Project Accessory

HOST: MOLLY SIMS

Molly Sims began her career as a model and has worked with companies such as CoverGirl. She has appeared on the cover of French Vogue and Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issues in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006. She is best known for her role as 'Delinda Deline' in tv series Las Vegas and has appeared in several comedy films, including The Benchwarmers, Yes Man, The Pink Panther 2 and Fired Up. Molly was also the host of House of Style. Most recently, she developed her own jewellery line, Grayce by Molly Sims.

JUDGE: KENNETH COLE

The renowned American designer is the ultimate driving force for the Kenneth Cole brands, overseeing nearly 100 retail stores in the US and 80 internationally. Kenneth has been able to unite his fashion instincts and business acumen with his philanthropic convictions. In addition to being on the frontline of fashion trends, the humanitarian is also known to champion AIDS awareness and other causes close to his heart. He resides in Westchester, New York with his wife Maria Cuomo Cole and their three daughters.

JUDGE: ARIEL FOXMAN

As the Editor of InStyle, Ariel Foxman oversees the monthly magazine, its 17 international editions, and brand extensions. He became the title’s first male Editor in 2008, at age 34. Ariel began his career at Crown Publishers as an assistant at both Details and The New Yorker. He was also the founding Editor of Conde Nast’s Cargo. The magna cum laude graduate of Harvard has been named one of the most powerful fashion magazine Editors by Forbes,  featured in The Advocate’s ‘Forty Under 40’ and in Out’s annual 'Power 50.' 

MENTOR: EVA JEANBART-LORENZOTTI

Vivre founder  Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti has been hailed as one of Vogue’s 'Ten Most Stylish Women in Fashion' and is the go-to expert for magazines and websites on topics ranging from shelter to beauty. She is also the host of Luxury Explorer TV. Eva is a graduate of Columbia University and began her career as an investment banker at Lazard Freres. She has been named as one of Crain’s ‘Forty Under 40,’ was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Born and raised in Switzerland, Eva now lives in Manhattan with her husband and their two children.

DESIGNER: ADRIAN DANA

Adrian Dana began his design career at age 17, creating church hats for his mother. He studied at Parsons School of Design and attended The American College of Applied Arts in Atlanta, after which he worked as Isaac Mizrahi’s personal assistant and later for various brands including Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Donna Karen, MTV, and Nordstrom. Adrian has designed for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Kylie Minogue, Nicki Taylor and the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. His hats have been featured in the film Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion and have also been worn to the Kentucky Derby.

   DESIGNER: BRIAN BURKHARDT

Brian Burkhardt is a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and uses his sculpting background in the creation of his jewellery. Brian co-owns a jewellery line with his wife. His work has been featured in publications such as Nylon, Time Out New York, Miami Modern Luxury and Cravings Magazine, and exhibited at Miller Block Gallery (Boston), Judi Rotenberg Gallery (Boston), Bernice Steinbaum Gallery (Miami), Gallery Diet (Miami), Freight and Volume (New York), Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts (New York), Volume Gallery (New York), Wyoming Art Museum, and The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), among others.

DESIGNER: CHRISTINA CARUSO

At an early age Christina Caruso knew that she wanted to work in the fashion industry. Christina attended Parsons School of Design where she was encouraged to focus on accessories. Her bold jewels attracted costumer Patricia Field who selected many of Christina’s jewellery and bags for Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City. Her handmade accessories have been sold to Fred Segal in Santa Monica, CA, Patricia Field boutique, Hotel Venus and Takashimaya. Her designs have been featured in magazines such as W, Vogue, Allure, Seventeen and Lucky and have worn by Sarah Jessica Parker, Britney Spears, Kim Catrall, Claire Danes and Rosario Dawson. 

   DESIGNER: COTRICE

Cotrice founded her Atlanta-based studio, The Cotrice Collection, in 2000. Her designs first appeared in the pages of Upscale magazine and featured at Brooklyn Fashion Weekend. Cotrice attracted the attention of an Urban Outfitters buyer at an accessories show in New York who ended up ordering pieces to be included in their Free People catalog. Cotrice is a self-taught designer who specialises in neck pieces, bracelets, cuffs and earrings. Some of her celebrity clients include Regina King and Angie Stone.

