David Mandel's "The Show Must Go On" Handmade Jewelry

Creating and designing jewelry was in David's blood from the beginning. Practically before he was playing with crayons, his grandmother's drawer where she kept her costume jewelry was his toychest! Always a creative child, David began assembling and selling pre-fabricated jewelry and trinkets in grade school. This led to a life-long interest in vintage and costume fashion jewelry. Anything that glittered, sparkled and/or shone became his medium.

Throughout high school, David's creativity was fostered by being enrolled in an independent art study program. He also attended weekend art classes continuing to expand his artistic endeavors. An early interest in art, antiques and especially costume jewelry were encouraged by his parents. Being born in the metropolitan area afforded him many opportunities to venture in the world of Manhattan's plethora of museums, galleries and fabulous shops in the early sixties up to and including the late seventies.

The eighties were a time of self-discovery for David, which led him into the world of high-end vintage clothing and accessories. In addition to working and acquiring knowledge in the retail world, he attended the Traphagen School of Fashion, located near New York's Gramercy Park. With this tumultuous decade of excess and access coming to a close, David began getting truly serious about developing his talent. During this time he took the leap and established himself as a full-time resident of Manhattan.

While attending The Arts Students League, David received a Revson grant that allowed him to pursue his art uninterrupted with his influential fellow artist Bruce Dorfman. This was an important crossroads. Would David continue down the Fine Art route? Or, would he begin to feed his soul, making his artistic mark in the world of jewelry? Not suprisingly, he chose the latter and began paving his way with the professional dues within the jewelry industry.

During the course of apprenticing with Lawrence Vrba, a highly respected costume and theatrical jeweler himself, David began accepting commissions for jewelry projects in his off time. He then began laying the foundation for what would become known as THE SHOW MUST GO ON! With the help and advice of several friends, especially another famed jeweler, Robert Sorrell, David devised a business plan and left Larry's nest. The work created in the first year of business was all unsigned pieces. However, this would not last long. He created his own tag and began signing his work. It was during these beginning days that the signature style of THE SHOW MUST GO ON! was emerging. His work caught the eye of collectible and vintage dealers and began being sought after as important pieces for collectors throughout North America, Europe and Japan.

David has collaborated with clothing designers, such as, James Purcell, Chad Evans, and Marc Bouwer, to name a few. Not only for the catwalk, his creations have been worn by celebrities in many fields. David created an incredible crystal rhinestone slipdress worn by Fran Drescher on her television show. An enormously grand parure was key to the plot of the Off-Broadway show, "How To Write A Play," staged by the Ridiculouse Theatrical Company in New York. In addition, some TSMGO! pieces were used in the film, "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Love Julie Newmar."

Innumerable donations have been made over the years for charity organizations, and live and silent auctions. Probably the most fantastic of these donations was a fantasy headdress mask for the charity, Save Venice Inc. (co-sponsored by Swarvoski and Bulgari). Another piece, one of David's most whimsical creations, was a life size banana headdress and accessories for an anniversary fashion show to celebrate the new Chiquita Banana Girl, under the tents of Bryant Park in New York City during Fashion Week.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON! continues to stretch David's imagination on a daily basis. We invite you to join an elite circle of collectors and consider some of his "future heirloom" pieces below.

Each piece is a one-of-a-kind hand made collectible that can never be reproduced exactly since the materials include and antique and vintage beads and crystals. David's mark, "The Show Must Go On!" appears on the back of each piece, ensuring its authenticity.