Already a Member?

Sign In
Philip Crangi

Philip Crangi

Founder, Philip Crangi; Giles and Brother by Philip Crangi.  New York

You know you’ve made it when Miss Piggy is on the cover of a magazine wearing your jewels, so when we caught up with Philip Crangi, he was still riding the Muppet high. Crangi along with his sister/biz partner launched their two collections, Philip Crangi (a fine jewellery collection) and Giles & Brother—their costume line that continues to be the object of our affection—in 2001. Crangi graciously welcomed us into his N.Y.C. abode, which he shares with his equally talented partner, Darren. Let’s just say Darren is the man responsible for our racked up credit card bills at Barney’s: he works as the accessories designer at Proenza Schouler (and formerly Balenciaga). Good catch, right? Crangi quickly brewed us a pot of coffee to get our Coveteur creativity on and we got right to it. We were instantly swept away to Crangi’s Floridian roots through his palm tree wallpaper. (Ed note: You may recognize it from the Beverly Hills Hotel and also Nicky Hilton’s pad.) As per usual, we were eager get our hands on the sparkly accessories, which we soon learned were heavily inspired by Greco-Roman artifacts, Baroque ironwork and Japanese armour. The thoughtfulness behind each piece lent itself to the stories embedded in Crangi’s décor. Behind his tattoos and cute grizzly beard is a laid back, sophisticated man who likes to curl up with a good book, and even needlepoint from time to time—schedule permitting, of course.

I always wear sunglasses. Years of wearing regular reading glasses has made wearing glasses of any kind a part of my everyday life. Plus, they are amazing accessories; they have the power to make an outfit. Although I have many beloved pairs, I am really into my Barton Perreira, 'Dillinger' style.

Read More

Sunglasses, Various Designers

These are another pair of favorite sneakers for the summer. I usually wear them with shorts because I love the combo of high tops and shorts.

Read More

Shoe, Gola x Jonathan Saunders

These are the perfect summer sneakers.

Read More

Shoes, Steven Alan

I really love this piece. I got it in Berlin a couple of years ago. It is such a special thing. I have always wanted one of these jackets and this one is pretty perfect. I wear it as often as possible.

Read More

Jacket, Unknown Designer

Believe it or not, I am quite a needle pointer. I needle pointed these about ten years ago.

Read More

Belts, Philip Crangi; Belt buckle, Vintage Gucci

I want to make pieces that feel new, but have a familiar reference point. That reference point is often from a more utilitarian place: sometimes it’s hardware, sometimes it’s nautical, sometimes it’s equestrian, etc. These Pied-de-Biche cuffs are a great example of that attempt.

Read More

Bracelets, Giles & Brother

I had no idea I even owned these neon sneakers, but the picture is awesome!

Read More

Shoes, Nike

I am not really much of a tie wearer. But when one must wear a tie, it is important to have just the right one. I grew up with these couches. They were in my grandmother's house when I was a kid and they've been re-imagined for N.Y.C.

Read More

Patterned Bow-Tie, Bottega Veneta

When I can, I steal this bag from Darren and use it as a weekender. It's almost too glamorous for me, but I do love it. And yes, I love him, too...very much.

Read More

Bag, Proenza Schouler

These necklaces are classics that I first made for myself, which eventually became part of the line. The turquoise bracelet is Navajo from the 1930s—it’s my magic power bracelet. It’s a super special piece. I swear the moment I put it on I felt the ghosts. I collect antique, hardstone Cameo and Intaglio rings and these are three favorites.

Read More

Necklaces, Philip Crangi; Bracelet and Rings, Vintage

Boots, Various Designers

I am a collector of shoes, although I tend to only wear one or two pairs for months on end.

Read More

Shoes, Various Designers

Sunglasses, Balenciaga

The rings are classic forged steel and gold bands. I have been making these rings for many years and these are just some from my personal stash.

Read More

Rings, Philip Crangi

This ‘Arceau’ watch from is the perfect balance of classic and frivolous. With its dark brown face, it's one of my favorites.

Read More

Watch, Hermès

Yes, my baby (Darren) is brilliant. I am lucky to have such a talented husband to keep me on my toes.

Read More

Necklaces, Proenza Schouler

Boots, Junya Watanabe

These are my three favorite sweatshirts. I am very into the sweatshirt and jeans look. The Snoopy and Mickey are vintage and the Keith Haring is from Pat Fields.

Read More

Left to Right; Sweatshirts, House of Field, Vintage, Vintage

I really love this bag, too. It’s one of Darren’s designs for the S/S '12 show.

Read More

Bag, Proenza Schouler

The cuff links were a gift from Darren. The pelicans and the wallpaper are definitely a nod to my Florida roots. After trying so hard to escape them, I find myself warming up to the aesthetic once again.

Read More

Cufflink, Hermès

I really love Pierre's leather goods. The mirror is from the Crangi Family Project; I commissioned two mirrors for the store as nods to the Meat Packing District’s seedier past. This is just one of them. The direct reference point for the mirrors is Robert Mapplethorpe’s, “Altars.”

