1 comment · Oct 12, 2018

ROCKSTAR WOMEN

One of my first museum, jewelry development clients in the late 1990’s was the Cleveland Museum of Art. Diana Borcz was the amazing Product Developer there that I had the good fortune to work with. Diana’s background working with Neiman Marcus in jewelry was the catalyst for a solid business relationship founded in creativity, attention to detail and quality.

Several years and many jewelry development projects later, Diana contacted me to inform me that she was leaving CMA. I was devastated but as the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens. I soon learned that Diana was to be the new Product Developer at the renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland- exciting!

With that single change, I entered into yet another cool phase of jewelry creation and Licensing. Diana charged me with the creation of several collections focused on the history and edgy adornment of Rock and Roll stars. What a trip it has been!

For the next several weeks, CGNY will be highlighting our Rock and Roll inspired collections through the celebration of a key group of female Rock and Roll icons via this Blog as well as our CGNY Social Media. These are some of the Rockstar Women whom I admire for their pioneering Rock and Roll music which has paved the way for more women to explore this exciting music genre: Joan Jett; Aretha Franklin; Grace Slick; Debbie Harry and Stevie Nicks.

In today’s society, women everywhere are rising up in an effort to do things differently— marching, protesting and organizing— much like these early Rockstar Women. So celebrate with us and enjoy our CGNY Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jewelry collections, inspired by the style and passion of early Rockstar Women and the music that brought them close to our hearts.

Joan Jett, the lead singer of The Runaways, is our first Rockstar Woman.

Jett epitomizes the edgy, look of the CGNY Rebel Punk Collection. At age 15, Jett’s raw vocals and tough adornments lead the band to fame through her rebellious, gritty determination.

Jett once said: “Other people will call me a rebel, but I just feel like I’m living my life and doing what I want to do. Sometimes people call that rebellion, especially when you’re a woman.”

Long live the REBEL in Joan Jett!!

The world lost an amazing singer and human being in the recent passing of Aretha Franklin. She was the first African American woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame.

Franklin had a close relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King and was an activist during the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for peaceful, civil disobedience. The CGNY Imagine Peace Collection expresses the call for peace through sterling silver jewelry design.

Winning 18 Grammy Awards over the span of her career, Franklin is the quintessential Rockstar Woman.

Grace Slick was a fixture in the 1960’s San Francisco Rock and Roll scene. As one of the lead singers for Jefferson Airplane, Slick was instrumental in the group’s image as the first psychedelic rock band.

Slick lived in the spirit of the mid-60’s and 70’s and was considered a pioneer of the hippy movement. Our Revolution Dove, Rock Hall collection featuring a women’s symbol created out of twisted vines accented with a peace dove motif, captures the mood of this iconic American period.

In 1996, Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. CGNY celebrates Grace Slick as one of our Rock Star Women for her vital role in the history of Rock and Roll.

I adore Debbie Harry, the quintessential Rockstar Woman Punk! As lead singer for the New Wave band, Blondie, Harry was known for her fierce attitude and iconic punk style.

Harry once said, “The only place left for rock to go is toward more girl stars. There’s nothing left for men to do.” Known for her black leather jackets, distressed denim and berets, Harry is an inspiration for CGNY’s Punk Explosion Collection which was created for the Rock Hall.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Blondie’s Debbie Harry is a Rockstar Woman, for sure!

“Don’t be a lady. Be a legend." This was the goal of Rockstar, Stevie Nicks. Best known for her work as a songwriter and vocalist with Fleetwood Mac and her chart-topping solo career, Nicks is our final Rockstar Woman.

Nicks was named one of the Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine because of her distinctive voice, mystical stage persona and poetic, symbolic lyrics. The CGNY Rockstar Collection celebrates Nicks rise to stardom!