Oscar, Opulence and Oodles of Jewelry

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

I've been hearing a lot of jewelry trend talk throughout New York Fashion Week about a return to 'opulence' for Fall 2011, but I had yet to see it with my own eyes.

Until the Oscar de la Renta show.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

FINALLY! Jewelry that isn't afraid of its own shadow.

Long, drop earrings in gemstone hues mixed with shoulder dusters styles that could head straight to the red carpet.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

Mr. de la Renta loves himself a brooch, and the season's stand-out silhouette - bows - brought the sentiment to life beautifully for this collection.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

And then there's the classic beaded necklace for a little ring around the collar glam.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

But Oscar de la Renta isn't the only designer throwing caution and carats to the wind this season. Anna Sui is always game for some fun finger flavor.

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

And Proenza Shouler and Isaac Mizrahi both chose sculptural statment necklaces in black and white to accessorize their lines.

Proenza Schouler, Fall 2011 RTW

Proenza Schouler, Fall 2011 RTW

Isaac Mizrahi, Fall 2011 RTW

I think I'm having a Dorothy moment. The ho-hum days of prairie-wear and pearl strands from earlier shows have just transformed into a technicolor treasure chest of jewels that would make even Glinda blush.

Sure, there's no place like home. But there are no ruby slippers there either.

My Diamond in the Rough

Well, jewelry hounds, she's here! Roxanne (Roxy) Parker Rataj was born on February 10th to the delight of her mom and pops. She came out 8 pounds 20 inches but has eaten her way to 9 pounds 6 oz and 23 inches in two weeks' time(!)

I think I have an over-achiever on my hands...

Wanted to share a few pics with you all so you can see what's been occupying my time since diamonds and divas have taken a back seat this month. Ain't she swell?

While my daughter's birth was perfectly timed for numerologists and folks who care about such things (2/10/2010 has a nice ring to it, right?), I did miss covering New York Fashion Week and was shocked to hear of Alexander McQueen's untimely passing. The fashion world will never find a replacement for his apocalyptic, whimsical, down-the-rabbit-hole stylings - - truly tragic.

But on to sunnier skies. Namely? Oscar! The party scene has been rolling non-stop leading up to the big night on March 7th, so I'm sure there will be lots of ground to cover next week. Stay tuned - and thanks for all of your good wishes and support during my brief sojourn. In the meantime, Roxy and I are busy prepping for red carpet gawking from our feeding spot on the couch.

xoxox
Laura

Oscar, Opulence, and Orange – Oh My!

Jewelry hounds, my favorite designer has done it again. What would we red carpet watchers do without our Fashion Week Oscar de la Renta fix? Yes, this same Oscar who gave us Carrie Bradshaw’s stunning couture moment in the final Paris episode and oodles of Award Show memories.

His Spring 2010 collection was full of color and didn’t skimp on the bling, perhaps because his clientele includes some of the world’s wealthiest women – from icons like Barbara Walters to all those New York ladies who lunch.

For we mere mortals, it’s fun to gawk at the glamour. I am loving his tangerine touches, from simple sheath dresses to coral brooch accents.

And if you thought yellow gold was on its way out – think again. The runway sparkled with gold circle statement necklaces and earrings in addition to over-the-top chandelier shapes that would make Liberace blush.

And those red carpet gowns! How much would you die to see that pink number at the Emmys this weekend? Or, say, Angelina or Megan Fox in that black number?

Thank you, Oscar. For making me a covet-thy-fashionista pile of drool yet again. And for keeping Valentino-esque glamour alive (if you haven't seen the Valentino documentary, Valentino: The Last Emporer, put it at the top of your Netflix queue tout de suite!) .

Which designer makes you want to sell your first born for a chance at greatness? Weigh in!

Bridal Jewelry Breaks With Tradition

From diamond engagement rings to pearl strands, bridal jewelry style is steeped in serious snoresville, I mean, tradition. And while there is certainly nothing wrong with flashing that round cut diamond ring on your ring finger or giving your bridesmaids tried and true pearl studs to go with the dress that they’ll die black and still never wear again, there are some refreshing new trends that are breathing new life in the jewelry category.

Maybe it’s the economy forcing folks to get creative or the big whiff of change in the air since the last election, but big, colored stones are making a splash in bridal circles - from the pricier precious stones (rubies, emeralds, sapphires) to the more affordable semi-precious gems (aquamarines, citrines, peridot, etc.)

Sapphire engagement rings have been in fashion since Lady Di got her big princess cut rock from Prince Charles, but I’m seeing more birthstone baubles decorating ring fingers these days in addition to gemstone statement necklaces and earrings to give that big white dress a good shot in the arm.

The Luxist highlighted a great selection of gemstone bridal designs by Anne Bowen today, a designer who is certainly coloring outside the lines when it comes to tradition.

And engagement rings are apparently not just for women anymore. A fascinating article on Jewelry.com details a rise in ring finger bling for guys these days as more women feel its only fair that both people in the relationship wear a symbol of their pending nuptials.

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

So if you’re thinking about walking down the aisle soon, know that anything goes in the bling department these days. If Michelle Obama can go sleeveless in the halls of Congress and Carrie Bradshaw can wear that green bird on her head, you can have a black diamond engagement ring if you want it, sister.

Carpe friggin' Diem!

Fashion Week Channels Eighties Glam

New York Fashion Week isn’t as glitzy this year. The party circuit is slower, the shows not as production-heavy, the front rows not as star-studded, but thankfully the fashion is more than making up for the overall feeling of economic malaise.

Metallics, statement necklaces and purples are still in – but the hottest new look has to be the return to eighties glam. Think New York dance clubs circa 1983. And no one is channeling that “Duran Duran meets Dynasty” look better than (who else?) Mr. Marc Jacobs.

Last season he gave us suffragist chic, this season it’s Simon Le Bon meets Pat Benetar. Metallics, neon jewelry, shoulder pads, space make up and crimpy hair littered the Jacobs catwalk.

"I was thinking about the good old days in New York," he said after the show, "when getting dressed up was such a joy."

Not far behind the nostalgia-filled bandwagon is Betsy Johnson, who gave up her runway cartwheel this time for an intimate show in one of her stores. If Cyndi Lauper (or Annie Potts in Pretty in Pink for you die-hards) isn’t the inspiration for this leggings and tutu-filled offering, I’ll eat my Men Without Hats cassette.













So for you newcomers to bangled arms, lace tights and leg warmers, you’ve got a lot to look forward to. And for us old school veterans? Maybe it’s time to dust off the day-glo.

What do you guys think?