riviere fall 2011

On View NowExciting jewelry from the newest designers at Mednikow

Dreaming in MemphisMichael Ching’s original a cappella opera garners national attention

Shooting StarsAn excerpt from Wild Abundance, the cookbook published by ArtsMemphis celebrating the South’s fi nest hunting clubs

Patek Philippe’sThierry Stern

The president of Patek Philippe makes

a rare visit to key U.S. accounts

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6 | R i v i e r e m a g a z i n e

We've been asked many times about why we chose the name “Riviere” for our magazine. Why not call it “Mednikow” magazine, for instance, and people would more readily recognize the source of the new publication.

Th e truth is that we have much bigger dreams for Riviere than just a magazine about our store and our jewelry. Riviere is a magazine squarely aimed at the lifestyle of our customers, not just the jewelry of our customers.

We’re new to the publishing business, and we’re just learning, but you can expect to see more and more articles that have nothing to do with jewelry but defi nitely refl ect on the lifestyle of the Mednikow customer.

For instance, in this issue, we feature another book excerpt from the ArtsMemphis publication Wild Abundance; Kelly English’s cooking for the Menasha Hunting & Fishing Club is a glimpse into something that all Southern men seem to aspire to.

So, why the name “Riviere”?

We brainstormed extensively and chose Riviere for a variety of reasons:

It is the French word for river, and Memphis is, after all, a river town, so the name alludes to the Mighty Mississippi. Riviere is also used to describe a classic diamond necklace that features a tapering row of diamonds around the neck. Lastly, Riviere evokes images of the French Riviera, and all the luxury that entails.

After a quick check to make sure there was no other Riviere magazine on whose legal toes we might tread, we registered the name and created our new lifestyle publication.

We plan to be in the jewelry business always, of course, but who knows . . . maybe 30 years from now, there will be a thriving Mednikow publishing business too.

We look forward to seeing you this season.

We plan to be in the jewelry business jewelry business

always, of course, but who knows...maybe 30 years

from now, there will be a thriving Mednikow publishing

business too.

Dear ReadersDear Readers

●

●

●

The Mednikow FamilyThe Mednikow Family

full page trim size.indd 1full page trim size.indd 1 10/26/11 3:12 PM10/26/11 3:12 PM

Riviere m a g a z i n e

A Visit from Thierry SternPatek Philippe president Th ierry Stern’s world tour of key accounts brings him to Mednikow,

where he shares some thoughts about family businesses and fi ne watches with our readers

Shooting Stars ArtsMemphis shares tasteful pages of recipes

and mouth-watering photographs from its glossy coff ee-table cookbook, Wild Abundance, featuring

Chef Kelly English and Rebecca Sims at Menasha Hunting and Fishing Club

Issue TwoFALL & WINTER 2011


Table of Contents�

16 25

On View Now Only at Mednikow

An international talent search for inspired jewelry with

an artistic edge brings eight elite designers and their new

collections to Memphis and exclusively to Mednikow

Dreaming in Memphis After the Memphis performance of

A Midsummer Night’s Dream attracts national attention, the reverie

continues as DeltaCappella, Riva, and the production’s opera

stars record an album of the groundbreaking operappella

at Ardent Studios

Polished Rough Diamonds

Th e unmistakable mystique of translucent polished

rough diamonds adds color and dimension to the

cases at Mednikow

A Match Made in Memphis

Mednikow’s expansion into James Davis gets press from a

major publication intrigued by the trend of dual presentations

of fashion and jewelry

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 9

44 52

62

65

Authentic Antique Diamonds

Bob and Jay Mednikow discover perfect antique reproduction

settings in Paris perfectly suited to their cache of authentic

antique diamonds

Rose Gold Warm and wonderfully

romantic, rose gold is the hot new color of gold,

and it complements every complexion

Silver Reinvented Sterling silver gets bejeweled

while changing color and texture, going from inky black to gleaming white and from shiny to matte

Bead Chic Beads assume their

rightful place, with baubles and bangles everywhere

from Beale Street to the boardroom

7274

77 81

10 | R iv i e r e m a g a z i n e

The Lasting Impression of Signet Rings

In a day of transient texts and tweets, there’s something

comforting about a ring with a centuries-old design that quietly

announces who you are

Behind the Scenes: Making the Mednikow

Watch CommercialsTh e surprising back story: Paul

Koziel, vocal percussionist for DeltaCappella, provides the amazing beat boxing heard

behind Bob and Jay Mednikow

The Time Has ComeBob and Jay Mednikow fi nally realize their dream of a watch worthy of their customers and

the name Mednikow

Events and Parties at Mednikow

Mednikow jewelry brings a lot of fun to the party

84

87

88 93

PUBLISHER: Robert M. Mednikow

MANAGING DIRECTOR AND EDITOR: Jay A. Mednikow

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jean Mathews

ART DIRECTOR: Melissa Ellis

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR: Marvin Yates

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Donna Farnsworth, Ron Saltiel, Sean Davis, and Regis Lawson

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Christopher Blank, Jean Mathews, Jennifer Heebner, and Jon W. Sparks

A publication by Mednikow, 474 Perkins Extended, Memphis, TN 38117T: 901.767.2100 • E: [email protected]

Published by Contemporary Media, Inc., 460 Tennessee Street, Memphis, TN 38103T: 901.521.9000

©2011, J. H. Mednikow & Co., Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in USA.Reproduction in whole or in part of any materials contained herein without the express written permission of J.H. Mednikow & Co. Inc. is prohibited.

Riviere magazineIssue TwoFALL & WINTER 2011


On the cover: Earrings in 18 karat white gold with South Sea pearls and diamonds. “Doge Palace Refl ection” ring in 18 karat white and rose gold with baroque South Sea pearl and diamonds. Jewels from Autore’s Venezia collection.


CHRISTOPHER BLANK is a Memphis-based arts journalist and critic. He freelances for Th e Commercial Appeal, Memphis magazine and is a contributor of arts news to public radio in Memphis. For WKNO-FM, he hosts Performance Club, a group that takes a book-club approach to exploring performance art. He was the 2010 recipient of the Germantown Arts Alliance’s Arts and Humanities Medal for literature.

Contributors

�

DONNA FARNSWORTH Th rough her professional photography, Donna Farnsworth has captured many of life’s most beautiful moments at weddings and celebrations—as well as events at Mednikow. Donna also makes generous use of her lens to support charitable organizations, lending her skills and her camera to help touch hearts through her many years of work as a volunteer photographer for the Child Advocacy Center and the Germantown Charity Horse Show.

