{image1} Jewelry designer Elana Rubin has had it with the nano-second lifespan of fashion trends and the barrage of ridiculous rules (why, again, aren't we supposed to wear white after Labor Day? Too much blending in with the snow?) of the fashion world. She won't tell you that red isn't your color, because to her, looking good in red is only dependant upon one thing: feeling good in red. As the "Future Fashionista," personal preference comes before the latest fleeting trend.
With a creative synthesis of style and self, Rubin has found what she's calling her "fashion personality," which is essentially blending personal character into your fashion choices.
"I think the key to discovering one's fashion personality is to allow your interests to dictate your style rather than strictly following rules or trends," she says. "We spend so much time worrying about what's in that we overlook what makes us feel confidant and comfortable."
And why shouldn't she feel confident about her pieces? Apparently actress Jennifer Garner does. When it comes to social networking, Rubin's got her fashion bases covered. With friends in both New York City and L.A passing around her look book (read: preview of her collection for the season), Milwaukee's Future Fashionista has caught a bit of celebrity attention. In addition to Garner, stylists for Ashlee Simpson, Taylor Dayne, Nicole Richie, Kelly Ripa and Demi Moore have already made purchases.
"The best part of being a designer is seeing the diverse type of people that incorporate my jewelry into their wardrobe," she says. Now that she's proven herself successful at capturing the earlobes and necklines of the stars on both coasts, she has recently taken on what might be an even bigger challenge: the Midwest.
Up until a few months ago, Rubin's jewelry was only available online, making it easy for her to market nationally. Now, however, Milwaukeeans can take advantage of having the designer in their own city. You can find her line at J. Bird Boutique in the Third Ward.
She works entirely in gold and platinum, and is not afraid to bring the bling to Milwaukee.
"I wanted to do something that was going to set me apart from other designers," says Rubin of her platinum preference.
Some of her most eye-catching pieces include the "Totally '80s Charm Necklace," which is just like the colorfully cluttered plastic ones all the girls sported circa 1987, but with a bit more bling. Each component is made with 14 karat yellow gold. Don't know too much about the bling, but want to? Elana's provided her own "Guide to Gold" on her site, complete with a glossary of terms.
Rubin's Web site is futurefashionista.com. Also, look for her shimmer at July's Gallery Night & Day.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
