Parsons graduate Erika Pena left Puerto Rico when she was 18 determined to make her place in the world of fashion. After working for designers like Donna Karen and Josie Natori she embarqued on creating her own line and now mixes edgy new york style with that sexy flavor you’ll only find in the beaches of the carribean. lola y maria has carried Erika Pena for a few years now, we just can't get enough....
In her Jules collection for Fall and Holiday, Erika mixes swaroksi crystals and mixed Lucite stones to form fancy jewel clusters. Notable pieces include the “Stefie” handcrafted jewel clip ons, simple but classic “Jules” earrings. And for those of you who like to wear your bling on your wrist she also did matching rings and cuffs - again also based on clusters of swaroski and Lucite stones- available in rich jewel tone hues of turquoise, black, plum and emerald. These pieces work just as well with a simple tshirt and jeans as they do with a fancy frock. It reminds me of Chanel and Lacroix jewelry from the 1980's.
Erika Pena
Julie Earrings by Erika Pena - available at lola y maria
Steph Earrings by Erika Pena - available at lola y maria
Simone Collection
Another of our favorite new collections from EP is the Simone collection. These pieces look part vintage, part mosaic. I gasped when I saw the green olga ring. I had no idea what I was going to wear it with but I knew I had to have it. These pieces are comprised of semi-precious based stones chained into twos and threes....we scooped up the rings, a few necklaces and a few versions of a headband!
Here are a few examples, really best to come to the shop and see them in person.
One of favorite fashionistas, KELIS, wearing Pena's OLGA ring.
