Real Beauty. Realistic Beauty.

I'm all about Real Beauty! And perhaps that is better said as Realistic Beauty. Dunitz & Company works diligently to create a fair trade jewelry line that is not only beautiful to look at, but will also allow women of all shapes and sizes to feel beautiful wearing it. Even better, our ethically sourced jewelry is good for heart & soul.

I suppose this is why for years I've adored Dove's 'Real Beauty' Campaign. Back in the early 2000's a research study they commission revealed that only 2% of women considered themselves beautiful. Over many years, their campaign using models of varying ages, shapes and skin tones created an environment where so many women felt better about themselves. And that includes me.

Today, CVS announced they will no longer use photo manipulation for their beauty products. And, they've also stated that if their suppliers, exampled by the such of Maybelline, L'Oreal and CoverGirl don't follow suit by 2020, CVS will mark their promotional materials with a symbol that allows customers to know they are 'digitally modified.' Now how cool is that? It's all about getting real. Of course the woman featured on the right here is gorgeous. She is gorgeous even when we see her pores. We might not look like her, but we can relate to her skin shown in the original photo.

I love that financial giants such as Dove and CVS are celebrating the reality that most of us share.  Last weekend I attended an opening for a stage show directed by a friend. The after party was attended by mostly young and what I considered quite attractive actors.  I met one lovely comedienne and told her I'd love to see her perform and that she was adorable. She loved the compliment. And she also quipped that she was no Scarlet Johansson and when she went out on auditions, she was always told she was "interesting" looking. Huh? This was one pretty girl. And she was insecure about her looks.  Did I say bravo to Dove and CVS for getting real?

As most of you reading know, I hire models, actors and musicians to pose for me wearing Dunitz & Company fair trade jewelry. You can see many of them in our wholesale and retail LookBooks. In fact, last week I finished shooting Alexx and Rachel decked out in Spring 2018 designs. I confess. I've had women arrive to shoots in the past with cold sores and major break-outs.  I've always cleaned up significant imperfections in Photoshop. I don't think anyone would ever accuse my shots of being so touched up that our models aren't real. (I'm afraid I don't have the skills to do that anyways.)  Dunitz & Company is about real and realistic.

Let's all celebrate Real Beauty. Realistic Beauty. With whatever small contribution we can make, Dunitz & Company fair trade jewelry wants to help you feel and look your best. -ND

An (almost) All Black Golden Globes

Somehow the word got out that everyone should wear black in solidarity at the Golden Globes yesterday. This dress code was planned in support of #metoo and the denouncement of sexual harassment. Black is often the color worn to funerals.  It's also a fashion standard that tends to be flattering on just about everyone. With a few exceptions, just about everyone in attendance wore black clothing. And the fashion choices the actresses made were quite interesting.

Assuming the choice to wear black was a way to express disdain for sexual misconduct, one actress, Claire Foy stood out as the "best dressed" winner. She looked stunning in a well-tailored Stella McCartney suit. She appeared classy and strong. Exactly what I would expect from a request to wear black for an appropriate statement in support of the #TimesUp movement.








As at most awards shows, the actresses looked stunning. And in most cases, this years Golden Globes was no exception. By getting the word out to wear black, the actresses and their stylists made a mission of finding the sexiest black dresses ever.  Seriously? Does wearing a lacy number cut to the navel speak to our disdain for men taking advantage of women in inappropriate ways? Some actresses including Halle Barry, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Kate Hudson looked to be wearing extravagant nighties. Others wore gowns with slits open to their privates. It just seemed to me that most actresses missed the point of wearing black.


Forbes reported that celebrities wore over $20 million worth of gems and watches at the Golden Globes.  I'm thinking it must have been more than that. Yes, many actresses donned some very large emerald jewels. And there were gobs of diamonds on the red carpet too. If you chose to wear black, to fit in and not rock the boat...yes, glam up with some big glitzy rocks! (I sort of like that Blanca Blanco and Barbara Meier danced to their own drummer. No hypocrisy there.)

I don't think I am alone in feeling the choice for Golden Globe attendees to wear black (and loads of precious gems) was a miss.  Well, perhaps it is a win because today...just about everyone is talking about it.  This morning on my Facebook feed, I saw hundreds of real world people piping in. My friend's posts about this topic are tailed with comments. Los Angeles Times and New York Times posts are also followed with a string of responses.



One thing is for certain. As much as so many commented on the success or fail of the sea of black gowns, Oprah Winfrey was a fan favorite.  Even in her sexy velvet number. Her speech after being honored with the Cecil B. Demille award was an inspiration and spoke to the #metoo movement with poise and perfection. If you didn't hear it or see a transcript, read it here.

So, what do you think about Oprah running for POTUS on the next go-around?  And how did you feel about the (almost) All Black 2018 Golden Globe Awards? -ND

Black & White, A Fashion Classic

Yin and Yang. Up and Down. Right and Left. East and West. One never exists without the other. Black & White. A Fashion Classic. And for a jewelry designer (I'm talking about me,) who is typically 'all about color', for Dunitz & Company's Spring 2018 collection, I'm most excited about this classic.  What ever has gotten into me?

When studying all the runway shows in preparation for designing for Spring 2018, I was glued to all of the Black & White.  Was there more than usual? Or was I just honing in on it.  The best of the best, all are offering spectacular clothing in black & white.  Seen here are super outfits from Carolina Herrera, Jill Stuart and Nicole Miller. And Miller always works in bright colors. What's up?

Yes, you'll see lots of color this season from Dunitz & Company. But guess what? I'm so stoked about our Black & White fair trade jewelry this season.  The photo to the right is a teaser of what's coming from our Joanie M fused glass collection.  The black is strong. And it's coupled with metallic silver. It really shouts that classic story of.... black & white. Our fused glass pieces will be deliciously handsome coupled with what so many folks call their safety net, black.

And for our bead-work, I paired jet black with crystal and silver.  It definitely feels black & white and will adorn any black...or white....or black & white clothing perfectly. By using crystal and silver, the pieces won't feel so harsh. Dunitz & Company's beaded designs will boast a contemporary essence. Hey, modern museum shop buyers! We're a must for Spring 2018. Hint. Hint.

 
As Karl Lagerfeld once said, "black and white always looks modern, whatever that word means. Whether it's a white dress with black accessories, or a white  blouse paired with this season's must-have noir trouser or graphic stripes, it's hard to mess up this timeless color combination." 

I think it's the perfect time to dress you and your customers up with our black & white fair trade pretties. Black & White. A Fashion Classic. - ND