JENNIFER HEEBNER has covered the luxury jewelry market, including bridal and fi ne fashion jewelry trends for more than 13 years. She delights in discovering new talent at interna-tional jewelry shows—from São Paulo to Mumbai—and in helping them get the media exposure they need to launch careers. Heebner can be tracked roaming the globe by way of her Style 360 Blog, and Facebook and Twitter accounts, and divides her time between her New York City offi ce and home in Philadelphia when she’s not on a plane.

JEAN MATHEWS, writer, arts activist, and host of “Arts a la Carte” explains why her work is rewarding: “It’s the Mednikow tradition to value the art and the beauty present in our daily lives, whether it takes the form of an extraordinary piece of jewelry or a remarkable performance by one of the many arts groups they have supported throughout the years…as creative director of Riviere magazine, Mednikow’s marketing director, and the executive director of the 12-man vocal band, DeltaCappella, I am thrilled to be a part of the Mednikow family.”

JON W. SPARKS is a longtime jour-nalist who has covered entertainment, business and government in Memphis since 1981. He was with Th e Commercial Appeal for 25 years and continues to freelance for Th e CA, the Memphis Daily News, the Greater Memphis Chamber and other publications. He is an award-winning fi lmmaker and has acted onstage and in several local fi lms in addition to Rod Lurie’s made-in-Tennessee fi lm Nothing But the Truth. In addition to freelancing, he has been communications consultant to the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission for the past year.


MOST SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES CARRY SUPERB PRODUCTS, ARE MINDFUL OF SERVICE, AND HEW TO SOLID BUSINESS PRACTICES.

But if one of those companies is a family business, it brings a distinct advantage where the devotion is present not only during work hours, but at the dinner table and beyond.

Imagine that same family business has been at it for generations, and we have some-thing transcendent. A history that has become heritage, roots that have evolved into tradition, resolution solidifi ed as commitment.

Now imagine two such businesses working together.So it is with Mednikow and Patek Philippe — a relationship that has been vital for

50 years. “Th e key is with the passion — especially with a family business today, you need to

be passionate,” says Th ierry Stern, fourth generation Patek Philippe watchmaker and president of the company. He spoke during a recent visit to Mednikow, where he viewed the showroom, visited with local owners of the exquisite timepieces, and reminisced with Bob and Jay Mednikow.

Th e two fi rms have more in common than a business relationship. Both started in the 19th century and each still maintains the singular vision that only comes with looking far into the future while being grounded in tradition.

Thierry SternBy Jon W. SparksPhotos By Donna Farnsworth

A Visit from

The President of Patek Philippe makes a rare visit from Switzerland to key accounts in the United States.

A history that has become heritage, roots that have evolved into traditioninto tradition, resolution solidifi ed as commitment.

“We have to look at the long view,” Stern says. “Today the young generation doesn’t have the vision — it’s two years, three years, and that’s it. My vision is 20 years, 30 years, even more.”

Th inking in terms of generations is something that Mednikow easily grasps. Jay Mednikow, the fourth generation in his business, recalls a conversation he had some years ago with Elizabeth, his wife-to-be. “She made a comment about building the jewelry business and I said, yes, I can see myself doing so-and-so in 30 years. And she said, 30 years? And I said, yes, in this business you’re trained to think like that.”

Stern says that knowing each other within the family enterprise as well as those you do business with is important. “Th ey know what our strategy is and we know what they are looking for. It’s not always changing — you don’t have new people who understand nothing but fi gures. It’s not just about fi gures but about beauty and service.”


Furthermore, the relationship between family businesses breeds loyalty, which of course is refl ected at the retail level.

“Respect and loyalty come because they know we are not willing to take advantage,” Stern says. Patek Philippe is not about hurrying out new models and tracking passing trends. “Th ey know that we are not willing to jeopardize any of the quality, and that’s important.”

And for Mednikow, one of the businesses Patek Philippe trusts to sell the timepieces, the philosophy is the same. When Stern’s father Philippe sat down with Jay’s dad Bob Mednikow in 1961, the conversation ran along the same lines. Th e commitment of Mednikow to Patek Philippe has become so solid that the Memphis jewelry retailer has discontinued other brands, carrying only its own and the Patek Philippe line.

Customers, too, appreciate not only the high quality but the sense of family that both Mednikow and Patek Philippe bring.

Th e timepieces are, after all, intended to be much more than watches.

“Our clients are also business people who have built their own careers,” Stern says. “When you buy a Patek Philippe, it’s because there is something to celebrate — people have been promoted or married. And they know how diffi cult it is to keep a business going; they know there’s a lot of work behind that, a lot of training, a lot of respect.”

“The key is with the passion — especially

wi a family business today, you need to

be passionatebe passionate, ” says Thierry Stern,

fourth-generation Patek Philippe watchmaker

and president of the company.

th

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 19

beautybeauty

Th e signifi cance of the meaning of acquiring a Patek Philippe is refl ected in how much owners adore and collect the pieces.

As Stern was visiting the Mednikow store, long-time customers came in to have him look at their watches and the formal docu-mentation that comes with each timepiece. One came in with a briefcase full of watches, and a lively conversation discussed the merits and histories of the various pieces.

One customer came in with a singular piece that was about 100 years old and engraved with the name of the New Orleans doctor who fi rst owned it. Even during the hum of admiration for the gorgeous timepiece, Stern was cautioning about taking care of other pieces — “Don’t put two watches in the same bag!”

“Th ere’s always a fi ne line between a fashion watch that might last, say, three years, and a watch that will last for generations,” Stern says. “So our task is to create something the client’s children would also enjoy to wear.”

For Stern, the knowledge of timepieces being passed down through generations means a long-term commitment. “I constantly look at the material I’m going to use. Some of the new materials today are not going to last and I wouldn’t be able to fi x them.” So Patek only works with the most reliable of materials such as steel and gold.

And the elegance hidden within is extraordinary. “All the components inside are more a piece of art than a watch,” Stern says.

“It’s not just about fi gures

but about and

service.”


“You don’t need a Patek to know the time today. So when you buy a Patek, you buy a piece of art. Most of those parts you’ll never see — only the watch-maker sees them. But they are nearly all hand fi nished, well polished and this is something very important for us.”

Even so, it is not entirely about the art. “It’s also about accuracy,” Stern says. “When you do such a great fi nishing, it allows you to have a watch that will last.

“There’s always a fi ne line between a fashion watch

th might st, say, three years, and a watch that will

last for generationslast for generations,” Stern says.

