Jewelry Designers. New York
We first laid eyes on Anndra Neen's gilded objets d'art in the home of Brady Cunningham, and we've been hooked ever since. “We love Brady,” Phoebe and Annette Stephens said almost in sync. “She’s been super supportive from the beginning. We designed these pieces and it was organic. We were like, ‘Well, what do we do?’ and then our friend saw them and said, ‘You know, it’s so different. You really should show it!’ Eventually the New York Times broke the story, and it sort of went from there!” The gorgeous duo (did you see the beauty feature we did with them?) have an artistic eye like no other. Though based in N.Y.C., the girls have maintained ties to their heritage by bringing all their designs to a Mexican artist, who hand-makes each piece. “We’re always trying to push the boundaries of what you can do with metal,” Phoebe said. Upon our arrival, the girls gave us the grand tour around Phoebe’s abode, which was filled the sweet smell of Santal 26 (you know we have a weakness for candles.) Every corner of her gallery-like digs was filled with massive pieces of canvas and historical sculptures, many of which depicted Biblical and heritage-inspired Mexican art. "Our grandmother was friends with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in Mexico," Phoebe told us. The girls went into their closet and brought out a mixed-material necklace. "She also designed jewelry. She made statement one-of-a-kind necklaces using objects like brass, stone, and bone, and she sold them in Henri Bendel in the 70s." When it comes to their home, designs and aesthetic, it’s easy to see the influence of art. Along with their grandmother’s heirlooms are works by their father and brother, too. “We are sort of all about that middle ground between fashion and art and how you join the two together,” Annette said. From the massive reupholstered couch (it belonged to Maria Félix, the Marilyn Monroe of Mexico, NBD) to the 200-year-old cast of a Virgin Mary, which they just had restored, it was clear where the true roots Anndra Neen’s genius lives.
We come from a family of artists in Mexico who always encouraged us to create. Our pieces live at the intersection of fashion and art. It is a process of discovery. The suitcases were an extension of our cage purses: we wanted to make a suitcase that is sure to rattle security!
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Shirt, Piamita; Boots, Marni; Bag, Céline; Cage Bags, Anndra Neen
If our shoes could talk, they’d say: “You keep lying, when you oughta be truthin', and you keep losin' when you oughta not bet. You keep samin' when you oughta be changin'. Now what's right is right, but you ain't been right yet.” When I was renovating the house, the doors were covered in layers of paint. We decided to strip them down to the natural wood and then added a wax to them. Once they were stripped, all the beautiful imperfections of the wood came out and we decided to preserve them that way.
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Boots, Gianvito Rossi for Altuzarra
I have had these shoes for a long time. Since they are such a statement piece, I’ve only worn them once! I wore them at a beautiful dinner in Egypt hosted by the Dominican Embassy in Cairo. It was perfect because they are made by Oscar de la Renta, who is Dominican.
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Boots, Oscar de la Renta
Blazers, Edition 01 for Martin Greenfield
We were on a sister-bonding trip to Japan when we decided to work together. We always wanted to give back to Mexico, so we teamed up with artisans who work in the traditional hand-made technique. The first collection was all about our heart and soul and the way we created it was very visceral. As we evolved, we began to find the balance between the creative and the commercial.
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Wedges, Céline; Jewelry, Anndra Neen
Our father’s approach to his own art as well as to the world around him educated us visually. He taught us how to truly look. We now take that same approach with our own work. Our parents always encouraged us to follow our hearts.
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L to R. Shoes, Céline, Valentino, Nicholas Kirkwood, Lanvin
This dress was made by these beautiful French sisters who were living in Sayulita, Mexico. They own a store called “Pachamama” with amazing pieces. They make dresses and work with Tahitian pearls as well. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. It was her own dress! I literally took the clothes off her back.
