The Look of an Angel

Pearls are everywhere this season, but the look of Lee Angel jewelry transforms pearls into something edgy yet elegant, avante-garde and distinctly dark.

In her diffusion line called Lee Angel, named after her third son Lee, the very hip SoHo jewelry designer Roxanne Assoulin marries lustrous glass pearls with heavy metals and mixed materials for countless fresh interpretations that contradict age and defy description.

“Anyone can buy a three-strand pearl necklace which sits in the jewelry box, but how can we make it different?” Roxanne said.

Roxanne uses organza ribbon, clusters of big baubles and giant faux gems, and plated brass chains to redefine the classic pearl.

“There’s an allure to pearls. We do them in different ribbons, different shapes,” stated Roxanne.

Within this trend toward deconstructing and reconstructing classics, how do you wear a Lee Angel piece?

“I see them with the little YSL shrunken tuxedo vest and a camisole, or with a simple black cashmere sweater and black cashmere pants,” Roxanne reflected, “but there’s a little surprise to it, some whimsy, something unexpected.”

The triple-tier glass pearl choker with black-plated brass chain links, $275, and matching bracelet, $145, are stunning with denim or leather or fancier fare, available at Neiman Marcus stores or neimanmarcus.com.

“There’s a boldness to the pieces,” stated Roxanne. “And the woman who wears them is confident, she has a sense of whimsy, she likes attention. She’s not afraid, she wears them with ease,” Roxanne continued. “There’s femininity to pearls and an ease to wearing them.”

If you have to choose one item, get a Lee Angel bracelet. I love mine. The wrought-iron chain links will age to look like an antique biker’s chain dipped in pearls. Spectacular.

You will wear it with everything and find yourself playing with it like a slinky luxe toy. It doesn’t get any more glam than that.