New York Fashion Week Recap: Pearls, Polka Dots and Prairie-Wear

Donna Karan, Fall 2011 RTW

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is in full swing in the Big Apple this week, and the jewelry hunting has been slow-going. In all fairness, ready-to-wear collections (vs. couture shows) aren't usually jumping with jewels - the past few years of blinged out bangle-wear and statement-makers were one big exception.

Now that we're headed back toward minimal, sleek looks - the jewelry is following suit with a pretty pendant here a well-placed bracelet there - and the surprise of the season: pearls.

Donna Karan

Like Giorgio Armani did with gemstones in Paris earlier this year, Donna Karan is doing with pearls for her Fall 2011 RTW line. Namely, designing their entire collection around a jewelry style.

Style.com reports:

"Donna Karan named her Fall collection Pearls of Wisdom and recruited Erickson Beamon to design the pearl necklaces that accompanied all the looks and informed the show's all-neutral palette."

Donna Karan

This isn't just good news for Nancy Pelosi, Michelle Obama and the rest of the DC ladies who lunch. Pearl strands are the perfect complement to any ensemble, and designers are getting creative with both shapes and colors this year.

I loved this Lorraine Schwartz pearl cuff spotted on singer/dancer, Mya at the Grammy's, for example.

Lorraine Schwartz cuff on singer, Mya

And here's a unique 'twist' on a classic from JewelClub's sample sale that's a wise choice for both the fashion-forward and the budget-conscious at only $67.60 (down from $199).

 
While polka dots (Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg) and prairie-wear (Rodarte) were the two big clothing trends to emerge so far, I'm going to declare 2011 the "Year of the Pearl".

Marc Jacobs

Diane von Furstenberg

Rodarte

What does the jewelry-hound peanut gallery think? Am I on to something? Or is this just a limited runway interpretation of an old classic?

Tony Curtis: From Pants Suits to Pearl Strands

Diamonds may have been Marilyn Monroe's best friend, but pearls were the pretty companion of Tony Curtis in their iconic film "Some Like It Hot" - a movie masterpiece that I'm sure many will revisit now that the last living member of the film's trio has passed away.

For the uninitiated: "Some Like It Hot," is a1959 film in which Curtis and Jack Lemmon played small-time jazz musicians who witnessed the St. Valentine's Day massacre in Chicago and, pursued by gangsters, posed as women to escape with an all-female jazz band bound for Miami (Marilyn Monroe, included).

Hi-jinks ensue.

Oscar-winning costume designer, Orry Kelly, turned Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis into 'Josephine' and 'Daphne' using all the well-known fashion secrets drag queens the world over still use today: lots of neck scarves, long gloves, fun hats  - and yes - that ubiquitous symbol of understated femininity: pearls.

Pearl jewelry is generally thought of as the go-to gem when women want that 'conservative yet classic' look. Politicians and first wives love pearls for their sartorial safety, and they're always a Mother's Day crowd pleaser.

But Tony Curtis and his partner in crime brought the category to a, shall we say, 'new' audience - making everything from pearl-drop earrings to long strands work in ways the jewelry world never thought possible.

In other words: Clothes may make the man - but classic pearls create the crossdresser.

Tony Curtis, R.I.P.  Here's to you. Who's like you? Damn few.

Black Friday Jewelry Blowout

Black Friday deals are taking the country by storm this morning, and I've got the best way to get the most bang for your buck - without waking up at dawn and putting on your body armor.

JewelClub - my favorite Friends and Family jewelry site - is offering 25% off their WHOLESALE prices on 12 select items that'll make anyone on your list jump for joy.



These are their lowest prices all year - so the sale won't last long (only from today through Cyber Monday - November 30th).

So, check it:


This 1.5 carat diamond anniversary ring retailed at $5129. JewelClub normally offers it for $1380.47 but with the Black Friday Blowout discount it's listed at only $1035. I'm not good at math, but that looks like over $4,000 (YES, THREE ZEROS) off the original price.

Crikey!

And that's just the beginning. Get $800 diamond studs for under $200. A cultured Akoya (yes, Akoya) pearl strand for over $6,000 off (!!), a created ruby ensemble for under $50, a sapphire ring for over $500 off retail. You have to see to believe.

So visit JewelClub by clicking here, enter the secret code INSIDER and tick off the names on your shopping list with a smile on your face, a boost to your wallet - all without leaving your leftovers.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend, jewelry hounds!

60s Jewelry Fashion: Mad Men Maven or Flower Child?

Woodstock may be turning 40, but the jewelry it inspired still lives on. Jewelry.com reports today that the Boho Chic stylings of Nicole Richie and Kate Hudson evolved from the muddy flats of that Woodstock farm 'lo those many years ago - and they've got a bevy of hippie chick styles in their coffers to prove it.



