contemporary art. But contemporary industrial design with slick and simple lines is what inspires me the most. I like what is being made in contemporary design around the world, to me it is so close to art but in an applied form sort of like jewelry.

How do you try to keep your work fresh and unique?

Dansereau: I inscribe my work into different collections, pushing me to develop new and unique ideas every step of the way. Each collection has a concept guiding the research, which is always a step forward from the previous collections. For instance, my previous collection, Human Forms, was a study of women, their bodies, reproductive systems, femininity and their sensuality. In my current collection, Alveolar Membrane, I look for similar aspects, but this time in plants. My approach is more scientific, looking to their development and growth mechanisms. I also integrate new techniques, such as enamelling, the use of threading, or the transformation of lace into silver.

By developing new techniques, and forcing myself to fit them into a predetermined concept, I manage to constantly reinvent my work, keeping it fresh and interesting over the years.

What do you like about the pieces in the Jewelry Artists of Quebec exhibition?

Paquette: I like the wide range of techniques and artists that have been chosen. I think as a group, that Quebec population is pretty well represented creatively and ethnically as a color full one. Over the years we had the chance to be the new home of many immigrants, they contributed to enrich the view and techniques of Quebec jewelry.

Dansereau: I like to see the quality of the research, and the mastery of craftsmanship in each of the pieces exposed. I also like to see the different technique each uses to express their creativity. Some of my fellow artists are a great source of inspiration for me, whether it is for their aesthetic or research, for their implication in the jewellery community or for the way they share their knowledge through teaching.

How has your work or your approach evolved over the years?

Paquette: When I first started making jewelry I was doing very technical pieces but a bit too loaded, it was as if I wanted to put all I knew in the same piece. With time you learn that most of the time less is more. So I ended up doing pieces with very simple lines putting only a few elements forward. Now my work tends to get simpler, I am working on more fluid lines and less charged mokume pattern.

Dansereau: I try to constantly develop new techniques, which pushes me to seek new horizons for professional development. In 2008, I was invited to be an artist in residence at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. This allowed me to broaden my knowledge of technical possibilities through meeting many renowned professional jewellers, who also talked to me about their creative process and research methods. I think this sort of contact with my peers is essential to be able to take a step back from my work. This allows me to have the space to give structure to my ideas and see the way forward. This sort of exchange is vital for the evolution of anyone’s work.

Photos of work by Dansereau and Paquette (in the order Dansereau, Paquette, Dansereau, Paquette) courtesy of Jewelry Artists of Quebec Exhibition and Trunk Show.

Host: Comedian Air Tabigue Judges: Singer/musician Taiyo Na, singer/songwriter Baiyu, and last year’s winner Caroline Tseng DJ: VNA

Circle Nightclub 135 West 41st Street (btwn 6th/Bway), New York, NY 6:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Grab pre-sale tickets for $20 or pay $25 at the door.

Allison’s designers are elegant with a hint of whimsy.  Flirty, yet sophisticated.  All of her dresses and separates would definitely give you the perfect chic look for any special event.

I promise ... Read More »]]> When Kaitlin wrote a post about Allison Parris, I immediately fell in love with her dresses.  We had written about Allison’s designs back in 2010 when she presented her collection as well.  I was so excited when Allison invited me to her showroom and studio in New York to view her Spring/Summer 2012 collection.  I took Clara with me to do the modeling because the samples were a perfect fit!

Allison’s designers are elegant with a hint of whimsy.  Flirty, yet sophisticated.  All of her dresses and separates would definitely give you the perfect chic look for any special event.

I promise that these photos don’t even begin to capture how beautiful this dresses are in person.  The eco-friendly and socially conscious Allison Parris New York Collection is built around the idea that “retaining moral values” and “being able to wear beautiful, well made clothing” are not mutually exclusive actions. While keeping a feminine and sophisticated appeal, Allison Parris New York utilizes organic silks, fabrics made of recycled materials and factories within Manhattan in order to create a better clothing experience for their clients.

This embellished top and tutu skirt were DARLING! I asked Allison about her website www.allisonparris.com and her retail sales.  She said that while a majority of her business is wholesale, she does sell quite a few dresses from her online store.  I told her that having these beautiful dresses available online was a HUGE plus for me. Plus, she can always be reached at her email info@allisonparris.com.  I strongly suggest reaching out to her if you are looking for one of these dresses in the photos I took.

Allison is absolutely gorgeous inside and out.  It was such a treat to meet her and experience her clothes in person.  One of her black dresses definitely has my name on it!

Beth B. Anderson is the creator and CEO of Chic Galleria Publications, LLC.  Follow her on Twitter @ChicGalleria, Facebook or Pinterest. Questions? Email beth@chicgalleria.com

Today I’m on my way to New York City for a little business and a little pleasure.  My daughter, Clara and I have a long list of vintage shops we want to hit.  Since it’s Spring Vacation, I’m expecting Manhattan to be a bit more crowded than usual.  Luckily, we won’t be doing the tourist activities.  Having lived there, I have my favorite spots to visit and they aren’t ... Read More »]]> I love the look of black and lace. With Monday’s always being the day I seem to be in a rush, this is such a chic and easy outfit to throw on.

Today I’m on my way to New York City for a little business and a little pleasure.  My daughter, Clara and I have a long list of vintage shops we want to hit.  Since it’s Spring Vacation, I’m expecting Manhattan to be a bit more crowded than usual.  Luckily, we won’t be doing the tourist activities.  Having lived there, I have my favorite spots to visit and they aren’t on the “tour” map!

We’re going to be meeting up with the fabulous designer Allison Parris for a photoshoot in her showroom.  I’m going to catch a quick visit with my friend Yuli Ziv at the Style Coalition lounge.  Hopefully Kerry Bannigan will be back in the Nolcha office so I can catch up on all the news from her.  I plan to see all the New York Chic Galleria writers and have lots of retail therapy.

If you follow me on Twitter @ChicGalleria, Facebook or Pinterest, I’ll be uploading some fun photos from my trip via @Instagram!

Top: See by Chloé 
Skirt: Proenza Schouler
Shoes: Nine West (On SALE)
Tights: Nicole Miller
Bag: Mulberry Similar Mulberry
Charm Bracelet: Moschino
Gold Bangle: Sold Out Similar Nadri
Mascara and Climate Control Mineral Tint: Rae Cosmetics

Beth B. Anderson is the creator and CEO of Chic Galleria Publications, LLC.  She is a freelance copywriter and editor for The Chic Editor and Editor-in-Chief of Chic Galleria magazine. Beth is a member of the Board of Directors for Nolcha Fashion Week, New York and a member of the ELLE.com/ Style Coalition network. She was named one of Lucky magazine’s Favorite Bloggers.

Visit the event page for details and to snag tickets before they sell out.