Toujours Times Two

What do pirate ships, melting ice cream and grandpa's old sneakers have in common? It may sound like the lead-in to a silly punchline, but those items are all genuine sources of inspiration for Toujours Toi, a jewelry line that's just as likely to make you smile.

Swiss-born designer Nina Egli launched Toujours Toi in 2002 while studying drama at New York's Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. And Egli's pieces reflect her storytelling roots, infusing the mystery and wonder of childhood fairy tales with a sly, grown-up wit. The 11 Toujours Toi collections span a variety of moods, from darkly talismanic—featuring brass birds, sterling silver masks, gunmetal daggers and crystals—to whimsically tongue-in-cheek. Egli's spring '08 collection, Helter Skelter, is a deliciously camp variation on the former theme, made from neon feathers, chunky raw quartz "moon rocks" and celestial charms fit for a glam-rock galactic warrior

In addition to the upcoming launch of a fine-jewelry diffusion line called Circe, the ever-enterprising Egli is also preparing to unveil her first foray into womenswear for Fall 2008. Dubbed "Family Affair," the collection was designed in collaboration with Egli's mother, Kaya, a legendary designer in the '60s and '70s who created exclusive collections for The Beatles' Apple store.

The mother-daughter duo have seamlessly combined their individual aesthetics: Kaya's bohemian elegance is evoked in oversized blouses with brass buttons, while Nina's quirky ingénue is channeled in school uniform-issue blazers and high-waisted shorts. "Moving into fashion was natural for me, since my Mum always made it part of our home life," Egli explains. "Her boxes of design drawings and closets full of treasures have been my constant inspiration. I've always liked to tell stories with my jewelry, and clothing is a way to make that story even richer."

—Erin Magner