By Winter is on the way, and the prospect of chilly winds, ice, and snow brings a longing for warmer destinations: the Caribbean, Mexico, or perhaps Greece. And, if you pursue that train of thought and book flights and hotels, next may come the question of what to wear?
Females, even if you travel light, a very pared-down classy grouping of items to pack along with a swimsuit and wide-brimmed straw hat might include a hand-embroidered white tunic from KC Signatures at 2301 Broadway and some of the shop’s travel jewelry (meaning sparkling faux diamond bangles, earrings and a ring or two.)
This insight comes by way of Karan Chopra whose family owns KC Signatures. He said white tunics in winter have proven to be favorite winter purchases year after year among the store’s customers. His sister Kiki, an Upper West Side mom with two children, has been working in the store since it opened 16 years ago. She said that while white tunics have a certain cachet, there are certainly many other options available in colors from rose to black. There are also many beaded numbers and elaborately embroidered designs. In the realm of travel jewelry, as well as more valuable pieces in gold and vermeil, other options range from simple, elegant chains to more elaborate one-of-a-kind showstoppers. A fine jewelry example is a 14k yellow gold, diamond pave disc necklace that Kiki said “is great as an everyday necklace.” A showstopper in the Travel Jewelry realm would be a 14k gold plated, three-carat, white topaz tennis bracelet, Kiki said, “is great as a ‘mix in.'”
Customers who come in looking for a specific item, a certain size of 14k hoop, find themselves pleased with the range of choices. And, a fair number might admire a 14K white gold diamond tennis necklace Kiki is wearing on a particular day and are thrilled to find the same piece for themselves or to gift a friend or family member.
And then there are a multitude of silk and cotton scarves, easy to wear and perfect as gifts.
The shop is managed by Kamal, Kiki and Karan’s Dad.
The creative spirit whose instinct for buying items that continually entices buyers is Neena Chopra, (pictured above), their Mom. She continues to travel to India as she has for years to select one-of-a-kind pieces and more readily available pieces of jewelry and garments bringing them back to sell on the Upper West Side. Asked about very special finds, Kiki recalled accompanying her Mom on a buying trip to New Delhi where they found an extraordinary scarf with multi-colored embroidery on a black ground. It had taken 18 months to embroider by hand.
As many regular customers are aware, KC Signatures offers the alluring sparkle of diamonds from India whether genuine or faux along with beautiful comfortable tunics that wear as well over swimsuits at the beach as with leggings at an Upper West Side dinner party.