Dtox Day Spa in Atwater Village is making a name for itself among the beauty set.

Let's face it – despite your best efforts, once you finished working your body into bikini shape you went off the deep end. You sunned and surfed, you burned, you stressed yourself out on the beach volleyball courts. It's a good thing there's Dtox Day Spa. An oasis amid the hustle and bustle of Los Feliz Boulevard, Dtox has all the treatments and tools you need to get your body back into fighting form for fall.

I get a lot of press releases in my in box every day boasting every outlandish claim you can think of, from miracle wrinkle-erasing cream to butt-lifting, tummy-tightening pants that will suddenly pack your dating schedule. But when I got a press release about Fit Flops, I knew it sounded too good to be true. So I had to test them out for myself.

At the Century City Equinox, members have a gym and spa combo. But is it worth it?

For most people, going to the gym is about getting pumped up to sweat it out, while going to the spa is about winding down to chill out. So what happens when the two worlds collide? The answer can be found at the Equinox location in Century City. But ... isn't it kind of a drawback to have the spa and the gym together in one spot, both sharing a change room? Aren't people skeptical about the concept?

Kate Ogle started Ruby Jeans six years ago on a shoestring budget. Now, it's a worldwide brand with a celebrity following, and Ogle knows all the secrets to finding – and making – a good pair of jeans.

Having a passion for fashion is one thing, but actually getting your dream line off the ground is completely another. Just ask Kate Ogle, the founder of Ruby Jeans. Started on a wing and a prayer, the company now spans the globe with their classic but trendy take on denim, and counts Kate Moss and Lindsay Lohan as fans.

She shares her tips on how you can buy the perfect pair of jeans, as well as the story of how she used her last paycheck to launch her brand.

When it comes to accessories, handbags run a close second -- if they're not holding down first -- in terms of importance for most women's closets. And while it's fun to load up on your favorite designer labels, it can get expensive. The solution? Discount designer outlets, eBay, and other online retailers. But wait: how do you know that what you're getting is the real, top label deal?

Linz Shelton's unique take on handbags (and handcuffs) has changed the face of accessories forever, attracting a loyal following including Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera and more.

Given the choice, most of us would opt to stay out of handcuffs... depending on the circumstances, of course. But if Linz Shelton has her way, we'll be wearing them as a fashion accessory for years to come courtesy of her unique line of purses, Cuffz by Linz . In five short years the company went from a one-person hobby into a worldwide empire supported by the likes of Paris Hilton (feel free to insert your own "Paris In Handcuffs" joke here.) And it all started as a laugh amongst friends.

Discovering your inner zen is easy at The Sofitel's new spa retreat.

Wouldn't it be fun to live in a world of aroma-plasty facials, hot stone massages and pure detox body treatments? It's a world that spa director Maureen Schumacher not only lives in every day, but one she created.

Schumacher worked in both fashion and magazine publishing before making the leap to the spa world, eventually landing at Le Spa where she worked on creating the ultimate relaxation zone to help tired travelers soothe their aching psyches. The end result on the menu looks fun, but it wasn't easy.

"This was my first opportunity to develop a brand from the ground up and I wanted to set LeSpa apart from the competition with our attention to detail," Schumacher says, recalling, "I read hundreds of spa menus from all over the world to draw my inspiration... but in the end I knew I wanted our services to be centered around customization, unique, locally-inspired seasonal treatments prepared fresh for each guest and a holistic approach to health and beauty from within. ...The hardest thing became narrowing down the offering."

Which means it'll be equally hard for you to narrow down which treatments you'll want to have. Whatever your choice, your journey begins when you step past the check-in desk and walk through the heavy wood door to the locker room. A cushy robe and flip-flops greet you before you transition into spa mode.

Start with a refreshing, multi-head shower or rejuvenate in the steam room before retiring to the relaxation area to crash on a chaise lounge and read a magazine or two. Your treatment actually begins here as a spa attendant offers you tea and indulges you with a ritual foot bath -- performed with heated stones, scented salts and rose petals. A 'So You' massage will melt your cares away, and a 'Stiletto' pedicure will eliminate all the things you hate about wearing high heels while making your feet feel pretty.