DESIGNER: DAVID GREICO

A former collegiate football player for University of Alabama, David Greico is a self-taught designer who has been a fine-art sculptor for over 17 years. He is the creator of The Justice Bodan Collection,which launched with a line of belts and now includes bags, jewellery and gift items. David feels that each design in The Justice Bodan Collectionis wearable art. Some of David’s celebrity clientele includes Jennifer Aniston, Hilary Swank, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matthew McConaughey and Jason Bateman. David is married and a father of two.

DESIGNER: DIEGO ROCHA

Diego Rocha is a Brazilian born handbag designer who started out in accounting in the financial field in Sao Paulo, before he began chasing his dream. Diego is inspired by interesting skins and animals, influenced by growing up in a country known for its huge variety of unusual wildlife. Self-taught, he created his own collection by locking himself in his apartment for six months and experimented with materials and unsuitable equipment as perfected his techniques. Although his specialty is handbags, he also designs cuffs, wallets, cardholders and bags for men.

DESIGNER: JAMES SOMMERFELDT

At the age of 5, James was inspired by the magic and enchantment of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. He pursued footwear design at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2008, he became studio assistant to internationally acclaimed fiberartist Nick Cave, during which time he grew aware of the global impact and importance of conservation, recycling, and repurposing materials as a contemporary artist and designer. In March 2011, James left his position to be by his ailing grandmother’s side. Since then, he has devoted his time and energy into developing his shoemaking and footwear design career.

DESIGNER: KELLY HORTON

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, New York City based Handbag designer Kelly Horton has designed a line of handbags inspired by the lifestyle of the metropolitan woman. In spring of 2006, Kelly launched Madison KellyNYC, a designer label of her handcrafted handbags. The collection consisted of unique contemporary pieces with creative design structure, various textures and vibrant colors. The edgy original designs push the envelope with non-traditional dimensions, custom hardware and exotic skins. She is a self-taught designer.

DESIGNER: NICOLINA ROYALE

Nicola's signature aesthetic blends fine leathers or exotic skins with industrial hardware, studs, or spikes with intricate Swarovski crystals. Her handcrafted, rebel artistry, along with her endless imagination, unites classic elements as pearls with oxidised chains or industrial hardware hinges with Italian leather, door knockers with crocodile or stingray or even mixing in real nuts or bolts. Her signature Guitar Pick Cuff links reflect her love for rock 'n' roll. Celebrity fans include Steven Tyler, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, Far East Movement and Linkin Park.

DESIGNER: NINA CORTES

Named one of Sofi Magazine’s “33 Emerging Creative Minds to Know” in 2011, Nina Cortes was born and raised in Miami, Florida by her Cuban family. The tomboy-turned-popular cheerleader didn’t discover her design ability until she took a jewellery and metal smith class while in college. After that, she began creating jewellery as a hobby and soon started selling her wares to friends and family. She later signed with business partner Iliana Ruiz, and within two years, opened her own studio and store. Her jewellery company, Nina Loren, thrives to create jewellery for women of all ages.

DESIGNER: RICH SANDOMENO

Rich Sandomeno’s aesthetic is influenced by his roots as a heavy duty diesel mechanic, his love for machines, decaying urban cityscape, as well as the obscure and organic. In 2002, Rich launched his company Spragwerks and moved to Brooklyn, then to Los Angeles with the increasing demand from clients and media. Rich's designs can be spotted on commercials, television shows and movies, and Spragwerks has been featured in countless media outlets including Inked Magazine, Juxtapoz, Time Out New York and Vogue.

DESIGNER: SHEA CURRY

Actress-turned-jewellery designer Shea Curry began hand-making jewellery in her trailer on the set of a movie. She designed her own pink wedding dress, bridal jewellery, and bridesmaids’ jewellery, which was featured in InStyle Weddings magazine. Her pieces, which feature Swarovski stones, feathers or hand painted enamel, are sold under her Shameless jewellery line. Shea is big on charity work and has designed a piece for the Breast Cancer Charities of America. Celebrity clientele includes Fergie, Neve Campbell, Sophie Monk, Lucy Hale and Lo Bosworth.