September 2011 Archives

When it comes to jewels, the padlock has been done, and then done some more. Bu when it comes to Eddie Borgo, he has the eye for taking the look and cranking it up a notch. The New York native finds his inspiration on the streets of his home town and the glory days of rock 'n' roll, but his appreciation for finesse and elegance is equally strong. With these pave earrings and bracelet, Borgo has translated his language of grit and glamour perfectly.

The bracelet's ($1,375) big and full pave rhinestones are beautiful on their own, but it's "been there, done that." Throw an enormously chunky 24-karat yellow-gold padlock over the anthracite for a metal-mix contrast, and you have street style at its best. The drop earrings ($375) make for a similar effect. Sparkly danglers tend to be frou-frou - not with silver-plated brass locks hanging from the chains. Lock yourself into either piece and give your ladylike ensemble a confident wink.

Moonstone: believed by legend to form from moonlight that has been solidified on earth, there is so much myth and lore associated with it. The ancient Greeks called it "Aphroselene," after love goddess Aphrodite and moon goddess Selene, it is sacred in India, and some believe that when you wear it, you will attract a lover.

Whatever you think, there is a definite mythical attraction to moonstones. Just look at Irene Neuwirth's bewitching earrings, moonstones set in rose-gold with inlaid pave diamonds. There is a mystery to each romantic stone. So much more interesting than diamonds that sparkle arbitrarily, they shine rarely and on their own accord, as if they will only glimmer with good reason. When they do, it's as illusive as a rainbow in the dark. Neuwirth's hexagonal arrangement forces them to give off even more light and radiance than they ordinarily would - a sweet beehive-like cluster only further enforces the seductive power of the Queen Bee who wears them. At Barneys New York for $8,050.

Pair with: You're already channeling Aphrodite, so I'd suggest wearing a goddess gown that promises to incite amorous feelings. Rachel Gilbert's creamy peach silk-chiffon gown has a flowing skirt and cinched, waist-supporting bodice covered in low-key sequins. On Net-a-Porter for $1,655.

There are two kinds of jewels in this world: the personal treasures and the toss-around toys, sentimental pieces and playful baubles. For me, jewelry is personal only when my husband buys it for me. Otherwise, it's just another way to accessorize my outfits, no emotional significance behind it. That's why I'm all about Topshop when it comes to casual shopping - they have the best jewels for frugal snobs. From spiked cuffs (thanks, Tom Binns!) to bedazzled bows (a la Lanvin) to layers of earthy charms (credit Venessa Arizaga), it's a veritable marketplace for spirited ornaments you won't cry over if you break or lose them.

This quirky lizard clamp bangle looks like it costs hundreds, but it's a mere $50. The rhinestone-details give it just enough sparkle for night and the melded, textured metal makes it fitting for day. Shake up your costume pieces with your precious gifted jewels - it's all about high-low! At TopShop for $50.

Pair with: Your Topshop bracelet needs a touch of something top-of-the-line to even things out. Monique Péan's white-gold, diamond, and Tahitian pearl ring is no steal, but its glistening light ought to steal some attention. At Barneys New York for $8,800.

Bling is the thing this season (isn't it always?). Remember, faux is fab and luster comes in many forms. Don't toss out your 401K to get real rocks - crystal is just as showy and sparkly. Especially when it comes to stackable bangles, the bracelet designed to be tossed on in a haphazard manner. Diamond bangles tend to get too stiff and formal for their nonchalant form, but Adriana Orsini's thin, wavy, doubled-up bangle is perfect. Abstract and cool as real ice, this two-in-one piece is made to suit your mood. It's stunning on it's own - and already gives the look of separate bracelets, but these Siamese twins are stuck together, so clinking is reduced. Or stack it with beaded bracelets for a more casual look. Topped off with push-lock closure - great for people like me who can't get most bangles to fit! - and it couldn't be easier (or much more affordable). Exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue for $195.

Pair with: If you want to let your bracelet glitter and keep the rest of your wrist minimal, but crave some heft elsewhere, go for a powerful cocktail ring. Charlotte Bjorlin D'Elia's
Beast ring is a smooth silver claw with an enigmatic chalcedony stone surrounded by discreet crystals. Cheap and chic! At Barneys New York for $285.

Courtly stones and Mother Nature's touch: I have been a fan of The Woods jewels for years, and I'm so excited to see Shawn and Samantha's first collaboration with Chris Benz, now online at Moda Operandi. Chris Benz was inspired by "the idea of Bermuda" for his Resort 2012 collection and with vivid colors and painterly patterns, the earthly treasures created by The Woods are a flawless complement. The luxury-loving gypsy Benz has imagined (abstract leopard prints, swingy baby doll dresses, silky Bermuda shorts) would be undefined without these rustically beautiful jewels.

