ph: Self Service + Vogue Japan
Two gorgeous beauty moments. Bambi is such a babe!
I'm thinking of trying this polish to get that metallic rainbow effect.
BEAUTY MOMENTS
ph: Self Service + Vogue Japan
Two gorgeous beauty moments. Bambi is such a babe!
I'm thinking of trying this polish to get that metallic rainbow effect.
LEOPARD, STRIPES + A DIET COKE
1. T by Alexander Wang Linen Striped Long Sleeve Tee
2. Stella McCartney Round Sunglasses
3. Assad Mounser Gunmetal-Plated Chain and Printed Silk Necklace
4. MiH Jeans Paris Cropped Mid-Rise Jeans
5. Jerome Dreyfuss Bobi Haircalf Messenger Bag
6. Diet Coke goodness
7. Casio Stainless Steel 3 Dials Watch
8. 3.1 Phillip Lim Delia Chelsea Booties
As some of you know from twitter, I have a bit of a Diet Coke obsession, so I am super pumped for the Glamour Magazine + Diet Coke party happening next week- It's always fun when two of my favorites collide! The party is in celebration of the new sleek can design + to celebrate the winning design of a Diet Coke t-shirt, which will be available at Target. Also, If you're in the NYC area next week, there will be mannequins styled with the t-shirt throughout the city where they will be giving away all sorts of goodies! Follow Diet Coke on twitter + facebook for more info.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Diet Coke. The opinions, as always, are my own.
GWEN
ph: Just Jared
Oh Gwen Stefani, how I love you. Can I please look this amazing at 42?!
Get the look...
Japan Jewellery Fair Opens With An Increase in Exhibitors
Nearly 400 exhibitors have set up shop at the Japan Jewellery Fair, which opened Tuesday at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center.
The three-day event has attracted a total of 394 exhibiting companies, a significant increase from 369 last year, with a corresponding increase in exhibition space, according to UBM Japan Co Ltd. and the Japan Jewellery Association, which host the trade fair. “This expansion in the size of the fair comes in sharp contrast to the lackluster state of the economy and the contraction in the size of other jewelry exhibitions held in Japan this year.”
Of the 394 exhibitors, 51 are international jewelry companies from 19 countries and regions. There are 21 national and themed pavilions, including the Quality Design Zone for high-end jewelry collections, the Japan Pearl Pavilion that includes displays of high quality Japanese akoya pearls, and the Bridal Jewellery Zone displaying the latest trends in engagement and wedding jewelry.
This year marks the 20th edition of the fair, and a number of special events and seminars are held during to commemorate the anniversary. Japanese actress and fashion designer, Uno Kanda, who also serves as the Japan Jewellery Association’s Jewellery Ambassador, participated in the opening ceremonies. She assisted with the unveiling of the Association's "Bonds of Love" jewelry promotion campaign, where she designed a special jewelry collection to remember the close personal relationships and the bonds of love that were strengthened following the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan last year. The campaign was launched to remind people of the important role that jewelry can play as a symbol of those bonds.
Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet.
BEAUTY: SIMPLE STATEMENTS
ph: Ben Pogue / Oyster
Bold brows, embellished nails, burgundy lips + subtle liner- all simple beauty statements for fall.
I'm dying to try those nails! The only embellishments I've found are these. Any other recs?
Reena Ahluwalia Designs Historic Indian Diamond Jewelry Collection
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| Courageous Spirit necklace |
A friend of Jewelry News Network, Toronto-based jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia, has created a jewelry collection that uses diamonds mined and manufactured in India. The first time in more than a century this has happened.
The diamonds came from Rio Tinto’s Bunder Project in Madhya Pradesh province, in the center of the country. Ahluwalia was born in Madhya Pradesh.
“What an amazing honor to give back to my province and country of birth,” Ahluwalia said.
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| Courageous Spirit earrings |
Titled Courageous Spirit, the jewelry features a statement necklace and a set of complementary earrings. The collection incorporates a total of 25.34 carats of polished Bunder diamonds and 2.8 carats of rough Bunder diamonds, including a 5.04 carat round brilliant cut white diamond and a 5.02 carat round brilliant cut cognac diamond.
The diamond-encrusted disc symbolizes the natural abundance of the Bunder diamond deposit.
“Inspired by a compass, the disc rotates on a central axis, while a marker points to the true center of the Bunder story—the earthly origins of the diamonds and the pioneering spirit of the people who are so integral to Bunder's development,” Rio Tinto said in a statement. “The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Bunder diamond deposit are inscribed on the back of the disc.”