“So our task is to create something the client’s children

would also enjoy to wear.”

at la

orpheum theatretoscapassion has a price

Germantown performing arts centre

die fledermaus

when the mask goes on

the gloves come off

don pasquale

be careful what you wish for

To purchase tickets visit: operamemphis.org

6745 Wolf River Pkwy. Memphis, TN 38120 | 901.257.3100

Sponsored by:

orpheum theatre


w i l da b u n d a n c e

Setting the ground rules in Rebecca’s kitchen: Rebecca Sims and Kelly English

Tommy Tune “Steps in Time” Saturday, September 17

The Capitol StepsFriday, September 23

Compañia Flamenca Jose PorcelFriday, October 14

National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of ChinaSaturday, October 22

Stanley ClarkeSaturday, November 5

David SedarisThursday, November 10

Ronald K. Brown/EvidenceSunday, November 13

The 5 BrownsFriday, January 27

Joey DeFrancesco Trio Saturday, February 4

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Silver Medalist, Yeol eum SonFriday, February 24

Swan Lake - Moscow Festival BalletSunday, February 26

Diavolo - Dance Company Friday, March 2

Red Priest - Baroque Quartet Friday, March 9

Bela Fleck and The Flecktones Friday, April 13

Poncho Sanchez with Terence Blanchard Cubano Be! Cubano Bop! A tribute to Chano Pozo and Dizzy GillespieSunday, April 22

It’s Happening at GPAC2011-2012 SEASON

GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRECall 901-751-7500 or visit www.GPACweb.com

Milton Schaeffer Delores Kinsolving

Scheidt Family

Foundation

Gift Certificates Available. The perfect gift for the arts lover on your list!

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2012Chateau Montelena

Kosta BrownMartinelli Vineyards

William Selyem

February (tba) Fleming’s Wine Dinner // April 13 Brooks UncorkedMay 10 Winemaker Dinners // May 11 Vin A Que // May 12 Grand Auction

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART


THIS YEAR MEDNIKOW CELEBRATES A CREATIVE RENAISSANCE. We feel it in our new business relationships, such as our exciting Mednikow Boutique at James Davis Laurelwood; and we are buoyed by the robust optimism energetically expressed by our store family.

Our renaissance can easily be experienced by a visit to our stores. Th e glass cases and counters of our stores are bursting with lively new pieces

of jewelry created by talented international designers who transform precious metals and jewels into works of art meant to be worn, treasured, and admired.

Th is year we thoughtfully selected eight sensational designers to become part of our Mednikow family and therefore part of your own family through the gifts and remembrances that you

share with each other. We seek out only the best designers, mindful that the jewelry presented in these new collections

will someday become a part of your own family’s heritage and traditions.

We welcome these individuals and their exciting new creations to our store. We believe that when you touch and wear their jewelry, you too, will hear the unique voice of each designer, and like us, your spirit

will be renewed by beauty.

YOSSI HARARI

Handcrafted by artisans skilled in 2,000-year-old

techniques, each piece is as unique as the woman

who wears it. These strong, exotic, and chic

designs are a stunning symmetry of the modern

and the timeless; the material and the sensual.

Consider these pieces wearable art in 24 karat

gold, sterling silver, and Yossi’s own trademarked

alloy, “gilver."


MednikowOn view now . . .only at

SARA WEINSTOCK

A spirited collection of gold and oxidized precious

metals re-interpret symbols such as love, faith, new

beginnings, peace, courage, and protection. Inspired by

nature, these earrings, necklaces and rings refl ect truth,

beauty and universal love.

BARBARA HEINRICH

An artistic collection with an ethereal nature and a

modern sensibility, these pieces express the delicate

balance between natural and fl owing organic shapes

and crisp, modern geometric lines.

SARA WEINSTOCK

A spirited collectio

metals re-interpret

beginnings, peace,

nature, these earrin

beauty and univers

BARBARA HEINR

An arttistic collecti

modern sensibility

oxidized precious

h as love, faith, new

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 45

GURHAN

The hand-hammered fi nish upon the pure 24 karat gold, platinum,

and the mixed metals of this collection is the signature touch of

the designer. Unabashedly seductive, these handcrafted pieces

referencing ancient artifacts are a labor of love, offering their

wearer small surprises in the form of unusual stones and fi ndings.

URHAN

he hand-hammered fi nish upon the pure 24 karat gold, platinum

nd the mixed metals of this collection is the signature touch of

he designer Unabashedly seductive these handcrafted piecesth

re

w

G

T

an

th

MONICA RICH KOSANN

Exquisitely crafted lockets, charm

bracelets, necklaces and pendants

of 18 karat gold and sterling silver.

Created to be worn today and by

future generations. These are designs

that capture the essence of fashion

while maintaining a timeless elegance.


RAYMOND HAK

Like a dance under the stars,

sparkling diamonds combine

with shape-shifting, textured

silver in bold, organic, and

geometric forms. Created

with an eye for fashion, this

delightful collection offers a

look for every occasion.

SARAH GRAHAM

Graham fearlessly creates statement pieces inspired by the lively shapes of

fl ora and fauna, interpreting them in an adventurous palette composed of

colored diamonds and 18 karat gold in tones of yellow, rose, and white. She

then juxtaposes these sparkling elements with the inky blackness of oxidized

cobalt chrome in a matte fi nish. Like photographs of a micro-universe, the

beauty captured by these tiny works of art is eye-catching and revealing.

ANNIE FENSTERSTOCK

Imaginative and radiant with precious stones and

diamonds, rendered in 18 karat and 22 karat gold and

platinum using centuries-old goldsmithing techniques.

With vibrant colors and a bold aesthetic, Fensterstock

creates intricate handcrafted pieces that are tiny works

of art, alive with character and detail.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 47

Community Supported and Community Serving

Experience



“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DR E A M –

OPER A A C A PPELL A” GA R NERS NATIONA L

ATTENTION.By Christopher BlankPhotos By Sean Davis

�

MemphisMemphis

Dreaming In

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 53

Memphis


�NOVELISTS, PAINTERS, PLAYWRIGHTS, CHOREOGRAPHERS – MOST CREATIVE TYPES, ACTUALLY – TEND TO PORTRAY THEIR MOST AMBITIOUS WORKS OF ART AS CHILDREN.

Th ey conceive them, bring them kicking and screaming into the world, nurture them and refi ne them, all in the hope that one day the kids will stand up in public and make their parents proud.