But the best part about the spa is how quiet it is. With only six treatment rooms and two spa suites for couples' treatments, you're more likely to run into the kinds of people who like to shut down for an afternoon, as opposed to the Chatty Cathys that refuse to turn their cell phones off no matter where they are.

"We believe that the spa experience should begin from the moment you walk in the door," Schumacher explains. "We stagger appointment times so we never welcome more than two guests every 15 minutes into the spa. This helps the spa retain a maximum level of intimacy for every guest. We also conclude each service with a signature citrus drink. We want to take the spa experience to the next level and believe that focusing on the details is the way to do it."

Some of those details include hard-to-find high-end products, like Delecor and Carita products for body treatments, and Essie nail polish for mani/pedis. But the most interesting ingredients come into play with Le Spa's seasonal treatments, which Schumacher ensures are fresh and prepared the day of a guest's visit.

"I knew I wanted the LeSpa products to be as fresh as possible so a seasonal menu seemed like a great thing to try; after all, restaurants do it so why not a spa?" she says. "Our bodies go through seasonal changes, like dry skin in the winter and over-exposure to the sun in summer, and these products and treatments are a great remedy for the body's seasonal changes. These treatments also allow LA visitors the opportunity to experience some of the fresh produce California has to offer, while Angelenos are able to experience the depth of our subtle seasons."

Though it's hard to choose her favorites, Schumacher adores the 'Balanced Beauty' facial and 'So You' massage, in which she combines a stress-relieving aromatherapy blend, some hot stones, deep pressure and reflexology. "The great thing about the So You massage is that no matter how many things you add, the price never changes," she notes. And if her passion for Le Spa is any indication, spa-goers will be treated to plenty of new goodies as the seasons roll on.

Says Schumacher, "I want to continue to develop, grow and solidify our brand image. I hope to expand Le Spa to our other Sofitel hotels in the while continuing to offer the premier spa experience in LA."

For more information on Le Spa and to find out how to book an appointment, please visit www.sofitella.com.

This is how one eco-minded pair of friends started a skin care revolution.

These days, there are so many different options for skin care that it's hard to know which way to turn. With brands touting vitamin A, C and E-packed formulas, and promising anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties it's hard , peels and scrubs and toners... oh my! And now with the focus turning to eco-friendly green products, there are yet another level of products to sift through. Allow us to make things easier by introducing you to derma e.

Started in 1984 by company VP Linda Miles and President David Stearn, derma e burst onto the scene after a health boom in the '70s, which saw many natural products enter the marketplace.

"There was this huge push toward the natural," Linda recalls. "At that time many natural skin care products really weren't. So the whole basis for our company was to produce natural products that were affordable, as a lot of the truly natural products were expensive."

While in the beginning the company focused on vitamin E products -- "Primitive by today's standards," Linda laughs -- derma e has since branched out. Today, they work hand in hand with an acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental medicine and a naturopath to help focus on the science behind the ingredients they offer throughout their various skin care lines. Says Linda, "It's science meets nature."

Which is why derma e makes sure that a skin care fad is worth jumping on the bandwagon for before they start creating tons of product to meet a trend. Linda and her team look at the ingredients of each item to see what they're going to do before they start formulating with them. The result? Many of their products have been lauded by magazines like Natural Health, Yoga Journal, Health, Body + Soul, Ladies' Home Journal and many more.

Simply put, derma e has come a long way from their humble beginnings. The company is currently the second fastest-growing company in natural skin care, offering over 80 therapeutic face and body treatments that include everything from cleansers and lotions to microdermabrasion scrubs and anti-aging serums. The line is carried in 5,000+ fine retail locations in the U.S. alone.

Of course, Linda still has her favorite products, even as the company continues to create new breakthrough formulas. Among her favorites? "The age-defying line and the microdermabraision scrub," she notes. "It uses a magnesium oxide abrasive material, which wash away age-related spots. Plus, exfoliation slows down the aging process by encouraging you to expose younger, healthier looking skin. It's a product you don't use every day -- maybe once a week, twice a week tops -- but it's huge for keeping skin healthy and young looking."

