Rogers & Hollands Jewelers Expands Into the LGBT Market

Rogers & Hollands Jewelers Expands Into LGBT Market By Adding Rony Tennenbaum Wedding Jewelry to their Bridal cases in Two of their Chicagoland Locations

Chicago, IL – With marriage equality making major strides across the country, the burgeoning same-sex wedding industry is attracting a wide range of companies with years of experience in the wedding business. 

One of the largest family owned jewelry chains in the States, Rogers & Hollands, is expanding its demographic reach and marketing to include the LGBT community by adding a new wedding jewelry collection created to celebrate marriage and equality. 

The premier jewelry chain, which operates several stores throughout the Chicagoland area and throughout the Midwest, has just announced the addition of Rony Tennenbaum’s Jewelry collection to its bridal cases in both its Woodfield Mall location in Schaumburg, and in downtown Chicago’s Water Tower Place stores.

With stores across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri and Wisconsin, Rogers & Hollandsbelieves that adding the Rony Tennenbaum collection will allow them a wider outreach and include same-sex couples as part of their all-inclusive accepted family of consumers.

Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry has been sending a strong message of inclusiveness to the LGBT community for almost a decade.  As a wedding jewelry designer for over 25 years, Tennenbaum’s unique wedding and engagement ring styling is built with fashionable timeless features and driven by a strong sense of sentiment.  Tennenbaum recognized the lack of attention the LGBT community was receiving in wedding jewelry and designed his brand to showcase high end designs beyond stereotypical rainbows and triangles. 

More than just a designer, Tennenbaum understands the need in educating a generation of retailers as well as consumers who are facing new traditions and etiquettes.  His outreach to the community on “The New Etiquettes of the Rainbow” is a step in teaching both retailers and consumers about the new options in wedding jewelry etiquette.  He also consults about making educated purchases.

As these etiquettes are being written by the LGBT community, visionary retailers such as Rogers & Hollands are seeking outTennenbaum’s expert understanding in the culture, tastes and needs of the LGBT community, as well as the jewelry and diamond worlds.

Already distributed in states such as: Connecticut, New York, Illinois, Florida, Washington and Virginia, Tennenbaum is thrilled to be adding his line of wedding jewelry to the Rogers & Hollands chain. In his opinion, the stores already have a strong loyal following and the outreach to include the LGBT community will only strengthen their foothold as a bridal destination.

At the helm of his brand, Tennenbaum is not only breaking the mold with his designs, but is also using his expertise and message behind his jewelry to be in the vanguard of a new generation of jewelry consumers, and taking with him any pioneers who wish to join forces with him and his message on the journey.

For more information visit: 

www.RonyTennenbaum.com

Designer Creates LGBT-friendly Wedding Jewellery

Ben Bridge Jeweler, one of the biggest independently owned jewelry chains in the country, is now marketing to the LGBT community by stocking a jewelry collection whose very reason for being is to celebrate same-sex marriages.

The Seattle-based chain, which operates 70 stores primarily in the western United States,  has added Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry to its bridal cases in its Tacoma and Spokane locations. Rony Tennenbaum has been revolutionizing the bridal jewelry industry with 25 years of experience creating engagement, wedding, and anniversary rings for same-sex couples. But the pickup by Ben Bridge marks the company's first-ever chain retailer account. 

Rony introduced his own collection after recognizing the need for LGBT wedding jewelry that went beyond the stereotypical rainbows and triangles. According to the designer Engagement and wedding rings should proclaim love, not sexual orientation. 

Rony Tennenbaum’s unique pieces are built with fashion in mind and driven by classic, timeless features.  By using EcoGold in most of his creations, he guarantees that no toxins or waste materials are dumped into the environment. In addition, his strong beliefs in bringing well-needed jobs back to the US encouraged Rony to make sure most of his jewelry is locally made.

The partnership between Ben Bridge and Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry is not only a perfect match but also timely. The same sex wedding market is burgeoning nationally creating a boom in the LGBT bridal industry in key cities.

