Bahamas-bred, Paris-educated trendsetter Rebecca de Ravenel has lead a worldly life, traveling the globe for wares to offer at her Goombay Bazaar, a pop-up shop selling artisanal goods. But now, the entrepreneur calls Los Angeles home, and with that comes her latest creation: Les Bonbons. The whimsical, handmade-in-India ball drop earrings—which sold out online in just three weeks—have adorned the ear lobes of such fashionistas as Vanessa Traina, ABC producer Victoria Thompson and L.A.-based interior designer Victoria Birch. The single silhouette length (two more lengths will be introduced this fall) comes in a rainbow of colors, the most popular of which are caramel gold and coconut white. Just try stopping at one!
What’s next for de Ravenel? “I will be launching a bag for spring and a few other things,” she explains. “I just love the idea of making something amusing. Trust me, once you have one pair, you are going to want every color!”
Rebecca de Ravenel wearing her Les Bonbons earrings
Here, DuJour chatted with de Ravenel about her fan-favorite baubles.
What’s your personal style?
An absolute mix. I love colors and mixing and matching. Patterns, long dresses, paisleys with a man’s tuxedo jacket are my essentials. I like the idea of a woman looking feminine and having somewhat of a sense of humor with what she is wearing. You will almost never see me in high heels; if I could run around barefoot all day and night, I would. I have closets full of straw bags and vintage belts and am mad about old Yves Saint Laurent Passementerie anything.
ABC Producer Victoria Thompson wearing Les Bonbons
What void do you notice in the accessories market that you’re hoping to fill?
I made Les Bonbons for myself because I wanted a very lightweight pair of earrings that were fun and wearable. As someone who loves bold jewelry and accessories, I have a slew of heavy earrings and could not seem to keep any of them on for a full night. The first few pairs I had made got a really strong reaction, young girls and women alike kept asking me for them, so it turned into a business quickly. Les Bonbons can be worn everywhere so I would say designing a product that is wearable and unique is at the top of my list.
Entrepreneur Victoria Traina wearing Les Bonbons (far right)
Where and how are the earrings made?
Each Bonbons sphere is hand-wrapped in silk thread in India. It’s unusual because women and men alike are drawn to them and are always asking to touch them. I giggle because the best way to explain them is that they are like little ping-pong balls. Their featherweight nature gives them this wonderful ability to move and they just sort of have a sense of humor about them.
Les Bonbons earrings, $275, REBECCA DE RAVENEL, rebeccaderavenel.com and Moda Operandi.
