Jewelry designer inspired by India

Susan Gordon has changed careers, and the only thing she has in common with her former job is the travel involved.

She grew up in Los Angeles but eventually went to Washington, D.C., working for the federal government for 25 years. She was on the advance team for the president, worked on environmental issues as a senior manager and served as a diplomat in Russia, Lithuania, Poland and other places.

Now she designs one-of-a-kind jewelry through Hall's and Churchill in Crestwood, both in Kansas City.

It was India, she says, that changed her life.

In March 2000, Susan was on the advance team for President Clinton's visit to India. She was to help craft an environmental speech he would give.

When her work was finished in New Delhi, she took the opportunity to travel in the area. "I always loved the stories of the maharajas and Moghul emperors, so I flew to Jaipur," she said.

Jaipur, in the northwest Rajasthan region, is where she now returns frequently to work with artisans who craft her designs.

"Everything is done by hand in 22 karat gold," she said. "I use 22 karat because it's very rich and seductive." The jewelry has

precious and semi-precious stones.

When she was in Wichita recently for a trunk show at Plaid Giraffe, she showed delicate earrings, bold necklaces and heavily embroidered silk evening stoles, a recent addition.

"It was fun to be in Wichita because so many people showed interest in the jewelry and where it's made," she told me on the phone after the show.

Her present occupation is a far cry from being a globe-trotting diplomat, but she says she's enjoying it.

At the end of April, she retired from her government job in Kansas City. "I feel good about the environmental work I did," she said. "Almost every day I worked for the government was a good day."

Right now she's pleased with her choices.

"This is a change, but I'm enjoying it so much. I love the Kansas City area," she said. "And it gives me the opportunity to return to India."

Niki's new venture -- Just when you thought there couldn't be any more fragrances, model Niki Taylor has announced her perfume, Begin. It will be out in fall 2005.

"I'm not J.Lo, I'm not Britney Spears. I'm relatable and touchable," she told Kristin Finn of Women's Wear Daily.

Niki is so beautiful that I'm not sure she's easy to relate to, but I do think she's got some great ideas.

She developed a charitable part of her company that helps three women a year write a business plan and get the funding to make it happen.

And unlike so many celebrities who simply put their name on a product, Niki vows she's involved and will stay involved. She meets her customers by traveling the country introducing Begin.

The fragrance, which has vanilla and citrus undertones, will come in two sizes: 1.7 ounces for $42 and 3.4 ounces for $60.