Read More

Pouch, Pierre Hardy

Darren designed these years ago. These are part of his extensive sunglasses collection.

Read More

Sunglasses, Balenciaga

I love this fake Tang dynasty horse prop.

Read More

Bracelets, Giles & Brother

These shorts are super cute—they’re vintage. Darren bought them for me, but I haven’t had a chance to wear them too much.

Read More

Shorts, Vintage Versace

It goes without saying that getting to dress Miss Piggy was a career highlight. This bracelet is a prototype for the one seen in this Miss Piggy ad. Originally from Giles Fall 2011, the collection was based on my lifelong obsession with Japanese armour. I am very proud of this collection. It is seen here with a cute little love note to my partner, Darren.

Read More

Bracelet, Giles & Brother

These hiking boots came with the red laces. They are super comfy. The art is our collection of portraits collected over many years and many mediums.

Read More

Shoes, Diemme

I always wear sunglasses. Years of wearing regular reading glasses has made wearing glasses of any kind a part of my everyday life. Plus, they are amazing accessories; they have the power to make an outfit. Although I have many beloved pairs, I am really into my Barton Perreira, 'Dillinger' style. Sunglasses, Various Designers

These are another pair of favorite sneakers for the summer. I usually wear them with shorts because I love the combo of high tops and shorts. Shoe, Gola x Jonathan Saunders

These are the perfect summer sneakers. Shoes, Steven Alan

I really love this piece. I got it in Berlin a couple of years ago. It is such a special thing. I have always wanted one of these jackets and this one is pretty perfect. I wear it as often as possible. Jacket, Unknown Designer

Believe it or not, I am quite a needle pointer. I needle pointed these about ten years ago. Belts, Philip Crangi; Belt buckle, Vintage Gucci

I want to make pieces that feel new, but have a familiar reference point. That reference point is often from a more utilitarian place: sometimes it’s hardware, sometimes it’s nautical, sometimes it’s equestrian, etc. These Pied-de-Biche cuffs are a great example of that attempt. Bracelets, Giles & Brother

I had no idea I even owned these neon sneakers, but the picture is awesome! Shoes, Nike

I am not really much of a tie wearer. But when one must wear a tie, it is important to have just the right one. I grew up with these couches. They were in my grandmother's house when I was a kid and they've been re-imagined for N.Y.C. Patterned Bow-Tie, Bottega Veneta

When I can, I steal this bag from Darren and use it as a weekender. It's almost too glamorous for me, but I do love it. And yes, I love him, too...very much. Bag, Proenza Schouler

These necklaces are classics that I first made for myself, which eventually became part of the line. The turquoise bracelet is Navajo from the 1930s—it’s my magic power bracelet. It’s a super special piece. I swear the moment I put it on I felt the ghosts. I collect antique, hardstone Cameo and Intaglio rings and these are three favorites. Necklaces, Philip Crangi; Bracelet and Rings, Vintage

Boots, Various Designers

I am a collector of shoes, although I tend to only wear one or two pairs for months on end. Shoes, Various Designers

Sunglasses, Balenciaga

The rings are classic forged steel and gold bands. I have been making these rings for many years and these are just some from my personal stash. Rings, Philip Crangi

This ‘Arceau’ watch from is the perfect balance of classic and frivolous. With its dark brown face, it's one of my favorites. Watch, Hermès

Yes, my baby (Darren) is brilliant. I am lucky to have such a talented husband to keep me on my toes. Necklaces, Proenza Schouler

Boots, Junya Watanabe

These are my three favorite sweatshirts. I am very into the sweatshirt and jeans look. The Snoopy and Mickey are vintage and the Keith Haring is from Pat Fields. Left to Right; Sweatshirts, House of Field, Vintage, Vintage

I really love this bag, too. It’s one of Darren’s designs for the S/S '12 show. Bag, Proenza Schouler

The cuff links were a gift from Darren. The pelicans and the wallpaper are definitely a nod to my Florida roots. After trying so hard to escape them, I find myself warming up to the aesthetic once again. Cufflink, Hermès

I really love Pierre's leather goods. The mirror is from the Crangi Family Project; I commissioned two mirrors for the store as nods to the Meat Packing District’s seedier past. This is just one of them. The direct reference point for the mirrors is Robert Mapplethorpe’s, “Altars.” Pouch, Pierre Hardy

Darren designed these years ago. These are part of his extensive sunglasses collection. Sunglasses, Balenciaga

I love this fake Tang dynasty horse prop. Bracelets, Giles & Brother

These shorts are super cute—they’re vintage. Darren bought them for me, but I haven’t had a chance to wear them too much. Shorts, Vintage Versace

It goes without saying that getting to dress Miss Piggy was a career highlight. This bracelet is a prototype for the one seen in this Miss Piggy ad. Originally from Giles Fall 2011, the collection was based on my lifelong obsession with Japanese armour. I am very proud of this collection. It is seen here with a cute little love note to my partner, Darren. Bracelet, Giles & Brother

These hiking boots came with the red laces. They are super comfy. The art is our collection of portraits collected over many years and many mediums. Shoes, Diemme