Katy Perry Glows at The Met Gala

My head is still spinning from the amazing jewelry and frock display at last night's Costume Institute Gala at The Met. If Oscar Night is The Super Bowl of fashion gawking let's call this one The World Cup.

A-listers from Oprah and SJP to Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway lit up the carpet. But it was one Katy Perry who took that sentiment quite literally.

It wasn't Katy's jaw-dropping Lorraine Schwartz statement necklace that had tongues wagging - it was her CuteCircuit LED-laced dress that flashed flourescent streaks of yellow, pink, green and blue lights depending on her mood (the control switch was safely ensconced in her cleavage for good keeping).

Katy told one reporter,

"I feel like I really have to represent those girls that just go for it and do their own thing and, you know, have their own bit of spontaneity and self confidence. I think sometimes in fashion it can get a little stuffy so I wanted to lighten up!"

CuteCircuit are no strangers to hi-tech fashion. In 2006 their Hug Shirt was named one of the Best Inventions of the Year by Time Magazine. Katy's dress is a more wearable version of the design duo Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz's stunning Galaxy dress - a hi-tech gown embroidered with 24,000 tiny LED bulbs now on display in an American museum.

What do you guys think of Katy's look? Totally hip? Or trying too hard?

For more Met jewelry gawking, click here for Jewelry.com's full coverage of the event.

Jewelry Shines at Latin Grammys

From Eva to Alicia the stars brought out the sparkle at last night’s 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas.

The frocks revealed many metallic and one-shoulder looks, but the Latin ladies didn’t shy away from accessorizing with bold choices that are right in line with the statement trend we’re sure to enjoy well into 2010.

We’re talking big dangle earrings:

Statement necklaces:

And diamonds and yellow gold:

Who wore your favorite look? Weigh in here and check out the full album of Latin Grammy fashions on the Jewelry.com Facebook Page. Everybody's doin' it...

MIchelle Obama's Jewelry Statement

Statement necklaces are the perfect way to work that holiday party outfit this season, and I just discovered a fab way to wear them on none other than Michelle Obama.

It's been a while since I've featured our First Lady's fashion choices, but the thorough Mrs. O blog seems to have all that covered for those of us who are curious. That's where I found this great holiday look that Obama wears on the cover of Glamour magazine this month. Jason Wu is credited with the fun and flirty red dress (apparently from Obama's own closest - not a stylist) and the amazing statement necklace is Fenton by Dana Lorenz.

The Fashionista-in Chief has worn Fenton before, but this piece is simply bananas in my book - the ideal inspiration for our own holiday accessory selects. And everyone from department stores and flea markets to high-end boutiques are teeming with statement necklace styles this season after the runways indicated the category was here to stay.

What do you guys think of this look? Classic holiday chic? Or too over-the-top for your taste? Weigh in!

Jewelry Explodes on the Paris Catwalks

Jewelry hounds, we’ve got ourselves another jaw-dropping bling display courtesy of Paris Fashion Week.

Last year, Christian Lacroix blew my mind with his Alice in Wonderland-inspired runway jewels. And this year? The torch has successfully been passed to Lanvin.


What began as a rather restrained display of bling on frocks that ranged from the simple little black dress to the pleated jumpsuit, slowly evolved into an over-the-top fashion fiesta complete with dazzling carnation red dresses, dripping gold bracelets and bejeweled statement necklaces that had tongues wagging well after the show.


Critical darlings like John Galliano for Dior and Jean Paul Gauliter got solid reviews from the Paris onlookers earlier in the week, but it was the Lanvin runway that sent the sartorial tastemakers into a tizzy.


According to Style.com:

“Every Lanvin show has had a bijoux component in varying degrees, but yesterday, Elbaz amped it up like never before with a crescendoing glitz factor. There were wide enameled cuffs stacked over black leather gloves, slinky gold chains dangling Byzantine-inspired pendants, fat chain links studded with stones, and dramatically twisting Medusa-worthy snakes.”


Thank you, Lanvin, for finally giving me something to gawk at this year. And check out Jewelry.com's Facebook page for more Paris fashion fodder. You won’t want to miss Gaultier’s gold links and denim overall cone bras!



In the meantime, what do you guys think of the Lanvin jewelry display? Weigh in!

Fashion Week Jewelry: Take 2

With one more day left of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York, my head has been spinning trying to keep up with all the top designers and their Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear creations. The week started slow, with not a lot of new trends to get excited about - and even less jewelry to gawk at.

Designers that usually offer up at least a little sparkle - Carolina Herrera, Thakoon, Narciso Rodriguez - opted out of the usual statement bling this season. But never fear - Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang and Diane von F came to the rescue.

Marc by Marc Jacobs:

Bold color, tribal influences and beads, beads, beads were the jewelry looks the 'chosen one' offered us for his little sister signature line (his Marc Jacobs collection offered up no jewels to speak of). Clearly, turquoise will be big for spring and layered bangles are still the best way to add color and style to any outfit.

Zac Posen:


Party wear is Posen's specialy, and he returned to what he knows best in what was arguably the critics' favortie collection this week. Primary colors ruled his catwalk as funky brooches and colorful statement necklaces in blues and pinks added sparkle.

Vera Wang:


Known for using jewelry creatively in her shows, Vera Wang did not disappoint this year as she sent her models reeling down the runway in lobster bib-sized chain mail pieces and lots of layered metal that gave an edge to her otherwise romantic collection of blacks and whites.

