“My individual approach to attire and adornment does provide me with a mild sense of accomplishment, a delicious form of escapism, and best of all, it often starts an interesting conversation,” says arts patron Karen Rotenberg, who founded the bygone craft gallery and boutique Alianza, a Newbury Street stalwart for 40 years. Today, she remains an avid collector of contemporary studio jewelry—and a walking canvas for artful adornment.
What catches her eye: Recently, I’ve been inspired by the skillful use of alternatives to gold and silver—such as paper, plastic and recycled materials—by studio jewelers. Their sculptural forms and dramatic scale provide an opportunity for me to present fashion and jewelry as equal partners. A compelling marriage of fashion and studio jewelry is also currently on view at the MFA in Past Is Present: Revival Jewelry, an exhibit that features a striking mannequin attired in an Alexander McQueen gown and adorned with a 96-inch titanium snake by the Swiss artist David Bielander.
On Boston’s sense of style: When I arrived in Boston, “style” seemed elusive. A trip to New York to shop with Mom was a seasonal necessity. Happily, the local scene has changed dramatically. Aside from several major department stores, Boston now has excellent specialty shops and galleries.
Favorite treasure troves: Newbury Street has always been a good starting point for me, but for exciting contemporary studio jewelry, I head for Mobilia in Cambridge, the Society of Arts and Crafts in the Seaport District or Sienna Patti in Lenox.
Shopping philosophy: I am not a fan of internet shopping. “Up close and personal” is my motto. How is it made? How does it feel? How does it move, and how does it compare to alternative options?
Style Stars
Five local aesthetes sound off on their unique flair for fashion.
By Jonathan Soroff | Photo Credit: Holly Rike | June 16, 2017
KAREN ROTENBERG
“My individual approach to attire and adornment does provide me with a mild sense of accomplishment, a delicious form of escapism, and best of all, it often starts an interesting conversation,” says arts patron Karen Rotenberg, who founded the bygone craft gallery and boutique Alianza, a Newbury Street stalwart for 40 years. Today, she remains an avid collector of contemporary studio jewelry—and a walking canvas for artful adornment.
What catches her eye: Recently, I’ve been inspired by the skillful use of alternatives to gold and silver—such as paper, plastic and recycled materials—by studio jewelers. Their sculptural forms and dramatic scale provide an opportunity for me to present fashion and jewelry as equal partners. A compelling marriage of fashion and studio jewelry is also currently on view at the MFA in Past Is Present: Revival Jewelry, an exhibit that features a striking mannequin attired in an Alexander McQueen gown and adorned with a 96-inch titanium snake by the Swiss artist David Bielander.
On Boston’s sense of style: When I arrived in Boston, “style” seemed elusive. A trip to New York to shop with Mom was a seasonal necessity. Happily, the local scene has changed dramatically. Aside from several major department stores, Boston now has excellent specialty shops and galleries.
Favorite treasure troves: Newbury Street has always been a good starting point for me, but for exciting contemporary studio jewelry, I head for Mobilia in Cambridge, the Society of Arts and Crafts in the Seaport District or Sienna Patti in Lenox.
Shopping philosophy: I am not a fan of internet shopping. “Up close and personal” is my motto. How is it made? How does it feel? How does it move, and how does it compare to alternative options?
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