Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef host, has worn gorgeous jewelry on the show the past three years. It was pretty well known that many of the pieces were of her own design – she took her mother’s old pieces and had them revamped to be more wearable. Last year the buzz started about the commercial marketing of her jewelry. The jewelry design line is now approaching its launch. Her jewelry is to be showcased at Bergdorf Goodman, New York.
Karated Gold and Pricey
The preponderance of Lakshmi’s pieces are made from 10K or 14K gold which raises the level of her prices from bridge to fine jewelry. Equating the fine jewelry label to price – retail for her jewelry line ranges from $375 for a simple pinkie ring with dangling calla lily to over $5,000 for gold and diamond jewelry.
Adjustable Rings
Her rings are very sensibly designed. They are adjustable, shaped in an open U, so that the jewelry wearer can squeeze the ring to fit. Sorta like those Cracker Jack or gumball machine rings. The wearer should be advised that this is a fine concept in theory and it keeps one from having to pay the extra money to get the ring sized.
However, the wearer should be aware of the fact that repeatedly bending open and closed with eventually work-harden any metal. Up to a point work-hardening makes a metal stronger. Go beyond that point and the metal will become fragile and will snap. Goldsmith and silversmiths work around this problem by torching their work as needed during the design process. Heating the metal to the appropriate temperature in essence ‘removes’ the work-hardening and allows the metalsmith to continue working on the design.
The average buyer at home won’t be able to manipulate the metal in this fashion. So any jewelry lover buying these rings – please just be aware that they should be set to the correct size once and then left alone.
Five-Row Pod Cuff
One bracelet that Lakshmi wore frequently during the last season of Top Chef was this gold five-row bracelet. It’s especially wonderful because the rows are set up with gold teeth so there is the effect of separated bangles, which is very cool. This design is perfect to duplicate the runway look of Balenciaga with the large cuff bracelets being worn on top of flowing sleeves to create the illusion of a fabric cuff.
The five-row pod cuff bracelet is adjustable and has dangling small pods.
Wearing the Jewelry Padma Lakshmi Style
Keep it simple – accessorize simple jean and tank top or t-shirt outfits with gorgeous layered jewelry or elaborate earrings.
