Fashion + Jewelry: Arthur Mendonça + Polar Bear Diamond
Ah, Fashion Week. You know all the big names, but sometimes it’s the discovery of new talent that excites most. Enter Arthur Mendonça, a Toronto-based designer who had his first FW showing in New York on Feb. 7: Chinese New Year! Being of Chinese origin, Reuben Tom Kee, creative director of Mendonça’s presenting sponsor Polar Bear Diamond (part of Canada’s Basal Diamond Group), took this as a good sign. Better still, PBD sent Tom Kee jewelry designs down the runway along with Mendonça’s fashion.
Fashion designer Arthur Mendonça and Polar Bear Diamond’s creative director and designer Reuben Tom Kee
Photo: Toni Rumore
How did the two designers find each other? A PBD ad campaign featuring Miss Canada International 2003, Lynsey Bennett, caught the eye of Mendonça’s sponsorship agent, and the collaboration was born.
Miss Canada 2003, Lynsey Bennett, with Polar Bear Diamond’s Reuben Tom Kee
Photo courtesy of Reuben Tom Kee
Mendonça’s Fall/Winter 2008 collection features clean lines of beautifully tailored pieces with a mix of menswear inspirations (including a newly defined "three-piece suit": jacket, pants + skirt), conspicuous zippers à la Marc Jacobs, and feminine frocks lovingly rendered in lush fabrics—purples, yellows, and blues on a neutral palette of black and grays. Kudos to the socially responsible designer: As part of Mendonça’s Gotham foray, he made a donation to The New York Women’s Foundation. JCK had a front-row seat:
Runway looks from Arthur Mendonça’s Fall/Winter 2008 collection
Photos: Toni Rumore
PBD signature cuff in 18k white, rose, and yellow gold has 1.60 cts. t.w. of diamonds and retails for $13K.
Photo courtesy of Reuben Tom Kee
PBD tower pendant design in 18k rose, white, and yellow gold features 3.40 cts. t.w. of diamonds, and retails for $10K.
Photo courtesy of Reuben Tom Kee
PBD circle snakes pendant with diamond and gold ball necklace has 6.75 cts. t.w. diamonds and retails for $21.8K.
Photo courtesy of Reuben Tom Kee
PBD deco-inspired bangle bracelet in 18k white gold with rose gold appliqués has 2.25 cts. t.w. diamonds and retails for $9.5K.
Photo courtesy of Reuben Tom Kee
Arthur Mendonça fan Nelly Furtado showed her support
Photo: Toni Rumore
That’s a Happy New Year!
F+J Archive:
Fashion + Jewelry: Andy Thê-Anh + Polar Bear Diamond
Fashion + Jewelry: Ephymol + The Varsity Project
Fashion + Jewelry: Luca Luca + Doyle New York
Fashion + Jewelry: Fashion Week Veterans
Darlene R. Rieux commented:
Congratulations Reuben! Impressive! Distinctive! Unique!... can
hardly wait to see what's coming next!!
Liz - model commented:
stunning mix between fashion and jewels ! creative, provocative,
gorgeous
Jacenta commented:
All of the jewelry pieces are so beautiful and unique!
Jacenta commented:
All of the jewelry pieces are so beautiful and unique!
Miss SLY! commented:
Definitely a HUGE accomplishment for you Reuben!!! you should be
proud, keep it up! keep it Fashionable.
Gina Hillcoat commented:
Such interesting pieces....where to buy?
KLEE commented:
Your designers are simply stunning and impressive. Bravo, Reuben.
miranda commented:
Reuben, your work is simply stunning. Congrats!
jean-pierre morin commented:
so beautiful. I enjoy it a lot ! Tellement gracieux et
élégant..... magnifique !
christian belanger commented:
As a young designer we were impressed by the unique and original
style of the jewellery we wish him all the best for this young
designer from Ottawa Ontario Canada
Judy Richards commented:
It's wonderful to see more Canadian Designers hit the spotlight!
Viresh Pujara of CoverModels Management commented:
Fantastic line of jewellery. Congratulations Reuben!!! Amazing
work.
Raphaella commented:
Tres jolie! It's beautiful in its simplicity, very Arts &
Crafts architecture. Mes compliments!
KCWC commented:
Clearly Reuben Tom Kee is well on his way to becoming a force to
contend with. A marvelous collection from a superstar in the
making!
Pauline commented:
Cheers to you Reuben. What a beautiful collection, a WOW effect.
Annette commented:
Wow! Arthur and Rueben's designs make for a winning combination!
Exquisite!
Judit commented:
What a great talent you have on hand! Reuben Tom-Kee will rock the
industry!
Sarah commented:
Mendonça + Polar Bear Diamond, great combination, beautiful
collections.
TA Wiler commented:
Gung Hay Fat Choy!!!! ..And that's Happy New Year To You Ms.
Rumore.. It's the year of the rat..Very powerful year...enjoy it...
