February 2010 Archives

De Beers is proud to be the lead sponsor of The Love Ball London in aid of the Naked Heart Foundation, a children's charity. The centre piece of the auction was The Magic Moment Necklace designed by Natalia Vodianova and created by De Beers. This one-of-a-kind piece was inspired by that precious instant when two people meet and immediately connect. Two stunning De Beers diamond hearts fit perfectly together becoming one - symbolic of a great love.

The necklace features a 1.10 carat Fancy Intense Pink heart-shaped diamond set in pink diamond micropave and a 3.06 carat FVS1 heart-shaped diamond set in white diamond micropace. The delicate white gold chain is studded with 1.81 carats of white, round, brilliant diamonds, 1.65 carats of fancy pink, round, brilliant diamonds and 1.94 cars of fancy yellow diamonds.
For more information on the Naked Heart Foundation, please visit us here.

Yigal Azrouel was recently quoted as saying the following when discussing his incorporation of Swarovski crystals into his Fall 2010 collection -- "It was important for me to think about designing something totally different with Swarovski. The idea of applying a delicate and pristine Swarovski crystal to a rough, distressed leather jacket or a gauzy, draped t-shirt is counter-intuitive, and made the collaborative process that much more interesting."

A number of designers opted to incorporate crystals into their collection this season (Halston, Alexander Wang, Peter Som...), making the glitzy adornment one of the biggest F/W 2010 runway trends. Azrouel used them in the three key looks pictured above. First on an anthracite cracked suede jacket (worn over jet raw drape long sleeve tee and ink viscose silk pinstripe Toughened trouser), then on a Chestnut/Melange suede trim top (paired with anthracite cracked suede Toughened trouser), and lastly on an Ink quilt shoulder silk crepe dress). You can achieve a similar effect in a DIY fashion by heading to one of Swarovski's Crystallized Elements boutiques. They recently opened a fab one in Soho in NYC (if you go, you must schedule time to grab a bite/coffee in their cafe located in the back and lower level of the boutique. Not only is the food good, but how can you resist dining on a chair completely covered in crystals?!). The boutiques themselves sell an endless assortment of crystals which you can buy individually to customize anything you want -- perfect for a frugal take on the runway looks!

Behnaz Sarafpour accessorized her Fall 2010 presentation with Kara Ross ebony wood cuffs and rings with gold accents. All pieces are made with 18K gold and the rings have diamond accents (available now; price upon request). I love how the bold wood plays against the fur...total rustic-chic! Wood is definitely a love-it-or-hate it material when it comes to jewelry and I know more than a handful of people who would never wear anything made from it. Personally I'm a big fan and have been begging my friend Flavia to make a QVC version of her Visconti wooden jewelry, but alas Middle America, according to QVC execs, doesn't respond positively to wood (they associate it with "cheap"). I couldn't disagree more and think wood, when done with as much sophistication and restrained as these Ross pieces, can make a very memorable statement. Ross has a variety of wood pieces in addition to those featured in the show -- I'm dying for one of her cuffs!

Images from style.com

For the brand's Fall Winter 2010 season, Ports 1961 designer Tia Cibani once again turned to Lina Peterson to create jewelry to complement the collection. Peterson is based out of London and has a knack for creating bold, guaranteed to get you noticed, contemporary jewelry pieces. Her work has been showcased in museums around the world and she's sold at many international shop and galleries. I love the pastel colors and geometric shapes of the pieces that were used in the Ports show. They're a great alternative to a bib necklace which I'm so over now that everyone and their mother seems to be sporting them! The jewelry also highlights how versatile the F/W 2010 collection was - you can easily go conservative and wear it without jewelry or spice it up and add some pop if you're on the younger, edgier side. Check-out Lina Peterson's website by clicking here!

I think you know by now that I love big crazy cocktail rings; I pick them up everywhere from vintage boutiques, department stores and fine jewelers with prices ranging from $20 to very very expensive.  I do not bring my diamonds when I travel (they stay in a bank vault) and prefer fashion pieces like this ring from Cavalli.  For one thing I don't have to worry about losing it and for another, you do not want to mess with a girl who has this on her finger, she will CUT you!  This silver-tone brass ring with black Swarovski crystal embellishment is totally sick though it does eerily resemble a spider but don't think about that!  Just think about all the fun you'll have wearing it.  Roberto Cavalli Spider Swarovski Crystal Ring
$430.00

While in NY for Fashion Week, I went to visit Paige Gamble's showroom. She is amazing, to put it plainly. Paige has an eye like no other, she is sharp witted, gorgeous, genius and most importantly (for our purposes) phonemically creative. I am in love with her bags, they are immaculate and chic, it's sick!! So when she started doing jewelry, you know I was all over it. Her pieces are like works of art, they are unique without being unwearable. The thing I love most is that you can wear a simple outfit with her pieces to spice things up and it is totally effortless but entirely put together. I am crazy over the Amethyst and Gunmetal Chains ($550) , it is a perfect mix of feminine and bold. In the summer, white tee, jeans and this and you are rocking like no other.

