Recently in Jewelry Category

I'm kind of at a loss here. While I find these shoulder jewelry pieces interesting, I just don't see the point of having fringes and feathers at the shoulders.  Babette Epaulette is an accessories line worn on the rise of the shoulder and harnessed around the upper torso (Does that sound comfortable? I do not want to be harnessed!). Made with fringe, feather, leather, chain and spikes, the epaulettes can be worn over bare skin (OUCH!), jacket or cardigan.

The designer, Seville Michelle Anastos was inspired to create the concept while styling a well-known pop star.  I have no idea who the pop star is but I'm guessing it's the likes of Brittney.  I have to slob this trend and just hope it doesn't catch on, ever.

Two of my friends, Summer Rej and Jennifer Meyers, launched their on jewelry, glove, and hair accessories line recently and it has already been featured in the fashion bible, Vogue (well, online at least:-) ). It's called Three Blondes New York and it's currently available at Clyde's on Madison in NYC as well as online. The line is super-feminine with lots of pink, gold, and glitz (their launch party was an Alice and Wonderland themed tea party!), and the pieces have a distinctive old-world charm (think antique lace gloves). Summer and Jennifer have dabbled in fashion for years -- before going off to college they started a line of tees that featured sassy statement like, "I summer in the Hamptons," "Debutante Striptease," and "Ladies who Lunch," that became popular in young UES circles (on a side note when she was still in High School Summer came-up with a color for a Chanel polish, Tickled Pink, that was actually put into production!). The Three Blondes New York offerings are pretty wide and obviously I'm biased because I know the designers, but if you're looking for an under $100 gift for a girly-girl, I would recommend checking the pieces out!

Headband, glove

I have had a gray obsession for years. It's a softer alternative to black and is always so chic and pretty.  I especially love wearing tonal gray shades together; it gives your outfit depth and keeps it from looking blah or depressing cuz let's face it, gray is not the most cheerful of shades!  Gray is sophisticated with silver jewels but with gold it is stunning and unexpected.  To add a bit of gray to your wardrobe, I found a few of my favorite grays of the season.  Starting clockwise from the left:
Dacute Light shearling jacket $1295

Rebecca Taylor The Socialite satin dress $295

Preen Line Asymmetric cotton trench $690

Lee Angel Serena glass-pearl necklace $285

Pringle of Scotland Rabbit-trim cashmere scarf $1350

Adam Woven jersey sweater $275

7 for all mankind Roxanne corduroy skinny jeans $180

Milly Jersey long-sleeved dress $395

Brian Atwood New Davis suede boots $1475

3.1 Phillip Lim Silk eyelet-embellished dress $525

Juicy Couture Sequin-embellished sweater $200

My absolute favorite piece of jewelry is from my friend, internationally renowned Jewel Artist Cindy Chao.  I have never seen jewelry as uniquely ornate and stunning as hers.  When I was in Asia I was invited to her showroom and given the honor of viewing almost all of her pieces (she usually only allows each client to view 2-3 items that she thinks suits them.  I guess she thinks I am suitable for all of her fab jewels!).  I'm so proud to announce that she will be included in a prestige auction in New York next month.  Her pieces will be auctioned at the Phillips de Pury New York JEWELS sale on December 8th 2009.

This auction piece is a ring from the Four Seasons Collection - Autumn, the same collection as the ring Cindy custom designed for me.  Cindy attributes her sculptor artist father for inspiring her amazing jewels.  If you are looking for the ultimate Christmas gift for the snob in your life-- check out the Phillips de Pury auction here!

The only thing more important than having a fabulous, classic go-to bag -- in my opinion -- is a great watch. When I turned 18 my parents bought me a Cartier watch (which I've worn pretty much every day of my life since), and when I turned 21 I got a Patek Philippe one (gorgeous, but I rarely wear it...will, knock on wood, pass it on to my daughter one day!). The reason I've always thought watches to be so key to splurge on is because unlike with clothing (thank you Target designer collaborations!), it's hard to find a frugal watch that can come close to having the craftsmanship of a Cartier, Patek (they're handmade!), or a watch from a comparable brand. That said I'm not naive -- not everyone can afford a four or five figure watch -- and that's where Timex comes in. For as little as $30 you can pick-up a classic, chic watch and while it's extremely unlikely to last you a lifetime, Timex's frugal price points mean that you can buy a few watches to match different outfits/moods (a few models also have changeable color bands available for purchase). They've got an endless array of models  -- great for stocking stuffers! 

Have you splurged on a watch or do you go frugal with your watches?

