Beverly Hills, Ca 69th Annual Golden Globes took place Jan. 15 here, opening red carpet season and providing a stage for celebrities to show off glamorous jewelry.
This is a signicant event where Jewelry Designers can be lucky enough to have their jewels being worn by the Stars. Alberto Parada was one of the fortunate designers to be choosen.
Livia Firth kicks off her Green Carpet Challenge 2012 at , enlisting the help of fellow Italian Giorgio Armani in her quest to wear only eco-friendly gowns and Alberto Parada eco-friendly fine jewelry on the red carpet.
It’s easy being green when your husband is an Oscar-winning actor, your best mate is Laura Bailey, and you have Stella McCartney on speed dial. Easy, but still laudable, when one considers that Livia Firth has world-class designers queuing up to dress her in their hot-off-the-catwalk designs.
Producing a commercial for Mystique was a blast! We shot the commercial in the store. Our fabulous producer Jonathon Austin with his film crew Koran Dunbar and Edwin Koester, known for their work with Union of Angels and The Sporting Life with Ray Regan will busy designing a sexy and fun footage of a dream come true.
Artistic Director Ashely Gray and Makeup Artist Charla Malone styled the hair and makeup made for the Mystique Jewelers commercial which will air on Bravo, CNN and MSNBC in the DC Metropolitan area.
The shoot was an all day production preparing a bed scene in the store with gorgeous actress/ model Stefanie Ball dreaming of all Mystique’s beautiful Jewelry and then awakening to find herself at the counter with a dashing suiter ( polo Player ) Dominic State presenting her with her wish from MYSTIQUE.
Make your wish list at Mystqiue and your dreams will come true.
May all your Holiday wishes come TRUE! As Mystique prepares for the holiday rush we have organized four designer trunk shows with wonderful selections for you.
So Men start your engines and have your love one come into Mystique to make that special wish list.
Mystique’s Elizabeth Mandros Celebrates 20 Years in Business in Alexandria
(Alexandria, VA) “I loved to collect rocks when I was a little girl,” recalls Elizabeth Mandros, owner of Mystique Jewelers of Old Town Alexandria. “And I still do!” Elizabeth is in the business – and has been for the last 20 years – of collecting rocks or rather finding and turning beautiful gemstones into one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces as well as bringing the collections of up-and-coming jewelry designers to her waterfront boutique. During this year’s celebration, Elizabeth reflects back on her 20 years in business
“To me, Mystique is not just a business,” offers Elizabeth. “It is a community. It is my family.” That extended family includes jewelry designers Ivan Naranjo with whom she has worked side by side for 14 years (and whose brother was Elizabeth’s mentor) and Alberto Parada, Mo in the parking lot, Charlotte across the way, and, of course, her longtime loyal customers. “It has been fun and an honor to have been a part of my clients’ many cherished moments. They’ve purchased their engagement rings and wedding bands here. Even proposed in the store! And then I’ve watched as they’ve raised families and marked life’s celebrations — graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and then the next generation’s weddings — with jewelry from Mystique.” Throughout this past year, Mystique customers have shared their memories – both in word and in picture — with Elizabeth in person and on Facebook.
Elizabeth grew up in Belle Haven, just down the road from where Mystique is located and where her parents still reside. When it came time to locate her new business in 1991, Old Town Alexandria was the only place she considered and has stayed put ever since. The store’s design reflects Elizabeth’s own warm personality and her approach to business. “It’s like a living room,” explains Elizabeth. “It makes people feel comfortable and welcome.” Elizabeth’s mother Anne Kincheloe Mandros adds her whimsical touch with rotating themes and her own unique shell designs (which are available for purchase).
Elizabeth has seen jewelry styles come and go and advises her clients to purchase what you love instead of the latest trends. “You’ll love it and wear it forever,” she adds. For that reason, Elizabeth chooses (and designs) well-crafted pieces to fit a more casual lifestyle. “Not fancy, but beautiful, classic pieces that you can wear with jeans or dressed up equally well.” In addition to their own custom designs, Mystique carries the collections of jewelry designers Lauren K, Alberto Parada, Katie Decker, Lika Behar and Jude Frances. Elizabeth also specializes in turning people’s old jewelry into something new. It may be as simple as making a pearl necklace more wearable, perhaps with a new clasp. Or creating an entirely new piece from unworn gold jewelry. Elizabeth’s sense of styling and creativity bring her customers back again and again. Like any business, Mystique has had its share of ups and downs in its 20 years. There was the fire that delayed its opening. There has been the ongoing economic downturn. Through it all, Mystique has succeeded because of its attention to the basic building blocks: quality product and excellent customer service.
About Mystique Jewelers
Mystique is celebrating its 20th year of making memories. Elizabeth Mandros opened Mystique in 1991 with the idea of bringing unique and sophisticated fine jewelry to Old Town, Alexandria, not found elsewhere. Elizabeth has traveled the world to hand select pieces for her boutique, including such highly coveted designer lines of Jude Frances, Lauren K, Erica Courtney, Alberto Parada and Beverly K. In addition to its fine designer jewelry, Mystique’s on-premise master goldsmith and jewelry designers can create a one-of-a-kind custom design which is heirloom quality, timeless and classic in design. Mystique was named Best of Old World Style by The Washingtonian. www.mystiquejewelers.com.
Picture (above): Elizabeth between her parents, at Mystique.
