March 19, 2011
New Rock and Roll Jewelry Line Works to Save Caged Chimpanzees
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Los Angeles, CA (March 2011) - A fusion of elegance and rock, Hardcore Elegance reigns true to its name.� Crosses, cuff-like clasps, ornate, detailed chains and bold engravings give the jewelry a rock 'n' roll edge, while an assortment of rubies, black diamonds, and Swarovski crystals soften each piece, creating a classic, elegant beauty.�
Brainchild of professional poker player, Lee Watkinson and his fianc�, Timmi DeRosa, Hardcore Elegance was born five years ago.� Brought together by a mutual love for chimpanzees and a fierce desire to help these repressed animals, Watkinson and DeRosa became partners, not only in life but in fashion too.
Coming from the highly analytical, thought-provoking world of professional poker, Watkinson had little time for anything else, let alone fashion.� As someone who refused to wear jewelry, due to the fact he could never find anything he liked enough to wear, Watkinson's appearance, for many years, was strictly accessory-free.�
A born perfectionist, when Watkinson met DeRosa, a song developer, both knew instantly that something amazing was in the works.� The duo worked tirelessly to design a unique jewelry brand with an edgy, rock 'n' roll vibe, drawing inspiration from one extreme to the other.
?Hardcore Elegance's debut collections, so fittingly entitled Glam Rock and Heavy Metal, pay homage to a darker, edgier side of fashion, with, crosses, sculpted metal and heavy embellishments dominating throughout, all the while featuring subtle hints of femininity. With prices ranging from $120-$12,500, Hardcore Elegance has something for everybody, working by the notion that anyone can afford to look like a rock star.
For Watkinson, the brand is just as empowering as it sounds.� "It is time to unleash your Rock Star. I want you to put on Hardcore Elegance and have it transform you back into that person that only you know you are," says Watkinson.
As Hardcore Elegance began to grow, Watkinson and DeRosa started to see this budding brand as an opportunity to help support animals they both feel immensely passionate about. Their first love, chimpanzees, is a species that often falls victim to bio-medical research and finds many once popular Hollywood performs now being warehoused.
As strong supporters of the Cortland Brandenburg Foundation, a non-profit organization that rescues retired chimpanzees, this dynamic duo is on a mission to save chimpanzees and ensure a better life for these animals.� Every time you purchase a piece of Hardcore Elegance jewelry, you are helping to save and retire captive chimpanzees.� The mission of Hardcore Elegance is to create safe havens for chimpanzees and help unwanted pets find a home.�
With a rocking list of celebrity clients quickly building, such as Justin Timberlake, Jamie Fox, Justin Bieber, Cee Lo Green, Slash, Chris Brown and Lady Antebellum, to name a few, Hardcore Elegance is a brand on a mission. http://www.hc-elegance.com/
Embrace your inner rock star with Hardcore Elegance and help support their quest to keep chimpanzees from harm.
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
