Lady LUX

Coco Chanel once said, “Take one thing (an accessory) off before you leave the house.” With a statement like that, it’s clear that Coco never saw a piece of Judith Ripka jewelry. Ripka’s accessories, which showcase unusual, rare gemstones, are so beautifully crafted that once they are worn by the fashion savvy, they are nearly impossible to take off.

Now recognized throughout the fashion world as a major pillar in accessories, New York native Judith Ripka knew at a young age she was destined to go into jewelry.

“I have always known that I would be a jewelry designer and have always had an organic eye for design and color interpretation,” Ripka said. “Some of my friends played with dolls, others played sports, I accessorized … Designing jewelry is part of my DNA.”

Judith Ripka and Judith Ripka jewelry are one and the same when it comes to style. Chic, modern, versatile and distinctive, Ripka’s designs are synonymous with her personal style, which she describes as “classically influenced, yet modern; in tune with the trends, but not trendy.”

Using rare gemstones, she is able to create pieces that are versatile enough to wear with blue jeans for a night out on the town or to pair with a gown for a black tie event.

“I approach jewelry design like many fashion designers approach clothing design. It is about building a collection and understanding that fashion is about style and creating a total look – including accessories,” Ripka said.

Although they stem from her individual taste, her designs appeal to a wide array of styles and aesthetics. “I design for every woman … Jewelry is a very important accessory for women and integral to a woman’s wardrobing. It is the finishing touch to any outfit, completing the look,” she said.

After 30 years in the business, Ripka continues to release about 10 collections per year. By keeping up with the designs of the biggest and most influential designers—think Chanel, Valentino, Lagerfeld and Armani—and the ever-changing pace of the fashion world, her designs are always en pointe with what’s in, what’s out and what’s next.

“Fine jewelry is, after all, a fashion accessory,” Ripka said. “I must know what the clothing designers are introducing, so that I can make jewelry that complements their designs.”

One of the more distinctive qualities of Ripka’s work is her ability to capture the grace and the beauty in both nature and art and reflect that in her designs, giving her brand a level of sophistication that many try to mimic, but few are able to achieve.

“My mother taught me to see the beauty in the details of the world around me,” Ripka mentioned. “For instance, one of my recent collections was inspired by the architecture of Paris … When I returned home to New York, the shapes and contours of the adornments on the buildings translated into the curves of new necklaces, bracelets and rings.”

Coco Chanel also said, “Fashion fades. Only style remains the same.” Judith Ripka’s designs—which have been a continuous staple in fashion accessories—are the epitome of style. With that said, Judith Ripka and her designs, both her 18K Couture Collection and her Silver Collection, have represented and continue to represent true artistry in the realm of jewelry design.

Experience all of Ripka's designs on her website, www.judithripka.com.

This article was contributed by Dani Smith. To read more from Dani, follow her adventures on Twitter at @Danilaexoxo.

Tagged in: lux exclusives, jewelry, accessories, judith ripka, gemstones,

Fashion / Features