When it comes to jewelry at Barneys, I actually find more pieces I like in their co-op section than on their main floor. In the NYC flagship they've got three large cases on the seventh floor with a ton of fun, affordable (relatively at least), original designs from the likes of Fallon and Subversive. When I first saw this Thea Grant Quadrangles Multi Chain Necklace ($385), I thought it's kind of fun and quirky, but for nearly $400 it's a bit ridiculous to have a hotchpotch of items on a metal chain. I tried it on for fun and it predictably looks ridiculous. Plus the random items aren't even interesting!! The necklace makes me think of those monochromatic canvases you sometimes see at modern art museum and think to yourself...uhhh, I could have done that myself!

Am I missing something here? What do you think of this necklace? Snob or Slob?

If it weren't for the Kenneth Jay Lane counter at the mall in the Plaza Hotel, the space would be a total bust (well KJL and the Demel Cafe...best coffee and petit fours!). Nothing like an afternoon trying on dozens of bold baubles and indulging in some sweets:-) I only wish there were QVC KJL buys at the counter. Hard to believe, but many of the KJL QVC pieces are near-identical (maybe even totally identical -- both design and quality-wise), to the main line. Not that KJL is ridiculously expensive, but the pieces aren't great quality and it's not uncommon for them to break after a few wears making QVC all the more appealing. I'm liking the KJL Elaborate Enamel Flower Necklace ($220). The size of the piece could make it veer on the tacky side (though this is the case with many KJL pieces!), so I would pair it with something simple and casual like jeans and a white tee.

What do you think about this KJL necklace? How would you wear it?

Heart on your sleeve is one thing; soul on your finger is quite another--and something I highly recommend if it's from Jil Sander. Just in time for Valentine's Day, the fashion house has debuted a new Soul collection of rings available only at the label's online boutique. Crafted in Italy, the finger candy boasts a chunky silver-and-enamel design that's a surefire standout for the minimalist house. It might not have quite the commanding presence of a Graff cocktail ring, but it's also one-tenth the price! Wear it to work with your suit and to cocktails with an LBD. A truly versatile ring, it whispers, doesn't shout, subtle style. The best part? I love that it's available in bright, perky colors like orange, blue, pink and yellow (not to mention black, which is an option for gents).

$540 available exclusively at www.jilsander.com

I always say that for the man or woman that has it all, get them something monogrammed or somehow customized/personalized. On that note for Valentine's Day check-out the Cathy Waterman Monogram Ring ($3,510). Cathy Waterman's pieces have been worn by dozens of stars including Charlize Theron and Julia Roberts and the designer is known for taking inspiration from nature which is clear in the way the letters are shaped on this ring. Plus everything in the collection is handmade using recycled metals and fair trade stones. The only drawback to the ring is the price. Nearly $4,000 (when you factor in tax), is a very, very steep price to pay for something that is 22K with no stones (and given that this is an under-stated ring, there's not even that much gold...). The craftsmanship however of the piece is tops, so if you can afford it stop by Barneys. It would make an especially great gift for a soon-to-be or new mom!

How fab are the two pieces pictured above? They're both Francesca Visconti pieces, an Italian line run by one of my best friends, Flavia Masson (who also happened to be Visconti's daughter). Every time I see Flavia wearing the above pieces I swoon and beg her to make less expensive versions for QVC (Visconti has a diffusion line for QVC which Flavia sells on-air multiple times a year). The above ring is ebony and 18kt yellow gold with zircons ($3,800), while the cuff is ebony with 18kt yellow gold studs ($5,000). Unfortunately the QVC audience does not respond well to wood so the only way to get these pieces is by purchasing them from the couture line by contacting  (212) 593-6106. Check out more from Francesca Visconti here! The line has plenty of bold, colorful, and fun pieces perfect for a mild Valentine's Day splurge:-)

Looking to make a statement this spring? Look no further than Tom Binns, whose limited-edition capsule collection for Disney inspired by Tim Burton's upcoming film, "Alice in Wonderland," launches this week. Anyone who's ever tried on or worn one of Binns's necklaces knows they're not only significant, weighty pieces, but they're true handmade works of art to boot. Of the six pieces in this special collection, priced from $575 to $1,000, I found myself gravitating toward his "All Heart" necklace named after the movie's Red Queen, natch (other characters he drew inspiration from include the Mad Hatter, the White Queen and the White Rabbit). Is it just me or does looking at this necklace of hematite chains, Swarovski crystals and countless red resin hearts make you crave a box of old-fashioned Red Hots cinnamon candies? What I appreciate about this necklace is that it's both simplistic in design yet statement-making in sheer attitude. Can't you just picture it at a spring season gala or Hamptons backyard barbeque? Wallflowers need not apply; a woman brave enough to wear this necklace needs no introduction: she's the center of attention, the life of the party--in short, a real firecracker. $1,000 at Tom Binns Design online.

