Wear What When

Kimberly Baker at Madewell

See the new spring collection at U Village

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Apr 13, 2012 at 01:00PM 0 Comments

Photo: Madewell

Insert Kimberly Baker here.

WHERE: Madewell in University Village

WHAT: You can’t really say that Madewell’s slouchy urban-prep look is just the thing for Kimberly Baker’s iconic, narrative jewelry because the local jeweler’s gold-plated bunnies and historically minded tough-chic shapes lend themselves to so much more than college stripes, neon skinnies, and cuffed camo. But you can say that the two brands are a really nice match, and, in fact, this trunk show essentially says just that. When Baker’s new spring line will be shown alongside flowered boyfriend shirts and metallic wedges, you’ll hear the sentiment loud and clear.

Listen up for this, too: Take 20 percent off Kimberly Baker’s pieces, and Madewell purchases of $125 or more.

WHEN: Thursday, April 19 from 7 to 9

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Tags: University District, Locally Designed, Seattle Trunk Show, Kimberly Baker, Seattle Designer, University Village

Kimberly Baker at Far 4

Meet the jeweler and get a look at some of her most iconic, classic pieces at this preholiday event.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Nov 28, 2011 at 02:00PM 0 Comments

Kimberly Baker: Now, with color. Check it out at Far 4 this Thursday.

Where: Far 4

What: Jewelry from Seattle’s Kimberly Baker, for girls (and guys) who like their “tough” shot through with historical romance and a bunny or two.

If you recall the last post we did on Ms. Baker, her previously metals-only line now includes color, and I can tell you from experience that the gold amulets on colored silk cord make every outfit nicer, and they make friends out of strangers, too. I get comments on mine every I go.

Far 4, longtime sellers of KB pieces, have a few of the silk cord necklaces in stock, too. If you were to purchase one, you’d be eligible to receive a gift from the shop’s treasure box (spend $50 and you’re in); spend $200 and get a gift from the designer’s collection.

Also on hand: cupcakes from Rosellini Sweets and champagne.

When: Thursday, December 1 from 5 to 7

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Tags: Locally Made, Locally Designed, Kimberly Baker, Seattle Designer, Far 4

New Collection: Kimberly Baker

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Oct 14, 2011 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: kimberlybaker.com

SLIDESHOW: Kimberly Baker’s new colorful (relatively speaking) line. Here, a knuckle duster ring in bronze with cobalt enamel.

View Slideshow » Photo: kimberlybaker.com

SLIDESHOW: Kimberly Baker’s new colorful (relatively speaking) line. Here, a knuckle duster ring in bronze with cobalt enamel.

View Slideshow » Photo: kimberlybaker.com

This ruin pendant necklace hangs on a cord made of hand-braided silk and gold-fill chain.

View Slideshow » Photo: kimberlybaker.com

The bronze pieces reference Celtic ruins; natural geodes add earthy organic matter and niobium hooks contribute a little color.

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Love the silk cord with gold pendants.

If you follow Seattle’s most iconic and well-worn jewelry designer, you know that thus far she has worked pretty much exclusively with recycled sterling silver and gold. No gemstones, no color.

That changed this season when Kimberly Baker introduced hand-dyed silks, niobium metals, enameling, and just a few natural geodes to her line of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I visited her this summer when the pieces were in various stages of production and was shocked to see echt-Baker amulets hanging from hot pink and electric blue cords. Shocked, and pretty smitten.

The metalsmith and designer has a sharp focus when it comes to inspiration and reference points; there is always a dark history lesson and baroque narrative at play. Even in teal and brights, her new work wanders around Wiccan iconography, ancient science, and esoteric divination.

Click through the slideshow here for a brief introduction, then get to Baker’s Fremont shop (or one of her stockists—I know Far 4 has the silk cord pieces) to see it for yourself.

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Tags: Jewelry, Kimberly Baker, Seattle Designer

Trunk Show: Kimberly Baker, Victoria Simons, Oysters, Chops

Frank’s Oyster House in Ravenna becomes a runway of sorts on the afternoon of May 21.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on May 10, 2011 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

SLIDESHOW: Victoria Simons’ dresses and Kimberly Baker’s jewelry, both designed and handmade in Seattle.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

SLIDESHOW: Victoria Simons’ dresses and Kimberly Baker’s jewelry, both designed and handmade in Seattle.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Another look from Simons’ spring look book. Her pieces are currently being sold at Kimberly Baker’s Fremont shop.

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Baker’s pieces are always more than pretty, and more than tough. They manage to be feminine as well as strong. (Then again, don’t most of your favorite women manage the same?)

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Where: Frank’s Oyster House and Champagne Parlor

What: A trunk show that pairs spring pieces from Kimberly Baker’s history-hued bangles and narrative-driven necklaces with Seattle designer Victoria Simons’ ladylike-with-an-edge dresses (check the slideshow here to preview the look) but takes them out of the shop and puts them near what our reviewer calls “retro food executed with such respect (and served with such terrific bubbly and cocktails) there’s no way you can dismiss it.”

