It's been a while since Michelle Obama's jewelry dominated the posts of this blingy chronical of all things shiny, but I'm happy to report that our Fashionista-In-Chief is back with some serious jaw-droppers for your gawking pleasure.
(A tip of the hat to the Mrs. O blog for their diligent chronicling of our First Lady's fashion.)
The Brooch Is Back!
Michelle Obama met Kate Middleton and her in-laws in her signature brooch bling - this one a 1940s Hobe brooch from the House of Lavande.
And this sparkler a pink vintage Henry Schreiner brooch - also from House of Lavande.
Tom Binns Goes to Washington
I've always been a fan of Tom Binns' wild and whimsical designs (click here for more info on his bling) - but I was surprised to see our First Lady embrace his eccentric stylings not just for this dinner she and the Pres. hosted for the Queen of England - but on other occasions as well.
Pearl strands are fine and all - -but THIS is Jewelry! (Her ring is a jade and diamond lattice piece by Yewn)
Mrs. O Channels Jackie O!
Our Commander in Chic wore this classic Tom Ford gown with dangling diamond earrings (designer unknown) to Buckingham Palace for a formal state dinner. Elegance personified. Somewhere Jackie O is smiling.
While the pearl strand will forever by synomymous with First Lady Fashion, I'm thrilled to see such variety in her jewelry selections.
Michelle Obama's jewelry at the 2010 Correspondents' Dinner was almost more impressive than her husband's schtick. And I've got all the dazzling deets - courtesy of the fabulous Mrs. O blog.
The Correspondents' Dinner (aka "Nerd Prom") usually brings out folks whose approval ratings have nothing to do with designer duds and diamond rentals. But this year, thanks to a strong showing from Hollywood, Washington insiders came out in fine form. No one finer than our Fashionista-in-Chief, Mighty Michelle.
The red matte jersey gown is from emerging designer, Prabal Gurung, which she accessorized with two large cuffs: the bottom a Sutra Jewels creation made from 10 carats of raspberry tourmaline and rose-cut diamonds. The top cuff - which retails for a recession-busting $17,200 - is from Bochic and consists of white bakelite, gold filigree and rose-cut diamonds.
Want to look like Michelle but don't want to spend the equivalent of a new sedan? How 'bout this big, f%$#ckin steal (sorry, couldn't resist):
Jewelry designer, Tom Binns, is having a good run. He's Michelle Obama's go-to guy for big statement pieces and he's been tapped as one of the designers of the upcoming Alice In Wonderland jewelry line to debut when the film opens in the spring.
And while I love to drool over his over-the-top creations (he started his career working for fashion icon, Vivienne Westwood, to give you an idea) there's the small matter of 'price' when it comes to owning a little Binns beauty of your own.
Until now. I just discovered the Binns 'Get Real' jewelry line set to debut in Paris next month is a response to the troubled economic times that cramp a jewelry hound's style. His solution? Cut out big jewelry from magazines, laminate it, wear it and call 'er good.
Yup. The tongue-in-cheek 'Get Real' collection is made from photographs of rings, necklaces, earrings and watches clipped from glossy magazines that Binns reassembles, laminates and affixes with safety pin closures to add the final touch. If it seems a little like cheating, think again. I kindof love the idea, and with the Tom Binns name, well, you've got a great conversation piece as well as a collectible statement jewel to throw in the mix.
What do you guys think? Would you buy laminated paper jewelry? Would the Tom Binns name a factor in your decision? Would you make your own? Weigh in!
Three leading ladies stole my heart recently with their icy jewelry fashion choices. It’s the holiday season after all – time to bring out the big guns.And while I certainly don’t have the budget to bling out like these fabulous females, it doesn’t hurt to break your lower jaw just lookin’ at ‘em, right?So.Here goes.
First up is Sarah Jessica Parker in a stunning wrap-around diamond creation worn to the UK premiere of her latest romantic comedy, Did You Hear About the Morgans? Hard to tell if the movie will be any better than her previous rom com outings post SATC (we'll just call Failure to Launch a 'minor' misstep), but this diamond doozy more than makes up for her collecting the proverbial paycheck.
Next up is the leading lady who gives the term ‘family jewels’ new meaning. Queen Elizabeth stepped out this weekend in more carats than a bunny convention – giving her royal subjects and eyeful of ice just in time for the holiday season. Cherrio, mortals!