Using nature's finest as their inspiration - think thrashing waves on velvety beaches and African vibrancy - the sister duo has melded sandalwood, diamonds, and pearls into necklaces of understated elegance. Fossilized ivory beads on the Silver Delica necklace ($1,150) take on a raw glittering quality; completed with a pave diamond elephant bead and lapis-colored tassel, you've instantly got all the exoticism you need. The Delica necklace ($1,150), of sandalwood beads and aqua-blue tassel, sets a more casual sand-meets-surf mood. This is the kind of relaxed opulence that demands to be layered to excess, so hop onto to Moda Operandi to snag the look of the earthy jetsetter without leaving your house!

Photo Credit: Style.com

Designer Guy Rozenstrich has a way with delicacy rarely seen in the work of even the most skillful of jewelry designers. His West Village boutique glistens with elegant stackable eternity bands, starfish studs, winged and cross charm necklaces, and custom gemstone piece - all these small things he creates have an elusive way of standing out more than some big statement pieces. Maybe you've seen his trademark initial necklace on the likes of trendsetters such as Dree Hemingway, and it's no surprise. The itty-bitty letter of your choosing - I might even suggest going for a nickname or lover's initial to make it extra-special! - dangles so sweetly and coyly from either a 16" or 18" gold chain. Take your pick and order any letter of the alphabet. At this price, I might even layer a few to add some monogram flair to my everyday jewels. At Phoenix Roze for $225.

Who says pierced ears should have all the dangly, decorative fun? Erickson Beamon has dreamed up a pair of alluring and softly dramatic clip-on earrings (lucky for me: I can wear them without irritation!). Their beautiful cocktail of light-catching glass beads and Swarovski crystals on intricate 22-karat gold-plated carvings looks family-heirloom expensive, but for just $355 you will fool them all.

What I really appreciate about these lengthy jumbles is the sense of old-world charm they evoke. When it comes to jewels, I love old-fashioned and antique way more than new and modern - an elegant old-world feel is so soothing to the eye and soul. These elaborate 5"-drop danglers will draw the eye - and soul - to your face no matter what you wear, and with low-level flash, they won't be a challenge to coordinate. On Net-a-Porter for $355.

Pair with: Leave your neck and décolletage free of adornments and let your long costume baubles take center stage. Wear a spaghetti-strapped dress by Lanvin; this draped camisole style is a soft vintage throwback. At Barneys New York for $2,480.

Known for his weighty and mature bejeweled silver chunk (ideal for layering, but can get a little hefty for everyday), you can imagine my surprise to find these edgy and youthful bracelets are from David Yurman. I adore diamonds as much as the next jewel snob, but a girl can't be walking around all day in her bling (not normal girls, anyway). These beaded sparklers are the answer. Total understated chic, with enough twinkle to maintain desired levels of glam.

Black onyx goes with everything and an off-centered pave diamond bead - the white ($850) with a .21 total carat-weight, the black ($1,250) with .96 - makes the bracelets truly special. Both are set on a sterling silver box chain and have an adjustable spiritual bead clasp. The double-layered bracelet ($2,500) with the most bling (1.35 total carat-weight) has a simpler clasp. I personally think these bracelets look best stacked. They won't set off any alarms through security or get any unwanted attention - only attention from those with an eye for cool restraint.

At David Yurman.com

When it comes to gracefully chained necklaces, excess tends to look better than less. Layering your strands is the way to go for plentiful-chic, but why bother creating a multi-themed mélange yourself when your necklace can do all the work for you? (Plus, a single clasp means no tangling!) I've been seeing a lot of multiple-layer necklaces - and I love these eclectic combinations. Some have various chains with agate centerpieces, but Lulu Frost's vintage heirloom mash-up takes it all the way.

Normally, tonal crystals in a flower motif could look prissy or prudish, but this winding, off-center design has a strong sense of whimsy. Woven with other gold-tone chains and the result is a beautiful frame for an asymmetrical flower with a rhinestone stem. At Kirna Zabête for $405.

Pair with: A chunky cable-knit sweater pays homage to Frost's vintage references, and it doesn't get much better than ombre Missoni. Their Bois alpaca-blend cardigan adds coziness to your element of sparkle. On Net-a-Porter for $1,925.

My eyes - and ears - light up for any designer who brings something refreshingly new to the realm of drop earrings. Kimberly McDonald has my eyes ablaze and my ears dying to wear her diamond-trimmed stone jewels! Who says you have to compromise when it comes to your jewelry? You can get sumptuous and edgy in one, when earthy stones are given the genuine sparkle treatment. McDonald has a penchant for nature, and it shows in the delicate touch of her craftsmanship. She only uses organic materials and elects recycled diamonds instead of new ones.

