Press

"Bling" to Benefit Student Scholarship

Spring 2010

Whitney Wilkening, a May 2008 graduate from The University of Arizona, as a Retailing and Consumer Sciences Major. Whitney founded the company "Bling by Wilkening" in October 2007. Bling by Wilkening consists of exquisitely unique statement costume jewelry pieces from New York City, where the company is headquartered. Bling by Wilkening was started Wilkening’s senior year of college, upon the completion of an internship with Macy’s Merchandising Group in New York City. Her friends desired the jewelry, and thus, Bling by Wilkening was born. She credits her outstanding professors in the program who helped her start from the very initial phases of obtaining business licenses, etc. She says that “What she learned in the program, she uses in her business everyday,” it was an “invaluable education.” Wilkening collaborates with specialized showrooms to offer the finest and most unique costume pieces in the world. Because of the specialized showrooms that Wilkening works with, she is able to offer the pieces approximately three months before the magazines report on the trends. Bling by Wikening is founded on the three pillars of outstanding quality, great price, and charity. The median price range is between $29-$65.

Whitney Wilkening, a May 2008 graduate from The University of Arizona, as a Retailing and Consumer Sciences Major. Whitney founded the company "Bling by Wilkening" in October 2007. Bling by Wilkening consists of exquisitely unique statement costume jewelry pieces from New York City, where the company is headquartered. Bling by Wilkening was started Wilkening’s senior year of college, upon the completion of an internship with Macy’s Merchandising Group in New York City. Her friends desired the jewelry, and thus, Bling by Wilkening was born. She credits her outstanding professors in the program who helped her start from the very initial phases of obtaining business licenses, etc. She says that “What she learned in the program, she uses in her business everyday,” it was an “invaluable education.” Wilkening collaborates with specialized showrooms to offer the finest and most unique costume pieces in the world. Because of the specialized showrooms that Wilkening works with, she is able to offer the pieces approximately three months before the magazines report on the trends. Bling by Wikening is founded on the three pillars of outstanding quality, great price, and charity. The median price range is between $50-$195.

Wilkening visited Tucson this past October and held an 'Exclusive Jewelry Showcase' fundraiser for the Future Retail Leader Scholarship fund. This was a very successful fundraiser and was organized by the Student Advisory Board. Wilkening hopes to make this an annual event to raise money for student scholarships. Paramount to Wilkening are high-quality and affordable prices. The pieces are wear-tested before they go on the market for metallic color-stay and durability. Bling by Wilkening will be debuting a collection for eBags.com in May 2010. The line is also carried at specialty boutiques in the Southwest as well as the Ann Crabtree boutique on Madison Avenue in New York for Holiday and Bridal Veil, Falls, in the East Village in Manhattan. Wilkening operates an e-commerce website, www.blingbywilkening.com

Excerpted from Spring 2010 Retail Link, the University of Arizona.

 

All Things Bling

April 5, 2010

Whitney Wilkening, founder of fast emerging jewelry line Bling by Wilkening, is a lethal combination of creativity and savvy ingenue.

Her ever growing collection, photographed by yours truly, boasts a coveted regal look for less. With most prices ranging between $50-$150, we fashionable ladies can shamelessly indulge the penny pincher in all of us. And since she only uses the highest quality CZ stones set in silver, gold, and platinum plating, no one will ever know you didn't just walk out of Tiffany's. With her first collection just nearing its first year anniversary, Wilkening can already be found sitting alongside the likes of Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Cole Haan as the exclusive jewelry retailer on ebags.com with whispers of a deal that could land her pieces in the jewelry cases at Macys!

It seems all the dedication will be paying off in just a few short weeks. With her new website up and running April 9th and her ebags.com collection due to launch the beginning of June, Wilkening will have everything set in motion just in time for her to begin next season's collection.

Wilkening, with her winning spirit and fast growing business, serves as an inspiration to every woman who dreamed of turning a passion into a career!

You can see pieces from her new collection in my "jewelry" portfolio as well as the lifestyle brand images set to launch her collection on ebags.com in the "portrait" section of my website.

Excerpted from Melissa Leigh Kruse Lahring, MLKL Photography, and fashion photographer for New York Fashion Week. http://mlklphotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/all-things-bling.html www.mlklahring.com

All Things Spring

March 17, 2010

With the whisper of spring drawing ever near, I couldn't resist my natural inclination to begin shooting all thing pretty, bright, and fun. Bring me some fresh designs, a fair share of pink, and a few flowers for good measure, and we've got ourselves an optimistically spring shoot in the first week of March.

The precursor to this test shoot was the desire to once again turn the spotlight on some very talented emerging designers. Claire Favretto, in her usual bohemian femme style, designed and supplied all the skirts for this shoot. Her pieces often leave me a bit puzzled, wondering whether to categorize them as French Grunge or Garbage Dumpster Chic. Either way, I'm madly in love with her boundless creativity and the detailed craftsmanship that goes into each design.

Whitney Wilkening (http://www.blingbywilkening.com/) was our go-to for all things bling. Her glamour-girl-goes-affordable jewelry line is every girls dream, with stunning statement pieces that will leave your pierced bits sparkling while also leaving enough cash in your wallet to pay next month's rent. Both designers are fresh on the market, with their rapidly growing collections not yet a year past conception.

Here are just a few images from my all-things-spring shoot showcasing these two new budding talents. More images are soon to follow and will be available for your viewing pleasure on my website.

Excerpted from Melissa Leigh Kruse Lahring, MLKL Photography, and fashion photographer for New York Fashion Week. http://mlklphotography.blogspot.com/2010/03/all-things-spring.html www.mlklahring.com