The Tourbillon is Blancpain's most traditional and signature watch. All Jewel Snobs are obsessed with watches and having a Blancpain cements your status as a true and knowledgeable collector. This very unique and special Tourbillon is the mother of all watches, set with 242 baguettes diamonds on the bracelet in white gold with 115 diamonds on the dial, this is a masterpiece of the watchmaking art at its very best. Its power reserve eliminates the necessity of daily winding and guarantees optimum precision due to the slower more regular detent of its barrel spring. Not sure if you should actually go deep sea scuba diving with this on but as a tribute to its craft and invention, this Tourbillon is water-resistant to 30-100 meters. Diamond bracelet, as seen, is $1,812,700, also available with a leather strap instead of the diamond bracelet for $1,342,700. For assistance, please call Jaclyn at the Madison Avenue Store in New York City at 212.396.1735.

Amanda Rudey jewelry is seen coast to coast, from the streets of New York on Gossip Girls to the shores of California on 90210. And the best part, you can be a Frugal Snob AND still look like a shining star without compromising. This handmade North Star ring is only $130 and with code PEOPLEAR, you will recieve 20% off at AMANDA RUDEY, making is only $104!! Her collection ranges from $60-$345 - this code is good site wide until Feb. 12th. Let me know if you need me to send a hint to your significant other for the perfect Valentine's gift =) Code and info via People Style Watch.

I don't own any of Tory Burch's shoes, clothes, or bags, but I absolutely LOVE her jewelry and now that she's hired Subversive designer Justin Giunta to be the design director of Tory Burch jewelry I'm even more excited about what's to come! The Tory Burch Siddhartha Cuff  ($250) pictured above is a versatile piece that would pair just as well with an Upper East Sider's Lilly Pulitzer dress as it would with a young, urban girl's LBD or a more bohemian-type who could wear this on one arm and then stack a bunch of more slender bold, gold and patterned baubles on the other arm. As a nice little extra bonus Siddhartha means "he who has found meaning (of existence)" in Sanskrit, so who knows, perhaps wearing it will bring me luck in finding some added meaning!? ... hey, you never know!

What do you think about Tory Burch's jewelry?

What a beautiful way to support the people of Haiti. This necklace was designed specifically to help raise money for the victims of Haiti. The engraved words, "HOPE, FAITH, SUPPORT, STRENGTH" is something we should all hold near to our hearts.

"I wanted to design a piece that would help benefit a country that has been devastated by such a horrific catastrophe, support those whose lives have been uprooted and turned upside down, and help them re-build with your generous donation that bears an inspirational message to all." - Danielle Zackman, designer of Danielle Stevens Jewelry

Danielle Stevens will be donating 80% of all sales from the Help For Haiti Necklace to the Red Cross Haiti Relief Operation. Necklace is available for $40 through her website only: DanielleStevens.com.

This Oscar de la Renta Bib Necklace ($790) is the perfect example of what costume jewelry should do -- make a statement! Jewel Snob Tina gave the low-down on the line which is a collaboration between ODLR and style icon Loulou de la Falaise. For me this piece was one of the stand-outs from the current collection. There's an exotic feel to the necklace given the color and beadwork (steel bugle beads, plastic, PVC, and glass stones all made in India), which can add a nice bohemian touch to a classic look. I love that it has been styled with an LBD in the photo above, because it just goes to show how the right accessory can turn a boring look into something that's wonderfully memorable. Plus how great are all the contrasting shades of red and shapes of the embellishments? Definitely a conversation-starter!

I was lunching at my favorite Dallas boutique (FortyFiveTen) last week and discovered the most amazing line of jewelry. The Woods Fine Jewelry, based in Aspen and designed by sisters Samantha Hitchcock and Shawn Hecox, is a stunning collection of jewels that juxtapose natural elements like wood, leather, ivory and even antler with old mine cut/Victorian diamonds. The talented duo created the venture three years ago and has since developed a cult following of jewel snobs with impeccable taste.

It began with a shared fascination with old mine cut/Victorian cut diamonds (you all know my love of old mine cut diamonds!) and they envisioned a line of jewelry that reflected their unfussy yet indulgent sensibilities. The collection also embodies the principles they loved in their favorite clothing designers, simple elegance with unexpected surprises. The burgeoning line is defined by contrast - accessibility/luxury, edgy/feminine. Celebrity clients include Charlize Theron, Ashley Olsen, and Kate Hudson.

The necklace I am dreaming about is the Grey Wood with Diamond Beads and Tahitian Pearls (above left, $4,400). The Woods Fine Jewerly pieces are meant to be worn together in multiple layers; it never looks fussy or unpretentious no matter how many pieces you stack on! Most of the charms are detachable and many are one of a kind. Bracelets and smaller necklaces start at $390. Call FortyFiveTen Boutique in Dallas to order! 214-559-4520