St. John Knits, which has been expanding to widen its customer appeal in its clothing has been making many progressive steps to move its brand forward,  not least of which is announcing today Ralph Toledano as newly appointed CEO. Fashion veteran, Toledano announced the company’s many expansions of their website, social media and significantly, has taken another step to extend its brand…the development of a stand-alone costume jewelry collection, St. John’s Jewelry, which is debuting as we speak for Fall 2011, and a Handbag collection coming for Fall 2012.

They have produced pieces for the label’s runway shows and ad campaigns in the past. However, this is the first time the company is approaching jewelry as a separate division that will be sold to its retail partners. Read the rest of this entry »