Because who says you have to have your trunk show in a boutique?

Frank’s co-owner Sarah Penn had this to say about the genesis of the idea, “Victoria will pop in and have her favorite Dover-Calais cocktail and one evening she mentioned that the circular floor plan at Frank’s would make a perfect runway and I just pictured a lovely spring afternoon event.”

So expect a runway of sorts too; styles from both designers will be on display, on models that is. Unless you decide to put your new purchases, at discounts of 20 percent, on and wear them around, too. In an email to friends and contacts last week, Baker also noted that a new raincoat line would be previewed. I didn’t have an opportunity to follow up on that, but girls in this town ought to be immediately interested.

When: Saturday, May 21 from 11:30 to 2:30. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant (206-526-7655) and pre-purchasing a $15 ticket. Otherwise, you may purchase a ticket at the door, provided the event isn’t sold out. The entry fee includes a glass of bubbly; “small plates will be offered dim sum style for $3, $5, $7 and $9,” says Penn. “Guests will choose what they like as dishes are passed, and then tally up at the end. Bites include oysters on the half shell, mini Dungeness crab club rolls, nettle and ricotta blinis, smoked salmon lettuces cups, lamb or lentil empanadas, shiitake & Oregon shrimp potstickers, mini chocolate chili ice cream sandwiches and red velvet cupcakes. Frank’s full bar, as well as a special $6 drink list, will be available.”

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Tags: Accessories, Seattle Fashion Show, Seattle Trunk Show, Kimberly Baker, All-Weather Fashion

Sale: Kimberly Baker Jewelry

Head to Fremont, or just shop online, and save up to 50 percent on Kimberly Baker pieces that make you look smart and on-trend.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jan 27, 2011 at 03:05PM 3 Comments

The Dorothy necklace is usually $215; it’s $108 on sale.

Where: Kimberly Baker in Fremont and online

What: A winter sale. Sure, yeah, most retailers are wrapping up their post-holiday sales, but Ms. Baker is just embarking on hers. You’ll save up to 50 percent on the literary, historically informed iconic pieces that stand out without taking up tons of real estate.

When: Starts Saturday January 29 and continues as long as supplies do.

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Tags: Kimberly Baker

Shop It: Kimberly Baker Design Collective

Astrology readings, It bags, iconic local jewelry, and mad dress designs in Fremont starting December 11.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 07, 2010 at 09:10AM 0 Comments

The new Aztec Parcel by Ampersand As Apostrophe is a part of the upcoming Kimberly Bakery Design Collective at the local jeweler’s Fremont store.

Where: Kimberly Baker’s Fremont shop

What: If you’ve been to Kimberly Baker’s Fremont shop recently, you know it was remodeled by designer wunderkind Jessica Park. If you’ve been to Kimberly Baker’s shop ever, you know it’s general arty-luxe vibe more than makes up for its diminutive size.

The shop’s limited space does call to mind a question mark or two upon hearing about Baker’s holiday-season shop, aka the Kimberly Baker Design Collective. But they’re not really, like, worrying question marks, just vaguely sort of, ‘huh, I can’t wait to see how that works out…’ sort of queries. Because yes, it’s happening. Very soon.

Included in the collective are the aforementioned Jessica Park, whose new It bag , the Aztec parcel (pictured here) gives us a second option on her original It bag.

You’ll also get a look at Victoria Simons’ Mad Men meets Mad Max ’50s silhouettes in superrad crinkled, dyed, and otherwise artfully treated fabrics. Don’t you love how you keep getting continually surprised by just exactly who is living and working and creating in your city??

All of the above were curated by Baker to complement her signature collection — which you may take 20 percent off of on the day of the collective’s launch.

When: Things kick off with a Saturday, December 11 launch party that goes from 12 to 6 and includes mimosas and — get this (no, like, literally get one — free mini-astrology readings by Stephanie Gailing from 2 to 5. The collections will be up, and available to holiday shoppers through the very last day of 2010.

The launch party also includes the opportunity to win one of three grand raffle prizes: One pair of Kimberly Baker Jewelry Evette earrings in Sterling Silver ($128 value), a copy of Stephanie Gailing’s book Planetary Apothecary: An Astrological Approach to Health and Wellness, and a $75 gift certificate toward Victoria Simons Clothing.

