New Orleans-based jeweler Mignon Faget, who has worked in the region for nearly 40 years, has heeded the call by creating a collection she calls "In Mourning." Faget redesigned pieces from her earlier collections inspired by Gulf Coast wildlife, adding symbolic elements to send a message. "It is a heartbreaking statement to make with jewelry originally designed to celebrate the abundant gifts of our coast,” Faget said, "but the reality is we need to make people aware of this disaster and the long-term effects on this region. We all need to do what we can." Sterling-silver renditions of redfish, speckled trout, oysters and pelicans have been made into pins backed with black ribbons and pendants strung on black cords. An oyster necklace has been oxidized to resemble an oil-stained silver, a large oyster pendant hangs from black and brown ribbons, sterling crabs and shrimp charms dangle from an oxidized black chain bracelet reminiscent of the chains found on oil rigs. View the entire collection on Mignon Faget's website, and expect many items to be back-ordered.
Proceeds from the collection benefit the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, a mix of businesses, local governments, scientific communities, national and local conservation groups, hunters, anglers and concerned citizens committed to the sustainability of coastal Louisiana. The coalition is coordinating volunteers to assist in local, state and federal recovery efforts in the Gulf.
Now that's what I call statement-making style.