Speaking of healthy and young looking, Linda has some tips for those of us still making the transition from winter skin to spring skin that transitions into summer skin.

"Winter is very dry and cold, affects the skin because of heaters," Linda notes. "So your easiest transition is into lighter moisturizers. Water-based moisturizers are better for summer skin care. Also, serums are more comfortable and effective. But your biggest switch is to increase your cleansing routine. As we move to summer, we're spending more time outside and exposing ourselves to pollutants. Research says you need an hour of sun a day, but that doesn't mean go out and sunbathe -- wear a hat, use sunscreen ... do common sense things."

As we all gear up for summer by changing our cleansing routines and buying out sunscreen, derma e will be right behind us, making new and better products, the latest of which featuring organic ingredients and antioxidants like pomegranate. The new organic line, called Organic Expressions, features a day and night cream, toner and cleanser blended with orange blossom essential oils.

"Nature has created so many cool ingredients we don't even know about," says Linda. "As our technologies increase, it gives us more opportunity to identify and look at what nature has made, and then incorporate them into great skin care products."

And to that, our skin says, "Thanks."

For more information on derma e, including Where To Buy info, visit www.dermae.net.

Is there anything more horrifying than appearing at an event wearing the same outfit as someone else? Well... yes. But that doesn't diminish the embarrassment that one feels when one spends so much time putting together the perfect outfit, only to find it aped by a bitter rival. If this has happened to you, make sure you make Malgosia the first stop on your next shopping excursion.

"I'm trying to become known as the person who carries unique fashions that you won't find anywhere else," says Maggie Wachsberger. "I've always got my eye out there looking for great new designers, even a year in advance!"

Maggie got the idea for Malgosia -- the Polish nickname for "Maggie" -- after taking time out from schooling at the Fashion Institute to start a family. As her kids grew up and she became less involved in after-school activities, she briefly entertained starting her own line before settling on the idea of opening a store.

Though L.A is filled with fashionable stores, Maggie wasn't intimidated -- especially when she researched what she was up against. "I see the stores in L.A. that carry casual jeans, t-shirts and stuff, and they're all the same," she says, adding, "even if it wasn't the same lines, it was still similar."

With her husband routinely tripping off to Europe, Africa and Asia, Maggie tagged along taking time to seek out what each exotic destination had to offer in terms of fashion. The results of her findings decorate every square inch of Malgosia.

The clothing designs of New Delhi's Rajesh Pratap Singh light up the racks exclusive to Malgosia in the U.S. Miriam Ocariz, a designer from of Bilbao, Spain has pieces on display too, along with fellow Spaniard Raasta of Spain. Malgosia also stocks Fly Now of Thailand, an exquisite, couture line consisting of classic designs using fine lace and intricate pleating. You can find Macedonia's Risto Bimbiloski, formerly of Louis Vuitton, debut line of hand-crocheted knitware in luxurious yarns of silk, cotton and bamboo at Malgosia too.

Some of the shoppers that have bought into the unique and unusual mandate of the store include Ali Larter, Marley Shelton, Eve and Carla Gugino, so much so that they've been repeat customers. But what attracts Malgosia's shoppers isn't just the one-of-a-kind feel to the merchandise, but the spirit of the store which embraces diffrence, catering to women of all different shapes, sizes and tastes.

"Some women come in and don't like feminine and flowery, so they have wide-legged jeans, shorts and capri jeans, which they can put together with layering tank tops and shirts," Maggie explains. "For the more feminine, there are tons of beautiful dresses in bright colors like yellow and turquoise. Plus, I've been noticing a little embellishment is incorporated in a lot of things, like sequins. Silver and gold is going through fashion from spring to summer to fall, in fabrics, trim and jewelry. There's a little of everything for everyone."

Just like at Malgosia.