Diane von Furstenburg:

The First Lady of Fashion is still as ecclectic as ever, with yet another wearable ready-to-wear collection of boho chic garb. Layered bangles elbow deep made each look leap off the stage with a cornucopia of color. Seems to be the must-have accessory for next season, jewelry hounds. And the good news? You can find 'em cheap and plentiful just about everwhere - from Old Navy to Nordies.

So what do you think of my jewelry selects? Did I miss a designer you've been dying to see? I'd love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime, I'll continue to collect my thoughts and give you an overall rundown by week's end.

Fashion Week Jewelry: Take 1

With the Fashion World still nursing their hangovers from yesterday’s Fashion’s Night Out festivities, there are a few jewelry tidbits worth highlighting for you while we wait for the major designers to show later this weekend.

1. Statement Necklaces

Red carpet designer, Monique Luillier, featured the (by now) ubiquitous statement necklace with her spring ready-to-wear line. Is this anything new? Not really. Just further proof that you can keep your signature pieces at the ready for the next 6 months.

2. Bangles

Vena Cava featured Tiffany jewelry on her runway this season and stacked a series of black bangles with almost every streamlined outfit. A good thought to keep on the back burner if you’re ever wondering how to jewel up an outfit.

3. Layers

Gwen Stefani’s seven-year-old line L.A.M.B is still going strong with Bannanarama meets Blondie 80s rock looks for Spring 2010. In true 80s style, Stefani opted to layer each piece with long necklace strands in every incarnation – from pearls to gold and more.

So that’s just a taste of the Fall Fashion Week mayhem to come. Here’s hoping for some new trends to liven things up a bit. So far – I’m not impressed.

Sarah Jessica’s Statement Necklace

Rejoice, jewelry hounds! High jewelry season is upon us.

As if to signal all the glorious fashion that is set to befall us, Sarah Jessica is back on the streets of New York shooting Sex and the City 2 – giving us die-hards a glimpse of the fabulous frocks we’ve come to expect from the show.

Looks like the statement necklace is a trend SATC stylist, Patricia Field, is keeping in our vocabulary, as The SJP was spotted wearing a Solange Azagury-Partridge gemstone piece to complement her Halston Heritage dress and cooler-than-thou gold Christian Louboutin pumps (with a gold Chanel clutch to match).

And Heidi Klum may have given up her clover jewelry line, but Carrie Bradshaw is keeping the category alive and well with this little gem to go with her purple Halston number.

Oh, but this is just the beginning, my bling-obsessed brethren. Stay tuned for my Venice Film Festival jewelry coverage (so far, nothing major to report despite a gorgeous Eva Mendez making a red carpet appearance) and NY Fashion Week is but a mere 8 days away.

Fall may be the time when summer’s fruits die on the vine, but its ‘back to school’ vibe for all things shiny gets my jewelry juices flowing like no other season.

Don't you agree?

Celebrity Jewelry Roundup: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Truth

It’s early August and my celebrity jewelry sightings are about as rare as Jon & Kate-less magazine cover. Shining amidst the jewelry blight are a few star-studded events, a premiere here and there and an occasional fundraiser – but it’s been slim pickins, jewelry hounds. My apologies.

To give us a good shot in our bauble arm, I thought I’d round up a few pics from the last few weeks. There are a few bright spots, but for the most part – it’s dull, drab, and downright dowdy.


Starting on a high note, The Ugly Truth premiere in London this week brought out a stunning Katherine Heigl in green Naeem Kahn and yellow gold earrings with what appear to be either citrine or lemon quartz briolettes - a lovely accent to a dress that would make anyone green with envy.

Especially with Gerard Butler on your arm.


A resurgent Anne Heche looked lovely in Dolce & Gabbana at the Spread premiere in a vintage pearl and gold ensemble that matched the tone of the dress nicely.

Not so resurgent, lovely or nice is Medium's, Patricia Arquette, who just isn’t cutting it with this statement necklace (How sick are we of statement necklaces, already? Weigh in!).

And finally, I give you one Courtney Love – who looks less and less like the Courtney we all tolerated back in her 90s hey dey. She may be rock and roll to her core, but the once fashionable Oscar-nominee has fallen far from the sartorial stature she once owned on the red carpet. I dare you to wear anything but black and layered chains, Courtney. You can do it, sister.

Clearly I’m cranky. Forgive me. But if the Teen Choice Awards and the Daytime Emmys are the only events I have to look forward to until Fall Fashion Week, I deserve a little whine space.

What do you guys of think of my picks? You like Katherine’s look? How about Courtney? Why did I strangely choose all blondes? Have I missed anyone this summer worth highlighting? Help!

Jewelry Makes a Statement in Paris

It’s my favorite jewelry fashion time of year – the Paris Haute Couture Shows. And while this go-round has not delivered the Christian Lacroix craziness that lit up the runways last year, there are some serious statements worth coveting.


Dior did diamonds in flowers and bows, and pearls in both black and white and ‘bigger means better’ silhouettes.



Armani kept the statement necklace trend going strong with grey, metallic, chunky looks that must have weighed more than a newborn.



Valentino used headpieces as his accessory du jour, with stunning lace looks that oozed style and sophistication.


And gold kept glittering at the Givency and Christian Lacroix shows (a sad showing since this will be his last Couture collection due to financial issues).

And Fashion Week isn’t over yet! The stars are still arriving and the catwalks still cracking with fashion that you can’t even afford in your dreams. But what’s a jewelry fantasy without a dash of inaccessibility, right?

Stay tuned for more couture coverage, and check out a complete album of stunning jewelry looks fresh from Paris on Jewelry.com’s Facebook page.

Drool, dream and covet, jewelry hounds!