There are certain pieces of jewelry—you know the stuff: big, bold, chunky, statement making pieces—that when worn, can take over and do all the work for you, elevating your so-so outfit into a fashion statement. And then there's emerging jewelry line Sunday's Best, which makes its presence known more subtly, on the very strength of its soft, understated beauty and painstaking detail.

Creators Sophia Keleta and Samira Chung—Education and Industrial Design majors at the New School and Pratt, respectively—hit it off as friends after meeting in New York and started their collection last summer. Jewelry design has been an exciting process of experimentation through trial and error for the girls, who are involved in every step of design and production. "The expression 'Sunday Best' represents the notion of adorning oneself with prized possessions reserved for special occasions in order to feel a sense of pride and confidence...we strive to create jewelry that invokes that same feeling."

The well-traveled pair draws inspiration from Eastern patterns and textiles, in part because of their exotic cultural backgrounds; they both have family ties to far away lands like Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea, Africa and Xi'an, China. But they also find it right under their noses: "We are inspired by the beauty in often overlooked objects and enjoy discovering shapes and forms in unusual places, such as the dross in an old mirror or the chipping away of paint."

Their debut collection of necklaces and bracelets in sterling silver, gold, vermeil, and wood, all which feature their signature, intricate cut out designs, possesses a delicacy and daintiness that flirts with femininity, but never completely surrenders to it. We envision the Medallion necklace looking lovely on a bare neck with a strapless dress and upswept hair, but the pocket watch necklaces possess an undeniable streetwear sensibility, and some pieces, like the Octagon Vertical Emblem necklace, are unisex. Me, I'll be looking my Sunday best in the beautifully detailed Cuckoo Clock necklace, which is infinitely cooler than a functioning watch anyway, any time of day.

For more information please visit www.sundaysbestjewelry.com.

- Kristi Garced

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