CHARITABLE WORKS OF ART: To mark their 20th year in business, David Rees and Ron Anderson, founders and designers of the jewelry collection Ten Thousand Things, decided to eschew the parties that typically mark the occasion. Rather than tout their success, Rees and Anderson shifted the focus of the milestone to Ten Thousand Things’ loyal customers. The jewelers designed one-of-a-kind pieces for 16 of their favorite clients, including Julianne Moore, Susan Sarandon, Christy Turlington, Kristen Stewart and Heather Watts. The jewelry will be auctioned on Charitybuzz.com, with the proceeds donated to each client’s charity of choice.

“This was born out of our desire to celebrate our 20th anniversary in a very positive way,” said Rees. “We’re so grateful that the business is at this level. When you have a small bus like ours, the customers are very important. So many of them are celebrities and doing good philanthropic things. We thought this would be the best way to celebrate their passions.”

Of the 16 clients Rees and Anderson contacted, everyone said yes, although it took two years to pull the project together due to hectic Hollywood schedules. “Everyone was so interested in doing it,” Rees said. “Everyone has a charity or foundation that they’re passionate about.” In-demand photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin photographed a 16-page portfolio of each client wearing the jewelry that will run in V magazine on Jan. 10.

“It’s a really sincere project,” Rees said. “Some clients are cultural figures like Heather Watts and Dorothy Pearlstein, who’ve had a strong impact on our business and creative journey.”

Prices for the fine jewelry with diamonds and American natural pearls, an example of the rare materials Rees and Anderson have collected over 20 years, range from $15,000 to $20,000. “There’s an emphasis on microset pavé diamonds and there’s a necklace made of rough diamond beads,” said Rees.

Ten Thousand Things is sold at Barneys New York, Ylang 23 in Dallas, Twist in Portland,Ore., and Ten Thousand Things’ store on West 14th Street in Manhattan. Rees said there are no new stores on the horizon. “By tightly controlling the distribution of your product, you become very rare,” Rees said. “It would be lovely if we were more motivated by money, but we’re motivated by creativity and materials.”

source WWD.com