Discerning fashionistas can visit Malgosia at 8336 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048, (323) 782-9188. Or, check them out online at www.malgosiala.com.

With Hawaiian influences, delicious products and skilled personnel, it's hard not to unwind in the hallowed halls of this unique spa.

A nice, muscle-melting massage. A facial that gives your face a glow. A mani/pedi that leaves you feeling poised and polished. Visiting your favorite spa is transformative no matter what the treatment you get, but for Chandra Shaw, it ushered in a new career.

On the heels of a family illness that forced Shaw to take leave of her corporate job and move home to spend time with her parents, she took a time-out at a local spa and found it inspired her -- not just to feel better about her life's turn of events, but focus on creating the kind of spa experience she wanted as a customer.

"I figured I would build my own spa, give it a year, and then go back to the fast-paced and hectic corporate world, but things turned out a little differently than I planned," Shaw recalls. "It's incredibly fulfilling to work with caring people and make 99.9 percent of the people your business touches... feel better than when they arrived."

Shaw's spa, Trilogy, has been making people feel better since 1999. Trilogy has been so good at executing its mandate that the company has expanded to three locations. Each location features treatments using native Hawaiian ingredients such as coconut, macadamia nut, bamboo, cane sugar, Lehua honey, seaweed and many other goodies that are excellent for the body, but also sound good enough to eat.

A Macadamia Nut Body Scrub is the perfect way to start your session, sloughing off any dead skin while moisturizing what's left behind with jojoba oil and honey makes for an amazing finish - not to mention the childlike bliss you'll feel being scrubbed down and bathed. Follow your exfoliation with an incredibly relaxing Lomi Pohaku massage -- which uses heated stones to help melt knotted muscles -- to truly experience a state of blissful nirvana, courtesy of skilled hands and tropical-smelling oils. If a facial is your thing, you can't go wrong with the Trilogy Spa Facial which is customized for your skin's specific needs. And that's just the tip of the iceberg -- with an incredible collection of wraps, baths and various other signature treatments, you'll never want to get out of your spa robe.

Of course, this attention to detail is no surprise, as Shaw is dedicated to hiring only the best technicians with top-notch customer skills.

"We understand that people today have many choices about where they can go for their massages, bodywork and facials," she notes. "When people come to Trilogy for the first time, we know that they'll only return if we exceed their expectations and give them a truly personal experience. So we focus on addressing their requests and making them feel special, without leaving them with the feeling that they're just another number on a list of customers."

Trilogy's customers are so valued that their input helped shape the spa that it is today. Having initially launched with only a few Hawaiian treatments, customer demand became so great that the spa chose to expand their menu to focus specifically on the island's specialties. And those specialties have in turn become Trilogy's, including the Maile Floral Melt and Lehua Honey Drench. Trilogy is so dedicated to customer input that they've implemented a system to evaluate how clients experience their treatments. There are even plans in place to allow clients to test out seasonal treatments before formally adding them to their menu, starting with this summer's offerings of fresh new facials, massages and cellulite treatments.

If the past is any indication, Trilogy's future is bright and varied, including a much awaited signature skincare line and further perks for longtime customers.

Says Shaw, "We've worked on our skincare line for the past two years and have tested, revised, tested, and revised it again and again. And after an incredible amount of patient client input, we've finalized a simple, natural line that we are incredibly proud of. In addition to the skincare launch, we've had a busy year of expansion and growth, so we intend to spend time creating client appreciation programs for our loyal customers."

There's no question that Trilogy's loyal customer base is not only here to stay, but will continue to expand just as the spa does. If you can't afford the plane ticket, a visit to Trilogy Spa is the perfect way to escape your every day and make you feel like you've fled your daily rigors for Hawaii. And who doesn't need that on a semi-regular basis?

Trilogy Spa has three locations: Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Squaw Valley. To find the location nearest you, treatment options or more information, visit www.trilogyspa.com.

It's time to make room in your closet for a new bag obsession ... and one that will quickly become your favorite.