Ben Bridge travels the world in search of unique designs and the highest quality diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine timepieces and is excited to continue its tradition of offering fine jewelry with the addition of Tennenbaum’s collection.

www.RonyTennenbaum.com

About Ben Bridge Jeweler

Ben Bridge Jeweler was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1912 on a simple promise: to offer the finest jewelry, best selection, and friendly, knowledgeable service. Family-run for five generations, Ben Bridge operates more than 70 retail stores in 11 states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.  In 2012, the American Gem Society awarded the Bridge family with a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of their significant contributions to the jewelry industry.   For more information about Ben Bridge Jeweler visit www.benbridge.com.

Interview w/ The Real L Word's Lauren Russell

What a treat we have here for you gays - an interview with the gorgeous Lauren Russell from Showtime's The Real L Word!

Check below for what she has to say about The Real L Word, her new jewelry line and of course, her girlfriend Kiyomi!

How has life changed for you since appearing on the Real L Word?

Life has changed in a lot of ways, but the biggest is how it has changed my feeling of purpose. I have been and continue to be inspired every day by the people that message me with their stories of how I've helped them come out, to be confident, one woman even said I saved her life. I would have never in a million years expected that. I think it has really shown me what impact I can have both with my actions in life and with philanthropy, and I have a very clear sense of where I want my direction in life to go now. 

The show hasn’t been picked up for season 4 yet. If it is, are you still interesting in being a part of it?

Yes, we are still waiting to hear the word about season 4. I am contractually obligated to do the show, but even if I wasn't, I would still want to do it. 

I’m assuming you’re not used to having your relationships filmed in real time. Was it weird for your relationship with Kiyomi to be so publicized?

Ha! No, not used to it at all. Yes it was a little strange for sure. Especially watching the first time we meet, etc. But it was so fun to watch for me, that overcame the weird aspect.

We understand you have your own line of jewelry. Tell us more about it. 

My jewelry line is called Lyon Fine Jewelry (www.lyonfinejewelry.com) and I started it about a year and a half ago. It started as a high end line but I also am starting to incorporate some more affordable designs. I have a line of charity bracelets too that (http://lyonfinejewelry.com/charity_bracelets.html) I am constantly adding to.

Did you always want to work in fashion? 

I always had an interest in fashion, but only about three years ago I decided to focus solely on jewelry.

Were you inspired by any other designers when designing your pieces?

No.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

The lower priced jewelry line, the expanding charity bracelet line, and always adding to the fine jewelry. Plus I am always working on custom designs for customers.

 
 

And some quick fan questions…

What is something you and Kiyomi want for your future as a couple? - @TheIslandLez, Canada

We talk about all sorts of things, but that question may be answered if there is another season. I can't really say right now! Sorry, lame answer, but true.

On a more serious note, Danielle from California asked: Do you think marriage is a possibility for Kiyomi and yourself in the future?

I think we both are very committed to each other, and we have talked about marriage yes, but not for a few years I don't think.

How do you stay in shape? Do you go to a gym? You always look great! – Grace, Brooklyn

Thank you, I do normally work out at least 5 times a week but since filming started in March of 2012 I have fallen way off the gym wagon due to lack of time!! I eat pretty healthfully, most of the time. I try to always focus on what are good healthy things TO eat, instead of obsessing about cutting out things that are bad for you.

Fun interview, right? Lauren gave some great answers!

What did you think of what she had to say? Comment below and let us know!

To follow Lauren on Twitter, click HERE.

To check out her absolutely beautiful jewelry line, go to http://lyonfinejewelry.com/.

Lucky Dog Leather

It's been over a month since I last posted. Ew...

I am genuinely sorry, lesbos, but I've had a million and 1 other things to do, but my slate is pretty much wiped for now so expect more postage.

Anyway, moving on...

You might have heard of Lucky Dog Leather.

Cult lesbian heroes Jill Bennett & Cathy DeBuono are constantly photographed wearing their products and word is that lesbian director supremo, Angela Robinson, is also a fan.

Well, I thought this would be the perfect time to use my blog as an advertisement, as their products are both hot and define lesbian fashion.

Some of my favourite accessories include this Italian red leather cuff, as modelled by the gorgeous Jill Bennett, and below, the LDL baseball tee.

Best thing is, all of the accessories are custom made, so you know each one has been made with love and affection, especially for you.

And ladies, if I saw a chick wearing some of the belts and cuffs from Lucky Dog?

DAYUM.