Rosena's Blog

What better way to help celebrate OpenSky’s Pop-Up Gallery than at a shopping event with celebrities?  Last Thursday we had the pleasure to see OpenSky come to life and look at some of the most coveted beauty, health, food, and fashion products available.  While all of the products displayed are handpicked by curators such as Molly Sims, Kelly Bensimon, Cynthia Rowley and Bobby Flay, RSJ’s own “Leela” and “Aurora” Bracelets were chosen by Donna D’Cruz, creator of Spirituality, Sensuality and Style in Conscious Living.  She believes these bracelets make her feel like a “geisha-meets-princess” when she piles them on her arms, we agree!  The party included dancing, shopping and meeting fellow designers and curators which was the perfect way to enjoy all the wonderful products!  Even though the Pop-Up Gallery was only open this past weekend in Soho, the space looked great and was definitely bound to be a success! 

Be sure to check out the “Aurora” and “Leela” bracelets at www.rosenasammi.com!

     My former intern and all around superstar, Pauline Ma (a senior at NYU), co-produced NYU’s Premiere Benefit Fashion Show last week–EXPO.  This year’s theme was “The Butterfly Effect” and for the second year in a row, we were thrilled to be a part of it!   The show featured fashion from a number of talented designers including Vena Cava and Cushnie et Ochs.  We were tickled to see our jewelry paired with the risqué lingerie line Lindsey Thornburg.  While it did mean some of our jewelry took second billing to the curves on display, it was a well edited and beautiful pairing.  And the best part about it?  All proceeds from the show went to the Hamilton-Madison House, a non-profit community center that serves low-income households in the lower Manhattan and Chinatown — fashion, compassion and industriousness.  Congratulations to Pauline and her team!  It’s amazing the talent that has passed through Rosena Sammi Jewelry!

               Pictured: Odissi Necklace with Bhangra       Pictured: Shenai Cuff

                                 and Jai Ho Bangles                                                              

As a New Zealander and member of the Commonwealth, I have always had a fondness for the Royal Family.  It’s a cultural phenomena that is hard to explain.  It does not come from a source of outdated deference or desire for tradition, but a belief in the ability of the Royal Family to do truly beneficial public service and bring people together. At least that’s what I saw in Princess Diana.  When visiting family in Sri Lanka as a little girl I was given the ”Princess Diana” haircut.  As a 9 year old I was one of 35,000 school children that cheerfully screamed as we greeted her and Prince Charles at Eden Park in Auckland during their tour of New Zealand.  So it is no surprise that it makes me happy to see the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.  It’s what I hope is the beginning of a more accessible and populist Monarchy.  Having said all that, I have barely been able to watch any of the US coverage of the lead up to the Royal Wedding–it has been so ridiculously excessive and filled with fluff, I have avoided it where possible.  But today, the wedding itself, magnificent!  I adored the dress, I loved the hair and make up and I thought the jewelry was perfect.  So set out below are details of the jewelry, I know she is inspiring a million brides to be as I type.

Catherine’s sparkling diamond tiara (borrowed from the Queen) was made by Cartier in 1936.  Her earrings are by Robinson Pelham. Pear-shaped diamond drop earrings with a pave-set diamond acorn in the center, inspired by her family’s new coat of arms and a gift from her parents.  As is traditional for royal brides, her simple, yet elegant gold wedding band, was fashioned from rare Welsh gold, valued for its quality and scarcity.  The ring was made by the Wartski company, which was founded in Wales in 1865.