The rough diamonds were cut and polished by master craftsmen in Indian cutting and polishing factories, while the design was brought to life by Indian jewelry manufacturer Uni-Design Jewellery Private Ltd. of Mumbai.
The jewelry was unveiled Friday at an event in the province with Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in attendance.
“The Government of Madhya Pradesh has supported us from the very beginning in our quest to develop a new benchmark for mine development in India,” said Nik Senapati, managing director of Rio Tinto India. “I am delighted that seven years after our initial discovery, we can showcase these exquisite pieces of jewelry that provide a window into the enormous potential of the gems contained in the Bunder deposit.”
He added, “The Courageous Spirit jewelry collection holds a very special place in Indian diamond history as it has been at least a century since India has mined, designed and manufactured its own diamond jewelry.”
The Courageous Spirit collection is not available for sale, but will be showcased at a number of events throughout the second half of 2012.
The Bunder project was discovered in 2004 by Rio Tinto who entered into a “State Support Agreement” with Madhya Pradesh in 2010 to develop the project. Diamonds from the mine likely to come into commercial production in 2016, Rio Tinto said.
Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet.
UNEXPECTED COOL
ph: A Love Is Blind
Loving this! I'd never think to put these pieces together- Normally navy jackets with gold buttons come across as prim + preppy, but she makes it look super cool + laid back.
Get the look...
MODEL CRUSH: BROOKE PERRY
ph: Anthony Arquier / Bellazon
Brooke Perry. Gorgeous. Enough said. Click below to see her in a range of great pieces, including a swoon-worthy pair of burgundy leather pants! Plus, find out to how to get each look...
Get the look...
Flexibility and Harmony Combine with Mattioli ‘Yin Yang’ Rings
The two opposing principles of Chinese philosophy is the inspiration behind the new, colorful “Yin Yang” collection of rings from Mattioli.
The Italian luxury jewelry brand always emphasizes versatility in its designs and this new collection adds to this philosophy. All of the rings consist of two interchangeable curved gold bands of various colors with the use of colored diamonds and other gems create a range of design possibilities. In addition to colorful combinations, the collection uses several surface textures, from polished smooth to the textured brilliance of pavé.
“The intersecting components can easily be joined to form a beautiful ring with a special look that the wearer creates for herself. There are many combinations to be made by interchanging elements of different colors of gold or with different gemstones or diamond colors,” the company said. “The opulent, rounded effect of a ring is continuously reborn, offering a new, fascinating harmony every single time.”
Elements include polished white, pink or black gold paired with themselves, or alternated with precious elements enhanced by white brown or black diamonds, or with iolite and tsavorite.
Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet.
Montblanc Awards Winner of Young Directors Project at Salzburg Festival
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| Ingrid Roosen-Trinks, Montblanc Cultural Foundation director, Peter Kuemmel, culture critic, Jury, Gis le Vienne, Young Director, Winner 2012, Norbert Platt, chairman of the Board of Directors Montblanc Simplo GmbH, Helga Rabl-Stadler, president of Salzburg Festival, Sven-Eric Bechtolf, director of Drama Salzburg Festival, Montblanc, Young Directors Award 2012 ©wildbild |
You may have remember earlier this month I wrote about the Montblanc Young Directors Project, where the luxury brand sponsors a competition for up-and-coming directors and their ensembles, held during the Salzburg Festival. The project recently has announced a winner, Gisèle Vienne, who created two pieces for the festival: Eternelle Idole and This Is How You Will Disappear.
Montblanc and Sven-Eric Bechtolf, director of Drama of the Salzburg Festival, invited three directors and their ensembles from around the world, selected by a jury, to present their productions at the annual festival in Salzburg, Austria. Montblanc covered all costs of bringing the groups to Salzburg as well as the awards and prize money.
As winner of the Young Director winner, the French artist receives 10,000 euros ($12,180) in prize money and the Montblanc limited edition Hommage à Max Reinhardt fountain pen, designed exclusively for the event. The sale of the writing instrument provided additional funds that were used to present a fifth production, the guest appearance of Hamlet Cantabile by the South Korean performance group TUIDA.
The statement from the jury about Vienne’s winning performances, reads:
In her pieces Eternelle Idole and even more so in This Is How You Will Disappear, Gisèle Vienne does not evoke a time that we once knew, nor one that will ever exist. This director travels through her own universe, and it is very clearly a world of posterity: the dammed, the exiled, the undead of our popular culture tread their paths there; it is impossible to make contact because language has reached the end of its tether. In Vienne’s theatre, man is devoured by the spaces he thought he controlled. However, the manner in which he struggles and ultimately disappears is marked by great beauty. This beauty has convinced the jury to award this year’s Montblanc Young Directors Award to Gisèle Vienne.
Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet.
Vacheron Constantin Opens Boutique in Las Vegas
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| Entrance of the new Vacheron Constantin Las Vegas boutique. |
Swiss luxury watch brand, Vacheron Constantin, opened a new boutique Monday at the Palazzo Hotel, Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, marking the company’s 30th boutique worldwide and its second boutique in North America after the opening in New York in September 2011.
The interior design of the new retail space uses contemporary elements combined with traditional design techniques, the Geneva-based brand said, noting that it is “an architectural perspective that reveals the brand’s constant search for excellence and aesthetic perfection.” The materials and color scheme provide “a warm and comfortable atmosphere dedicated to technical and precious haute horlogerie.”
The boutique will offer the entire range of collections from the Geneva-based brand, as well as exclusive boutique models.
The boutique will offer the entire range of collections from the Geneva-based brand, as well as exclusive boutique models.
“This opening is another milestone in the brand’s worldwide expansion and allows us to provide an experience that will enhance customer understanding of the brand and its longstanding history in haute horlogerie,” said Hugues de Pins, president of Vacheron Constantin North America.
Vacheron Constantin, established in 1755, is the world’s oldest continuous watch manufacturer.
Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet.
CASUAL CHIC • COACH LEGACY COLLECTION
Majorly crushing on the new Coach Legacy Collection! All the pieces are so clean + classic that they easily fit with any personal style, so when I was asked to pick some of my favorites, my mind ran wild with the outfit collage possibilities! To check out more of my favorite picks, as well as some from Atlantic-Pacific + Because I'm Addicted, head on over to WhoWhatWear.
1. Equipment Signature Blouse
2. Linda Farrow for The Row Leather Cat Eye Sunglasses
3. Maria Francesca Pepe Pair Studded Hoop Earrings
4. Acne Pop Cropped Mid-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
5. Coach Legacy Leather Duffle
6. Coach Leather Hinged Bangle
7. Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in 'Supermodel'
8. Alexander Wang Sonja Ankle Strap Pumps
CLOSE UP: ACCESSORIES
ph: Kelly Stuart for ELLE
Delicate stacked rings + a beaded clutch are now on my must-have list!
The perfect place to check out these rings is CatBird- they always have a great selection, which makes it so hard to decide which to get -- fashion girl problems! Click below to see the full look from the 2nd shot (so cute!) + to check out my top picks for getting these looks...
Get the look...
MINIMAL DESIRES
ph: Harper's Bazaar
Drooling over these minimal looks + accessories- This is too perfect!
I have to get my hands on those white Céline wedge heels!
Click below to find out how to get the looks...
Get the look...
FALL FLORAL
ph: Vogue
Enough of this muggy heat- Bring on the chilly weather!
Obsessing over this fall floral look + dreaming of weather cool enough to be able to wear it.
Get the look...
WINGED EYES
ph: Topshop | ELLE Vietnam
How cool is this winged eye look? So bold, yet in some way, soft + feminine.
Record Breaking Jewelry Moments Worthy of Olympic Gold
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| Christie’s employees taking phone bids during The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction at Christie’s New York. Photo credit: Christie’s |
As the 2012 London Summer Olympics winds down, it got me thinking about some of the great moments in history as it pertains to jewelry, gemstones and precious metals. Wealth and power throughout time has often been measured in the ownership of the most valuable and desirable adornment. Often the stories of precious ornaments ran alongside the rise and fall of kingdoms. Below is just short listing of some of the milestone moments. Please feel free to add more.
* The Most Valuable Sale of Jewelry in Auction History. “The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor” auction held at Christie’s New York in December 2011. Following a worldwide tour and a 10-day exhibition at Christie’s New York, the two-day sale of Ms. Taylor’s jewelry took in approximately $137.2 million. The opening night jewelry sale (December 13) alone set seven world auction records for some of the most important jewels in the world, including:
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| La Peregrina. Photo credit: Christie's |
- The World Auction Record for a Pearl Jewel. “La Peregrina,” one of the most famous pearls in the world with a history that spans 500 years, on a necklace designed by Cartier for Taylor, sold for $11.8 million. It is believed to have been found by an African slave on the coast of the isle of Santa Margarita in the Gulf of Panama in the mid-16th Century or as early as the 15th Century. This pear-shaped pearl of 203 grains in size—equivalent to 55 cts.—became part of the crown jewels of Spain. Prince Philip II of Spain gave it as a wedding gift to his wife, Mary Tudor of England. It was passed on to the Spanish queens Margarita and Isabel, who wore the pearl in 17th century portraits painted by Velázquez. Richard Burton famously purchased the pearl for Elizabeth Taylor at auction in 1969 for $37,000, after successfully outbidding a member of the Spanish Royal family. Burton gave the pearl to Taylor on Jan. 23, 1969. Inspired by a 16th century portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, who wore it as a pendant to a brooch, Taylor commissioned Cartier to design a new mount of matched natural pearls and rubies, designed by Al Durante.
