Martin Katz (American jewelry designer)

Martin Katz is an American jewelry designer and collector whose pieces have been popular with celebrities for nearly two decades. His work has been featured in fashion spreads and celebrity photo shoots for magazines such as Vogue, W, and InStyle. Katz is known for infusing vintage and classic styles with a modern edge.^[1]

Early life and education

Born in South Bend, Indiana, Katz is the fourth of five children. He began his career as an undergraduate student at Indiana University selling silver jewelry to his classmates. After graduating with a psychology degree in 1978, his first significant position in the jewelry industry was with Laykin et Cie in Los Angeles, a jeweler inside the then prominent I. Magnin specialty stores.^[2]

Founding MK Ltd to present

Katz started Martin Katz, Ltd. in 1988. He began by making house calls to his few clients or inviting them into in his home. The panoramic view from his Beverly Hills penthouse apartment^[3] was the ideal complement to what Vogue dubbed the “Jewel Bar”. He opened his first retail store in Beverly Hills in 1998. Shortly thereafter he created a private New York City showroom on Madison Avenue.

Katz has been most lauded (and copied) for his work with micro-pave settings. The most famous of these are his microbands.^{[citation needed]}

Katz has dabbled in fashion. In 2007, he collaborated with Renee Strauss to create the world's most expensive wedding dress. With 150 carats (30 g) of diamonds and a $12 million price tag, the dress was first shown at the Luxury Brands Lifestyle Bridal Show in February 2006.^[4]

In 2008 Katz designed the Victoria's Secret Fantasy Bra. Worn by model Adriana Lima, the bra was set with 3,575 black diamonds, 117 certified 1-carat (200 mg) white round diamonds, 34 rubies, and 2 black diamond drops totaling 100 carats (20 g). Valued at over $5 million, the bra carried more than 1,500 carats (300 g).^[5]

Katz was one of four jewelers chosen to design wedding bands for NBC’s 2009 edition of Today Throws a Wedding. He also provided the engagement ring used on the famous Will & Grace episode, "Marry Me a Little, Marry Me a Little More", in which Leo (Harry Connick, Jr.) proposes to Grace (Debra Messing), in New York City's Central Park.^{[citation needed]}

Celebrity fans of Katz include Salma Hayek, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Freida Pinto, Kate Winslet, Anne Heche, Debra Messing, and Heidi Klum.

Katz has recently^[when?] launched his line at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City and also just created a boutique line available at his Beverly Hills store.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ Stewart, Christy "Martin Katz: A Fusion of Past and Present" Just Luxe, 2007-4-6.
2. ^ Ball, Aimee Lee. "The Katz Meow" Departures, 1999-August.
3. ^ Karlin, Beth "Sparkle Plenty" [People], 1998-2-23.
4. ^ Supriya, Sharon. "Feel the Blissful Moment in Wedding Gowns" OneIndia",
5. ^ "Victoria's Secret unveils 2008 'Fantasy Bra'" "National Jeweler", 2008-10-20.

• Kenrick, Vivienne "Personality Profile: Martin Katz" The Japan Times, 2004-6-12.
• Miller, Korin "Sexy Adriana Lima Models $5 Million Victoria's Secret Bra" The New York Daily News, 2008-10-19.

External links

• Martin Katz (American jewelry designer) – designer profile at Fashion Model Directory
• http://www.dailyfrontrow.com/obsessions/article/rainbow-connection
• http://thebridesguide.marthastewartweddings.com/2010/05/expert-advice-martin-katz.html#comments
• http://www.losangeles.com/shop-brighton-way-for-mothers-day-e879621
• http://www.martinkatz.com
• http://www.weddingstylemagazine.com/designers/martin-katz/s6.aspx
• http://www.etonline.com/awards/emmys/2009/2009/09/78803/index.html
• http://www.departures.com/articles/katz-meow*
• http://thebridesguide.marthastewartweddings.com/2010/05/expert-advice-martin-katz-2.html

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