Ady Gluck-Frankel is taking another step toward building on what’s necessary.
The young contemporary sportswear designer has signed two new licensing deals that mark her first foray into accessories: a jewelry line and a handbag collection. These deals will help her 20-year-old, New York-based company, Necessary Objects, grow beyond the $60 million volume it generates annually.
The jewelry collection, called Necessary Jewels, is licensed to MOD Inc. and features choices from rings, necklaces, earrings and pins to belt loop chains. The line is made in sterling silver and wholesales from $14 to $33. It is anticipated to launch for spring selling.
“I really wanted to create something different with the jewelry and the handbags,” Gluck-Frankel said. “There are already so many other choices out there for her, so I had to give her a real reason to buy these things.”
Most novel about this line are the earrings that can be mixed and matched and are sold individually, not as a pair. The earrings also come with an easily changeable backing so they can be worn as a pin. There are also inspirational sayings that appear on necklaces and rings, such as “In Love We Trust” or “Reach For The Stars.”
As for handbags, Gluck-Frankel has signed with Mundy Westport, which will also launch the line for spring. The collection, wholesaling from $15 to $40, features a range from totes to luggage and pencil cases.
“Working with Ady has really been fun,” said Michael Etra, executive vice president of Mundy Westport. “She is creative and is very involved with every aspect, which makes it great to work on.”
Etra said the bags are booking well at department and specialty stores.
“The bags have fun, interesting linings and special hidden sayings inside them,” he said. “That’s what’s so great about them, they have terrific detail.”