Jagged edges give jewels a really unique feel - just look at these opal earrings. Immense shards are framed with an array of diamonds, some spiked for a luxuriant rock 'n' roll effect. For a sleeker and more classically feminine look, I love the Piranha agate earrings, perfect teardrops trimmed with white diamonds and yellow gold. 18-Karat Gold and Agate Drop Earrings with Diamonds. At Browns Fashion for $7,174.

When is the last time you spotted cotton looking so dramatic? Intricate threads of black and ivory fabric make for a spectacularly dramatic effect laced across Yves Saint Laurent's gold-plated teardrop earrings. Like sensual fishnet to adorn your earlobes, the airiness of the tightly stitched lacing is a fine juxtaposition against the heavily ridged gold gleam. Which is why these jewels demand an updo. The beauty is in noticing the surprising vacancy in the middle of the hoops - that's when the delicacy of the stitched cotton really presents itself. On Net-a-Porter for $1,395.

Pair with: Do double duty with the sheer effect and wear a coyly skin-revealing bodysuit. Shakuhachi's stretch-lace is just suggestive enough, with a convenient jersey shelf bra built in. On ShopBop for $220.

Photos: Refinery29

"A modern take on remnants of the past." That's how Dannijo describes their latest collection, a colorful mishmash of sparkle and grit. The design duo continues to show off their knack for combining the kitsch and the classical, and they deliver an eclectic array their fans will love.

They were thinking of Indonesian surf culture, Aztec artifacts, and the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The result is a satisfying schism: half-dug out of the ground and half-discovered in the jewel box. Vintage costume jewelry-style rhinestones melded with rustic turquoise stones and trippy, shimmering gems (magenta with an electric-purple glow). Textural bangles with rainbow-striped weaves are designed to be worn stacked high on the arm. Horn and tooth shapes resemble fossils, rows of beads take on a marbleized effect, and snaking coils of metal gave it a modern sheen. The overall effect of the collection makes for an oxy moron: a light kind of heft that's so spring.

Just ask David Yi of the New York Daily News! On my way out of the Marchesa Spring 2012 show at the Plaza Hotel, his mega-pendant really caught my eye. And how could it not? The staff writer for the newspaper, who naturally takes care of their fashion coverage, got in touch with his inner child. David took a Lego set to chic new heights by assembling it into an enormous, graphic, and positively uncanny rendition of the Chanel interlocked C's. Reminds us what a little craftiness and creativity can do! I think Karl would approve of David's kid-friendly, pop-arty take on Chanel. Who needs pearls when you have toys and chains?

Photos: Fashionologie

Pamela Love's costume jewels have always had an exotic, dug-from-the-ground or plundered-from-the-sea feel. But they've never necessarily evoked a place. They've always fit right into the downtown girl's urban landscape. No more! For her Spring 2012 collection, Pamela was inspired by Morocco. She actually couldn't stop daydreaming about the far-off place, and it shows. Her signature mysticism remains, but she's definitely turning it up a notch.

Models were perched on crumpled Oriental carpets, wearing rugged-feminine safari garb and cowboy hats for an East-meets-West kind of feel. Tribal breastplates (inspired by North African Berbers), enormous geometric cuffs, and angular hand jewels are all statement-makers, but best of all, she's finally giving us some hearty stones. Semi-precious turquoise, malachite, red jasper, lapis, and amethyst amped it up and black diamonds are just the stone for Love's dark aesthetic. They were all infused the only way she knows how: with a organic touch that shows a love for the earth's grit.

In the midst of your fall shopping frenzy, have you noticed that your new color palette is looking a little...dull? Nude tans, chocolate browns, steely blacks, and cool gunmetals are as practical as can be (and I love them for it!), but now that we've ditched our neon nails, we are in need of a new way to integrate hot colors into our dress code. What better - and more unexpected way -than via our jewels? Pick any dynamic piece from our selection of rainbow-bright baubles, and you've instantly infused your look, even if it's head-to-toe pitch-black, with enough oomph to last you until the trees have shed all their leaves.

1) Tom Binns Fauve Hand-Painted Swarovski Crystal Necklace: The king of neon bling is your go-to guy for standout jewels that possess an even mix of old-world elegance and unadulterated spunk, like this juicy, citrus-hued layered necklace. Tom Binns Fauve hand-painted Swarovski crystal necklace for $975.

2) Antik Batik Moscou Bead and Resin Multistrand Necklace: Rely on eclectic Antik Batik for a rustic approach to bright strands. Insanely plentiful beaded layers of resin and brass, in powerful yet autumnal tones of plum and orange, invite an Indian summer. Antik Batik Moscou bead and resin multistrand necklace for $180.

3) Venessa Arizaga Fruit Cake Silver-Plated Charm Bracelet: Chiquita Banana is here to stay! Arizaga has put a hilarious spin on the silver link bracelet, weaving it with perky thread and finishing it with fruity charms made of wood and shells. Venessa Arizaga Fruit Cake silver-plated charm bracelet for $175.