But with buttoned-up Mad Men 60s fashion taking the media by storm these days, many of us forget that there was quite a different fashion revolution going on at the same time. Bell bottoms, roach clips, peasant-wear and beads, beads, beads were as prevalent as sweater sets, pearls, and tailored suits.


Which 60s-era style do you prefer? The pendants, pearl strands, and vintage brooches of the three-martini lunch era? Or the layered necklace, love bead, bangled look of Janis Joplin and her acolytes?


I'm torn. I've lived in Manhattan for years - so consider myself a New Yorker at heart, but I've also spent enough time in California to own a pair of Birkenstocks and go to more than a few Grateful Dead shows before Jerry Garcia became the inspiration for an ice cream flavor.

What's your preference for the jewelry style of this era? Grace Kelly glam? Or Hippie Chick chic? Or are you content to leave the 60s well in the past where it belongs?

Weigh in!

Michelle Obama Brings Fuchsia Fashion to France

The highly anticipated fashion showdown between the world’s most stylish first ladies went down today as our Divine Mrs. O and France’s Carla Bruni-Sarkozy finally met face-to-face.(I love that she hyphenated even though he’s a leader of the free world).

The French model and chanteuse wore a subdued but classy gray Dior trench and Mighty Michelle rocked it in a fuchsia poppy coat by Thakoon. Both had power bow necklines. Coincidence? You make the call.











Bruni-Sarkozy was interviewed inside the Michelle Obama issue of Vogue in March, telling the magazine that she hates makeup, clothes and jewelry (not a sparkle could be found on her today from what I could tell), but she has emerged as France’s fashion icon despite it all.

And while Bruni-Sarkozy is often spotted in haute couture frocks, Obama likes to mix it up with commoner clothes to keep things real. Her color choice today was a massive improvement over the strange teal and brown number she wore yesterday – and the cut couldn’t be more sophisticated.

And she finally gave that pearl strand a break, as she chose to go sans jewelry for her afternoon activities in Strasbourg.

What do you think of our First Lady’s fashion so far? Too flashy or a much needed splash of color?

Michelle Obama Dazzles in London

The anarchists may be protesting, but the fashion police have nothing to worry about in London as our fab First Lady proves she can she can travel abroad in high style.

The divine Mrs. Michelle took off for London yesterday wearing an ivory Thakoon coat and a signature brooch (which I’ve been missing of late). Ever the fashion plate, she changed - on the plane of course(!) – into a chartreuse Jason Wu dress to greet her legions of fans upon arrival across the pond.

This morning brought breakfast with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and wife, Sarah, and later a visit to Maggie's Cancer Care Center. Maybe the bloody protestors of the G20 Summit influenced Obama’s downshift from designer duds to J Crew garb – but she emerged this morning in a J Crew bejeweled cardigan and a mint green jacquard pencil skirt accented with another old friend – the pearl strand – and a series of layered bangles.

When in Rome, right?

The cardigan, by the way, is already sold out in case you're wondering.

Later today, our First Lady is scheduled to have tea and cucumber sandwiches with Queen Elizabeth herself. Will she go for another outfit change (I'm pulling for a big hat, Michelle. Bring it!) or will she J Crew her way to Buckingham Palace?

Stay tuned!

Fergie’s Fashion Is Off The Chain

I know you might be doing something important like finding a cure for cancer, performing brain surgery or building habitats for humanity, but your life won’t be complete without knowing that Keyshia Cole, Ron Fair and Manny Halley hosted a Vanity Fair and Krug dinner party yesterday at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood - and the fashions were off the chain.

Newlyweds Fergie and Josh Duhamel attended along with Nicky and Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Rapper Taboo, Akon and more. Marriage must agree with Mrs. Duhamel, as Fergie’s dinnertime ensemble was accessorized beautifully with a stunning vintage diamond flower hairpiece, a large cluster right hand ring and multiple layerings of pearl strands and gold-accented chains. The chain gang also included Nicky Hilton and a very pregnant Stefanie Fair.











The layered chain look is nothing new – the trend made it’s first appearance last summer, littered the fall fashion runways and has hung in there on the red carpets well into awards season. Marisa Tomei layered her links at the Golden Globes and a pants-suited Jennifer Aniston wore a series of gold chains at the premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You a few days back.

And layering chains is something we mere mortals can incorporate into our own wardrobes. Long pearl strands, chunky chain links, colored beads – anything goes. And while the current trend is to wear ‘everything but the kitchen sink’, it’s probably best to exercise a bit of restraint. Channeling Mr. T is not a good look. For anyone.

So when you get a break from that rocket science gig or a respite from solving our environmental crisis - remember to take a cue from Fergie and friends and layer up those chains for your next night on the town. Or Vanity Fair-sponsored dinner.