I've been meaning to fill you in on an event I attending on April 7 here in NYC. Young designer Monique Péan was not only showcasing her jewelry, but celebrating her Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award with an evening supporting Charity: Water.
First we'll talk about the jewels, and then about the fantastic charity portion of the night. Péan's creations are first and foremost very chic, but just as important are her ideals when it comes to manufacturing. Each piece is made of environmentally sustainable materials and conflict-free diamonds, and she works closely with different cultures to pay homage to their native artwork. For example, her Bering Collection is born from a collaboration with Alaska Native Eskimos and uses local materials and recycled gold to create one-of-a-kind jewelry.
I was really taken with the jewelry (sported by lovely models, above and below). The scale is perfect for today's fixation on statement jewelry, and the colors--although sometimes bold--seemed to act as neutrals because they are straight from the earth.
The other exciting part of the night was the designer's alliance with Charity: Water. This wonderful non-profit organization brings clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. To raise even more money for the cause, Péan had set up a small catwalk in the middle of the gallery space. For each guest who walked across the catwalk carrying large yellow water jugs, Péan donated $20 to Charity: Water. Pretty fantastic, no?
