Vintage Notting Hill
by Molly Solomon 2007
Ever wish your family had saved your great-grandmother's jewelry and passed along these heirlooms? Notting Hill Jewelry gives you a chance to purchase a piece of history -- accessories with Victorian-era elements combined with a hipster, 21st-century design. Notting Hill's owner Connie Cusick combs Europe and the U.S. for "left-overs" from the late 1800s and turn-of-the-century to create the stunning vintage jewelry.
The results can be found at http://www.nottinghilljewelry.com/, an online shopping destination that also sells to select boutiques around the country. Cusick, who moved to Fairfield in 1999 from Chicago, launched the jewelry line just one year ago.
Her original business,"The Brown Bumblebee", opened in 2003 and sold home accessories, antiques, select jewelry and focused on self-designed handbags. "I loved unique and beautiful pieces," Cusick said. "In designing the handbags I always looked for something different so I trimmed them in French and Swiss ribbons, vintage brooches and yes, antique shoe buckles." But it wasn't the purses that had her customers talking. It was the jewelry.
Buoyed by the positive reception, Cusick took her Victorian-inspired accessories line to Manhattan to "Open See", a new designer search at Henri Bendel. Arriving in the wee hours of the morning, Cusick stood in line with 400 other hopefuls. Once inside, she had 90 seconds to present her line and make an impression. "They loved it and I did my first Trunk Show at Christmas and have done a total of four there so far," she gushed, "I couldn't believe it -- 5th Avenue in New York City!" Notting Hill returns for another show at Henri Bendel on June 22 and 23, 2007
While waiting for her big break, she met a representative from a boutique in Paris that now carries her line. Cusick calls it one of the best days of her life. Cusick culls her antique pieces, many more than a century old, from France, England and U.S. antique dealers and markets.
The jewelry is all designed at home. The mom of two boys said an after-hours work schedule allows her to maintain a family-work balance. "I work late at night best," she said. "It's easy to work when you love it. I watch great movies have a glass of wine and design jewelry."
Notting Hill is now carried locally at Dovecote in Wesport, CT, Capri in Fairfield, CT, Plimico in New Canaan, CT, Good Food-Good Things in Darien, CT, Haas in Indianapolis, IN, Kelinia, Paris, France and Henri Bendel in New York. The line was also featured in May's "InStyle" Magazine and Connecticut Cottages and Gardens.
"I like to consider them heirlooms, most are often over 100 years old," she said. "I make them out of vintage shoe buckles c. 1800 and 1900's, English FOBS, Victorian lockets and antique brooches." Cusick adds some trendy touches like lucite this summer. She's inspired by trips to Europe and is a movie junkie, where she also culls inspiration.
"I want every woman who wears my pieces to feel beautiful, loved and original."
3 Questions for Connie Cusick
Why the name "Notting Hill"? "Most buckles come from England and the Vintage Fritz Henle photo on my website is of a woman in a London Silver Market. It reminded me of Notting Hill area."
Best business advice received? "Hire an accountant!"
Something your friends don't know about you? "My husband and I have dated since we were 13 years old. We were married at the Vatican, St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Very inspiring."
Written for www.suzysaid.com
Monday, June 11, 2007
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