Admit it -- you're hooked on handbags. You try -- and fail -- to keep it down to one or two bags tops, but a peek inside your closet reveals you have an "everyday" bag, a "going out" bag, a "business" bag, a "travel" bag, a "kitchen sink" bag ... and there's no end in sight. Now you have another designer to add to your handbag repertoire -- Junior Drake.

So what kind of girl carries a Junior Drake handbag? Let their Director of Design, Alyssa Johnson, explain: "Our tag line is, 'Remember! It's not the bag, it's the girl!' This sentence defines our customer quite well. The woman who carries Junior Drake is confident, sophisticated, and fashion-forward! She has a lot going on in her life, and carries her favorite Junior Drake bag wherever she goes."

And it's easy to see why. With buttery soft leather, shifting shapes and a cornucopia of colors to choose from, Junior Drake's bags have been flying off the shelves.

"Several of our customers -- as well as our competitors! -- have told us that we have the softest, most lightweight bags," Johnson explains. "Another advantage is that we are able to provide a high quality product at a lower price than the rest of our competition. The most expensive bag in our Spring 2007 line is large in size, and retails for around $500. Similar bags designed by our competitors usually retail for around $800 and up."

Another thing that sets Junior Drake apart from the others? Sentimentality. The company was named after the founder's mother, Patsy Brown, whose stage name was "Junior Drake." Her legacy lives on in the lining of every handbag -- Patsy's picture is printed on the silk, giving the bags a signature touch that both honors an amazing woman and creates a connection for the customer and the bag they choose to carry.

Johnson's path with Junior Drake started five years ago, when bags were all about bling. She notes they have trend-driven novelty collections every season, but the company's focus is on more subdued, every day styles. But Johnson's interest in design began long before her tenure with Junior Drake, dating back to pictures she drew of schoolmates that paid particular attention to their clothing. By age 10 she was sewing doll clothes, at 17 she was making reversible handbags for friends and family, and after receiving a B.F.A. in Fashion Design, Johnson became an Assistant Handbag Designer, making her mark in the accessories industry ever since.

Though it may seem confusing at times to tell the difference in seasons when it comes to handbags, Johnson says it's pretty simple to figure out the difference, even though the times -- and rules -- are changing.

"Color is really important," Johnson notes. "For years, many consumers have had a 'Don't wear white after labor day' mentality, so Spring/Summer bags have been lighter or brighter in color, while Fall/Winter bags have been darker. However, consumers are starting to change. We're seeing a lot of color in stores this Spring, as well as on Fall '07 runways, so it's a great time to buy and wear colorful accessories."

The key to transitioning your accessories? Wearing a color that goes with everything -- not necessarily black or white, Johnson cautions, but neutral enough that it will blend with your wardrobe. Junior Drake's spring line was inspired by subtle, hand-crafted details found at flea markets and thrift stores, most notably apparent in the Katherine bag -- medium in size, but long on class and style. But pressed as to what Junior Drake creation everyone should be carrying this spring, and Johnson outs the Claudine for its unique and versatile shape.

But the company's ultimate creation lies with their Jo hobo, which has been a best seller time and time again.

"Our customers appreciate the intricate, handcrafted details, as well as the organic, wearable shape," Johnson says. "It has a lot of handcrafted details, yet they are subtle enough that the bag can be worn on a daily basis."

Start making room in your closet, ladies -- you're going to need it.

For more information on Junior Drake handbags, including a store locator, visit them online at www.juniordrake.com.

This fashionable new line blends old Hollywood glamour with a contemporary twist.

It seems like everyone and their dog is coming out with a clothing line these days, making it harder and harder to find that diamond in the rough -- especially in L.A., where it's commonly thought the West Coast's contributions to the fashion world are negligible at best. But said naysayers probably haven't come across three-L.A. yet.

Kristin Knauff, the head designer behind three-L.A.'s chic frocks, started her career in San Francisco doing the stylist thing before transitioning to the retail thing, focusing on management and buying. But long before that, Knauff became well versed in the thrift store game -- so much so that the buyers at the store came to know her by name.

