The Review Connection | Review: Eddera

Eddera

Parisian Style from the Heart of LA

Eddera Los Angeles based French jewelry designer, Camille Eddera, launched her collection, Eddera in early 2008. She is not simply a jewelry designer as she also works with wax, makes masters, molds, solders, sets stones, and more. “Eddera, which means "ivy" in Corsican, calls back to Vizzavona's first inspirations.” Camille not only designs, but also makes everything as each piece is individually handmade by Camille herself. “We really try to offer high end quality at smaller prices. Our molds are the same that they use for high end jewelry at Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier,” Camille says. Eddera uses 18k gold vermeil instead of gold and white topaz stones rather than diamonds. The results from these small details are stunning and nobody on the market can offer this kind of quality for this price point. She says, “This is only possible because I was trained to be a jeweler place Vendome.”

Camille likely gets her creative gene from her mother, who is a painter and sculptor, and grandmother, also a painter. Camille is a professional jeweler and gemologist as she attended the Jewelry School of the Louvre and the French National Institute of Gemology, studying everything related to jewelry. At the prestigious Ecole Du Louvre in Paris, she was one of fifteen students accepted into the elite program and did bench work and handled metal eight hours a day, five days a week. Camille also took design classes and was fortunate enough to study under her teacher, Adalbert Smoliar, the head of Eddera Van Cleef & Arpels for over 30 years. To this day, she still does everything the way he taught her. This exquisite and timeless style can be seen in Camille’s designs, as evident from the Swan Cuff in gold. A graceful and detailed swan spreads her beautiful wings in all her glory to form this gorgeous cuff. The swan is such a classic symbol of beauty and grace which Eddera captures perfectly. The cuff is gold plated and adjustable.

In sharing her favorites, Camille finds the Snake Necklace gorgeous as it is “very old school Cartier” and a fantastic piece. She also adores the Sleeping Beauty Ring, a tour de force technically and so delicate and different. Also, the Snake Drop Earrings with green onyx because Eddera they are “so red carpet” but still affordable. Lastly, she loves Eddera’s signature headbands because they make every woman look good, whether wearing jeans and a t-shirt or a glamorous gown. We selected the Losange Headband as an Editor’s Pick for its feminine appeal. Made of brass with a 14k gold-fill, this double headband has two rows of small gold filigree designs banded together. The elastic at the bottom of the headband holds it firmly in place when worn. Victoria Beckham adores Eddera’s headbands and has been spotted wearing three designs already; Greek Leaf Headband, Orties Headband, and Laurier Headband.

Eddera Camille is originally from Paris and considers France her biggest source of inspiration. She is not saying this simply because she is from Paris, but because there is “just something else about the place.” In coming up with ideas for her designs, Camille always tries to do something timeless because she wants her customers to leave Eddera’s pieces to their granddaughters one day. She stays away from trends and only designs things she is dying to wear. “You will never see a skull in our collection,” Camille says. An everlasting design that exemplifies this style is the delicate Arrow Cuff, featuring a dainty yet strong thin gold arrow curved as a cuff to showcase the tip and end of the arrow at the center. This 18k gold plated cuff is adjustable and makes for a lovely everyday bracelet as it is uniquely designed and captivating.

Eddera Camille designs and creates all pieces herself and enjoys using 18k gold vermeil because “it looks like a million bucks but is affordable.” She also likes using white topaz instead of diamonds, as seen here with the gorgeous Epi Ring. Available in sterling silver or gold, this ring showcases a beautiful band of leaves welded together and accented with sparkling Eddera topaz stones. The topaz gives off a diamond effect, making this ring feel that much more valuable. Just as lovely is the Epi Necklace in gold, which compliments the ring so perfectly. Especially appealing in gold, the detailed band of leaves with white topaz stones dangles delicately from a gold chain and sits suspended when worn. The Epi necklace is a great everyday piece because it is uniquely charming while simple and small.

Camille first started in the United States as a successful model after she was unexpectedly discovered by photographer Markus Klinko. Aside from working for top photographers and becoming the face of Noxzema skincare, she created jewelry for herself. With her distinct style of mixing vintage elements with modern jewels, her friends began asking for her pieces, which eventually landed into the hands of personal stylists for red carpet stars. Eddera has been worn by celebrities worldwide, from Eddera Rachel Zoe and Maria Sharapova to Mario Cotillard, Milla Jovovitch, and more. In January 2009, celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel asked Camille to design a line of high-end hair accessories, which led to the creation of a series of gold-plated headbands. These much loved headbands have now been seen on Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker, and many others. Victoria Beckham loves Eddera and has been so sweet in sending Camielle adorable notes. “We can’t complain – we’re a young company and yet we have all these amazing women wearing us!” says Camille.

In addition to possessing outer beauty, Camille also has the same inner beauty as well. Camille supports an amazing non-profit, Cine Institute in Haiti. She is a teacher there and after her recent return from Haiti in October, she looks forward to returning in February 2011. She loves volunteering in Haiti and adds, “Haitians are such amazing people. They went through so much and never complain about anything. (Unlike us, French people!). It is important to make donations, they need money for sure, but if you have a little time to give, go there, you will be the one who will get out richer.” While it is challenging to lead her business from Haiti, she has a good team working with her. In her spare time, Camille loves to read and surf. In closing her interview, Camille wants her readers to know that “fashion is not that important!” Eddera features two collections a year while keeping certain pieces that became classics. In the near future, Camille hopes to have her own boutique. Eddera is currently sold at Fred Segal, Calypso, Kisan in New York and LA, Colette and Bon Marche in Paris, United Arrows and Isetan in Japan.

www.eddera.com

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