Thursday, November 4, 2010

Designer Spotlight: Dean Davidson

Dean Davidson is a Canadian jewelry designer that has been an absolute fave of mine for about 4 years.  I first saw his designs in a magazine and was so excited to learn that he was Canadian, too.  When I headed home for the holidays that year I made a pit stop at Holt Renfrew to try on a couple pieces, and ended up using my Christmas money (thanks Dad!) to buy one of Dean's necklaces.  Suffice it to say it sparked a fire in me to own more.

When my jewelry was stolen from the hotel over my birthday, one of the pieces was a Dean Davidson ring (seen here).  It broke my heart because my Dad got it for me and it was the very last one at Holt Renfrew.   I never thought I'd see that ring again - unless I happened to spot it on some fool's finger in LA and stop, drop and roll 'em to get it back.  After a few torturous weeks I got desperate and sent an email to Dean's office in Toronto explaining what had happened.  Almost immediately he personally emailed me back and asked that I call him.  Can you imagine?  I stared at the computer speechless for a good 3 minutes (that's a lot for me).  We ended up talking for some time about all kinds of things - how I got to Southern Cal, where he grew up, where I grew up, how he got to do what he's doing, and so the story goes.

Brief Bio:
Before he designed jewelry, Dean spent several years as an Agricultural Consultant to Farmers.  Crazy, huh?  On a trip to Cape Town he became inspired by the culture and beauty of South Africa, and ultimately by the wonderful beads and jewels he discovered in their marketplaces.  Flash forward and he lived in Calgary, Alberta designing jewelry for Paul Hardy (swoon) for 6 years before launching his own line and moving operations to Toronto.  His designs have been worn by Jennifer Hudson, Tilda Swinton and Lara Spencer just to name a few.  I found his story so inspirational - it is a fine example of a person who totally allowed his life's course to be changed by what he knew to be true about himself in his heart.  I just love the whole thing - and his jewelry too, of course.

Check out some of my current faves:
Must have
Christmas list?  Is that you?
Can you imagine this against a black turtleneck paired with 
high-waisted bell bottoms and a pair of platform heels?   
Or maybe that's just me.  hehe
And the Cup Ring
This one is seriously calling my name.  
I hope it calls my mom, too - 
to let her know it needs a new home at Chez Carrie. 

On a serious note though (mom if you're out there i really am serious about the above) his designs are so unique and there is such variety to choose from.  As you're getting your pens, pencils, iPads, and sticky notes poised for your Christmas list I would highly recommend taking a look at Dean's website.  You can find it here for the full line and it is wonderful to browse through.  I know they ship to the U.S. because he had ONE ring left like the one that was stolen from me - ONE after all these years just sitting in a desk waiting for me - and it's on the way as we speak!  Whew!  

49 comments:

Unknown said...

These are beautiful, I love the cup ring too. And I can see the pics today too, yay!! :)

Just Cake Girl said...

Those bangles are amazing :)

jemina said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE all of the BLONGS!!!!

Oh My.......

XOXO
J

Anonymous said...

What a cool story. I love how you make fast friends wherever you go. He sounds amazing too. I love the bangles. xo

Diana Mieczan said...

That is such a great story and the bangles are beautiful:)What a creative design:)
Hugs and kisses,sweetie

Ps: I hope you had a chance to enter my Giveaway!

Jazzy E (Hivenn) said...

stunning
x hivennn

Chas said...

Wow beautiful pieces. I love the pendant!

Unknown said...

OMG i have pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .. getting jewlery stolen sucks BIG time - my parents house was ROBBED - took ALLLLLLL our jewlery - everything - breaks my heart - my Mom and me and have same birthstome (emerald) and the plan was to give me all her jewlery and esatate jewlery SOON - and now GONE - all from some crack head to sell for a buck - aughh - guess u can tell i'm still annoyed by it!

Catita said...

that sucks about the robbed jewelry in a HOTEL!? crazy! but Dean's design are something! And how did you end up in South Cal anyway? Cool he had you call him!
xoxo
Catita

erica said...

I so would love those bangles!

xo

Daniela said...

So glad you got your ring :) I'll be sure to check out his designs!

Marie a la Mode said...

That is so cool you talked to him on the phone and learned his story! His jewelry is beautiful and of course like you, I love that he's Canadian.I may be making my way to Holt's in the very near future ; )

Note to the thief who stole your jewelry: Karma's a b*tch, baby!

Nikki said...

I'm going to check out his website now. I LOVE that oval cocktail ring, and the those bangles are so unique . Great finds, Carrie. I like your taste in jewelry! (and clothes... and shoes)

xx
Nikki

Cafe Fashionista said...

Ohmigosh Carrie how dare you itroduce me to the Gold Oversized Oval Cocktail Ring. That piece alone is going to haunt me until someone (read: Santa Claus) gifts me with it! LOVE!! :)

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

What a great story, and these are all so pretty!

Secondhand Stella said...

Gorgeous!

Nikki said...

OOh I like their bangles. And they're wrapped so no banging together!

hip hip gin gin said...