"That's pretty much when I knew I had a good eye and that I wanted to open a store and buy for the ladies on a regular basis," Knauff says of the launch of Apartment Three. But it was her experiences in the store that led to the creation of her brand spankin' new line.

"Our customer is based on the ladies who shop at the store," she says. "They look for clothing that is different and well made. They all have their own unique sense of style. She likes to have key classic pieces in her wardrobe that she can wear forever as well as trendy pieces she can add on that can create an entire look. She mixes vintage with new and never buys an entire look off the mannequin."

It would be hard to think of three-L.A.'s designs as being the type of cookie cutter clothing you see on mannequins. Some of the more memorable pieces of the spring line include the ascot dress, of which the ascot is mobile, giving the wearer a multitude of options depending on their mood -- a detail Knauff predicts will make it the stand-out of the line. The button-up high-waisted skirt is double layered, giving a unique twist to a classic look. The perfect denim tee isn't something you'd think you'd need, until you see it in action and realize your wardrobe isn't complete without it. And that's just scratching the surface. Look a little closer, and you'll realize how much effort went into each garment.

Says Knauff, "The biggest challenge in creating the line was getting the fit down. Sometimes when you want to use a particular fabric it doesn't work at all with the design so you have to try several different things to make sure the fabric, design and fit all work well together."

It's clear that Knauff intended to create a line that -- while springy -- transitioned through seasons, which matches her philosophy of layering clothing in spring to help bridge the gap between warmer days and cool nights. "My spring style is a mix of high-waisted jeans and skirts, tops that are easily layered and light weight, button up jackets that I can wear when it gets colder at night and cute vintage dresses," she says. "What I wear (especially during the day) has to be equal in style and comfort. It doesn't look good if you have on a fabulous outfit or a pair of shoes that you can barely walk in. We've all experienced that before and it's not cute."

But now you know what is -- three-L.A.

For more information on three-L.A., visit them online at http://www.three-la.com or at the apartment 3 boutique, located at 813 N. La Brea Ave.

A passion for fashion led Lockheart Bag Designers Trang Huynh, Jennifer Tash and Genette Smith to co-create one of the industry's best-kept handbag secrets.

You can be wearing the hottest outfit known to man, the most gorgeous jewelry, shoes that every Trish, Diana and Henrietta covet and none of it will mean a thing if you're not carrying a bad-ass bag. There's something about the right handbag that really completes an outfit, and makes a statement about the person carrying it. So if you're looking to make a statement with your wardrobe, you're in the market for one of the exquisite leather purses from Lockheart.

Created by three women who are as passionate about their customers as they are about the bags they carry, Lockheart bags aren't your typical mass-produced label line. Sure, you can find them at the Nordstrom and Saks of the world, but it's unlikely you'll find 700 of the same style. That's because Lockheart takes time to create a wide range of styles that, while not one of a kinds, are different enough that the wearer feels they have a unique representation of their style. And that's no accident.

"You can buy your mass-marketed bag, where everyone knows you bought it and you can belong to that sorority, but we want to give you taste and style and get you a genuine compliment on the bag -- a, 'Gee, you look great!' says Jennifer Tash, co-founder of Lockheart. "What we all love is texture. We love when there's a dimensional quality. So it's not just about adding a pocket, it's about how do we edge it with quality and taste, and make it something that's unique. And when you carry that bag, then call us and say you get a compliment, we're giddy -- that's why we do it."

If you're tempted to think this Tash's enthusiasm is just a lot of veiled marketing speak, it's understandable -- after all, we live in a society that confuses passion and enthusiasm with a dedication to a bottom line. But one visit to the Lockheart warehouse in Los Angeles would change your mind. It's a purse-lover's paradise, with wall-to-wall prototypes of the latest lines, each more artistic and unique than the next, making it incredibly hard to choose a favorite. Tash and her co-designers, Trang Huynh and Genette Smith, all work within close quarters of one another, poring over minute details like hardware, stitching and colors to create incredibly stunning leather goods.

"When we first started making our bags it was purely accidental. We just made some because we watched our mentor, Kate Spade, and we had this idea in our heads. We fell in by accident and found true love."