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| Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. Photo credit: Christie's |
- The World Auction Record for a Colorless Diamond Per Carat. The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond (also known as the Burton-Taylor Diamond). The 33.19-carat Asscher-cut D color potentially flawless diamond sold for more than $8.8 million, or $265,697 per carat. The 33.19-ct., D color, potentially internally flawless diamond mounted on a ring was a gift from Richard Burton on May 16, 1968. The most iconic of her cherished white diamonds, it became the ring Ms. Taylor wore almost every day. The Type IIa diamond was purchased at auction for $300,000 in 1968 as the Krupp diamond. It is also known as the Taylor-Burton diamond.
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| Taj Mahal Diamond. Photo credit: Christie's |
- The World Auction Record for an Indian Jewel. The heart-shaped Taj Mahal Diamond that sold for more than $8.8 million. Inscribed with the name Nur Jahan, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir, this heart-shaped diamond is believed to have been a gift from the ruler to his son, who became the great emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666). At the age of 35, it is believed that the young prince presented the diamond to his favorite and most beloved wife, Mumtaz-i-Mahal. The emperor’s grief at her death just four years later was legendary—in her memory he commissioned the majestic Taj Mahal. Richard Burton gave it to Ms. Taylor in 1972 for her 40th birthday.
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| Joseph Asscher Photo credit: Royal Asscher |
* The World’s Largest Rough Diamond. The 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond uncovered in 1907 by Frederick Wells at the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa. Wells presented the diamond to Sir Thomas Cullinan, who owned the mine. Cullinan then sold the diamond to the Transvaal provincial government, which presented the stone to Britain's King Edward VII entrusted the cutting of the Cullinan to Joseph Asscher, head of the Asscher Diamond Company of Amsterdam. Asscher studied the stone for six months before attempting the cut. Legend has it that on his first attempt, the steel blade broke, with no effect on the diamond. On the second attempt, the diamond shattered exactly as planned; Asscher then fainted from nervous exhaustion. Lita Asscher, president of Royal Asscher of America and sixth generation heir to the family business, says her family has their own spin on the story: “We always say that he did not faint. He drank too much champagne (after cutting the diamond) and then he fainted.”
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| "Star of Africa I," or "Cullinan I" Photo credit: Royal Asscher |
* The World’s Largest Cut Diamond. The Cullinan was later cut into nine large stones and about 100 smaller ones. The largest stone is called the "Star of Africa I," or "Cullinan I," and at 530 carats, it is the largest-cut fine-quality colorless diamond in the world. The second largest stone, the "Star of Africa II" or "Cullinan II," is 317 carats. Both of these stones, as well as the "Cullinan III," are on display in the Tower of London with Britain's other crown jewels; the Cullinan I is mounted in the British Sovereign's Royal Scepter, while the Cullinan II sits in the Imperial State Crown.
Cullinan I was the largest diamond in the world until 1987. The Golden Jubilee Diamond now has that honor. At 545.67 carats, it outweighs the Cullinan I by 15.37 carats. The yellow-brown diamond in a fire rose cushion cut was purchased from De Beers by a group led by Henry Ho of Thailand and given to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in honor of his 50th coronation anniversary. It is now located in the Royal Thai Palace as part of the crown jewels.
Cullinan I was the largest diamond in the world until 1987. The Golden Jubilee Diamond now has that honor. At 545.67 carats, it outweighs the Cullinan I by 15.37 carats. The yellow-brown diamond in a fire rose cushion cut was purchased from De Beers by a group led by Henry Ho of Thailand and given to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in honor of his 50th coronation anniversary. It is now located in the Royal Thai Palace as part of the crown jewels.
