Style & jewelry? Let's brooch some topics

IF YOU SHOP the rarefied jewelry departments of Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom, you know the work of Ann King Lagos. Lagos, not the person, but the statement-making baubles she helped create for 20 years, can be seen shimmering in the gleaming cases of such upscale retailers.

But then again, if you shop QVC, you probably know her creations, too. Her more midrange line of jewelry, Ann King, has been a fixture of the West Chester-based home-shopping channel since 2001.

A couple of weeks ago, Moore College announced that King Lagos, who studied metalsmithing at Philadelphia College of Art, would receive its 2013 Visionary Woman Award (also winning this year: Moore-educated sculptor Kathy Butterly).

The honor comes at an interesting time. The Center City resident, recently divorced from longtime business- and life partner Steven Lagos, has a new business partner and new jewelry collection due out this fall. (Keeping details mum for now, King Lagos hinted the line's "sophisticated" aesthetic would recall the high-end hardware of Gucci and Hermes.) Here, she tells Lauren McCutcheon what she loves about Philly style and fashion in general, why it's great to be 59 - and that jewelry is the new lipstick.

What do you consider your most iconic designs?

I created the Lagos logo, and the "Caviar" products - those round beads - and the fluting. Those are the intrinsic elements the brand is known for today. For QVC, one of my best sellers has been an orchid ring with a beautiful cognac brown gemstone in it.

How has jewelry changed since you first launched Lagos?

It used to be, a woman couldn't go out of the house without lipstick on. Now, if you go out of the house without jewelry on, you feel unfinished.

What pieces do you always wear?

I always wear earrings, bracelets and rings. And, I always have the signature "Heart of Lagos," which I actually designed and actually carved, on my keychain. It's near and dear to me because when I made it, my mother was dying of breast cancer, and I gave it to her and to all of her friends who helped her. It started this whole club, this sorority of women being there for women.

I would also always give the keychain to my daughter's teachers and girlfriends.

How do you feel about Philadelphians' fashion sense?

Certainly you see a lot of the same old, same old, the sneakers and the cutoff shorts in restaurants. But I think it's wonderful that anything goes, that you can dress down or dress up, wear all different color metals at once, that you can be creative on your own. As a designer, I love to people watch.

What other trend are you embracing right now?

The vintage and modern mix is something I'm very happy to see happening. I'm 59 and proud of it. I grew up in a time when things were made and approached with intent and integrity. That's something instilled in me, and that I always put into my work.