This week on Sew & Tell, we’re taking a look at one of the best fashion accessories out there: the wristwatch. Watches blend form and function like almost no other wardrobe item can, doing double duty by offering exquisite style and substance. Surprisingly, there are relatively few independent watch designers on the scene today, but I was fortunate to sit down and chat for a bit with not just one of the only, but one of the best.

Martine Ilana launched La Mer in 2001, when, out of her own frustration with the dearth of fashion-forward women’s watches, she designed one for herself. That set her on a path to revolutionize the market, and thanks to her efforts and exquisite designs, La Mer is now carried in many of the big-name boutiques and retail chains, worldwide. Utilizing a mixture of materials from metal to leather, and lucite to diamonds, Martine creates unique designs for every time of day, every season, and every type of woman. On today’s show, she’ll talk about the frustration and passion that got her started, the travels that inspire her designs, and the amazing website she built, which allows visitors to become genuine “time travelers” as they explore her collections.

Plus, there’s a whole playlist of time-centered music on the show, including tracks from a lot of my favorites – Damien Jurado, Tom Waits, Sun Airway, Timber Timbre and more. So get your weekend fashion on early with BTR and La Mer – it’s about time!

La Mer Collections, by Martine Ilana
(Photos courtesy of La Mer)

Simple Wrap – Neon Pink Silver Circle Triple Wrap

Charm Wrap – Brazil Beach Stones

Chain Wrap – Prague Multi-Chain Wrap

Indo Lucite – Tortoise Shell Brown Dial

Indo Lucite – Black Gold

Soho Wrap – Neutral Tie Dye

Damien Jurado
(Photo by Sarah Murphy Jurado)
May 19 – The Rock Shop – Brooklyn, NY
May 20 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
May 21 – Black Cat – Washington, D.C.
May 23 – The Earl – East Atlanta, GA
May 25 – The Basement – Nashville, TN
May 26 – Russian Recording – Bloomington, IN
June 7 – Fri-Son – Fribourg, Switzerland
June 14 – 16 – MoSoFest – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Aug 7 – Beatpol – Dresden, Germany
Aug 8 – .HBC – Berlin, Germany
Aug 9 – 11 – Haldern Pop Festival – Haldern, Germany
Aug 12 – Tivoli Oudegracht – Utrecht, Netherlands
Aug 14 – Blind Tiger – Brighton, United Kingdom
Aug 15 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, United Kingdom
Aug 16 – The Arches – Glasgow, United Kingdom
Aug 17 – 19 – Green Man Festival – Powys, United Kingdom
Aug 18 – Leaf – Liverpool, United Kingdom
Aug 20 – Dingwalls – London, United Kingdom

Timber Timbre
(Photo by Laura Ramsey)
June 20 – 22 – Sled Island Festival – Calgary, Alberta
June 23 – TD Mainstage – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
June 24 – Amigo’s Cantina – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
June 28 – July 7 – International Jazz Festival – Montreal, Quebec
July 20 – 22 – Folk on the Rocks – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Aug 3 – 5 – Sappy Fest – Sackville, New Brunswick
Aug 10 – 12 – Regina Folk Festival – Regina, Saskatchewan

Ty Segall and White Fence
(Photo by Ruth Swanson)
May 18 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
May 19 – King’s Barcade – Raleigh, NC
May 20 – The Earl – East Atlanta, GA
May 21 – The End – Nashville, TN
May 22 – Hi-Tone – Memphis, TN
May 23 – White Water Tavern – Little Rock, AR
May 24 – Walters – Houston, TX
May 25 – Mohawk – Austin, TX
July 23 – Festival Relache – Bordeaux, France
July 25 – Museo Regionale Di Scienze Naturali – Turin, Italy
July 26 – Roma Vila – Rome, Italy
July 27 – Lazzaretto – Ancona, Italy
July 28 – Bolognetti Courtyard – Bologna, Italy
July 29 – Kuudes Aisti Festival – Helsinki, Finland
July 30 – The Castle – Manchester, United Kingdom
July 31 – The Captain’s Rest – Glasgow, United Kingdom
Aug 2 – Birthdays – London, United Kingdom
Aug 3 & 5 – OFF Festival – Katowice, Poland
Aug 4 – Garage Festival – Haarlem, Netherlands
Aug 6 – Festsaal Kreuzberg – Berlin, Germany
Aug 7 – Kb18 – Copenhagen, Denmark
Aug 8 – The Crossroads Club – Oslo, Norway
Aug 9 – TRIX Centrum voor Muziek – Antwerp, Belgium