For Sofia

This wonderful piece of wearable art was created for the EtsyBeadWeavers August Challenge “First Ladies of Style".
When I think of such a Lady, I think of Sofia Loren. In my eyes she is the epitome of woman, beauty and style.

Through decades we have watched her develop from a beautiful young woman into a beautiful mature woman, and even at 75, the one aspect of Sofia Loren which remains constant is her beauty and style.

I wanted to create something that would exemplify her style. Sofia Loren has the most beautiful long neck and she is often seen wearing stunning chokers. I used this gorgeous rectangular Russian hand-painted pendant depicting a design based on the famous Gustav Klimt painting, Judith. In 1901, Judith was considered the incarnation of the femme fatale. She exudes a dangerous form of sexuality, confidence and fearlessness; hence it is the perfect centre piece for a Sofia Loren-inspired choker.

The centrepiece was bead-embroidered around the gorgeous hand-painted Black Onyx bead using Japanese seed beads and Czech firepolished black beads. Lined at the back with black ultrasuede. The choker is beadwoven using hundreds of black Czech firepolished beads and fastens with a beaded cube and loop.

The bead-embroidered centrepiece measures 2 ½” (c. 6.5 cm) in height by 1 ¾” (c. 4.5 cm) in width. The choker band 1 ¼” (c. 3.5 cm) in thickness.