Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Throwback Tuesday: Jim Morrison and Madonna Jackets

WendyB — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:01:12 +0000

My recent musings on 1980s painted denim jackets drew the attention of my high-school classmate, Karen D. Karen told me she still had her painted Jim Morrison/Doors jacket and, within moments, sent me a photo. I could hardly believe my eyes! It looks brand new. Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, died in [...]

What Wendy Wore: Modernizing Psychedelia

WendyB — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:30:03 +0000

A few years ago, while I was browsing eBay or Etsy, I decided that I desperately needed more psychedelic clothes. I was not on acid at the time, so I don’t know why this happened. I wound up buying a strange-looking top with scalloped edges that I wore once or twice with jeans. I thought it [...]

WWD Updates the Rihanna v. Topshop Story

WendyB — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:20:53 +0000

Today’s WWD has an update on last week’s reports that Rihanna is suing a Topshop supplier for using her image on a t-shirt without permission. Topshop and Rihanna’s lawyers declined to comment, as did River Island, the Topshop competitor with whom Rihanna is officially collaborating. The article does say that even though the U.K. has [...]

Stefon’s Farewell to SNL, Plus the Week in Review

WendyB — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:36:55 +0000

I don’t watch Saturday Night Live often, but if I’m around, I try to catch the “Weekend Update” segment. Unlike the skits, it’s always funny. “Weekend Update” anchor Seth Meyers will be leaving next season for his own late-night show, but last night marked the final appearance of cast member Bill Hader. Hader played Stefon, [...]

Forever 21 and Topshop Are Amusing

WendyB — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:09:47 +0000

Fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 has been widely accused of selling knockoffs of other designers’ work and blaming its suppliers for the copying. In a 2011 Bloomberg Businessweek story called “Forever 21′s Fast (and Loose) Fashion Empire,” Susan Berfield wrote: “Starting in about 2004, the Changs decided to create different brands to appeal to slightly more [...]

Throwback Thursday: 1980s Denim Jacket

WendyB — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:16:24 +0000

Even though I have fond memories of the 1980s fad for painted denim jackets, I never owned one myself, to the best of my recollection. I don’t know why. Maybe I couldn’t decide which band I wanted painted on the back? I was equally devoted to the Beatles and Duran Duran. I did have a [...]

Great Gatsby-Inspired Jewelry

WendyB — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:19:42 +0000

Have any of you seen Baz Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby movie? What did you think? The reviews make me disinclined to see it. I hate the grungy, crowded movie theaters in New York City, so I don’t like to venture into them unless I know the movie is worthwhile. If I were out in Los Angeles, however, [...]

What Wendy Wore: Lady Pink Jacket at the Rihanna Concert

WendyB — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:24:59 +0000

I went to see Rihanna at Barclays Center on May 5 and took one of my best-ever concert photos! When Bad Gal RiRi first came out in this costume, it took me a moment to realize what the print was. Then I thought, “Bitch stole my style again!” First, she ran off with a leopard [...]

Happy Mother’s Day, BarbaraB! And Week in Review

WendyB — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:01:16 +0000

The Internets have already declared that my mother, BarbaraB, is a style icon, but in case you need further proof, check out this photo of us. My appreciation of towering hair and a good hairpiece must have come from BarbaraB. Look at her rocking that wiglet! You can see more photos of her here. Happy [...]

Jewelry Can Make You Strong, Part II

WendyB — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:12:00 +0000

I met gorgeous blogger Mardel of Resting Motion in 2011, when a group of bloggers gathered for drinks during Fashion Week. If she didn’t have to leave a little early that night, I might have never have gotten around to talking to anyone else. Mardel and I just happened to sit next to each other [...]