For Michael Ching and Jay Mednikow, that child was an opera. Seven months after its debut, the baby is still putting on weight and attracting attention.A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Opera a Cappella, adapted from Shakespeare’s play, was originally the brain-

child of composer Michael Ching, former artistic director of Opera Memphis. He had been serving as a vocal consultant to Mednikow’s semi-professional pop singing group, DeltaCappella, when he began setting Shakepeare’s text to music more than three years ago.

Ching imagined turning the gauzy romantic comedy into a full-length opera sung in the style of contemporary a cappella music, the same style popularized by groups such as Rockapella and Take 6 and which has been gaining momentum on college campuses for the past decade.

Th e onstage roles —fairies, lovers, nobles—would be performed by a cast of professional opera and musical theater singers. In the orchestra pit, a group of male and female a cappella vocalists would entirely take the place of instruments.

Th e “voicestra” would comprise members of the all-male DeltaCappella, along with a new all-female a cappella group, RIVA, that Mednikow also created for the experiment.

According to Ching, the show was the fi rst of its kind.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 55FA L L && W I N TTT E R 2 00 1 1 | 55


right placeright place

“This opera could have only been born in a place like Memphis that is large enough

to have a variety of excellent arts groups, but small enough that everyone knows

everyone else in the arts community and is willing to collaborate rather than stay

inside their own carefully defi ned boxes” Mednikow said. “Memphis was the at the right time for this opera.”

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 57

“Th is is new ground for everyone,” he said. “Th ere have been other short a cappella chamber operas, but nothing on this scale that I know of.”

Th e opera debuted in January 2011 at Playhouse on the Square and drew not only the attention of the a cappella singing community, but classical music critics as well.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, music critic Heidi Waleson remarked, “Mr. Ching’s remarkably inventive opera is a celebration of what voices can do and still, with the exception of a few startling vocal percussion eff ects, sound like voices…Th e voicestra gives the opera an added human dimension, and its invisibility goes with the magical nature of the story.”

Th ough the show has long since closed, many of the participants are still reaping the rewards. It’s also keeping them busy.


Mednikow has invested in the production of an original cast album of the opera, recorded over four weekends at the renowned Ardent Recording Studios in Memphis. It required more than 44 hours of studio time to capture the many nuances in the two-hour opera.

“A live performance is always going to have imperfections, but a recording deserves to be close to perfect,” Mednikow said. “Th en there are numerous legal matters you have to deal with. Th ough the piece is an original work, there are about 18 pages of the 495-page score in which Michael uses musical quotations in a parody sense, which I had to clear with publishers. I’ve learned a lot about the music business in the process.”

Th e disc is now in fi nal production and will be issued around the end of 2011. Just as important as getting the music preserved on a disc, however, is getting the technically

complex A Midsummer Night’s Dream onto other stages across the country. In 2012, the opera will make its East Coast premiere in Boston, and several other companies—

in Baltimore, Fort Worth, and Saratoga Springs, NY—have made serious inquiries about staging the opera.

Because of the diffi culty putting together a trained voicestra, Mednikow expects that members of DeltaCappella and RIVA could be brought into future productions as “ringers.”

“Most of us couldn’t take off four weeks of work to go rehearse entire productions,” he said. “But some of us could job out a few nights here and there.”

One challenge facing the future success of the opera a cappella concept is how to categorize it. Is it opera? Musical theater?

Th e question was raised in August when the nominees for the Ostrander Awards—the Memphis equivalent of Broadway’s Tony Awards—were announced. A Midsummer Night’s Dream only received nominations for music direction and wigs and makeup.

In his blog, Memphis Flyer theater critic Chris Davis pointed out that while the show was offi cially labeled an opera (making it ineligible for awards in the musical theater categories), the judges might have recognized its originality and daredevil style.

“Michael Ching’s operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s fairy story was an ambitious, risky collaboration between Playhouse on the Square and Opera Memphis and it’s all but MIA at the Ostranders,” Davis wrote. “Th e music-direction nod feels like a halfhearted gesture acknowledging that original opera isn’t easy and an all vocal beatbox-driven go at a classic

In 2012, the opera will make its East Coast premiere in Boston,

and several other companies —in Baltimore, Fort Worth,and

Saratoga Spring , NY—have made serious inquiries about

staging the opera�staging the opera�s

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 59

is just this side of vainglorious. Wigs and makeup? Give me a break. Th is show proved, if nothing else, that Memphis’s theater artists are contenders, able to create original product on par with the imports and endless revivals that fi ll our seasons.”

Th e question of classifi cation will no doubt be revived in the future. How do you market such a new concept to audiences and critics who haven’t had the benefi t of so much local media attention?

Mednikow would love to see the future CD considered for a Grammy nomination. But in which category? Should the album go up against, say, a new recording by the Metropolitan Opera? Or should it face the cast of Broadway’s Th e Book of Mormon? How about “Best Classical Crossover Album” or “Best Choral Performance”?

“It’s just so hard to defi ne this thing,” Mednikow says. “It’s such an unusual work of art. Depending on how it’s adapted it could be opera or musical theater. Look at Les Miserables, which is sung all the way through. You might say it’s an opera. But their voices are musical theater. In our production, we use many diff erent kinds of voices.”

Mednikow and Ching both acknowledge that the show would have been impossible to conceive without the resources that were available in Memphis at the start of the project .

“Th is opera could have only been born in a place like Memphis that is large enough to have a variety of excellent arts groups, but small enough that everyone knows everyone else in the arts community and is willing to collaborate rather than stay inside their own carefully defi ned boxes,” Mednikow said. “Memphis was the right place at the right time for this opera.”

10.22–30 2BLoveda mixed-rep evening at Playhouse

12.2–4 Nutcracker with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra

2.17–19 AbunDANCE a mixed-rep evening at Playhouse

4.14–15 Cinderellaa fairytale evening at The Orpheum

4.28 Connections:25

balletmemphis.org | 901.737.7322



By Jay A . Mednikow

The name is a bit of an oxymoron, but the beauty and value are unmistakable.

DI A MONDS

Polished

Rough

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 63

From the customer’s standpoint, there is a lot

more bang for the buck. These diamondsdiamonds

cost hundreds of dollars per carat, or perhaps in

the low four fi gures per carat, a mere fraction of

their white counterparts.

WE LIKE TO REFER TO THESE GEMS AS “TRANSLUCENT DIAMONDS,” AND EVERY ONE IS UNIQUE. Th ere are subtle distinctions in color and clarity traits that make every one special.

