Sunday, May 24, 2009

Elements of the Earth : DANNIJO




Founded by sisters Danielle and Jodie Snyder in 2008, DANNIJO jewelry is hand-made in New York and offers an eclectic range of designs. With the juxtapostion of varied mixed metals--oxidized silver, gold, and gunmetal-- and the introduction of colorful elements --drusy quartz, crystals, aqua aura and pearls-- DANNIJO pieces seamlessly combine indie hipster style with timeless sophistication, resulting in statement pieces that emit a polished uptown feel with a raw downtown flair.

Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Danielle and Jodie’s creative instincts led them to jewelry design at an early age. They used their fathers medical tools to teach themselves wire working, and by studying their favorite pieces of jewelry, Danielle and Jodie advanced their own design techniques. By high school, friends and family began taking notice of their creative designs and soon after, their hobby turned into a business with the opening of their first boutique in Jacksonville.

Jodie graduated from the University of Florida in 2004 and moved to New York to pursue a career in fashion. Danielle, alum of Vanderbilt University, joined Jodie in New York after graduation in 2007. The girls had closed their store in Jacksonville a few years before, but when they were reunited in New York, they began to collaborate again on jewelry design… this time with a capsule collection benefiting the African non-profit LWALA founded by Danielle in 2007. The collection was so successful that it gave the sisters the confidence to pursue jewelry design as a career.

"Danielle and I have always loved the art of fashion, and jewelry design has been a means for us to find a fulfilling creative outlet for our passion," says Jodie.

"Our personalities are different but complimentary, which makes for great synergy,” says Danielle. “I'm much more bohemian and rock-n-roll inspired. I've always loved Native American Indian and tribal aesthetics, whereas Jodie finds more inspiration in Old Hollywood glam and films and music of past generations, This contrast has given us a very open-minded point of view that is translated in our range of designs."

DANNIJO jewelry is hand-made in New York and is sold at select, high-end stores and boutiques around the country including Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Net-a-porter, and Harvey Nichols. DANNIJO pieces have been featured on hit shows such as Gossip Girl and are worn by a range of celebrities including Natalie Portman, Blake Lively, Beyonce and Natalie Morales of The Today Show.







Shop the collection at www.dannijo.com

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