Last week I visited the recently opened Jonathan Adler store, located on the corner of East 58th Street and Lexington Avenue on the 2nd floor. Stepping off the elevator, two things hit me at once: the size of the new store - it's huge and is an accessories mecca. I haven't been in a Jonathan Adler store in a very long time, so I was surprised and delighted by a world of choices in cushions, ottomans, lighting, mirrors, throws, rugs, ceramics and occasional chairs.
However, the main reason I was in the store was to attend the Same Sky fundraiser, which I was invited to by my dear friend Ilene Wetson, one of the ambassadors. Same Sky was founded in the wake of the horrific genocide in Rwanda in 1994 where, by the UN's estimate one quarter of a million women and girls were raped and 70% contracted HIV/AIDS.
Same Sky's mission has been to train Rwandan women to become artisans, earning a living creating and selling their beautifully crafted, shimmering hand-beaded bracelets and necklaces worldwide. As artisans, their income is 15 - 20 times the average wage in sub-saharan Africa, lifting these women out of grueling poverty, living with dignity, becoming self sufficient and able to provide for their families.
The bold and glamorous world of Jonathan Adler is no place for shrinking violets
There's a certain whimsy to Jonathan Adler's aesthetic sensibility that I've recently begun to appreciate, like this Aries coffee table with acrylic ram's horns...a bit mad but it works
Giant hand bowl holding a gynormous quaalude
Some days you just feel a need for one or the other - novelty word pillows
The ultra bar cart is the most interesting cart I've seen in awhile and I'm loving the retro-vibe bronze finish
100% of net proceeds from the Same Sky jewelry sales are re-invested to train and employ future artisans.
Same Sky Ambassadors from the New York region take a bow for their efforts in making a difference
The beaded bracelets created by the Same Sky artisans "is a ribbon that ties you to courageous women a world away - a beautiful piece of jewelry made more beautiful by the connection it symbolizes and how it makes you feel." With an army of ambassadors worldwide, Same Sky is a global movement.
Animalia boxes and trays - I'm always looking for these items to dress up a coffee table or nighstand
The Rider armchair based on a Regency-style