Recently in Costume Category

Just when I thought I was over the bib necklace trend! What do you think about this collection of necklaces?

Pearls were a big part of Vera Wang's fall runway collection, and statement making pearl necklaces--such as this gorgeous confection--were the centerpieces. Simply put: this necklace is going to look hot come fall. Don't you just adore the pearls fashioned into bundles of flowers--all attached on a metal mesh base that's both cool and lightweight? It's sure to be a conversation starter, be it paired with a floral Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress or slick Jil Sander pantsuit. Just remember: this necklace is more than enough jewelry for any neckline. Keep the earrings and bracelets at home!

$795, available at Neiman Marcus

Sure the snake motif isn't anything terribly original - everyone from Kenneth Jay Lane to the Olsen girls with their Elizabeth and James jewelry line have featured snakes prominently recently -- but I'm still loving this Chrissy Leighton Venom Cuff ($189). If I ever saw a real snake I'd be completely grossed out, but there's something sultry and powerful about the animal which comes through in this chic cuff. Plus the black and rhinestones clear color are easy to pair with just about anything.

What do you think about snake-inspired jewelry?

     

I think the Juicy cuff on the left above looks great, but there are two reasons I would never wear it. One because it's a total knock off a Spring Summer 2009 Fallon Cuff (pictured above right), that I bought last summer at Barneys and two because Juicy is one of the few labels I simply refuse to wear in public anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still own over a dozen Juicy sweatpants that I often wear to sleep, but I would never wear them out on the street - even if Juicy has now enlisted Erin Fetherston to help revamp their brand (I'm actually not a Fetherston fan either...). Juicy is a fascinating brand and I hope Harvard's business school does a case study on them, because it would be incredibly interesting to learn about the inner workings of their marketing, but at this point I associate the brand too much with youth-obsessed housewives and tweens to wear anything (no matter how much I like it), from Juicy Couture.

What do you think about this cuff? Would you wear Juicy Couture jewelry?

Odds are you've never heard of Ben-Amun, but if you've ever flipped through Vogue, Elle, Bazaar, Marie Claire, or tuned your TV on to a red carpet, you've likely seen pieces from the collection. The brand has been in business for over 30 years and is designed by Isaac Manevitz who works extensively with lucite, pewter, glass, and crystal which help keep his pieces looking a lot pricier than they are (few pieces are over $400 and you can get many for as little as $60). Celebs love the line because they can wear pieces without having to worry about insurance, body guards etc. when they're doing casual on-air appearance. The line has also been used in Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren shows. 

A lot of the pieces aren't my style (a bit too boho), but click through the site and you'll find some wonderful costume pieces at prices that won't have you stressing!

Pictured above from left --

Candace Ang is the young designer behind these bold statement necklaces. Ang's pieces are always fun and flirty and often have fringe details making them the perfect final touch to spice-up an LBD. Ang was designing bib necklaces way before they became the trend du jour and fittingly her Volume III Necklace ($610, pictured on the left), is one of the coolest ones I've seen. Like all of the designer's pieces, it's handmade in LA and is made from nude silk chiffon accented with silver lurex and then hand ruched and covered with rows of Swarovski crystals. Besides draped on top of an LBD, this necklace would look great over a white tee paired with skinny black pants. Ditto for the Revolution Collar in Toast ($245), pictured on the right and the Sargent Pepper Fringe Necklace ($345), pictured in the center.

March 5th, QVC will broadcast live from the Four Seasons in Los Angeles, hosting a VIP reception and live show surrounding the "Buzz on the Red Carpet" (in light of awards season...can't wait to see all the red carpet Oscar looks March 7!). A number of designers that work with Hollywood celebs also work with QVC and those will be the ones highlighted in their jewelry, fashion, accessories, and beauty-focused segments. Of course the only one I really care about is my man Kenneth Jay Lane! I can't wait to get my arm into one of the cuffs pictured above. Among the new items going up for sale are the KJL Caribbean Coral Cuff ($75) and the KJL Fashion Flair Domed Ring ($50) - both of which looks near-identical to pieces available in the designer's pricier couture line.

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!