Journalist and Jewelry Designer
Wendy Brandes has turned her English Degree from Columbia University into a career that spans from being a writer and editor to becoming a renowned jewelry designer and stylist, with her blog keeping the public abreast of every amazing accomplishment. She claims her jewelry lines are inspired by powerful women, but we here at Maniac think that this 2012 winner of the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award for fine jewelry is an inspiration to all of us.
Maniac Magazine: You used to do entirely different work from jewelry design. After working for companies like People, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal, what made you switch to jewelry design?
Wendy Brandes: It probably wouldn’t have happened if there hadn’t been a step in between. I left People magazine in 2000, and from 2000 to 2005, I was the managing editor of e-Commerce at Lehman Brothers, the investment bank. My original plan was to save money from that job and go back into journalism, but, after a while, going backwards seemed boring. I had started designing a few pieces of jewelry, starting with my own engagement and wedding rings in 2001. I kept coming up with more jewelry designs, so I decided to follow m y inspiration into a new field.
MM: How would you describe the style of jewelry you design? Where do you draw inspiration from?
WB: I have a few different lines. The one that is closest to my heart is my 18K gold line, inspired by antique jewelry and powerful women, especially queens. Those pieces are elaborate and full of secret details. My Maneater series of rings, for instance, feature a jeweled animal on top of the ring and a tiny, defeated man hidden inside the band. Meanwhile, my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes silver diffusion line is influenced by modernity. It’s full of emojis and funny words/acronyms. More recently, I started a Punk Platinum line, because I like the idea of using platinum in a casual, unexpected way. Customers coe to me when they want a design that makes them feel powerful.
MM: Where is your jewelry available?
WB: I’m happy to say it’s exclusively available at wendybrandes.com right now. I have found that no one sells my jewelry better than I do. However, I do hope to do some collaborations with certain, very special retailers in the near future.
It’s a hard feat keeping up with Wendy Brandes, so in addition to checking out her blog, be sure follow her on twitter @WendyBrandes