Diamonds come in all qualities from gem to industrial, and traditionally only white, transparent diamonds have been used in jewelry. Th ese are truly rare and beautiful, and that’s why they’re so expensive.

Th e vast majority of the world's diamonds are opaque, ugly, and ground into diamond dust to coat drill bits and saws as an abrasive for industrial purposes. Th ey are, after all, the hardest substance known to man.

But there’s an in-between. In the past ten years, jewelers have found the beauty in a certain quality of diamond that was never considered nice enough for jewelry but was simply too pretty to grind into diamond dust for industrial purposes. Th ese rough diamonds are now polished much like transparent gems and unique jewelry is made around them.

Sophisticated customers are waking up to the fact that they have something completely one-of-a-kind but, at the same time that doesn’t break the bank.

Memphis

When the most chic clothier in Memphis—James Davis, a purveyor of Armani suits and Red Engine jeans—partners with the most prestigious jeweler in town, the result is the Mednikow Boutique at James Davis, a newly launched jewelry operation.

Located within James Davis at 400 Grove Park Road in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, the 450-square-foot atelier is the brainchild of Jay and Bob Mednikow and Van Weinberg, president of James Davis. Th e goal of the new venture is to off er fashion-forward fi ne designer jewelry in an environment fi lled with trendy and brand-savvy shoppers. “Th ere are a few specialty clothing stores around the country that have added luxury jewelry to their mix,” explains Weinberg, noting Boyd’s in Phila-delphia and Mitchells in Connecticut and Huntington, N.Y. Weinberg anticipated the trend in 2006, when he fi rst started leasing space to a jeweler. “Men often come

in shopping for clothes for themselves, and can also pick up gifts for their wives,” he says. For sure, lifestyle stores are trending now. Th ink Fred Segal in Los Angeles and ABC Carpet & Home

in New York City. Zac Posen told Women’s Wear Daily in August that his store was an eff ort to “present a merchandised vision that can encompass the whole lifestyle of the woman.”

“In the past twenty years, jewelry has evolved in the direction of fashion,” says Jay Mednikow. “Jewelry is an accessory that you use to match your clothing, your mood, your activities, and your lifestyle.”

Th e jeweler wanted to appeal to fashion-forward shoppers, but his showroom on Perkins Extended just wasn’t the right place. Th e plan: go to where fashion-enthusiasts are, perusing well-curated clothing collections and snapping up trendy bangles and earrings to coordinate with outfi ts. Th e timing was serendipitous: Weinberg’s leased tenant was leaving and the store owners connected almost instantly, striking a deal within a week based on “mutual respect for each other,” says the jeweler.

By Jennifer Heebner

Mednikow and James Davis are on the crest of a trend—combining jewelry and specialty clothing in the same store.

A Match Made in

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 65

Th e Mednikow Boutique in James Davis opened in the spring, and is situated in the center of the store, adjacent to the ladies’ department. It houses a quarter of a million dollars in inventory, including intimate presentations from Annie Fensterstock, Sarah Graham, Barbara Heinrich, and Sara Weinstock. Additional items from Michael Bondanza, Gurhan, Heather B. Moore, Nanis, Pomellato, Elizabeth Locke, and Stephen Webster—lines already commanding a presence in his fl agship store—are also present. Th e newcomers represent “more fashion-forward lines that we haven’t carried in the past,” says Mednikow.

Jewels include oversize, black-diamond-accented designs for men and women, Bohemian-looking beaded silver, turquoise, and fossilized Woolly Mammoth bone, and agate bracelets on cord, and oxidized silver cuff s accented with 22k gold and randomly spaced, seemingly sprinkled-on multi-color sapphires (à la jimmies on an ice cream cone).

Reactions are as eye-opening as the jewels. “People tell me, ‘I

didn’t know you had jewelry like this,’” says Mednikow. “Shoppers like the idea of being able to buy jewelry and clothes simultaneously; they like the thought of bringing over an outfi t they’ve just bought to accessorize at the jewelry counter.”

What’s more, planned fashion events—like a Fall 2011 trunk show for edgy clothing brand “What Goes Around Comes Around,” along with a special show of vintage Chanel bags and accessories—will inspire shoppers to mix and match their own new wardrobe favorites with designer jewels from the Boutique. “Th is space off ers shoppers a new way of looking at jewelry,” says Mednikow.

Th e Boutique is also well on its way to earning a reputation and future as the perfect match: “James Davis’ shoppers get access to the hottest new designer jewelry—plus the expertise that goes along with that—and Mednikow is able to reach out to some customers who wouldn’t think of coming into our fl agship store looking for fashion accessories,” says the jeweler.

Special Mednikow memories for me are varied and many, as they span a career of more than 43 years! These are memories dating back to 1968 at 5 South Main Street when Bob’s father, whom I fondly called Mr. M, was with us. There was a transition taking place in the store, as Mr. M relinquished his leadership role to Bob. Jay, 4 years old at the time, had no idea he would some day be in the same position. . . one that allowed me to experience another transition of leadership from father Bob to son Jay! Today, Jay and his wife Elizabeth have three wonderful young children. The years remind me that I’ll not likely witness another leadership transition. This time it could be one from father to daughter. I would love that! This thought brings memories of recent years, where we have seen more women in our industry as business owners, designers, and often reps for major brand companies. In 1968, who would have ever thought it!

Memories, memories. . .the ones dearest to my heart always involve a Mednikow customer as they share their story of what brought them to our store. Like the sweet couple celebrating their wedding anniver-sary. She came in proudly wearing the wedding rings given to her when they married 40 years ago. There was excitement in her voice: “He said for me to come with him; this is the day we go to Mednikow and you can pick out a new ring, any ring you want!” As we looked at rings, they shared with me many family stories from their 40 years together. While trying on rings, there was one that really excited her. She claimed it as her very own! He asked the ques-tion “How much is it?” I responded with the answer, not knowing at the time that over the course of their marriage, neither of them had inquired, anywhere, about the price of diamonds compared to prices 40 years ago. I guess one would say there was sticker shock! There was a period of silence when I took my

calculator and quietly divided the price of the new ring by 40. Showing the gentleman his price per year made him smile as he said “Honey, write this lady a check.” She did as he requested Of course, as a salesperson, I was delighted to close this sale. This story took place some 20 years ago. I can still see their faces, feel the warmth and love between them as a couple, as well as the joy for me as I shared in their celebration of a 40-year wedding anniversary. There are very few exceptions to jewelry purchases being gifts in celebration of special times in the lives of the giver and/or receiver. Perhaps there are as many different “stories” regarding jewelry gift-giving as there are people involved in each transaction. I love to hear the stories as people show and talk to me about their personal jewelry. Often it is a story dating back in Mednikow’s long jewelry history. . . there is always a story.