No invitation to the wedding of the century? No worries. Mystique Jewelers of Alexandria, VA, is throwing a Princess Party on April 28, 2011 to celebrate the impending nuptials of Kate Middleton and Prince William, and you’re invited. Guests will don tiaras, adorn jewelry fit for a Princess and toast the royal couple with champagne and cupcakes at this waterfront boutique from 5 to 8PM.
“There’s something special about royal weddings that draws us to them,” explains Elizabeth Mandros, owner of Mystique Jewelers, “The magic, the mystery, the romance of a Princess and her Prince, and we want to be a part of it. What better way than to have a party where we can let our inner Princesses out for the evening.”
The festivities kick off Mystique’s new offering of private Princess Parties, an elegant, fun and unique way to celebrate a loved one’s engagement, bridal shower, birthday, or anniversary. The guest of honor, crowned Princess for the evening, will sip champagne, enjoy dessert and try on beautiful jewelry with her family and friends. All guests will receive a special goodie bag and the Princess will leave with a piece of Mystique jewelry. “This is a woman’s dream come true,” adds Mandros.
I love this time of day when I can actually sit down and reflect on all my wonderful customers and friends that come to see me at my store. Today was especially great because Erica Courtney came into town for our trunk show (starting tomorrow and continuing through Saturday) and together we looked over all of her beautiful jewelry. Being her first time in Alexandria, she got a bit turned around getting to the store and ended up closer to TC Williams. It turns out she is staying at Hotel Lorien, only 10 blocks away from Mystique. An hour later, Erica shows up in her running clothes. She has now hiked the distance between her hotel and store back and forth almost 10 miles. No wonder she is in such great shape.
Let’s talk about the jewelry – it is in fact Drop Dead Gorgeous. Erica showed me how her earrings have three tiers to them; starting with a diamond hoop, then a charm for fun, and finally the third for the DROP DEAD GORGEOUS look. With every piece, you think it’s pretty and then you look at the piece’s details and your mouth drops open. DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. I love it!!!
And check out this beautiful Tourmaline with diamonds ring that I’m sporting in an interview with WUSA9 TV for the upcoming trunk show. It costs about $100K. I love it!!!
Mystique Jewelers hosts Designer jewelry trunk show featuring designer Lauren K at Mystique Jewelers in Old Town Alexandria
(Alexandria, VA) - A perfect time to make Holiday wish lists, Elizabeth Mandros, Owner of Mystique will feature designer Lauren K new fall fashion trunk show. Lauren’s designs feature antique cushion – cut rings, big stone pendants to chandelier earrings and hand-hammered gold. The bohemian chic designs feature a rainbow of color with rose cut sapphires, multi- colored agates, moonstone and raw polished diamonds.
Black Diamond Raw Collection
Exclusively at Mystique come see the New Lauren K Collection
Bring your friends and enjoy wines from Boxwood Winery from Middleburg Va . Saturday October , 23 10:30 – 6:00pm
Mystique has been on the cutting edge of designer jewelry since its inception in 1991, when she opened MYSTIQUE, bringing unique fine jewelry to Old Town, Alexandria. She has traveled around the world to hand select unique pieces for her store, creating a collection that is different from any other jewelry store you’ve seen. For MYSTIQUE, Elizabeth also selects from the collections of the most coveted top designer lines such as: Jude Frances, Lauren K, Erica Courtney, Lesilie Greeene ,Alberto Parada and Beverly K. In addition to its sophisticated fine designer jewelry, MYSTIQUE’s Master Goldsmith and jewelry designers on premises can create a one-of-a-kind custom design which is heirloom quality, timeless and classic in design. Visit Mystique’s beautiful boutique overlooking the waterfront in Old town and discover a hidden jewel.
Mystique is featured in ” Washingtonian magazine “ as the Best Jeweler for designs and collections of Old World Jewelry.
Have you had your jewelry cleaned or checked for stones that may need tightening? Mystique offers many custom services for you . Cleaning and checking of your stones , trade in of gold and gemstones , Customer Consignment , Expert jewelry Repairs , appraisals and custom design.
Your Mystique jewelry experts will clean and check your stones in your rings while you browse our beautiful Collections and make your wish lists for the Holidays!
There is a Gem of a small boutique jewelry store overlooking the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria called Mystique. The name alone conjures up amazing dreams of romance, mystery and far away places that you’ll find in diamonds, gems and jewelry from top designers and custom made jewelry.
All this magic in the midst of a romantic setting that will make any guy get down on his knees and propose.
Mystique is now taking you to a new allurement – SHELLS!! You don’t have to own a beach house to succumb to the natural beauty of shells. Mystique now offers a spectacular shell collection of shell encrusted mirrors, furniture and statues. If you’re looking for that perfect accessory no one else has and your designer cant find , take a short drive to Alexandria and see how the natural beauty of the SHELL can transform your home.
( and add a little bauble for yourself can add to Your Mystique)
Pearl & Shell Show at MYSTIQUE- August 21st 2010
Pearls and shells as you’ve never seen before! Luxurious Pearls ; Keshi , South Sea ,Akoya and Freshwater in strands and delicately designed beautiful jewelry . Shells in natural colors; aqua blue , orange , brown and creams from around the world set in mirrors , furniture and statues.
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(Alexandria, VA) “I loved to collect rocks when I was a little girl,” recalls Elizabeth Mandros, owner of Mystique Jewelers of Old Town Alexandria. “And I still do!” Elizabeth is in the business – and has been for the last 20 years – of collecting rocks or rather finding and turning beautiful gemstones into one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces as well as bringing the collections of up-and-coming jewelry designers to her waterfront boutique. During this year’s celebration, Elizabeth reflects back on her 20 years in business
