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Spring 2002 Jewelry
Alex and Ani Jewelry
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Alex and Ani Beauty
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Alex and Ani, Au Natural
Written by Tanya Jensen
Photos by Tanya Jensen-FWD
Apr 5,2002 /FWD/ --- Carolyn Rafaelian-Ferlise's jewelry company, Alex and Ani, is a family
business in more ways than one.
Named after her two eldest daughters, the company spans three generations, starting with
Rafaelian-Ferlise's father. The seed that was planted in Providence in 1966, the Cinerama Jewelry
Company, gave root to Alex and Ani in 1993 - and it hasn't stopped growing since.
From the original inspiration of large vintage stone cocktail rings in sterling silver to today's
designs - some of them styled specifically for celebrity fans like Mary J. Blige - Alex and Ani
has found its way to stores like Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale's,
and their private label sells to places like The Limited, Express, Bebe, Arden B. and Skin Market.
Now Rafaelian-Ferlise has decided to take Alex and Ani a step further with a new beauty
collection. The line is based on the five senses and is packaged in hip and girly glass bottles
featuring black and white pin-up images from the '40s, '50s and '60s.
It may seem like a departure, but Rafaelian-Ferlise is keeping it all in the family.
"Alex and Ani Beauty is where fashion meets the beauty world!" she tells FWD. In keeping with
the deeply rooted family philosophy, the line is all about earthy elegance and one-of-a-kind style.
"The line is all natural and organic, with the very special scent of Alex and Ani called
Formula 5," she adds. "The special blend of the essential oils is in all the products, which
include the face/body lotion, the lip gloss, the royal jelly eye cream, the special bar soaps,
as well as the roll-on perfume."
In line with that au natural theme, Rafaelian-Ferlise also went organic with her latest jewelry
line. "With the successful response to the all natural beauty line, I have also taken the
accessory collection to a very all-natural look," she says.
The collection, already ordered by Henri Bendel, Bergdorf and Bloomingdale's, is all about shells,
natural stones, and wood accents. Pieces like a mother-of-pearl-embellished signature 10-wrap
coil bracelet make an extravagantly earthy statement, as do swing hoop earrings with baby shells,
turquoise and other natural and semi-precious stones.
Alex and Ani Beauty will be available exclusively at Henry Bendel in New York and Fred Segal
in Los Angeles starting May 1.
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