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Dresses, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vintage
Necklace, African necklace
Blazers, Edition 01 for Martin Greenfield
We are a family of collectors. All of the pieces in our home are personal objects we have been collecting over time. There is a lot of family art on the walls as well as treasures from our travels. Our design philosophy is “more is more!” Our favorite places to shop are flea markets all over the world.
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Boots, Givenchy; Studded Heels, Prada
Our grandmother has always been a huge source of inspiration. She was an artist and sculptor who also designed jewelry, so everything she made was a piece of wearable art. She worked with Diego Rivera on murals and was great friends with Frida Kahlo, who also wore her pieces.
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Jewelry, Grandmother's
Boots, Céline
Blazers, Edition 01 for Martin Greenfield
This used to be owned by Björk; it was designed for her by Bernhard Willhelm for one of her tours. I purchased it at an auction at Phillips De Pury. It’s such a special piece; it’s like wearing a painting.
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Dress, Bernhard Willhelm
These are men’s Moroccan robes. They are made in the softest most amazing fabric. You can wear them at the beach or at a cocktail at night!
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Robes, Unknown Designer
Blazers, Edition 01 for Martin Greenfield
Dress, Christopher Kane
These are like having birds on your feet!
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Boots, Chloé
We come from a family of artists in Mexico who always encouraged us to create. Our pieces live at the intersection of fashion and art. It is a process of discovery. The suitcases were an extension of our cage purses: we wanted to make a suitcase that is sure to rattle security! Shirt, Piamita; Boots, Marni; Bag, Céline; Cage Bags, Anndra Neen
If our shoes could talk, they’d say: “You keep lying, when you oughta be truthin', and you keep losin' when you oughta not bet. You keep samin' when you oughta be changin'. Now what's right is right, but you ain't been right yet.” When I was renovating the house, the doors were covered in layers of paint. We decided to strip them down to the natural wood and then added a wax to them. Once they were stripped, all the beautiful imperfections of the wood came out and we decided to preserve them that way. Boots, Gianvito Rossi for Altuzarra
I have had these shoes for a long time. Since they are such a statement piece, I’ve only worn them once! I wore them at a beautiful dinner in Egypt hosted by the Dominican Embassy in Cairo. It was perfect because they are made by Oscar de la Renta, who is Dominican. Boots, Oscar de la Renta
We were on a sister-bonding trip to Japan when we decided to work together. We always wanted to give back to Mexico, so we teamed up with artisans who work in the traditional hand-made technique. The first collection was all about our heart and soul and the way we created it was very visceral. As we evolved, we began to find the balance between the creative and the commercial. Wedges, Céline; Jewelry, Anndra Neen
Our father’s approach to his own art as well as to the world around him educated us visually. He taught us how to truly look. We now take that same approach with our own work. Our parents always encouraged us to follow our hearts. L to R. Shoes, Céline, Valentino, Nicholas Kirkwood, Lanvin
This dress was made by these beautiful French sisters who were living in Sayulita, Mexico. They own a store called “Pachamama” with amazing pieces. They make dresses and work with Tahitian pearls as well. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. It was her own dress! I literally took the clothes off her back. Dresses, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vintage
We are a family of collectors. All of the pieces in our home are personal objects we have been collecting over time. There is a lot of family art on the walls as well as treasures from our travels. Our design philosophy is “more is more!” Our favorite places to shop are flea markets all over the world. Boots, Givenchy; Studded Heels, Prada
Our grandmother has always been a huge source of inspiration. She was an artist and sculptor who also designed jewelry, so everything she made was a piece of wearable art. She worked with Diego Rivera on murals and was great friends with Frida Kahlo, who also wore her pieces. Jewelry, Grandmother's
This used to be owned by Björk; it was designed for her by Bernhard Willhelm for one of her tours. I purchased it at an auction at Phillips De Pury. It’s such a special piece; it’s like wearing a painting. Dress, Bernhard Willhelm
These are men’s Moroccan robes. They are made in the softest most amazing fabric. You can wear them at the beach or at a cocktail at night! Robes, Unknown Designer
