Thursday, December 16, 2010

Time Out New York's Best Holiday Markets

Check out Sobral at the Grand Central Holiday Fair, located at Grand Central Terminal in New York through December 24th.




















At first glance, this bazaar—held in Grand Central Terminal’s elegant Vanderbilt Hall, which boasts 48-foot-high ceilings, gorgeous marble floors and glittering chandeliers—might appear to be a hotbed for overpriced goods. But despite the swank setting, there are tons of options for every budget, and although up to 1 million people pass through this terminal every day, it doesn’t feel like an overstuffed mall on Black Friday. You’ll be the hit of your office’s Secret Santa swap with fun items such as New York Transit Museum sparkly MetroCard ornaments ($30), Pylones multicolored elephant-head funnels ($11), Jon Wye handmade graphic belts ($65) and Sobral resin rosette rings ($32). Save your text-happy tween cousin from frostbite by gifting her a pair of JAK Designs Italian merino-wool, hand-loomed fingerless gloves ($60), or wow your stylish sister with one of Brooklyn handbag line Corrente’s geometric Italian leather satchels, offered at $430 (normally $495).

Grand Central Terminal: 42nd Street between Vanderbilt and Lexington. (212)340-2345, grandcentralterminal.com, Mon–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 11am–7pm. Through Friday 12/24

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sobral in Hemisphere's

"Stroll down Sao Paulo's throbbing Rua 25 de Marco and pick up a brilliant handmade resin necklace." Hemisphere's Magazine ( December 2010 ) takes a trip inside Brazil's sprawling urban powerhouse that is today's Sao Paulo. In a feature entitled "Three Perfect Days", Stephan Talty explores the Brazilian city and highlights such fashion stand-outs as Sobral. Featured Half-Moon necklace (style 0538) is from the vibrant Pop Art Collection, $110 at sobralusa.com.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Erykah Badu Inspired Holiday Gifts

Whether donning a giant head wrap, ripping her Afro wig off while performing for Dave Chappelle's Block Party, or rocking a bald head with a hand-painted, black tattoo-like design that extends all the way down her back, Erykah Badu has always valued her artistry above capitalist norms, refusing to abide by the exploitative blueprint the music industry imposes on female performers and bucking tradition without making this nonconformism a gimmick of its own. Over the years, Badu has undergone many a style transformation — from her days wearing Maxi dressed with tribal prints to her current penchant for snug tees, oversize ankh rings, and nerd chic glasses — but she's always walked her own path, finding different ways to express her earthy, Bohemian, soulful spirit.

In part four of the "Sicka Than Average" Holiday Gift Guide, then, they're paying homage to Miss Badu, with a round-up of holiday gifts that will appeal to those women whose ciphers keep movin' like rollin' stones. Ready for some style Baduizm?













There's a mystical energy to this bold bracelet, which features polished tooth-shaped beads in a polished jet black color and a marbled resin bead showing swirling olive, moss, back, and brown colors. When you gaze at the center stone, you feel like you're staring inside a magic crystal ball and a mysterious, enchanting pastoral space is manifesting itself therein.

Sobral Naturals Safari Bracelet, $78. Available at SobralUSA.com

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Sobral featured on Fox DC Morning Show












If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind present this holiday season, Deborah Myers, founder of Virtuarte, may have the perfect gift. Her products are all from struggling artisans, some of whom are survivors of landmines or natural disasters. In this morning show segment from Fox 5 in Washington DC, Myers showcases the various hand-made crafts from Virtuarte, including a beautiful Sobral Kandinsky necklace.

click here to watch the clip
visit Virtuarte