Which is why they chose the name Lockheart to represent their brand -- their hearts are locked in a shared passion of creation, and a love for the work that they do. But that's not to say the company has been without its challenges. They've learned lessons in construction, dealing with issues with their leathers, manufacturing malfunctions overseas, you name it; but Tash points out that without those lessons, they'd never have learned how to create their coveted line. If anything, their biggest problem these days is having too many ideas, which often forces them to leave some on the cutting room floor.

Because Tash and her cohorts are so dedicated to helping others find the right bag for them, Tash believes that not enough people look for bags the same way we shop for shoes or other accessories as they're updating their Spring wardrobe. "I think people should look for artisan details," she explains. "They should look for ease of wear -- does it fit their lifestyle? A bag needs to cross over and work in all aspects of someone's day. It needs to have functionality. We believe in being beautiful and functional, which is why each of our bags has a chain for keys and inner pockets. What goes on inside is just as important on what's the outside. We're women who make handbags for women -- working women, moms, athletic types ... a bag has to work for all of us in the same way."

So what kinds of women buy Lockheart bags? Sure, there are the requisite Hollywood heavyweights like Lindsay Lohan and Keira Knightley, but it's also women who appreciate something different with both functionality and artistic flair.

Says Tash, "We're the best kept secret, but we're also quite a find if you appreciate artisan details. In this world of mass-production, everything we offer lines up -- you have to take a look and put us under a fine glass."

And like a fine wine, there's no doubt Lockheart will just keep getting better with age.

For more information on Lockheart bags, check out their website at www.lockheart.com, or see them up close and personal at Saks, Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Kitson and Corsa Collections.

Colette Steckel isn't just a jeweler -- she's an artist.

It's been said that jewelry has a heart and soul to it that clothing, shoes or other accessories just can't match. Mix that heartfelt attention to detail with precious and semi-precious stones, and you've got Colette Jewelry, a fresh line of unique and magnificent luxury pieces that easily become the highlight of any outfit you wear.

Colette Steckel's foray into jewelry design began at the tender age of eight, when she began working with stones her mother brought home from Brazilian mines. She'd break pieces off using tweezers and file them down, then use them and paper clips to make rings that she would then sell to friends and family.

"That went on until my mom found out -- she finally noticed her collection of stones was falling apart," Steckel says with a laugh. "I have never looked back!"

Her dedication to her craft has made Steckel one of the most famous jewelers in Latin America, and has made a fan out of Hollywood hot shots like Salma Hayek. Still, Steckel still finds herself challenged in trying to appeal to everyone's tastes and personality. This said, Steckel isn't slowing down for trying.

"As my business has grown and become transcontinental, I have more people working with me so I have more time to really focus on the designs," says Steckel. "Before, I was doing it all and sometimes it can take away from the creative side. Luckily it didn't with me, but it is very hard work starting your own jewelry line and becoming distinct. As my business has progressed, I have progressed as a designer and have been able to become familiar with so many different stones and gems that really add a new flavor to my lines. I have also realized how motivated and influenced I am by color."



Which is probably why Steckel describes her customers as women with confident, feminine and bold personalities --precisely the type of people who would be drawn to her new spring line, influenced by her childhood in France. Steckel finds herself most drawn to three-fingered rings and double-sided necklaces that display designs on the front and back, though she counts her flowered cuff as her top seller, and would love to see everyone take home one of her rosaries. "I think the normal images people see of God or religion can be dark at times ... images of Jesus on the cross. But my rosaries show God in a more positive image -- they add light to the subject. They are my lucky charms," she says. But for customers who have a hard time figuring out how to transition accessories into a warmer season, Steckel has some tips.

"In hotter weather we see more necklaces with soft colors," she explains. "Also, take notice that when the temperatures rise, people wear much more jewelry because they are wearing less clothes. Jewels replace some of the clothes in order to decorate the body."

