Hollywood Stars Come Out for Montblanc’s Pre-Oscar Charity Brunch

Hilary Swank signs a brick, which is the symbol for Montblanc's 2013 pre-Oscars charity brunch. She is wearing Montblanc's Pétales Entrelacés motif bracelet.

Montblanc held its annual “Charity Brunch” Saturday at the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles. Every year the luxury brand hosts this event the day before the Academy Awards presentation and selects a charity initiative. This year the charity is UNICEF’s “Signature for Good” program. 

UNICEF Ambassador Alyssa Milano.

Academy Award winning actress, Hilary Swank, led the event. She recently joined Montblanc and UNICEF on a field trip to Ethiopia and she shared her experience with those in attendance.

Christopher Lambert wearing Montblanc Star 4810 Chronograph.

Montblanc pledged to raise at least $1.5 million for the initiative, primarily through its recently unveiled “Signature For Good” collection, which includes special edition writing instruments, jewelry pieces and leather accessories. The feature design element is a brick that symbolizes the joint effort of building a better future for all children and their communities, through the creation of proper education programs and the construction of schools—brick by brick. Parts of the proceeds raised from the sale of the collection will be donated to UNICEF to build and maintain schools for underprivileged children for its schools in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Actress Emmy Rossum wearing Montblanc Star Classique Lady Automatic watch and Montblanc Seven Stars Collection.

In addition to Swank, celebratory guests included Emmy Rossum, Rosario Dawson, UNICEF Ambassador Alyssa Milano, Louise Roe, Alan Arkin, Billy Zane, Jesse Metcalfe, Peter Fonda, Jesse Williams, Madalina Ghenea, Alexander Ludwig, Danny Huston, Stacey Keach, Martin Landau, Alfrie Woodard, Mimi Rogers, Maria Bravo, Jane Seymour, Clemens Schick, Navid Negahban, Michael Nouri, Lana Parilla, Samantha Barks, Rachel Griffiths, Bailey Chase, Pal Sverre Hagen, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Natasha Henstridge and Michael York joined Lutz Bethge, Montblanc CEO, and Caryl M. Stern, U.S. Fund for UNICEF CEO and president. 

Montblanc CEO Lutz Bethge and U.S. Fund for UNICEF President and CEO Caryl M. Stern wearing Montblanc Star 4810 necklace.

Guests supported the program by signing bricks of a school specially recreated inside the hotel. 

Montblanc brand ambassador, opera star, Shenyang, performed.

 
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Jewelry Fashion at the Golden Globe Awards

The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards are currently being held in Beverly Hills, Calif., and here are among the first jewelry-related fashion items worn by some of the stars. I will be updating this page as more becomes available.

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez wearing Le Vian 18K Strawberry Gold earrings with Vanilla Diamonds  (Retail: $30,248),

Actress Halle Berry wearing Madstone 18k gold and diamond earrings.

Actress Debra Messing in $200,000 worth of stackable Amrapali Victorian diamond bangles. The Jaipur, India-based firm is one of the premier jewelry houses in India, known for its modern interpretations of the best classical Indian jewelry. 

TV personality Giuliana Rancic wearing Norman Silverman earrings and ring, valued at a combimed $400,000. Norman Silverman offers a prestigious selection of large and rare white diamonds, as well as impressive fancy yellows, pinks and blues. 

Actress Carla Gugino in Bavna 18k gold multicolored rose cut diamond earrings (retail: $28,000) and a Demarco diamond flower ring (retail $41,235).

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Oscar-Worthy Jewelry

The Collier Entier Romanov by Fabergé is set with 2,225 gemstones totaling 363.48 carats. It includes 79 emeralds totaling 186.85 carats, featuring sugar-loaf cabochons and a single pear-shaped drop of 30.65 carats. The diamond include 1,991 round white diamonds totaling 98.15 carats, 151 rose cut diamonds, of 43.29 carats, 0.67-carat rose diamond, and a pear-shaped rose cut diamond of 3.48 carats. The choker detaches from the collar, allowing the two necklaces to be worn separately, while the choker can be worn alone or with the emerald drop pendant.

It’s not only Hollywood’s finest who will be under the glare of the international spotlight as they stroll the red carpet and appear on stage for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. What they wear will be under the scrutiny of fashion experts and the general public—and that includes the jewelry they choose.

Leading style expert Michael O'Connor—who is hosting StyleLab's styling event for Academy Award nominees, presenters and stylists—says that there will not be one dominate color this year. “Bright and vibrant colored gemstones that were big in past decades including pink, blue, orange and green, will make a resurgence.”

Academy Award winning actress Marcia Gay Harden checks out pink drusy earrings Pamela Huizenga in the StyleLab Suite at the 2012 Oscars. Photo credit: American Gem Trade Association

O'Connor, who curated a selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from world-renowned designers for celebrities to borrow for the red carpet, says large pieces will be prevalent on the Red Carpet, from “chunky cuff styles with geometric shapes and vintage designs” to “oversized drop or chandelier earrings that practically touch the collarbone.”

Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari Sapphire and Diamond Sautoir. This sold for $5.9 million at Christie's Elizabeth Taylor auction. Will an item from the auction make an appearance on the Red Carpet Sunday? Photo credit: Christie's

Following Christie's Elizabeth Taylor auction, look for vintage pieces to take center stage as well. In fact, maybe statement pieces owned by the late movie star will make an appearance. After all, the renowned Italian jewelry house, Bulgari, reportedly purchased $20 million of its own jewelry at the auction. The speculation is that it will be used for a museum. What better way to announce the museum and make a bold statement than to have a multi-million piece of jewelry adorn one of the world’s top actresses.

Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco Bracelet

Another company that is bringing in the nostalgia is Montblanc. It has created several lines of haute joaillerie, timepieces and writing instruments that honor the Hollywood actress and first lady of Monaco, Princess Grace. These items along with others by the venerable brand are being presented at its own “Styling Lounge” showroom.

The famed luxury jewelry house, Fabergé, has been making a comeback and it isn’t shy about letting Angelina Jolie know that it has an emerald and diamond necklace(top photo) that it wants the international star to wear. Set with 2,225 gemstones and 2,043 diamonds, the choker detaches from the collar, allowing the two necklaces to be worn separately, while the choker can be worn alone or with the emerald drop pendant.

Platinum, Tanzanite and diamond "Tokapi" detachable earrings by Gumuchian.

So be on the lookout for these sparkling items along with some glittering surprises when Hollywood’s finest stroll the red carpet tomorrow.