The jewelry is gorgeous!! But the story is even more gorgeous, I love to hear when an artist takes a real, one-on-one, personal interest in his/her customers! He sounds like a lovely, extremely inspirational man.
And I'm so sorry to hear you were robbed at a hotel. My husband always hides our valuables when we leave the hotel room and I thought he was nutty but I guess it really does happen. Awful. So glad you are getting a replacement ring soon!!

Isabel said...

lucky you! that last ring was meant to be yours!

Courtney Erin said...

What a great story - he seems like a very cool, and inspiring guy - and I'm thrilled your getting a replacement ring!

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

Valerie said...

What a great story! SO glad you're getting your ring back, YAY! And that oval cocktail ring could definitely deserves a place on my Christmas list. So do the bangles. I still can't get over the fact that someone stole your jewelry out of your hotel room. It's such a violation. But glad this story has a happy ending!

xo
Valerie

Anonymous said...

Oh me oh my, I am such a cocktail ring girl and the gold ring is insaneeeee. So pretty, and has just been added to my neverending mental wish-list.
Great feature - I have never heard of this designer. And I just love the fact that he gave you a rang and chatted it up with you. Love to hear that.

Thank you for the sweet comments on my post from last week (I am sure you know which one I am referring to!). You are so genuine and I can just tell through your writing how real and down-to-earth you are. It is so refreshing to see (and read) that in a blog. It just warms my heart :)

Have a wonderful rest of the week !

XOXO,
style activist

Tiffany Kadani said...

Great feature! You definitely have a great eye for beautiful things.

the chirpy bird said...

Those rings are insane... Seriously insane... Slip a couple of hintsoes over the Chef for some other pieces for Chrissy time!
xox tash

Chiara said...

This is such a crazy story Carrie!!! So happy for you!!!
I didn:t know you are canadian!!! where are you from?
I personally loooove that cocktail ring
xoxo
www.joiedevivre-chiara.blogspot.com

Alicia Lund said...

That cocktail ring just may make it on my xmas list! ;)

Roxy Te said...

I'll take that cocktail ring, thanks :)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

What a cool guy to talk to you like that...and that gold oval ring...YUM!

A Crimson Kiss said...

How amazing that you're getting it back! The story of your missing jewelry was so upsetting, but it seems like everything is coming back to its rightful home, in some fashion!

Signe said...

Oh gosh, those Wrapped Bangles are so pretty!

And that is some story, he seems like such a nice and down to earth guy and so great that you got your ring back :)

Anonymous said...

Very few jewelry designers that seem so popular to the masses are appealing to me but I love these pieces. I especially love Gold Oversized Cocktail Ring.

kimbirdy said...

first of all, that's SO sad about your jewelry getting stolen! i would be heartbroken if someone took something my dear dad gave me.

but, that's awesome the designer personally contacted you! so now you're best pals and he'll send you free jewelry for christmas right? :)

seriously though, what an amazing story he has! it's always inspiring to hear about people who experience such drastic life transitions and are completely successful at it. you never know what life will bring your way, eh?

Unknown said...

Holy crap, the thief that stole your jewelry is really stylish! I loved the other rings you featured, too! These are gorgeous, your taste is impeccable, my dear! XX!

LyddieGal said...

Talk about impressive customer service!
I'm always happy to hear a story about the universe righting itself, and about amazing designers. I'll be putting the over sized cocktail ring on my list for sure!

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

what an amazing story! Like a fairy tale for us die hard fashionistas. And um...those bangles are MAJOR!!!!!!!

Closet Fashionista said...

Oooh so pretty!!!! And that is so amazing that he asked you to call him!! And he has a great story too :D

http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Alleen said...

What a wonderful story, sorry about your jewelry! I just adore that pendant necklace. I have been buying pendant necklaces for years and never tire of them, especially when they look like this.

Will be heading over to his store...beautiful pieces and great people, who could ask for more!

Thanks for posting!!!

Cheers!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Such a fabulous story!!! His designs are gorge! Seriously loving. Making my xmas list as we speak :)

Happy almost Friday, sweetie xoxo

Josie said...

These pieces are GORGEOUS, Carrie! He is so talented -- I'm officially obsessed with that cocktail ring.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Ashley [Free Honey] said...

That is quite an interesting career path! I'm in love with the bangles, perfect holiday accessory.

xoxo, Ashley

PursuitOfLLT said...

you have the best taste in jewelry! and you're making me wish i had endless dollars to drop on mr dean davidson!

STYLE'N said...

Carrie-we have a problem here! I clicked on the oval cocktail ring thinking ok I found the one piece I want here....but then I saw the cup ring and that pendant. I want it all!!! seriously gorgeous pieces. definitely a great christmas gift indeed!

Jude said...

What a wonderful story! And such amazing designs, I LOVE those rings and that pendant, but most of all those bracelets! Beautiful, all.

Leisha said...

These are fabulous pieces! I am a bit of an accessories junkie!
Cheers!

shopgirl said...

This is such a great story Carrie. I love the ending the best! Yay for Canadians!

Have a great weekend sweetie!

xo

shoe-radar.com said...

Love the simplicity of the jewelry xoxo

Jen said...

Those bangles = MUST HAVE for me!!

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

So glad you're getting a replacment ring! Gorgeous stuff and he sounds like a really nice, down-to-earth guy, too!

Anonymous said...

I agree completely!!

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