As for making the transition? "It's always good to wear pieces in different ways, on different parts of your body. You wouldn't believe how different pieces can look of different parts of the body!! It's almost a reinvention of a piece."
This spring Steckel realized her dream of opening a Los Angeles boutique, showcasing her work in yellow, pink, white, 18 to 24 karat gold, using everything from the finest diamonds, semiprecious and precious stones, as well as unique and rare gems. One thing is for certain -- buying her work guarantees the customer a piece of Steckel's heart.

"All of my pieces have sentimental value," she admits. "Each design is hand made and has my passion and sweat in it. I spend so much time on each and every piece -- touching, feeling and making them -- that it's to the point where I'm sad when it's done. It may be hard to understand, but I really do get attached to the pieces. I know every detail of each piece in all of my lines -- they're timeless and I'm attached to each and everyone. That's why I'm an artist and not just a jeweler."


Visit Colette Jewelry online at http://www.colettejewelry.com or at her store, 8457 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

The combination of an artist's eye and a traveler's soul has helped Sage Machado create an incredible, one of a kind jewelry line that's spun off into fashion and fragrance.

Mass marketing has made it easy to walk into any store and get any old bracelet, pair of earrings or necklace and ensure that -- more likely than not -- you're going to run into three other people wearing exactly the same piece. What's an individuality-seeking fashionista to do? Look no further than Sage Machado.

Machado isn't your average, run-of-the-mill jewelry designer. Following in the footsteps of her creative mother, who painted and made jewelry, Machado decided to develop a line of her own while working as a sales assistant a boutique on Melrose that she didn't want to name.

"My boyfriend at the time was a model," Machado recalls. "We were talking about trends, and we were starting to see velvet chokers, which was what I started out making. So my line slowly grew while working in the store. I was self taught, started making it all myself and I built out from there."

Building out meant learning how to do stringing, wire work, then casting. Machado's pieces were available exclusively through the store where she worked, but the more people heard about her designs, the more other stores and reps would approach her. So she took the leap. After putting in a final six months at the store, Machado took the plunge and went out on her own, hiring a rep that got her line into Barneys, getting a production assistant, then working on wholesaling the line.

After six years of making jewelry, Machado added fragrances to her repertoire, expanded to candles, then included a clothing line, which wound up teaching her a valuable lesson -- rapid growth and expansion isn't always a good thing. Though her clothing line lasted for three years, problems with production prompted Machado to pull back and refocus, putting her attention back on the fragrances, candles and jewelry in an effort to maintain the company's homegrown feel.

But the biggest challenge for Machado? Keeping her unique, one-of-a-kind line fresh.

"It's always changing and evolving, but it requires so much of my time," she says. "I have to shop for pendants, shop the shows and find suppliers. I find cufflinks and doorknobs, then I turn them into pendants. I study them, refinish them and then I design with them. It requires my hand every step of the way," she says. "But it's also my passion because I like finding antique things and turning them into something that's wearable for the modern woman. It's like giving them a rebirthing."

And rebirthing is exactly what spring is all about, which is why Machado embraces color during this season in particular.

"Spring is ...the season for joy -- you're showing more skin, so there's so much more room to play," Machado suggests. "Your necklines are open, your arms are open, so layer your pieces using a couple pieces you can wear alone or together." She adds, "I like to be able to have that look where I'll wear three pieces together for evening with a layered linen. It's all about color, and I like to have different sets -- I like to mix gold and silver together, and this spring it's all about whites with gold and silver."

As for what's next, Machado is working on getting distribution in Australia, Russia, Italy and the United Kingdom and expanding her fragrance and candle line to include body wash. Machado is also looking to develop more high-end jewelry lines, in addition to a new vintage-feel line that offers precious and semi-precious stones.

If the last 12 years are any indication, we'll be seeing a lot more from this talented designer for years to come.

Visit Sage Jewelry online at www.sagejewelry.com, or at her retail location at 7381 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90036. Fragrances and candles can be found at Fred Segal, Nordstroms, Anthropologie and Nieman Marcus. Jewelry can be found at Diust in Japan, Barneys and select boutiques in New York, and on the website.