Tugende - Let's Go and Bring Some Bling to Flying Solo in New York!
We're on our way to New York...sort of. A big box of Tugende Design jewelry is on its way to the big apple and the super cool designer store called Flying Solo.
As of next week - December 10, we'll be featured as a new designer in the Flying Solo store on 434 West Broadway. Of course, we'll only have a small shelf, but still. It's New York! New York City. And, New York City during the Holiday Season.
So, after much discussion, we selected 7 of our necklace designs and 1 pair of earrings. The rationale for the selection for our Flying Solo shelf was that we wanted to focus on our key design theme; making beautiful jewelry from recycled magazines and book pages. But, we also wanted to be mindful of the new glitzy trends that are full of bold colors and bling -this is New York, after all. So, we also sent several designs that reflect our take on the 2020 fashion trends.
By the way, did you see all the new exciting trends for next year? I was ecstatic when reading the runway report from Vogue in October where one of the opening statement read "Responsible fashion was the main talking point of the Spring 2020 season, and the use of humble, natural materials like shell, stone, raffia, and wood suggested that jewelry designers have taken all the earth-friendly talk in."
We just want them to also add recycled materials including paper. If you have followed us, you know our jewelry line is mostly made from paper beads. Beads that have been made from tightly rolled strips of paper and then varnished multiple times for durability. No need to worry about these beads, they are hardy but lightweight (depending on the bead size). But, the key designer concept is to use sustainable materials, to recycle books and magazines that would otherwise not be used and also to make something beautiful from nothing. We're thrilled that the concept of responsible fashion is making ripple waves and are now adopted even among the top jewelry designers given their influence.
Our jewelry designs showcase colorful magazine pages, often with visible text. We also use recycled book pages. Personally, I love that look of cream colored paper with a few letters or a word visible. I think of it as a neutral that goes with everything, yet makes a statement. Perhaps it is my love of reading, language and books that initiated this passion for jewelry with meaning, jewelry with words, and jewelry with a purpose.
While we make some of the beads, most of them are made by women in dire poverty in Uganda. We use the beads they carefully and lovingly make to design our unique, fabulous and colorful jewelry. So, if you are just a little bit tempted, check out our featured designs at Flying Solo. Our jewelry will be showcased until January 9.
But, if you can't join us in New York, be sure to shop our Tugende Design online store, or shop Amazon Handmade (our jewelry ships with Prime). And, if you are in Atlanta, shop with us at the local artist co-op at the Beehive in Edgewood.
Meanwhile...
Buy it because you love it.
Enjoy it Because it is Beautiful.
Feel Great Wearing it, Because You Made a Difference.
Each sale supports our women empowerment initiatives in Uganda!
Holiday in Color and Happy Shopping!