Art and the Admirer: I. Gorman Designer Show a Hit Once Again

 

While we’re finally starting to recover from the daze of the I. Gorman Annual Designer Show, we can’t claim that we have a lack of stories to tell to anyone who couldn’t make it. The truth is that beautiful jewelry, great company and a glass of champagne could make any weekend fabulous.

But let’s say this: it wasn’t just any weekend.  In fact, it started on Thursday evening as the Gorman posse ushered in one by one, designers from the globe over. And of course, in the pre-show excitement we always get a sneak peak at the jewelry to be unveiled the next day. After a few dozen rounds of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ we all tried to get our act together and rest up for the next day.

Friday started with a bang. Now, our designers aren’t your average artists. No thick rimmed glasses, fauxhemian ideals or exasperated dramatics. Among our group of eleven designers were the most talented yet humble artists you can find. For those of you that made it in over the weekend, did you have a favorite designer?

As you walked in you were greeted on the left by Alishan, a long time I. Gorman fave, and his wife Lydia. The two, who have been in business for decades just ooze with sophistication and grace. That is before we even took a look at their jewelry which as usual was elegant and dazzlingly unique.

If you had a chance to talk to Peter Schmid of Atelier Zobel, you could have seen his eyes light up as he picked up his creations piece by piece and explained the story behind them. His favorite: an asymmetrically carved piece of turquoise in a bold cuff bracelet. When we asked him how he designs his jewelry he told us that he simply lets the materials inspire him. Catch our entire video conversation with him here.

And of course, the alarmingly dapper Marcel Roelofs and Michael Weggenmann were wooing the crowd – and not just with their German accents! The list is too long to ramble off, so if you’re aching to know more just make sure you come by next time.

The energy was buzzing in the air as soon as the doors opened. That is no surprise; what is art without an admirer? What followed was a mix between Match.com and star-aligned fate. Everyone mingled through, admiring the beauty of it all until they found the one sparkling, glowing, marvelous piece of jewelry that was calling out to them. Some of us had a few pieces calling out in unison! And if you thought champagne might make the brain foggy, know this: it can make things sparkle a bit more too.

And the weekend continued like so with the entire store buzzing, glowing and laughing. We have to admit that it was one of the best events in the history of I. Gorman shows. Not only did we have the most amazing designers you can imagine but, YOU, our wonderful patrons brought the show to life.

So with the energy of the show still resonating and the winter season in full swing, we’ll leave you with this: no words or pictures could encompass the I. Gorman Annual Designer Show, so we hope you can make it next year!

 

I. Gorman Jewelers Welcomes The Fashion Designs Of Antonio Bernardo and Enric Majoral

 
There's nothing more exciting for us here at I. Gorman Jewelers than sharing the work of our favorite jewelry designers with friends and customers from DC and beyond. Sure, it's a blast to walk in the door and dive straight into the fabulous world of fashion jewelry, hand crafted in places a distant as South America and Europe--but have you ever wondered how such an exceptional collection of jewelry comes to be?

Did you know that the store's founders, Ivan and Bonnie Gorman, actually take the time every year to travel across the globe, exploring bustling city avenues and quaint village streets alike, in search of that perfect new designer to compliment their current selection? It may sound glamorous, but that's all part of the job when it comes to running DC's hippest designer oriented jewelry destination!

But don't take my word for it, come in and see for yourself. Ivan and Bonnie may well be on hand to work with you personally, and don't be surprised if they introduce you to the designs of Antonio Bernardo and Enric Majoral, two of the coolest new fashion jewelry designers to grace the cases at I. Gorman's!

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Berndardo is, without a doubt, one of Brazil's most innovative and gifted fine jewelry designers. With German heritage and Swiss goldsmith training, Bernardo has carved a niche for himself by creating an award winning collection of visually and intellectually stimulating designs in 18kt gold and silver.

Bernardo's work portrays a type of geometrical genius that most artists could only dream of, allowing him to explore a diversity of striking forms that are rarely captured in jewelry. No stranger to fun and fashion forward, this playful 18kt white gold cocktail ring sports a dazzling quartet of bezel set violet amethysts.

From picturesque Formentera Island in Catalonia, Spain Enric Majoral captures the colors, shapes and natural life forms that surround him, creating jewelry with movement and artistry that seems to take on a life of its own. Favoring 18kt gold and oxidized silver to achieve a refreshingly organic color palette, Majoral draws upon the beauty of organic lines and shapes in a way that is deliberate, yet unexpected.

Majoral's honest craftsmanship and ability to capture the essence of natural forms is clear in this charming 18kt yellow gold and diamond bracelet, which reflects the simple reality of life on a beautiful Mediterranean island.

Don't miss your perfect chance to check out the beautiful designs of Antonio Bernardo and Enric Majoral at I. Gorman Jewelers' Annual Designer Showcase, Friday, December 3^rd and Saturday, December 4^th.