By Martha VanzantA 43-year employee refl ects on her time at Mednikow

Thoughts of Mednikow�

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 67

www.yossiharari.com

Yossi’s newest Roxanne necklace, cuffs and button clip earrings in handcrafted 24k gold or oxidized gilver with pavé diamonds.

I R I Si is…where the stars shi e brighter!

For tickets call 901-751-7500 www.irisorchestra.orgFor general information call 901-275-8347

IRIS FAMILY SATURDAY SERIES Designed to engage and interest children of all ages, the new Family Saturday Series is a wonderful opportunity for families to spend time together via a fun musical event. The afternoon will consist of an interactive and engaging orchestral presentation including Michael Stern and the IRIS Orchestra followed by a hands-on instrument petting zoo.

IRIS Orchestra featuring Martin Short, chansonnier and narrator

IRIS Orchestra featuring Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano

IRIS Orchestra

Phot

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Am

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Ste

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Phot

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Jenn

ifer G

aspa

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Phot

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John

Krin

gas

IRISS F SS

Phot

o by

Ste

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She

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October 1, 2011 SHORT STORIESMARTIN SHORT– chansonnier and narrator

Frankenstein!!

January 7, 2012 A TASTE OF HEAVEN HEIDI GRANT MURPHY– soprano

April 21, 2012 TRAGEDY, TRIUMPH, AND TRANSCENDENCE AMIT PELED– cello

December 3, 2011 STRING THEORIES

ELIZABETH HAINEN– harp

March 17, 2012 BEETHOVEN RHYTHM,SHOSTAKOVICH SOUL VADIM GLUZMAN– violin

May 5, 2012 INCANDESCENT WATTS

ANDRÉ WATTS– piano

IMAGINE THE PLACES THEY WILL GO.

T H E O R I G I N A T O R O F C U L T U R E D P E A R L S . S I N C E 1 8 9 3 .


AntiqueDI A MONDS

By Jay A . Mednikow

Authentic

Yesteryear's diamonds fi nd new life in French mountings made the old-fashioned way.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 73

ANTIQUE DIAMONDS HAVE A SPECIAL BEAUTY THAT ISNOT DUPLICATED IN MODERN CUTS.

Ideal cut diamonds are extraordinary thanks to advanced understanding of optics and modern cutting technology that allows diamond cutters to maximize brilliance and fi re.

But there’s just something about antique diamonds that I love. Old Mine, antique cushion, and European cut diamonds all have distinct personalities.

No two are alike, and whether they are pretty or not depends almost entirely upon how they are cut. Other diamond benchmarks, like color and clarity, certainly aff ect the price of these old stones, but their beauty is a result of the skill of the master diamond cutter who originally fashioned them.

A hundred years ago, diamonds were cut by master craftsmen in candlelight, using their eyes and hands as guides, while they pressed the rough diamond crystal against a spinning steel platter embedded with diamond dust to act as an abrasive. Th e technology of the day wasn’t advanced enough to allow exceptional accuracy in achieving perfect symmetry or precise angles.

Yet, these master diamond cutters fashioned exceptionally beautiful gemstones that exhibit a type of “glow” that is simply not present in modern diamonds. Facets were often broader and angles steeper. Light rays didn’t bounce around inside the gem as many times before exiting the top. Instead, light emanated from these diamonds in broad swaths of white and colored light, as the facets acted as miniature prisms.

Nice antique diamonds are more and more diffi cult to fi nd. Until the recent past, many older stones were recut by knowledgeable gem dealers, who recognized that a recut diamond could be sold for more money. I’m embarrassed to say that my family has recut its share of antique diamonds into modern cuts. But appreciation for all things old has grown in the past several years, and most jewelers try to preserve antique diamonds these days.

Even more diffi cult than fi nding nice antique diamonds, though, is fi nding nice antique mountings. A diamond may be forever, but mountings are subject to wear and tear, and there are very few pristine antique mountings left anymore. Th e ones that still exist probably weren’t worn very much in the fi rst place; they probably spent much of their time in a vault rather than on a woman’s fi nger.

Th is past year, we discovered an individual craftsman in Paris who is dedicated to creating antique reproduction mountings using the same care and techniques used by artisans 100 years ago. With this rare fi nd, I have the confi dence to search for wonderful antique diamonds, knowing that handmade rings worthy of their heritage can be crafted specifi cally around them.

Th e results are nothing short of fabulous, and we know that if you have a love for antique diamond rings, you’re sure to fi nd one of these individual rings that speaks to you like the individual diamonds speak to me.

The right diamond

speaks to mespeaks to me, and I can

have a conversation with it, as I examine it

from every angle and observe how opposing

facets create a hall of mirrors within.

antique

74 | R iv i e r e m a g a z i n e74 | R iv i e r e m a g a z i n e

RoseGOLD

The hot new color of gold.

GOLD IS MAKING NEWS DAILY WITH RECORD HIGH PRICES, AND WITH THE INCREASED VISIBILITY AND AWARENESS OF ITS INTRINSIC VALUE, SALES ARE BOOMING.

Pure 24kt gold is a warm, rich yellow, but it is rarely used in jewelry. (Two notable exceptions are Gurhan Orhan and Yossi Harari, both of whom Mednikow is proud to represent.)

Gold in jewelry is typically an alloy ranging from 10kt (41% pure) to 18kt (75%), and the addition of other metals allows gold to be almost any color.

Pure yellow gold was very popular in the 1960s and early 1970s, but by the 1980s, gold with green undertones became very popular in lines such as Seiden-Gang and Barry Kieselstein-Cord. Th en white gold, along with other white metals like platinum and silver became popular in the 1990s and 2000s.

Not since the 1940s has rose gold been popular, but its warm, complementary color is all the rage in 2011. It seems that all our designers are producing designs in rose gold, often with antique-style diamonds like rose cuts that are reminiscent of earlier times. You’ll love how the warm tone of the gold complements almost any complexion.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 75

Designers are producing designs in

rose gold, often with antique style

diamonds like rose cutsrose cuts that are

reminiscent of earlier times.

