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Fans of HBO’s Sex and the City (SATC) waited eagerly to see if the accessories in the reboot And Just Like That would measure up to the original when the series first aired in late 2021. After all, Patricia Field, the SATC’s original costume designer, has moved on to the Netflix hit Emily in Paris. That leaves the dressing of Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie, Kristin Davis as Charlotte, and Miranda played by Cynthia Nixon to Molly Rogers and Danny Santiago (who previously worked with Field on SATC.) Are they up to the task? Now that season two of And Just Like That is well underway, the short answer is a resounding yes!
Even though the start of the new series had a storyline downer, the bags, shoes, and jewelry pick up right where we left off in the late ‘90s and early aughts, and they just get better and better. I’ll admit to loving them all, but like most ardent jewelry collectors, the adornment captures my attention most of all.
Back in the day, it was Samantha, played by Kim Cattrall, who wore the most expressive earrings, brooches, and other statement-makers. Since her character has been absent to date in the reboot (although I hear she’ll be making a cameo in season two), one of the new ladies, Nicole Ari Parker who plays Lisa Todd Wexley (nicknamed “LTW” on the show), has taken the top jewelry spot for me in every episode of both seasons one and two. While most of the other cast members don an array of fine or bridge jewelry, including Carrie’s necklaces, LTW wears an eclectic mix that includes some eye-catching fashion jewelry.
Let’s look at a few fave designers and brands I’ve seen LTW wear so far.
Monies
There have been several occasions when LTW’s necklaces have had me saying out loud to my husband, “That has to be Monies.” As it turns, out I was right. In the first episode of the series, the flamboyantly dressed wife, mom, and career woman sports a huge necklace made of bright red chain links by a Danish workshop called Monies. I’ve spotted a few other pieces in later episodes that are very likely their designs as well.
This jewelry studio, now operated by Karl Monies, the son of founders Gerda Lynggaard and Nikolai Monies, has been making jewelry since 1973. It’s a fitting tribute for their 50th anniversary to be acknowledged on And Just Like That. In addition to bold looks, this jewelry is known for being made of natural materials like wood, horn, leather, pearls, and chunky natural stones. One of the best parts of hunting down vintage Monies pieces is the price. With a little shopping diligence, you’ll find earrings in the $50 range, and prices go up from there. Not all vintage Monies pieces are marked, so be sure to buy from a vintage seller who knows their stuff.
Patricia Von Musulin
Another scene from And Just Like That finds LTW sporting a large Lucite bracelet by Patricia von Musulin, who also started her company in the 1970s. If you recall the Vogue image of Nastassja Kinski taken by the renowned Richard Avedon, where she posed with only a massive serpent and a white wristband, that bracelet was crafted by von Musulin. She captured the attention of the fashionable set back then, and collectors are still clamoring for her jewelry today.
Unlike Monies, von Musulin’s New York-based firm no longer produces jewelry. If you want to imitate LTW’s look, you can find an array of her designs in the vintage marketplace priced from the hundreds into the thousands. In addition to plastics, some of her most desirable creations include necklaces made with strands of natural stone beads and ebony wood designs dotted with sterling silver inlays. Some pieces are unmarked, so buying from a knowledgeable seller is once again recommended.
Mark Davis
Artisans have been reworking old Bakelite for decades, but Mark Davis is credited for taking what was originally an inexpensive plastic and elevating it to the status of fine jewelry.
In business since 1999, he transforms plain Bakelite bangles by adding karat gold elements set with genuine gemstones and inlays. He also uses wood and metal bangle bases decorating them with the same type of embellishments. On And Just Like That, you guessed it, LTW is spotted wearing a stack of several Mark Davis creations at a dinner party in her home.
gemstones.
In addition to bangles, Davis has used Bakelite in necklace, earring, and ring designs as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see more pieces from his studio located in South Carolina employed by costume designers outfitting LTW since they’re quite colorful and creative.
These are a few of the amazing pieces I’ve found myself coveting in the Sex and the City reboot so far. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Pamela Siegel is a freelance writer and author who has been educating collectors for more than two decades. In addition to three books on topics relating to antiques and collectibles, she frequently shares her expertise through online writing and articles for print-based publications. Pamela is also the co-founder of Costume Jewelry Collectors Int’l (CJCI) and the proprietor of Chic Antiques by Pamela.
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