Sterling, sisterly jewelry

It's obvious the sisters behind the popular jewelry brand Slane & Slane get how much Southern women love their jewelry, even in tough economic times.

In the next month, Heath Slane, the Los Angeles-based half of the sister duo (sister Landon works out of New York), will be in Raleigh twice for Slane & Slane trunk shows.

Meet Slane on Thursday at the first of two shows at Elaine Miller Collection at North Hills. She'll return Dec. 12 for a show at Bailey's Fine Jewelry at Cameron Village.

The sisters, who grew up in High Point, started Slane & Slane more than a decade ago and have since grown it into one of the most recognized brands in the fine jewelry business, in large part due to their relatively accessible prices. Sterling silver pieces start at $230.

Heath Slane says the company made a strategic decision to revisit its roots for the upcoming season, offering shoppers more pieces in sterling and pearls combinations more in line with the current economy.

"It's tasteful and respectful at this time," she says. "Sterling is such a noble metal. It's not too flashy."

She says it's part of an effort to be more understanding and respectful of the economic concerns of shoppers, giving them options that are more subtle but still have the Slane & Slane appeal.

"We all need to be very conscious of our neighbors right now with a sense of fairness," she says. "We want to be conscious of where everyone is right now."

She says each Raleigh trunk show will be different, with pieces that the stores don't normally carry. There are also a few pieces unique to trunk shows. Expect to see jewelry from the Bellus, Column, Bees and Medallion collections and plenty of sterling silver chain necklaces with pearls.

The complete nuptial

Brides-to-be and anyone else who might be a part of an upcoming wedding might want to check out a different type of bridal show Saturday at the N.C. Museum of Art.

Tre Bella Bridal Boutique in Durham is organizing Altar Ego, which will show off wedding gowns, party dresses, bridesmaids gowns and resort wear from Tre Bella's bridal lines, which include Lela Rose, Junko Yoshioka, Manuel Mota and Angel Sanchez, as well as clothes from Lucky Mi, Scout & Molly's, Walk and Za Za Zsu.

"There's something for the bride to wear to the wedding, but also to wear to the rehearsal dinner, bridal showers, luncheons and the honeymoon," says Kate Price, an owner of Tre Bella.

At the event, brides can meet with wedding vendors, including C.E. Rental, Daisy Notes & Paper, Joe Bunn D.J. Company and Kristine Dittmer Photography.

The event, which will promote awareness for the Triangle chapter of Dress for Success, will run from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and include hors d'oeuvres, an open bar and wedding cake.

Tickets cost $35 and are available before the show at participating stores or online at www.trebellabridal.com/altarego.htm.

Around town

Trish McEvoy will be back in the area Thursday to give devoted Trishettes a lesson or two on what's new for holiday. McEvoy will be at Nordstrom at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham to teach classes at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. to those who spend $150 or more on Trish McEvoy products. Call 806-3700 for an appointment.

Raleigh's Blaire Kessler will bring her Pristine Recovery line of all-natural skin care products to Luxe Apothecary in North Hills on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Kessler started selling her products earlier this year after surviving breast cancer and looking for chemical-free products to use on her hair and body.

Ciao Bella at the Arboretum in Cary is having a trunk show Thursday of jewelry by Raleigh jeweler Molly Anderson of Mollybeads.