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The Jewelry Designers

The Jewelry Designers
March 2014
PHOTOGRAPHER: 
Every outfit needs the perfect accessories, and that's exactly what these innovative artisans create in a variety of styles


(from left to right)

Angela Hall
Brand: Angela Hall Design
Launched: 2000
Known For: One-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, and rings incorporating precious and semiprecious stones and fine metals
Education: Studio arts at the College of Charleston and masters program in jewelry and metals at Savannah College of Art and Design
Accolades: Billboard selected her pieces as presenters’ gifts for its 2004 Music Awards.
Press: Charleston
Sold: Downtown at Ellis-Nicholson Gallery and Charleston Farmers Market, as well as online at angelahall.net and angelahall1.etsy.com


Deirdre Zahl
Brand: Candy Shop Vintage, a curated collection of vintage jewelry, and Candy Shop Collection, Deirdre’s own designs inspired by vintage pieces
Launched: 2009
Press: Vanity Fair, Los Angeles, and Charleston Weddings, as well as Glitter Guide, The Coveteur, and The So Good blogs
Recent Fun: A trunk show collaboration with designer Katherine MacDonald of LulaKate
Up Next: Deirdre is launching a new collection inspired by Charleston this spring.
Sold: In boutiques in six states, including locally at Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant, Hampden Clothing, JAMES, and Dulles Designs; online at candyshopvintage.com
 


Soteria Kontis
Brand: Soteria Kontis for Dixie Dunbar Studio
Launched: In 2008, she became owner of the renowned Charleston-based design studio after serving as head designer for seven years.
Known For: Handcrafted punk chic, contemporary, and custom designs in freshwater pearls, semiprecious stones, mixed metals, rubber, and leather
Awards: Among Fashion Group International’s eight “Rising Star” award finalists for accessories in 2013
Press: Vogue, Lucky, InStyle, and Charleston Weddings, as well as appearances on episodes of Army Wives
Up Next: Soteria closed her King Street boutique last December to focus more on designs for her wholesale accounts.
Sold: Ellington in Charleston and Sandpiper Gallery on Sullivan’s Island, as well as boutiques in Nashville, Tennessee; Marietta, Ohio; and Chicago, Illinois, and online at dixiedunbarstudio.com
 


Christina Jervey
Brand: Christina Jervey Handcrafted Jewelry
Launched: 2008
Known For: Organic designs in sterling silver, 14K gold, and 14K gold plate
Education: Metalsmithing at Penland School of Crafts and stone setting at New Approach School for Jewelers
Accolades & Awards: “Style & Design” runner-up in Garden & Gun’s 2012 Made in the South Awards
Press: Garden & Gun and Charleston Weddings, as well as Lucky’s Community and The So Good
Up Next: Christina has started casting in house and is experimenting with some new techniques.  
Sold: Select boutiques throughout the Southeast, including locally at Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant and Hampden Clothing, as well as online at christinajervey.com


Kate Davis
Brand: Kate Davis Jewelry
Launched: 2009
Known For: Casual yet refined pieces inspired by the ocean and her travels
Accolades: Placed in the model gift bags for Sports Illustrated’s 50th anniversary issue
Press: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, Surfing Swimsuit Issue, People Style Watch, and Charleston Weddings
Up Next: Launching her Spring 2014 line
Sold: Boutiques across the U.S., including Swoon in Mount Pleasant and ESD in West Ashley, as well as online at katedavisjewelry.com
 


Sarah Amos
Brand: Sarah Amos Jewelry
Launched: Mid-1970s
Known For: A master goldsmith, Sarah employs ancient Greco-Roman goldsmithing techniques to craft 22K gold, ancient coins, and precious and semiprecious stones into contemporary one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Education: Art at Newport College of Art; design/silversmithing at High Wycombe
College of Art; and goldsmithing at Kulicke-Stark Academy of Jewelry, now called the Jewelry Art Institute
Past Life: Designed and made the jewelry for Ariadne Galleries on Madison Avenue and made models for Metropolitan Museum of Art
Press: Art & Antiques, Charleston, and Charleston Weddings magazines
Sold: Exclusively at Helena Fox Fine Art, 106-A Church St.
 


Annie Van Harlingen
Brand:
Van H. Launched: 2010 Known For: Bold contemporary designs set with one-of-a-kind semiprecious stones and finished in 18K gold
Past Life: Studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, worked under designer Betsy Johnson, and moved to Charleston to launch the S.H.A.G (Sexy, Hip, And Gorgeous) collection at Putumayo
Press: Garden & Gun, Charleston, Guest of a Guest, and Vogue Italia
Up Next: Collaborating with Ringly, a New York-based, fashion-driven technology company, to design a new line of smart jewelry and accessories
Sold: In boutiques, such as The Spa at Charleston Place downtown, and online at vanhjewelry.com

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