February 7 • 2019 47
jn

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Creative Energy

Two designers show their newest work 
at a private home on Valentine’
s Day.
F

ran Broder and Elizabeth Guz 
share a love of accessories — 
both design and sell pieces that 
showcase their personal approaches to 
creativity. Broder began with scarves 
and hats in faux fur, while Guz designs 
jewelry.
They will reveal their latest projects 
Feb. 14 in a private home. 
Broder of Birmingham will expand 
her wearables by introducing a cloth-
ing line under her existing commercial 
name FauxFurever. Guz will display 
innovations in her ELLA Designs 
Jewelry that can complement the 
clothing.
“I evolved from faux fur accessories 
into clothing the same way I started 
with the accessories,
” says Broder, 
whose work has sold at events to ben-
efit the Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy 
Network. “I was making things and 
wearing them, and people were asking 
where I bought them. I call my style a 
little edgy and comfortable. It’
s loos-
er-fitting and drape-y. I describe the 
look that includes tops, skirts, dresses, 
jackets and coats as urban chic.
”
Broder does the designing, but expe-
rienced sewers complete each piece. 
She distinguishes her clothing by using 
neoprene — lightweight, machine 
washable and dryable, and free of 
wrinkles.
“Neoprene has become a catch name 
for a lot of fabrics called scuba knits,
” 
says Broder, who also sells at the One 
of a Kind Show in Chicago. 
“My designs don’
t have the weight of 
typical neoprene used in wetsuits, but 
it’
s a similar look. It lets me create dra-
matic silhouettes that can’
t be created 

with other fabrics and are fabulous for 
travel.
”
Because her designs are not form-fit-
ting, they come in three sizes — small, 
medium and large. 
Guz of Franklin started her jewelry 
line with her daughter, Lauren, and 
now works independently. They devel-
oped the jewelry to raise money for 
the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research 
Program at the University of Michigan. 
The Michael Guz Bipolar Cell Biology 
Fund honors the son and brother who 
lost his life to the disorder. Fifty per-
cent of proceeds are donated.
“I taught myself how to make neck-
laces, bracelets and earrings that are 
versatile,
” says Guz, who has raised 
$218,000 for the cause so important 
to her family. “I often go with contem-
porary looks, but there are traditional 
pieces as well.
”
Guz combines pieces that catch her 
attention, from chains to beads, and 
joins them in unique ways. Prices are 
based on the materials. 
“I don’
t do any soldering,
” says Guz, 
who has sold her work at synagogues 
and at the One of a Kind Show in 
Chicago.
A design approach Guz shares with 
Broder involves being inspired by 
changing styles and adding original 
variations to whatever has been trend-
ing.
“I believe that clothing and accesso-
ries are not superficial,
” Broder says. 
“They’
re a form of identity and self-ex-
pression. It’
s art that makes a statement 
and makes wearers feel confident. 
When people feel confident, it elevates 
them.
” ■

details For directions to the showing 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, 
email fbroder@me.com.

designs

FAR LEFT: Fran 

Broder wears 

her designs in 

lightweight neo-

prene; all pieces 

are hers except 

for the boots. 

LEFT: Elizabeth 

Guz with her 

jewelry designs.

Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem

Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem was commissioned for the re-consecration 

of Britain’s Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed by a Nazi bomb raid in 

1940. The work requires huge forces, including large orchestra and chorus, 

organ, a chamber orchestra that accompanies the soloists, and a children’s 

choir.

UMS Choral Union
Ann Arbor Youth Chorale
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Scott Hanoian, conductor

Thursday, February 16 // 8 pm

Hill Auditorium

Presenting Sponsor: Jerry Blackstone UMS Choral Union Performance Fund

Supporting Sponsor: Frances Mauney Lohr Choral Union Endowment Fund

Media Partners: WEMU 89.1 FM, WRCJ 90.9 FM, and WGTE 91.3 FM

734.764.2538 —
—
— UMS.ORG

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MARCH 28
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AND THE FOUR SEASONS