Leeora Catalan in her office, standing in front of her inspiration board

nOir is one of my all-time fave brands. I love their boldly original rings and the jewelry line is carried everywhere from Bendel's in New York City to Flip in Munich. I didn't realize though until I went to their showroom a few weeks ago that nOir also makes a ton of necklaces, bracelets, and they even made a one-of-a-kind dress out of mesh, spikes, and beads that Rihanna is slated to wear soon! I got a tour of the showroom by the line's founder and designer, Leeora Catalan, who is one of the sweetest designer's I've ever met. She was wearing this great all-black outfit which was perfect for keeping the focus on all the hot baubles she was sporting (of particular note was her Brooklyn Bridge ring . It's a Cubic Zirconia encrusted ring with 22K gold plated brass -- so fierce!). I had so much fun in the showroom -- seriously I was like a kid in a candy store looking and trying on all the pieces that were displayed! More after the jump! 

Giles & Brother by Philip Crangi necklace and ring, and Philip Crangi for Vera Wang necklace

I don't think anything can ever top the pieces Philip Crangi did for Vera Wang (I'm still kicking myself in the butt for not investing in one of them -- they were SO gorgeous!). Thankfully the jewelry designer just opened his first boutique in the Meatpacking District here in NYC, so I can shop his pieces on a more regular basis (and cross my fingers that something as boldly magnificent as the Vera Wang pieces will pop-up again!).

Crangi is calling his store "The Crangi Family Project" (the designer's sister, Courtney Crangi, has been a long time partner and CEO in the company). The store carries a mix of Giles & Brother by Philip Crangi jewelry and a small collection of "unique objects of interest" (candle sticks, incense holders, bronze flowers, etc.), made exclusively for the shop by the designer. To round it all out, there's a tightly curated selection of new and rare books and a small cache of Philip Crangi fine jewelry. Check-out the new store at 9 Ninth Avenue or click here to shop the designer's latest pieces!

I love the vintage vibe of Kenneth Jay Lane's latest collection.  The undisputed king of faux, KJL pieces are beautifully made and though a bit pricey for costume-- the designs are so worth it.  I'm into anything with feathers right now-- just picked up art deco antique chandelier and sconces from the 1920's for my new dining room, feathers lend such lightness and whimsy!  I have featured the feather cuff before and it was too big for my tiny wrists so I had to stare in envy at all my friends who bought it on my recommendation.  Very excited about the feather pin and earrings, click click buy.  What do you think of KJL? 

Kenneth Jay Lane Large Fancy Bib Necklace here $1040
Kenneth Jay Lane Feather Cuff here $440

Kenneth Jay Lane Feather Earrings here $365
Kenneth Jay Lane Antique Feather Pin here $265

How gorgeous is this piece!? It's from M. Sturman Jewelry (a collection of unique pearls, stones, beads and vintage pieces including Swarovski cabochons and blown glass), and it features Swarovski stones ordered by Christian Dior pre-WWII! This statement necklace retails for $1550 and is available exclusively online. It's called the Diorissimo and it's a one-of-a-kind 17" necklace with button closure, 24k gold-plated beads form hand-woven cord, and bezels the vintage Swarovski stones ordered pre-WWII by Dior from Daniel Swarovski. I can totally see this looking amazing against a simple LBD or over a silk white shirt worn with a blazer. To die for!

I have been a fan of Bag Snob for quite some time and I am so excited to be here to announce the launch of a new collection of fashion jewelry I have designed for HSN, Grayce by Molly Sims.

Jewelry has always been a passion of mine. I grew up in the South where my mom spent most weekends scouring the estate auctions for unique pieces. I inherited this pastime, and found some treasures of my own during my time modeling and living abroad.

When I began to create my own line, I was inspired by the jewelry my mom and I had collected. I wanted a line that exhibited 'grayceful glamour,' and that would be able to demonstrate the different girls that are each representative of a part of who I am: from the classic all-American girl and glamorous red carpet diva to the sexy swimsuit model who moonlights as a world traveling bohemian.

It's been fun creating Grayce and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I loved making it a reality.

(Molly is wearing the Grayce by Molly Sims Deco 18" Necklace $98.95 as seen below left. Below center-- Grayce by Molly Sims Deco 7-3/4" Cuff Bracelet ($89.95) and Grayce by Molly Sims "Crystal Point" Drop Earrings ($59.95). Below right: Grayce by Molly Sims "Grayceful" 62-1/2" Necklace ($89.95) 

To see the premiere collection, please tune in to HSN on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 10 pm (EST) and on HSN.com!  The jewelry ranges in price from $30 - $120.