Les Bijoux de l’Été

Style inspiration bookshelf at the French Kande studio. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Yesterday I had a lunch date with my friend Kande (the designer of French Kande jewelry). I’d been wanting to try on some of the pieces from her new FK Petite line, so met her at the studio.

It’s always such a treat to visit! The space is full of charm and French style inspiration. Kande loves Paris as much as I do; it was one of the things we first bonded over. She started her jewelry line with some vintage medallions she found at the marché aux puces, and regularly visits to search out more.

FK Petite necklaces ready to try on. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

She’d set out a tray of the FK Petite necklaces, and I quickly selected two in gold to try. Loved them both from the get-go! During the summer, I often wear open-neck tops, so have been wanting some shorter necklaces to wear with them.

Susan B. in the French Kande studio wearing two FK Petite gold necklaces. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I selected and am wearing the Annecy Lariat necklace and La Rochelle necklace in gold (both gifted). Both of these styles are available in silver too, HERE and HERE.

They look great with this leopard tee, but are a little hard to see in the photo. Below: with a different top. I’m wearing the Rochelle necklace on a shorter setting here.

Susan B. of une femme d'un certain age wears layered gold FK Petite necklaces from French Kande.

These FK Petite necklaces also layer nicely with the original French Kande designs. And the lengths are adjustable to accommodate different necklines! They’re very light, and perfect to wear with breezy summer fashions. I’ll be packing both for our trip.

See the FK Petite collection here.

All of the French Kande pieces are made in the USA by local artisans. The quality and workmanship of these pieces is excellent.

Mannequin wearing French Kande necklaces and designer Kande's "mood board" in the background. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

We had a wonderful time catching up over chicken kabob wraps. And Kande showed me some of the designs she’s working on for her next collection. They are fun and very cool, and I can’t wait to see the final pieces!

See the entire French Kande collection here.

Do you prefer more delicate jewelry, or bolder styles?

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23 Comments

  1. I have never been a fan of the “clunky” French Kande pieces but I do like some of these new petite items.

  2. I love your hairstyle, but in the picture of you wearing the FK necklaces, your hair is off your face and I noticed for the first time what a nice face shape you have! Very flattering!

  3. I like French Kande. However, her pieces are quite pricey. Many of your FK pieces seem to be gifted. You wear them a lot. It sure would be nice if she offered your readers a meaningful promotion on necklaces. Conversely, could you highlight some jewelry pieces that are not quite so spendy? Thanks!

  4. I find I never travel without my French Kande. They elevate a simple outfit. Thanks for showing the petite. I have been thinking they too may be good investment pieces. They look nice on you. I didn’t realize they can be worn with the others. Hmmm…patval

  5. I like to wear my necklaces on the short side. The length of the top necklace in the photo where you are wearing the black tee is perfect. Longer necklaces always hit me in the wrong spot and I don’t like it when my neckline “eats” my necklace. The current trend of wearing two necklaces in different lengths is a good solution also.

  6. I love my French Kande pieces and looking forward to purchasing some petite pieces. I live in the South and I have not run into anyone wearing French Kande so when I wear mine I receive many compliments. Thanks for showing us the petite line.

    1. Hi Kelly, because most of the pieces are made to order, they don’t go on sale. They do sometimes have sample sales at the studio, so if you sign up for their mailing list you’ll be notified of those.

  7. I like her jewelry but I cannot afford her pieces. $300.00 seems like an awful lot to pay for a necklace. Most of the bloggers who wear her pieces are gifted. I wonder if they would have paid for them if they had to.

    1. I’ve purchased several French Kande pieces over the years, long before I was offered any gifted items. 🙂 They’re well made, they hold up, and are unique rather than trendy. The stones and pearls are real, and the medallions and findings are sturdy. I know people who will pay 5x that much for a Chanel necklace with glass faux pearls. It’s really all about what appeals to you.

  8. French Kande is overpriced and while nice it’s rather boring, very LA and something that French women would not fall over to own. Strictly an American take.
    I like both delicate as well as chunky necklaces and other jewelry pieces depending on the outfit. I prefer chunky, big and bold in general and big and colorful in the summertime with simple linen dresses. Powerful women, I observe, wear big and bold i. e. Ms Pelosi in US and Theresa May in UK. For me, the delicate pieces must be of precious metals/ stones otherwise I would not bother.

  9. I learned about French Kande through your blog and now I am a convert. Like others here, I think it would be great I’d FK could offer your readers a one-time promotion because, as you say, the pieces do not go on sale and not many of us are close enough to their workshop to take advantage of a sample sale.

  10. Get what everyone is saying about FK being high priced. When paying $$$ for jewelry I want real gold or sterling silver. That said if you like the look there are so many original pieces out there similar that FK that will mimic the look at a better price point if that’s what you are looking for. Check small boutiques, craft shows or heck, take a course and make your own. Adopt but adapt…I love Sue’s sense of style and may or may not purchase the exact pieces she shows but I can certainly search out similar items at my price point to get ‘the look’. Kudos to Sue’s honesty in announcing these items are gifted as some bloggers do not and lead readers to believe that the items they show were purchased.

  11. I’m thinking of buying a long length necklace. They look beautiful. As I would have to buy online, can you please tell me if they are heavy to wear

    1. Hi Lynn, I don’t find them heavy. That said, if you’re concerned about weight, look for one with chain or links between the stones. (Most of the newer styles have this configuration, which is lighter.) Enjoy!

  12. I own 3 pieces of FK jewelry. A longish necklace, a short necklace with pearls around the bezel and a green matte stone 3 strand bracelet. Each piece has a medallion I chose because each means something to me. FK was so nice and accommodating when I wanted a specific medallion. They talked with me on the phone! For me, they are pretty and unique but I don’t own more than these 3.
    I will buy something from the petite collection and maybe 2 somethings.

    This company makes quality non-trendy pieces and while the prices are at the upper level for its type, it’s worth it.

    I’m delighted Susan is gifted by them. She works really hard on her blog, let’s her passion show through, is unapologetic about appreciating quality fashion pieces and is just plain fun to read.

    So bravo to Susan and to the wonderful folks at FK.

  13. I have two FK pieces and I do love them though the braclet is a little heavy for me! I cannot buy anymore as the exchange rate America/Australia really throws them out of my budget. But I subscribe and keep dreaming!!! Ciao Sharon (Madam Stitch)

  14. The upside down fleur-di-lis in one of her pieces was a dealbreaker for me. I am from a french family, and there is a meaning to that, and it is not good. What was that designer thinking???

  15. I really like the new, lighter weight, Petite line and am glad they went in this direction. It’s wearable on a daily basis, up to date, and still has that original FK twist.