And finally – I just have to drool like the rest of the world over Michelle Obama’s Kennedy Center Honors ensemble.Purple is ‘her’ color, and she knocked it out of the park in a strapless Peter Soronen number with a Tom Binns gemstone statement necklace that couldn’t be more perfect (um, yeah, that lower jaw thing is happening).
What do you guys think of this triumvirate of taste? Am I scoring some good looks to satisfy your inner jewelry hound? Weigh in!
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!
From blingy brooch jewelry to gardening and upper arm workouts, our nation’s First Lady is setting trends all over the place. The latest look that has Obamaphiles drooling is a bright lavendar watch she wore in Paris while sightseeing with her daughters.
The watch is from Toywatch and as soon as the style hit the airwaves the watchmaker had the style on backorder. Well, I’ve been doing some digging in the Jewelry.com treasure chest and just happened to find it offered from their brand new Diamond Partner, Nordstrom.
Priced reasonably at $195, the purple timepiece from the Plasteramic Collection is perfect for casual daytime use or could cause a stir if paired with a fun cocktail dress.
If Michelle can bare her arms in the halls of Congress and sport blingy diamonds in the daytime, you can wear a purple watch to a formal. Go for it.
And if purple isn’t your style, they have an array of colorful options – from bright green and orange to pretty in pink.
Designer names like Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade and more are all there for the taking - all at prices that will make your frugalista side smile wide.
What do you guys think of the watch style? Perfectly purple or a plastic poser?
The diamond divas came out to shine at the Washington Correspondents Dinner this weekend, but no one glam-ed it up more than the Divine Mrs. O in a shock of color and a hunk of jewels.
Gone are the pearls and pant suits of First Ladies past. Obama is bringing in bright colors, brooch bling and bare arms that have the fashion world buzzing – including her own husband, who poked fun at his wife’s toned appendages during his side-splitting dinner speech.
“She's even begun to bridge the differences that have divided us for so long, because no matter which party you belong to we can all agree that Michelle has the right to bare arms.”
Who doesn’t love a Presidential pun, right?
While I know that Michael Kors is responsible for Michelle's pretty-in-pink floor-length dress, I’m still on the look-out for the designer of her flowery statement necklace (Twitterers, any hints?).
There are two jewelry designers the First Lady has often leaned on to make her look pop: Loree Rodkin, who supplied the diamonds for the Inauguration Festivities, and the eccentric California artist, Tom Binns, who designed the huge pearl and crystal look she dazzled us with at the first formal White House dinner in February.
What do you guys think of her sense of style? Shiny and bright? Or too over-the-top?
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?
We all know by now that Jason Wu is the designer of Michelle Obama’s elegant Inaugural gown. He’s been interviewed by every news outlet, and will surely get a huge boost when his line debuts at Fashion Week next month. But what about the jewelry?
I’ve confirmed that - yet again - Michelle Obama chose designer to the stars, Loree Rodkin, for her diamond statement last night. The shoulder-length danglers are Rodkin’s white gold and triple rose-cut diamond earrings with garland diamond briolette drops.
So who is this diamond diva that has a virtual ice monopoly on the First Lady? Rodkin is an American designer who attracts a clientele that is strong, hard-working, feminine, independent, fearless and outspoken, according to a press release. She bedecked funky Oscar-winning writer, Diablo Cody, for the Oscars, as an example.
Mrs. Obama was introduced to the jewelry brand through Chicago's premier luxury boutique Ikram, where she has been a longstanding client.
"It's a privilege to be a part of history. Today the country has new hope," Loree Rodkin gushed. "The First Lady is a symbol of hope, courage and great style. I am honored that she has chosen my jewelry. Words cannot describe the emotions I feel that Michelle Obama has allowed me to be a part of this glorious moment."
"For three years I have ended all of my emails with, 'CHANGE is the only constant', it's fitting my designs are now associated with First Lady, Michelle Obama."
If you want a little Rodkin of your own, her collection is available nationwide at Neiman Marcus and at specialty stores in Hong Kong, France, Italy, Russia, London, Greece, Switzerland, St. Barts and free standing Loree Rodkin boutiques in Japan.
For additional store locations visit Loree Rodkin online at www.loreerodkin.com.
