A couple of months back, I received a call from Julie Romanenko, who I knew as the designer behind Just Jules, from more than a decade, walking the floor of the annual COUTURE show, at Wynn Las Vegas.  What I didn’t know, is that Julie’s currently serving a term as President of the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group, and she was calling to see if I’d be interested in doing an Instagram Takeover for CJDG, either for the week of COUTURE, or the week leading up to it.

Not wanting to seem too eager (or to bite off more than I could chew), I asked if I could think about it, and let her know.  She agreed, and after the weekend, I replied that I’d be delighted, and chose the days prior to COUTURE (so, Friday, May 26th – Wednesday, May 31st).

So, here’s what we’ve done, and what you can expect to see.

Communiques were dispatched to the CJDG’s membership, of nearly 100 prominent jewelry designers, informing them of the takeover, and asking that anyone who would be showing at COUTURE or JCK, select a few of the items they plan to feature in Las Vegas, and send them to me, with descriptions and specs, and hi-res images.

Then, beginning on Friday, May 26th, I’ll be uploading a curated CJDG-specific series, of my #WearableProzac posts, on the CJDG’s Instagram feed.  (This is why it’s called a takeover, Mom – because @ShulmanSays is taking-over @CJDGJewelers!  Get it?)  There will be one post per designer, with a little bit of that Shulmanized special sauce, y’all love so much; as well as the location of that designer’s booth (sorry, “salon”), on the COUTURE floor.

Now, you might be wondering what’s behind my picks.  What’s my criteria?  Well, first and foremost – and the reason I was approached – is my aesthetic, with regards to jewelry and what I include in #WearableProzac.  This can usually be answered with the simplest of queries…  “Would I wear this?”  But there’s more to it, than that.  Editorially, it’s gotta be a jewel that is unique enough, or dynamic enough, or exquisite enough, that it will catch the eye of someone scrolling through Instagram.  This is not the tool for showcasing subtlety (or subtly, for that matter).

Take Todd Reed, for instance.  In addition to being a world-class artisan, goldsmith, jewelry designer, baker, and giver of some of the best hugs, anywhere – his pieces are possessed of an aesthetic that I adore.  So, Todd submits his three pieces.  The first, a gobsmacking one-of-a-kind ring featuring a whoping raw diamond octahedron weighing 25 carats, in an 18-karat gold cage, set with white diamonds (yum!).  The second, a cuff of 18-karat gold, with more than 4.5 carats of baguette diamonds, set in oxidized sterling silver (I do loves me my baguettes!).  And the third, a one-of-a-kind cuff in 18K gold and oxidized sterling silver, set with more than 25 carats of fancy cut black diamonds (yestra!).

In the “real” world (whatever that is), I’d jam that ring on my fat little finger much like Cinderella’s stepsister shoving her foot into a too-small slipper.  But, in my role as curator, I opted for the second cuff.  Why?  Because in just looking at this jewel, the level of artistry, in both its design and its execution, immediately shines through.  Also – and of utmost importance – I just didn’t feel that the medium of Instagram was ideal for showcasing that ring.  So, while there’s no wrong answer, you see – some are better than others, for these purposes.

So tune-in to @CJDGJewelers, on Instagram, starting this Friday – and I’ll see you on the Interwebs!

CJDGxShulmanSays Instagram Takeover
Friday, May 26th – Wednesday, May 31st
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#WearableProzac