Top Designer Udi Behr Launches Love & Pride Jewelry at Saks 5th Ave
04.03.06 /Gay Wired
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) – Designer-to-the-stars Udi Behr launched two symbolic jewelry collections; “Love & Pride” and “Love Peace & Hope” at Saks Fifth Avenue with a champagne celebration on Friday, March 31st. Saks in Fort Lauderdale is the first mainstream department store to carry a luxury jewelry line supporting the gay & lesbian community. Udi Behr declared the event a “small step for retailers, colossal step for equal civil rights.”
Behr, whose ingenious jewelry has been worn by top celebrities including Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Sharon Stone, and carried by Saks and high-end jewelry stores, took action when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, courageously granted marriage licenses to same-sex couples during the summer of 2004. “I decided I had to do something, and as a jewelry designer, the natural thing was to create a new collection.”
After approaching leading jewelry retailers with the Love & Pride concept, and being turned down repeatedly, Behr initiated the launch of www.loveandpride.com with the help of $2.5 million raised from a team of investors with the same vision. It has become a community-based retail web destination featuring the entire Love & Pride collection along with thought-provoking resources for gays and lesbians interested in marriage and commitment.
Udi Behr is utilizing his collections to express strong convictions. Prior to Love & Pride, the designer developed Love+Peace+Hope to reflect the spirit of generosity after 9/11, gaining international attention at the 2003 Oscars. Working to secure civil marriage rights for gays and lesbians has become the activist’s newest focus; he now donates 10% of proceeds from the Love and Pride collection to Marriage Equality, a non-profit leader in the fight for equal marriage rights for all.
The Love & Pride Collection features rings, necklaces, bracelets, and accessories to fit every budget, from $30 to $5,000. Available in 18K gold, stainless steel, two-toned combinations, diamonds, and exquisite accents; Udi caters to every client’s style. Designs include same sex motif rings that join as a whole, a double lariat loop necklace ending in gold hand-cuffs, and a contemporary black stainless steel pendant featuring interchangeable male/female insignias. These cutting-edge pieces inspire a sincere emotion in support of the gay and lesbian community.Â
