Happy Birthday to Pono by Joan Goodman!!

Yes, typically birthdays are celebrated with cakes & presents, but the statement making jewelry brand, PONO by Joan Goodman, decided to celebrate their 10th birthday or rather anniversary, a bit differently. PONO is launching, for Spring 2014, an anniversary collection — La Hanau, which is the Hawaiian word for “birthday” (keeping with a brand name trend, as PONO is the Hawaiian word for “goodness”). This collection is a new-retro take on some of the brand’s best sellers and family favorites. This special collection will be composed of 13 “especially opulent” items in the jewelry brand’s signature materials.

PONO has certainly become a fave jewelry brand of mine since starting my fashion blog. I urge you all to check out my past pieces — an intro to the brand and a special update about their Holiday Sample Sale. But for a brief recap, PONO started off with button-making, but now is all about offering a variety of bold & luxurious jewelry — so literally going from buttons to bangles. The brand is more than bangles though as it offers cuffs, chokers, and necklaces too. In fact, they are especially known for their signature chain-link necklaces. And as far as signature materials go, the ones utilized are horn, wood, metal, shell, & Italian resin. So it’s safe to say, PONO certainly has ~~reason~~, RESIN to celebrate!

The fact of even having a 10 year anniversary, from their launch in 2004, to celebrate is one thing. But I’m sure while creating it, brand owners and sisters, Joan Goodman & Barbara Barnett, enjoyed thinking back to and reminiscing over their 20 collections and 75 shows. Collaborative efforts have also risen from this brand with a special line of jewelry for Slater Zorn, the fashion brand for the sports fan! It also must be a fun trip down memory lane thinking about all of the great press, such as magazine features in Vogue Italia to Harper’s Bazaar to Nylon to Cosmo. But print is not all, there has also been some stunning features with TV media/shows, such as The Good Wife, Girls, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and more. “PONO is my go-to source for elegant, chic jewelry”, explains “The Good Wife” costume designer, Dan Lawson. “I have collaborated with Joan on several projects and she never fails to have the perfect piece to not only finish a look but to MAKE the look.”

In looking at some of the specific pieces for this collection, you can certainly see a nod to the brand’s history. For example, one of the brand’s signature pieces is the “Antonia link”, which came to surface in 2007. This necklace has evolved each season, thru updated techniques and new hues. And of course, it’s part of this collection (1st picture below). So let’s take a look at a few items!!

ANTONIA Necklace — Italian resin classic chain necklace

(available in Matte White (pictured above) & Pebble)

ILENIA Necklace — new square link necklace in Linen

ANA Choker — Italian resin classic chain link choker

(Available in Mercury (pictured above) & Matte White)

SAILING TO TAHITI-Italian resin/Tahitian necklace, Latte

GALAXY II — Resin & polaris bead ball choker in Latte

This collection will be available in the Spring at museum and specialty stores nationwide, as well as online at the brand’s new e-commerce website, which is now up & running! All PONO products are made in Italy. Item prices range from $25 to $800. The brand in entirety is available in 300 retail outlets nationwide, such as Henri Bendel, and 16 museum shops, such as the MET, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, New York’s Museum of Art & Design, The Barnes Foundation of Philadelphia, and most recently the new Parrish Art Museum in Watermill New York. For more information on sales, please contact Helaine Szabo at 212-216-0022 or Helaine_PONO@bobbitrim.com.