Dancing in 6-inch heels, rocking out to the band and waving her hands in the air, jewelry designer Heidi Gardner knows how to have a good time. Gardner’s self-described jewelry collection of “rock and roll meets urban warrior” is fun, daring, fearless and bold – just like Gardner herself.

Gardner’s jewelry collection was featured in the penthouse of the Flatiron Hotel, where rock music played over African drums creating a moody, tribal, rock and roll vibe. The brass, silver and gold plated jewelry was a menagerie of dark, macabre pieces inspired by body parts, insects and weapons. Whimsical and expressive skull necklaces and bracelets were often displayed on animal or human skulls while battle like motifs appeared on an assortment of shield and spear-like rings and earrings.

Relatively new to the scene, this is Gardner’s second showing at NY Fashion Week. Gardner has been creative her whole life; she was a ballerina and a painter before finally finding her “perfect outlet” with jewelry designing. After a fateful meeting with a jewelry designer whose pieces resonated strongly with Gardner’s design aesthetic, she was inspired to create her own jewelry. Gardner’s designs are more than an accessory but rather an expression of one’s own personality. Her pieces allow anyone to break loose of society’s social boundaries. Sex, drinking, drugs and rock and roll oozed from the jewelry, the models, the decorations and Gardner herself, showing that this jewelry makes you feel young, wild and yes, badass.

In the future, Gardner says she would love to merge her jewelry designs with fashion designing and more specifically, leatherwork. When asked if she could collaborate with any fashion label she immediately noted Alexander McQueen.

Alyssa Santiago is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected]