Other people's jewelry: Ariel Gordon Jewelry Makes me Sad

these days, it seems like anyone can be a jewelry designer.

There's no better person to illustrate this point than Ariel Gordon, publicist turned self-proclaimed jewelry "designer." But alas, while everyone is a designer these days, the proof is in the pudding.  Though her biography and blog boast colorful sources of inspiration and a deliberate study in metal-smithing, her jewelry indicates otherwise.  Aside from the double birthstone ring, there is not one "design" I haven't seen before.  From the simplistic stacking rings to the  to messy leather bracelets to the tired-out rich girl's silk+chain friendship bracelet, the e-commerce shop might as well have been a retailer rather than Ariel's own store.

Deja Vu?

I can't help but feel guilty for my disdain.  From the photos, Ariel looks like a true sweetheart (I'm very good at reading faces) the kind of happy-go-lucky gal that smiles easily without thought, mustering a laugh even when the going gets tough, readily praising fellow designers and idols for their creativity.  What's more, it is obvious that she works very, very hard.  Her pride at landing this magazine and that celebrity when sometimes for stretches of time you're not sure what you're doing where you're going or if it's even worth it, and all of sudden that piece of press makes it all worthwhile, is something every passionate designer identifies with.

And minimalistic does not necessarily mean lack of creativity.  Everyone wants to make that quintessential gold band even though brandlesss jewelry stores sell them a dime a dozen, we want to make our OWN simple thing gold band. Nearly identical heart and circle outlines are a hipster epidemic.  However, these simple basics are usually nestled among a designer/brands own signature designs.  Me & Ro, Jennifer Meyer, Melissa Joy Manning, Finn these designers were either the pioneers of the delicate, minimalist, organic, or hammered aesthetic, or they have sought a way to make it their own.  But when everyone else's designs ARE your signature designs, then who are you? At the very least Tory-Burch-it and slap a logo on that bad boy.  Perhaps she is dedicated to growing her business, but to be enthused by her designs is hard to believe, it's like Zara saying they dream of creating innovative clothes.


Or maybe I'm too harsh.  To be fair, designers are constantly inspired by what already exists in the world, that is the definition of creativity.  Some of Ariel's pieces •are• uniquely hers, even if they are permutations of classic silhouettes, she has made them her own through her own interpretation.

Alright, these aren't so bad

I guess what really gets me is if all the designs are solely for the intention of trend-riding.  It's true, we dudes gotta make a buck and that's what trends are for, but to love your craft, it's bigger than money.

What makes me sad is, is it really so easy to be a jewelry designer? The profession has been made a joke by those in the entertainment and fashion industry long enough. Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum, Iman, Nicole Richie, jump into a business meeting and then wham bam they have a line, unlike select few like Mary Kate and Ashley, Gwen Stefani, Victoria Beckham who have harnessed their celebrity to propel their art instead of pure commercialism.  The fact that someone like Ariel has been successful is probably a good, fat percentage a product of expert marketing and carefully engineered networking connections and very little due to her "creativity" is very, very depressing.

It is ultimately hopeful when I think about it, that hey, true passionate connoisseurs for fashion and art have been able to tell the difference between McQueen and say, Sofia Vergara for Kmart.

This has also been a cautionary lesson for myself as I lightly tread the line between art and retail.  Of late I've been drawn to creating little delicate pieces in an effort to cast a wider net to catch the largely conservative non-fashion world.  While I still attempt to inject my own brand of whismy in every piece, admittedly for some pieces, my particular touch isn't so readily evident. (Case and point, there's only so many ways to do a bead chain ring).  Ariel Gordon is a reminder to hold on to my point of view (my off-beat, surrealist leanings) even though not every (buyer) likes it.  To tick off every cliché in the book, it's what makes my jewelry unique, nobody in the world has my exact point of view and aesthetic, persevere and my work will be noticed for what it is, not what it should be to get the most sales--that gimmick dies out eventually anyways.  To the hundreds of designs still languishing in my sketchbooks, I have not forgotten you, I will not forget you.

I feel like the Anthony Bourdain of Jewelry.  Politically Incorrect, Brash, and Probably Hypocritical.