UNLIKE THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH OF 1849 THAT SENT MINERS STREAMING WEST TO CALIFORNIA, THE PRESENT-DAY SILVER RUSH IS CREATING A STIR ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Silver has been discovered by artists and internationally known designers who are enamored with the fascinating and unique “changeling” quality of sterling silver that allows them to design remarkable pieces of jewelry in myriad textures and fi nishes, adding exciting depth and dimension to their new collections. Th e new, sometimes-bold, sometimes-delicate pieces re-imagine silver so that it can refl ect light in interesting and beautiful ways that have never been seen before. Th ere is even a new color palette of silver, ranging from gleaming white to inky, oxidized black.

Designers such as Laura Bicego (Nanis) lavish hand-crafted details such as texture-rich engraved fi nishes and glittering hand-set jewels on stunning pieces of sterling silver, lifting the precious metal into the realm of the extraordinary and unusual. Other designers, like Gurhan, are having their way with silver with sensual and intriguing results that are infi nitely wearable.

Gurhan has a ball combining pure

silver with oxidized, polished, and

hand-hammered fi nishes, throwing

a curve with accents of 24 karat

gold. Detail: Silver palette is echoed

in the links.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 77

SilverREINVENTED

Jewelry designers are stepping outside the box to make bold new looks with unique textures in sterling silver. By Jean Mathews

Laura Bicego's fl ower power

ring features a clutch of satiny

hand-brushed silver petals with

one petal encrusted in a dew

of marcasite. Detail: Petals

constantly rearrange when the

ring is worn.

Sterling silver necklace and earrings

by Rebecca designer Alessandro Testi

illumine the dark side of the moon with

an innovative light-reactive diamond-cut

surface. Detail: Sleek Italian design gives

these disks star power.

Raymond Hak's graceful cuff

bracelet encircles the wrist in a

gleaming current of sterling silver

softened with a brushed fi nish and

edged with a curving border of

sparkling pavé diamonds. Detail:

Lavish workmanship is an inside

secret.


A curved dome of hand-hammered

24 karat gold is embraced by a bezel

of oxidized silver in this matte-fi nished

ring by Gurhan. Detail: Gently rounded

band wears comfortably on the hand.

Mednikow's Etruscan bangles of polished

and oxidized silver are the perfect canvas for

intricate patterns of hand-applied 18 karat

gold and glittering diamonds. Detail: Edging

of gold braid makes these great for stacking.

Sara Weinstock's artful necklace

playfully mixes inky-black, oxidized

silver with sparkling diamonds and

18 karat gold. Detail: Gold pendants

echo the shape of oxidized silver

links of necklace.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 79

Bead CHIC

AFTER A BRIEF DISAPPEARANCE FROM THE RUNWAY, BEADS AND

MORE BEADS ARE BACK AGAIN AND ARE BEING EMBRACED LIKE

THE LONG LOST FRIENDS THEY ARE. Unlike the well-behaved, somewhat shy, lady-like beads of the past, these bold strands of beads express a fashion statement that complements everything from a simple tunic, a fabulous sweater, or a dressy suit—looking perfectly at home everywhere from the board room to Beale Street.

Beads, whether in a single strand or in multiples, add depth and dimension to a simple dress or top, and when worn with a jacket, shawl or scarf, they provide just the right weight and balance. One can’t help loving an accessory that is so becoming—beads seem to form a lovely halo on the neck, calling attention to and highlighting the face.

No two strands of beads are alike; you will never see your beads on someone else. Like the

highest quality strands of pearls, a great deal of expertise and skill is required to select superior

beads and to see that they are then strung in a particular and artful manner. Each strand must be studied carefully and chosen individually.

Toni Green, head buyer at Mednikow, explains: “We go to great lengths to choose bead strands that

refl ect current fashion colors and off er the best look for the price. We sift through box after box of individual strands

and then we try them on to see how they look when worn. Th e beads that ultimately make the cut are beautiful and a true value in both wearability and price.”

By Jean Mathews

To everyone’s delight, beads are back and unabashedly creating a fashion stir.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 81


“We go to great lengthsgreat lengths

to choose bead strands that refl ect

current fashion colors and offer the

best look for the price," says Toni Green,

buyer at Mednikow.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 83FA L L & W I N T E R 2

To add even more drama, try mixing the opaque color

of the beads with a transparent gemstone that picks up

a color in the strands or in the outfi t. Mednikow’s collection

features an array of light-catching and colorful faceted

stones that complement the fabulous collection of

Mednikow beads, adding both sparkle and panache

to your jewelry wardrobe.

No two strands of beads are alike;

you will never see y ur beads on

someone else�someone else�

o


SignetRINGS

The Lasting Impression of

BEAUTIFUL AND TIMELESS, SIGNET RINGS BOAST A ROMANTIC HIS-TORY THAT HARKENS BACK TO THE DAYS OF HERALDRY. With

their classic shape and style, signet rings suggest an understated elegance that looks as tasteful and attractive today as it did in days of yore. Like a fi ne

timepiece or a cherished wedding band, a signet ring is much more than an accessory. Engraved with your family crest or that of an

alma mater, it expresses something that is important about you in a quiet and tasteful way.

Historians have traced the origin of signets and seals to ancient Egypt and Rome. For centuries, seals have been used to authenticate the veracity of important documents. Using a process called “intaglio,” images representing the identity and authority of the bearer were carved or engraved into stones such as onyx, jasper, or carnelian; or precious metals like gold

or silver. Since the seal would be pressed into melted wax, the images and inscriptions were carved in reverse, so that a mirror

image is actually seen on the face of the ring. Th e intricate images gracing the seal served a useful function, for the more elaborate and

detailed the crest, the more diffi cult it would be to create a forgery of the seal. Th en, just as now, there was the need to discern forgeries—and the

answer could be found in the details. Th ese graphic designs took the place of our modern-day signatures on important

documents. Royal decrees, as well as other legal documents, such as deeds, were not considered binding without an offi cial seal which bore the imprint of the individual’s signet. Th is tradition persists in our own current legal system, where both notarized and court documents must bear seals attesting to their offi cial legality. A signet was therefore valued and protected by its owner much like today’s passwords.

By Jean Mathews

Like a fi ne timepiece or a cherished wedding band, a signet ring is much more than an accessory. Engraved with your family crest or that of an alma mater, it expresses something that is important about you in a quiet and tasteful way.

With their classic shape and style, signe rings

suggest an understated elegance understated elegance that looks as tasteful and attractive today as it did

in days of yore.

t

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 85

notable pastnotable pastIn this time of transient texts and tweets, there’s something

remarkable about the of the signet ring.

