There is some good news. For the fifth day, there were no reports of any new local infections in China. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced a breakthrough in the search for the Covid-19 treatment. It has identified hundreds of virus-neutralizing antibodies that could potentially be in a cocktail drug. Fashion brands are stepping up to the plate in the fight against the coronavirus.
Instead of manufacturing pantyhose, Hanes is making N95 face masks. Instead of sewing red carpet gowns, Christian Siriano’s NY atelier will sew the sorely needed face masks. Kerby Jean-Raymond is making face masks, latex gloves, and other protective gear and distributing them to health care professionals from the Pyer Moss offices in New York City. Rihanna’s nonprofit, the Clara Lionel Foundation, announced Saturday that it would donate $5 million to fight the invisible killer.
Good deeds are contagious! That said, we all need some luck in getting through this pandemic. Since the beginning of time, civilizations have relied on charms, amulets, and talismans to heal, protect themselves from harm, and ward off negative energy. If you don’t have a trusty good luck charm or you want to add to your collection, this is a good time to shop for them online. Personal, meaningful jewelry can enliven your at-home attire!
The evil eye is a common motif in jewelry, particularly in Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. The ancient talisman is believed to do all the above as well as bring good fortune to the wearer. Athens based jewelry designer Lito Karakostanoglou’s pieces are so unique and inspiring they become instant collectibles and they were in the fashion shows of Kenzo and Jean Paul Gaultier. Her ‘Tu Es Partout’ (“you are everywhere”) line of evil eye jewelry features lifelike eye motifs on necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.
Lito’s ‘Tu Es Partout’ earrings are made of 14-karat gold, enamel and diamonds and adorned with hand-painted versions of the talisman framed with blackened diamonds, $5300 available at netaporter.com.
Lito’s “Tu Es Partout” bracelet made from intricately hand-knotted macramé, is centered with a hand-painted evil eye pendant backed in gleaming 14-karat gold, $730 available at netaporter.com.
Alison Lou’s single earring is cast to resemble an evil eye. It’s handmade from polished 14-karat gold and set with light-blue enamel and a single round-cut diamond, $275 available at netaporter.com.
Hands represent power, connection, creation, and the ability to hold and feel. The Hamsa (a palm-shaped amulet) is recognized and used as a sign of protection throughout history. It is worn to bring its owner happiness, luck, health, and good fortune.
New York designer Susan Alexandra says her “Touch” necklace, featuring a 20″ bronze chain and bronze hands, symbolizes your “potential to shape the world.” She will even paint the fingernails the color of your choice. This necklace, which is worn lariat style, is symbolic of the enormous innate power we all have to touch and reach out. Like all of Susan’s jewelry, this is made by hand to order, $148, available at susanalexandra.com.
The Hamsa is one of 15 amulet charms strung on this antique blue glazed faience porcelain estate necklace. There are also scarabs, beetles, and deities, and it closes with a sterling silver barrel style clasp. It is $495 and available on 1stdibs.com.
Lions symbolize bravery, and they are a recurring theme in world mythology. Alighieri’s Dante and the Lion double-coin necklace is an emblem of “courage on your Odyssey.” We can all use a little courage right now. Made of 24 karat gold plated bronze, it is $307 and available at shop.alighieri.co.uk. Just a note: during this challenging time, Alighieri will be donating 20% of website sales to the Trussel Trust, who are supporting Food Banks around the UK.
In Chinese culture, the elephant is a symbol of good luck and happiness. In many nations, the elephant symbolizes power and strength. As a symbol of strength, the elephant inspires us to be strong and patient at the same time. Patience is one of the elephant’s primary attributes, and it’s something we all could use at this time. Yvonne Léon’s 18-karat gold diamond bracelet is packed with symbolic meaning. Designed with a red cord – said to shield negative energy – this handmade style strung with an 18-karat gold elephant represents wisdom, power, and strength. It has a dainty diamond for an eye. It is $395 and available at netaporter.com.
Kazuko Oshima, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 65, was known for her crystals and semiprecious stones wrapped in webs of gold wire that seemed to float above the body. Ms. Oshima believed passionately that the materials she worked with possessed great healing powers. Her signature designs were sold exclusively at Barneys New York, and she counted celebrities like Bianca Jagger as loyal clients. These earrings made of pearls, crystal, and a small emerald bead are suspended from an ethereal 14K gold wire cage. They are $500 and available at 1stdibs.com.
The most common superstition of all is the Zodiac. Babylonian astronomers developed the modern Zodiac wheel, with its 12 astrological signs over 7000 years ago. Today, many of us continue to drive symbolic strength from astrological totems. Clare Waight Keller’s Zodiac Sign Collection for Givenchy launched for autumn/winter 2018, and it is a real standout.
Aries, March 21- April 20, is represented by the ram. These Givenchy gold-tone metal Aries earrings depict a ram prancing midair, symbolizing the fire sign of the Zodiac which is thought to be passionate and courageous. They’re made in Italy and hallmarked with a subtly engraved logo. They can also be suspended from a black ribbon to create a dramatic necklace. Priced at $590 they are available at matchesfashion.com.
Even if you don’t believe talismans, charms, and amulets have real power, I will not discount anything. We could all use a bit of magic right about now.
