April 26, 2010

Kardashian sisters promote their jewelry line at Fashion Island

By MAGDA LISZEWSKA
For OCLNN

Say what you want about the Kardashians, but the sisters sure know how to capitalize on their fame. The stars of “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and owners of Dash boutiques can now add jewelry designers to their ever-expanding resumes.

Khloe, Kim and Kourtney have teamed up with Virgins Saints & Angels to create a collection of rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings inspired by their Armenian heritage.

“It’s not a secret that we like fashion and accessories,” Kim Kardashian said right before she and her sisters met with fans at Nordstrom Fashion Island on Saturday. “I think this was the easiest collaboration for us.”

Tara Miko Grayless of Virgins Saints & Angels shared the sentiment.

“It was easy. I wish it on anybody,” she said of the work with the famous sisters.

Although the Mexico-based company, known for their use of classic religious symbols and goddesses, has been successful for the last few years, Grayless admits the famous partnership is taking it to the next level.

“This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to us,’ she said.

Aside from the fun and ease, the collaboration was also very personal. The sisters said they were very involved in the design process, researching symbols, such as the Armenian cross, infinity symbol and the eight-pointed star, to incorporate into the pieces. Clusters of three points throughout the line represent the three sisters.

“Every piece has meaning. It’s just all taken from our heritage which I think is really cool,” Kourtney Kardashian said.

“I’m proud of every single piece,” Khloe Kardashian added. “Every single piece, I would actually wear or one of us would and I think that’s how we do everything, whether it be a bebe collection or jewelry or whatever we do, we have to make sure that we would actually wear the stuff and love it.”
Promoting the line on the anniversary of a significant event in Armenian history (Armenian genocide) made the experience even more special for the sisters.

With a range of designs from crosses through crowns to spikes, Kardashians believe their pieces, which sell for around $185-$1,025 a piece, will appeal to a wide range of audiences.

“I think it’s really, really pretty,” said Kim Wyant after checking out the line at Nordstrom.

The Irvine resident got to Fashion Island at 6 a.m. to secure her place in line to meet the sisters.

“I’m so in love with them,” she said. “They’re so pretty, fashionable. I totally look up to them.”

Wyant wasn’t the first one in line.

Anthony Avila of Santa Ana lined up at 5:30 a.m. His friend Ruben Delatore of Garden Grove, joined him shortly after.

“I wanted to meet Kim,” Avila said. “I think she’s pretty hot.”

Aside from Nordstrom, the jewelry collection is also available at Fred Segal.