Because of their importance and their association with wealth and power, it was natural that these signets would gradually become increasingly ornate, eventually becoming embedded with sparkling gemstones and rich carvings. Such costly and elaborately decorated seals were prized for their exquisite beauty; however, they lacked practicality. In the 1600s, signet rings began to enter the picture, allowing nobles and high-ranking offi cials the convenience of very literally having their seal “on-hand” at all times. Wearing a signet ring also off ered their owners an additional perk, allowing them to display their high social or political status, for their seals implied ownership, rank, and the possession of a family herald, all the standards of privilege.

Because of their close association with wealth and nobility, their inherent uniqueness, and the valuable materials from which they were created, antiquarians and history buff s have delighted in the study of seals and have collected them even from the earliest of times. Perhaps no collector displayed a greater passion for these ancient engravings than Baron Philipp von Stosch, a Prussian baron residing in Florence in the 1700s. With a passionate zeal, the baron amassed an enchanting collection of over 10,000 intaglios, cameos, and antique glass pastes, all of which are now housed in museums.

Today the signet ring remains a desirable piece of jewelry, rich in tradition and distinctively personal in expression. Signet rings can be enjoyed and worn with confi dence; the patina of passing years adds a warm glow that will be admired by future generations. In this time of transient texts and tweets, there’s something remarkable about the notable past of the signet ring. It’s a beautiful way to leave a lasting impression.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 87

ScenesMaking of the Mednikow Watch commercial

After the Mednikow 1891 Watch was conceived, created, and already on the wrists of loyal customers, it was time to announce the birth of the watch to the public. Th e recent production of television commercials featuring engaged couples discussing their personal experiences buying their special rings at Mednikow inspired the decision to produce similar ads. Th is time though, it would be Bob and Jay Mednikow who would go into the studio, and with nothing but a white background behind them, discuss their feelings and the facts regarding the development of the new watch.

But what about the background track? Th e bridal commercials featured original music—and Bob and Jay were both excited about getting the watch ads on the air as soon as possible.

“Why not take Paul Koziel down to Ardent Recording Studios and let him provide the sound track?” mused their marketing director, Jean Mathews,

referring to the uber talented vocal percussionist in Jay’s a cappella vocal band.

And so it was that Paul Koziel, armed only with mouth and microphone, was recorded by Memphis’ own Grammy-winning recording producer and engineer, John Hampton, at Ardent Recording Studios. It may sound like an entire drum kit—but the whole commercial is backed only by the beat boxer.

Behind the

“TEN YEARS AGO, A MEDNIKOW WATCH WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ECONOMICALLY POSSIBLE. We would have had to buy a thousand watch cases at a time to pay for the tooling charges, and for a single jewelry store, that wasn’t possible,” explains Jay Mednikow. But technology allows us to order cases, dials, crystals, movements, straps, and bracelets in much smaller quantities, and we can now assemble the perfect watch for our customers’ needs.”

“We use the same Swiss movements used by many of the world’s most famous brand-name watches, and we’ve had a watch custom-made to meet the needs of the Mednikow customer,” Jay notes. “And by cutting out all the costs associated with building an international brand name—the extensive advertising needs and a traveling sales force, for instance—we’re able to off er a much better value to our customers.”


TimeTime H A S COMEBy Jean Mathews

The

Long a dream of Bob and Jay Mednikow, the Mednikow Watch has fi nally become a reality.

THE MEDNIKOW BASIC WATCH

Like a great pair of jeans, the Mednikow Basic offers limitless, go-anywhere possibilities. It’s backed by Mednikow’s six-year

warranty, which includes service, making it a wise purchase or a thoughtful gift. High quality, durable bands and straps come

in a variety styles (including local school colors) and the easy to read dial of the Mednikow Basic is available in Olive, Denim,

Cotton, Coffee, or Ebony. With so many choices it’s easy to create a high-end, custom watch that is as individual as the person

who wears it, making it the perfect accessory for a certain look. With an easy price to love, why not customize more than one?

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 89


THE MEDNIKOW

DIVER’S WATCH

With rugged good looks

and a handsome face, the

Mednikow Diver’s Watch

delivers durability and quality.

This is the perfect watch

for sportsmen, athletes,

divers, or anyone looking

for a watch that can keep

time with an active life-style.

Available with the classic

diver’s black rubber strap,

as well as a hefty, well-made

stainless steel bracelet.

Dials are available in Flame,

Navy, Cotton, or Ebony.

Like all watches from the

Mednikow 1891 Collection,

the Mednikow Diver’s Watch

comes with a six-year

warranty that includes

service.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 91

THE MEDNIKOW SIGNATURE CUSHION WATCH

Classic and versatile, the Mednikow Signature Cushion

Watch is offered in two different sizes, proportioned for

men or women. Because of the clean lines of the stainless

steel bracelet and cushion-shaped case, many women

opt for the bold, fashion-forward look of the larger men’s

watch. It’s perfect for engraving with a sentiment, name,

or anniversary. Dials are available in Cotton or Ebony,

with shapely gold or stainless steel numerals. Three

different bezel choices of sparkling diamond, 18 karat

gold, or stainless steel make the Mednikow Signature

Cushion Watch infi nitely wearable and defi nitely personal.

Enjoy this stylish, high-quality watch with confi dence,

knowing that it comes with a six-year warranty and

service plan honored by Mednikow. After all, it’s wearing

the Mednikow name on its dial.

“We use the same Swiss movements

used by many of the world’s most

famous brand-name watches, and

we’ve had a watch custom custom mademade to meet the needs of

the Mednikow customer,” notes

Jay Mednikow.

Events � Partiesat Mednikow

Rebecca Jewelry designed by Alessandro Testi added panache to the fashions modeled by the Germantown Charity Horse Show princesses at the annual Pegasus Spring

Fashion Show and Luncheon which took place at the Racquet Club.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 93

Photos By Donna Farnsworth

Events � Parties


at Mednikow

Whether it was the fabulous “Girls Night Out Summer Party” honoring Raff aele Capoferro, president of Rebecca, or one of Mednikow’s dazzling designer shows, celebrations at Mednikow are always festive gatherings. Adding to the fun are the tempting party appetizers provided by talented chefs like Alex Grisanti, owner of Elfo’s and a master of Tuscan cuisine.

FA L L & W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | 95


Th e sense of family and friendship make every party at Mednikow an event to remember.

Events � Parties at Mednikow

riviere fall 2011

Documents

mednikow magazine

riviere riviere magazine

z i n efa

z i n eweve

n t e r

mednikow customer

inspired jewelry

z i n ea visit