4) Missoni Woven-Knit and Chain Bracelet: Rely on Missoni's enduring knit to give mega-brights an approachable makeover. A woven knit, braided for interest and complete with adorable carrying pouch, is punctuated by candy red and bright violet colors and a slinky silver chain. Missoni Woven-knit and chain bracelet for $600.

5) Erickson Beamon Neon Lucite and Diamanté Crystal Earrings: Star light, star bright, whose ears will shine tonight? Black diamanté crystals are the glamorous punk frames for Day-Glo Lucite stones. Pull your hair back into a confident chignon and let your earrings speak for themselves. Erickson Beamon Neon Lucite and diamanté crystal earrings for $480.

Cutest promo of FNO this season is none other than Tiffany & Co!  To promote FNO, they sent 16 models with an Audrey Hepburn vibe to pass out yummy tiffany blue cookies in different neighborhoods. Cookies had a QR code to scan that revealed the invite and celeb performer (Leighton Meester sang!).  It's so major that a brand with Tiffany's history and legacy would embrace technology wholeheartedly.  Now I'm just mad I didn't get a cookie!

You've got your hooped earrings but these are a totally different breed of hoops. The enclosed hoop is reminiscent of Pac Man but instead of yellow, tacky and passe, these silver circles are totally futuristic and chic. These are ultimately versatile, just like your other hoops, but the statement makes every event a special occasion. Anything this unique requires a special outing! And I'm not talking about a date, at least not with a straight man who will not notice and care that these are extraordinary, these require a girls night out where your besties will be impressed with your brazen take on accessorizing. At Luisa Via Roma for $187. A great deal for such an impression maker!

What is this? It's like medieval madness!! The chain mail choker has hundreds of scales attached to it, layers upon layers of oxidized steel and leather that from afar look like feathers. But don't be fooled, this isn't for the faint of heart, you don't have to be exactly Brave Heart either but you have to own this look in order to rock it. Each scale is on it's own link which means, when you move and walk, the entire necklace will dangle and let people know you are coming, like a wind chime! You're not going to come across anything this crazy and amazing anytime soon, it is a must have if this is your thing. And don't worry about the weight, with the leather in there, the load is lightened some. At Barneys New York for $650.

Laurent Gandini has the most amazing earrings, intricate and gorgeous with just a dash of exoticism that cannot be pin pointed. These totally Rock N Roll earrings are just as striking but with an elegance that is not usually synonymous with the rock lifestyle. Flaming hearts shows your passion and the cross is left for interpretation depending on the person wearing it. It is a look that can easily be worn with your most sophisticated dress or with ripped jeans and leather jacket. Either way, they are hot and you will be noticed. At Net-a-Porter for $390.

In keeping with our pre-Labor Day celebration of all things white for the fall season, enter Givenchy's witty, fluffy mink bracelet. A wraparound cuff of ivory leather covered in sumptuous pure white fur is playful and cozy. Think of it as a lucky rabbit's foot - albeit a super-luxe one - for your wrist. Not only will it keep you cozy, this directional bracelet will add drama to whatever you're wearing. Layer it with glamorous chains for a rock 'n' roll sensibility, wear it with beat-up jeans and python heels for a buoyant brunch with the girls, or pair it with gold chandelier earrings and nothing else for cocktail chic. Forget mink stoles - the only fur wrap you might crave this season is one to adorn your wrist. At Kirna Zabete for $550.

Pair with: Play the part of the white angel with Richard Nicoll's heavenly draped crepe de chine cocktail dress. Asymmetrical draping on a white front and Champagne back creates a frothy, dreamy effect that suits such a whimsical piece of jewelry. On Net-a-Porter for $800.

I love a good cuff as much as the next snob - give me a studded Hermès cuff any day of the week! - but sometimes you don't want the constriction and rigidity of a big band of leather or metal around your wrist. Parisian designer Philippe Audibert's collection cuffs boasts all the strong effect of a hefty cuff with none of the severity. Textural and worldly, as if you discovered them at a market in New Delhi or while strolling in Morocco, with a big helping of hard-edged glamour thrown in.

While these cuffs, like the earthy silver-plated Barette ($310) and its powerful big sister, the Manchette Aby Mini Amélia ($1,095) - encrusted with Swarovski crystals, it's like a hundred bracelets in one, might look unforgiving to even the most muscular of arms, they are as comfortable as can be. The secret is the stretch; they are all elasticated for a perfect fit and maximum wear-ability. No clanking and clunking around. Mix and match with the set of three bracelets ($340), trimmed in spikes and turquoise beads or be cocktail ready with the Vegas cuff ($515), gold plated with crystal embellishments. Audibert's cuffs (no wonder he's a twenty-year-plus veteran of the industry) have the right stuff.