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| Faberge Siberian aquamarine and diamond brooch was a gift from Tsar Nicholas II to princess Alix of Hesse. They were executed July 17,1918, and she was wearing the jewel right up until the time of her death. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco |
The World’s Best Story Attached to a Piece of Jewelry. A Siberian aquamarine Fabergé brooch that Russian Tsar Nicholas II gave to princess Alix of Hesse as an engagement gift. I saw this piece at Wartski jewelry antique store in London, best known as the “royal warrant of appointment,” one of a handful of companies that supply goods and services to the British Royal Family. Geoffrey Munn, the store’s managing director Fabergé told the story behind the brooch:
In here we have a Fabergé brooch, a Siberian aquamarine surrounded by diamonds. That’s all we knew for a while. It’s an exemplary aquamarine and it’s of extraordinary color. (women in the group gasp with amazement). I know, I know it’s fabulous. (But) it’s only the beginning of the trouble. Because this really is going to wreck you and you’ll need a stiff drink afterwards. It’s an exemplary aquamarine and it’s a Siberian one and they don’t really come in that color unless they do come from Siberia.… The story of this is really quite awe inspiring because the color blue in the lore of lapidary stones stands for love and then there’s sort of the interlock of two lives with diamonds forever. And that’s all we knew for a very long time until my colleague sent off the number to Russia and back came the provenance and it said that it was bought by the Supreme Autocrat of all the Russias—a pretty hot title—and there’s a note beside it saying it was the engagement present from (Russian Tsar) Nicholas II to princess Alix of Hesse. And that is sort of stratospheric. But then what happens later is even more heartbreaking because when they were taken to prison in Siberia (during the Bolshevik Revolution), they went to a place called The House of Special Purpose—a very menacing title—and you know what happens next but this (the jewel) was with her just before she was taken to the basement and riddled with gunfire. It was confiscated and it isn’t actually open to debate because it was a civil service theft and so they made an inventory of what they’ve taken from her and they photographed it on the table so you don’t hear any fanciful stories. I think possibly that’s as far as jewelry will ever take you.
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| Tsarevna Swan |
* Most Diamonds Set on a Single Ring. Could this be an object that will hold a history of its own? The “Tsarevna Swan,” a tall, highly stylized 18k white gold ring set a Guinness World Record for having the most cut diamonds on a ring: 2,525. It was unveiled in 2011 by the Lobortas Classic Jewellery House of Kiev, Ukraine. Regardless of whether this will capture the imagination of future generations of jewelry collectors, it is a great accomplishment.
As I mentioned, you are welcome add anything that I have missed.
FANCY CAT
Came up with two looks, but couldn't decide which to post... Which is your favorite?
Look 1:
1. Yves Saint Laurent Oversized Square Sunglasses
2. T by Alexander Wang Pleated Neoprene Dress
3. Etro Gold-Plated Acetate and Resin Necklace
4. ANNDRA NEEN Seaweed Cross Clutch
5. Illamasqua Nail Varnish in 'Purity'
6. Aquazzura Very Sexy Cutout Pumps
Look 2:
1. Elizabeth and James Lafayette Cat Eye Sunglasses
2. T by Alexander Wang Pleated Neoprene Dress
3. Fallon Jewelry Triple Winged Necklace
4. ANNDRA NEEN Seaweed Cross Clutch
5. Illamasqua Nail Varnish in 'DWS'
6. Aquazzura Very Sexy Cutout Pumps
ABBEY SHINES
ph: Sunday Telegraph
Abbey Lee Kershaw looking lovely as usual. Excited to see her in the new Mad Max film!
Get the look...
Luxury Megayacht to Host Contemporary Jewelry Fair During Art Basel Miami Beach
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| An event onboard the SeaFair |
A new jewelry exhibition will be held on a 228-foot megayacht as part of America’s largest art fair.
The inaugural International Contemporary Jewelry Fair will be held December 4 - 9 onboard the SeaFair, a $40 million, luxury yacht built for the purpose of hosting mobile art and jewelry exhibitions. It will be part of Art Basel Miami Beach (December 6 - 9), the most prestigious art fair in the Americas.
While the exhibitors haven’t been announced yet, the organizers, International Fine Art Expositions, promise that the event “will present unique jewelry created by designers and artists from around the world as another segment of collectible contemporary art.”
For the exhibition, SeaFair will be docked at its winter season location at Chopin Plaza at Noguchi Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. In addition to the shipboard exhibition, SeaFair will play host to educational events and exclusive VIP parties, including a private “first view” event on December 4.
The fair will be open December 5 – 8, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.; and December 9 from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. There will be cocktails, champagne and caviar served on the vessel’s sky deck. The ship’s glass walled VIP lounge and Luxe Lounge will offer additional gathering places for collectors.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, $20 for a one-day ticket and $30 for a “Priority Boarding” ticket, which allows immediate priority boarding. Advance ticketing is available online for $15 for a one-day ticket and $25 for a Priority Boarding ticket at www.expoships.com.
SeaFair is owned and operated by Expoships, LLLP, David and Lee Ann Lester, who have organized over 70 international art fairs in art capitals around the world for more than 20 years.
Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet.