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Tags: Locally Made, Gift Guide, Locally Designed, Seattle Trunk Show, Coming Soon, Kimberly Baker

Solid Gold

Take 30 to 70% off on Saturday at Kimberly Baker Jewelry in Fremont

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Apr 23, 2010 at 06:50AM 0 Comments

Photo: Kari Pearson for Kimberly Baker

Tough chicks who love bunnies love Kimberly Baker Jewelry; on sale this Saturday from 12 to 7

It seems to me that if you gathered all the Seattleites (guys and dolls) who sport one of Kimberly Baker’s iconic Wolfette rings and put them all in the same room, you’d have a who’s who of Seattle’s best-dressed. Haven’t you noticed? It’s like belonging to a secret club.

Add to that mix women from all over the globe who identify with the local jeweler’s Harley-Rider-with-a-heart-of-gold tough/sweet aesthetic and the girls who caught the Baker bug via Blake Lively and company and, well, you’d have quite a party.

Safe bet: Saturday is going to be quite a party at Baker’s newly remodeled world headquarters in Fremont. Retired designs and excess inventory will be marked down from 30 to 70 percent to make way for upcoming collections.

While you’re there: Check out new spring arrivals at Lamb’s Ear (oy vey the Rachel Comey clogs) just downstairs, the new Chloe aviator sunnies at nearby Merge, and the design innovation at Coming Soon, up the street on Fremont Ave. ‘Course, I never miss a carrot muffin at Flying Apron when I’m in the neighborhood, either.

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Tags: Accessories, Fremont, Kimberly Baker

Backstage Pass #4

New York Mag wants Butter London’s beauty secrets

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 15, 2010 at 06:30AM 0 Comments

Photo: Style.com

A look from the Alexander Wang Fall/Winter 2010 collection shown on Saturday at Bryant Park

Love this New York Fashion Week video of New York Magazine’s Aja Mangum chatting with Butter London’s Nonie Creme about nail trends at the Alexander Wang show. (And I love that Nonie is representing another Seattleite, Kimberly Baker. Love the mixed metal chains and home-base support!)

This season, the cult designer’s look was a lot more, well, polished, so it makes sense that he’d seek out the best in polish to provide the finishing touches.

How to get the look: two coats of Butter London’s Yummy Mummy and a matte top coat.

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Tags: fashion week, Alexander Wang, Kimberly Baker,

Gift Bag: The Czarina of 36th Street

On sale and in studio: Kimberly Baker’s brand new Russian Royalty-inspired collection

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 04, 2009 at 11:00AM 1 Comments

Slideshow: Inspired by the Czars, Kimberly Baker’s brand new pieces, as well as those from on-going collections, are on sale tomorrow

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Slideshow: Inspired by the Czars, Kimberly Baker’s brand new pieces, as well as those from on-going collections, are on sale tomorrow

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Lucky Charms: the “Lolita” earrings, part of Baker’s on-going collections, are a study of good vs. evil. In other words, the perfect thing for the most complicated and enigmatic women on your list.

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Though her trademarks have been chunky, tough-girl statement pieces, Baker crafts a lot of subtle and very beautiful pieces as well. Check the collection of very current extra-long, loopable chains. I love the one that seems to bleed from sterling to gold vermeil to burnished silver.

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The wallpaper, the merchandising, the artful and carefully edited imagination of it all. Baker’s flagship store is truly inspirational.

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The stingray skin cuff kills it. Slays it, like a Czarina’s swordsman. Get a better look on Baker’s site if not in person.

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If you’re shopping for me, I’m a Pisces, and I adore these astrology charms. thanks!

Maybe it’s the statue of Lenin just around the corner from her intimate boutique, but more likely it’s her love of literature and history. As wearably sophisticated and intelligently complex as ever, the new collection by Kimberly Baker borrows from Russian coronation decoration, heirloom gem-cutting techniques, and the dark, shadowy world of rich pageantry.

Giftees who love solid, weighty, but still dreamy, fairy tale-laden adornment crafted by local artisans for a world-wide audience will appreciate Baker’s collection now more than ever. The mixed-metal elements and engineered gem-like but gemless rock-solid looks with references to rose cut diamonds, laurel wreaths, and regal, gothic sorcery, conspire to create a sense of renewed vision and amped-up, cooler, prettier, and more-current-than-ever urgency to Baker’s line.

And lucky you, you can even score a deal on it.

Tomorrow, Saturday the 5th, a storewide savings of 20% is in effect. Cruise the slideshow for some of my favorite views from inside the shop, but know this: Mimosas will flow, customizable elements await your genius personalization efforts, and Baker will be on hand to offer insight and gift-buying guidance as the spirit of Catherine the Great watches over it all.

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In the mood for more locally made jewelry, and jewelers? Tis the season after all. Across town, also on Saturday, at A Mano, our fav First Ave shoe store will host Baker’s contemporary, Jaime Joseph. In-store get-togethers like Bakers as well as the ring-maker’s trunkshow offer a chance for really enlightened shopping. You understand the process, the piece, and the backstory, and the gift — whether to you, your mom, your beloved, or your baby sis — has that much more meaning.

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Tags: Kimberly Baker, Kimberly Baker