Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

A.D. Schwarz's African-Inspired Jewelry Debuts at Linhardt Studio in NYC

Bracelets from the A.D. Schwarz collection; made from sustainably-harvested wood from Mozambique.

Clearly, the perfect Summer bracelet is elusive; tennis bracelets are pretty but boring (and where DO those diamonds come from?). Bangles after a few hours always manage to become awfully….bangly. Charm bracelets are only for days when you’re feeling charming, really. (And in the heat of the season, that is less and less likely.) But what about when you want some serious sleek, some sublime simplicity, something singular that nobody else is rocking?

The debut collection by A.D. Schwarz makes a great case for the revival of modern urban safari chic that has stayed with us the past few seasons (for good reason; styles and fabrics that work on the plains and in the forests of Africa also tough it out beautifully in the urban jungle).

The collection is not only eminently wearable (see eco model Summer Rayne Oakes below, who sported the bracelet at the top of the page, unforch just outside the image) it has that always-cool intensity which works as well with a crisp white short-sleeve shirt as it does with a hippie-print maxi-dress.

The line is almost as guilt-free as a green tea Pinkberry as it is made in Mozambique by a local worker’s cooperative from sustainably harvested wood. Now available at the Linhardt Studio in NYC. Lindhardt specializes in ethically-made jewelry and A.D. Schwarz is the latest addition to the creative and conscious jewelery there.

Summer Rayne Oakes at the A.D. Schwarz party; Summer helped bring the line to NYC.

Outside the Linhardt Design Studio, opening night for A.D. Schwarz’s line

Close-up of the gorgeous wooden cuff from the A.D. Schwarz collection at Linhardt Studio

Handmade decorative wooden plates are also part of the A.D. Schwarz collection

Aid to Artisans Awards

Christina Kim of Dosa was one of the winners that rocked the ATA Awards

I headed over to the ATA Awards the other day hosted at ABC Carpet and Home with the League of Artisan ladies (Benita et. al) and Michela from Interrupcion to celebrate a little fair trade for the “noveau riche,” as Benita would like to say. ATA “celebrates the achievements of individuals and groups who have changed the handmade world through their talents and determination.” This year’s honorees include:

ed Muehling
Extraordinary jewelry and product designer
ATA Lifetime Visionary Award

Christina Kim
Founder of inventive artisan-based fashion house, Dosa
Innovation in Craft Award

Barbara Tober
Philanthropist, artisan investor, chair Board of Governors of New York’s Museum of Art & Design
Preservation of Craft Award

Edric Ong
Sarawak-based textile specialist, designer, cultural preservationist
Artisan Advocate Award

…but this African blackwood necklace and a spiral bracelet (not shown here) by Federico de Vera’s was one of my favorites