Blackburn + Sweetzer Has Moved

Petro Zillia designer/boutique owner Nony Tochterman, nOir designer/CEO Leeora Catalan and lash guru Ja’ Maal Buster, who served up gratis lash jobs; the gems; click to expand

Nony Tochterman, owner of Petro Zillia, held a little party Thursday night for long-time friend and jewelery designer Leeora Catalan, designer and CEO of nOir. The fanciful jewelry collection complements the style Tochterman’s customers have come to expect from the boutique—fun, flirty and fearless. I dare you to try on one of the whimsical cocktail rings and not gasp with delight.

The first piece I went for was the cubic zirconia parrot. With his head slightly cocked to the side, he looks like he’s curiously watching the party while perched on my finger. But the shark, elephant, lion, and scorpion rings had me quadruple guessing which one to deem my favorite. So I chose all of them. Nearby were even more silver and gold enameled earrings and rings, adorning big jewels and more cubic zirconias.

Jewelry close-ups and party this way…

More of Leeora Catalan’s creations; click to expand

Across the room, the Pyramid and Vintage collections, much more edgy in silver, gold and gunmetal, were being shopped by an overwhelmed customer who deemed a set of bracelets as “Perfection!”

The party scene; click to expand

When speaking with Catalan, she said she gets all the inspiration she needs in New York and Los Angeles, which was refreshing to hear when so many American designers have to travel afar to trigger their creative juices. The price points (between $100-$300) is reasonable for high-end costume jewelry. And I had to agree with Catalan when she said the pieces can transition through the seasons.

— Keri Pina

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