I met actress Bettina Schwabe at a party for an investor club at VNYL in the East Village. She asked me where I got my jewelry, so I’m dishing a few secrets here to share with you…

Style Tip

Style doesn’t have to be expensive. One of the signatures of Karen’s Quirky Style is to put together a unique look from diverse sources. To me, it’s about whether I love a piece, not who the designer is or how expensive it is.

Inspired by David Bowie

I found these fantastic diamond drop earrings at a drugstore called Shopper’s Drug Mart, in Vancouver. It was October 2016, the night of the David Bowie tribute concert at the Orpheum Theater, and I was putting together a complete Bowie outfit to wear to the show. I watched videos of his performance in the red rabbit romper outfit by Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto. Bowie was wearing a single earring, in his left ear. It was a diamond drop, so I went to Shopper’s to see if they had anything similar. I bought these earrings, and they have become one of my favorite pieces. People compliment me on them all the time!

Conducting the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

The fun ending to this story is that I was invited onstage to conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a five-piece rock band! How did this happen? When the band played “Fashion” I just had to get up and dance. Since I was sitting in the second row near the aisle, I got out of my seat and walked the catwalk in front of the stage. Turn to the left, turn to the right! The crowd loved it, because they wanted to see Bowie in all his glory at this memorial concert. So the band invited me onstage with them so everyone could see my outfit. I was too shy to sing with the band, so they let me conduct instead. What a glorious moment, dancing in style at the historic Orpheum Theater and helping celebrate the life and music of the other-worldly David Bowie.

For more photos and a bit more about the story, see my blog loveaffair.nyc.

Style Notes

• Drugstore diamond-drop earrings, Vancouver
• Grey velvet and rhinestone choker, Loft, 156 5th Avenue

Photo of Karen Rempel and Bettina Schwabe by Dusty Berke.