2011 Grammy Awards Jewelry Roundup: It's All In the Wrist

While the whole "Lady Gaga arriving in a big egg" stunt felt a little (um) tired to me, the jewelry fashion was refreshingly fun at the 2011 Grammy Awards, with huge earrings, creative cuffs, statement rings, yellow gold and menfolk in layered looks ruling the night in the trend department.

Here are a few highlights to get the jewelry juices flowing...

I FINALLY had a 2011 lower-jaw-drop moment when I spotted this crazy cuff on Glee diva, Lea Michele. It's by red carpet staple, Lorraine Schwartz, who is also responsible for my second favorite look of the night:

this yellow gold and diamond serpent cuff on Kim Kardashian.Yay!

I also have to applaud Miley Cyrus and Ciara for the winning the "More Is More" award. Maybe it's because I've been so starved for over-the-top jewelry looks this year, but I was happy to see this much sparkle on these young stars.

Big earring looks dusted the sparkling shoulders of everyone from Cyndi Lauper to Snooki:

And as for the fellas? The usual suspects disappointed (Lil Wayne, Diddy) but Seal, Lenny Kravitz and Adam Lambert all rocked the layered necklace look that won the approval of the Twitter Crew (click here to review our fun-filled chat).

With so many folks getting in touch with their inner wacky (Gwenyth? What are you smoking, sister?) I'm sure the Oscars are going to feel like a quaint evening sipping tea by comparison. But I'm ready. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is a jewelry wasteland so far.... And I'm starving for more!

Katy Perry Glows at The Met Gala

My head is still spinning from the amazing jewelry and frock display at last night's Costume Institute Gala at The Met. If Oscar Night is The Super Bowl of fashion gawking let's call this one The World Cup.

A-listers from Oprah and SJP to Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway lit up the carpet. But it was one Katy Perry who took that sentiment quite literally.

It wasn't Katy's jaw-dropping Lorraine Schwartz statement necklace that had tongues wagging - it was her CuteCircuit LED-laced dress that flashed flourescent streaks of yellow, pink, green and blue lights depending on her mood (the control switch was safely ensconced in her cleavage for good keeping).

Katy told one reporter,

"I feel like I really have to represent those girls that just go for it and do their own thing and, you know, have their own bit of spontaneity and self confidence. I think sometimes in fashion it can get a little stuffy so I wanted to lighten up!"

CuteCircuit are no strangers to hi-tech fashion. In 2006 their Hug Shirt was named one of the Best Inventions of the Year by Time Magazine. Katy's dress is a more wearable version of the design duo Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz's stunning Galaxy dress - a hi-tech gown embroidered with 24,000 tiny LED bulbs now on display in an American museum.

What do you guys think of Katy's look? Totally hip? Or trying too hard?

For more Met jewelry gawking, click here for Jewelry.com's full coverage of the event.

Grammy Jewelry: Glam, Gauche and Gaga

Diamond jewelry was the big hit on the Grammy Awards red carpet last night, with lots of pendant earrings, icy studs, cuffs and a few statement necklaces thrown in for good measure.

Gone are the colorful gems of the Globes and SAGs - which should come as no surprise since the music industry is more bling-obsessed than the thespian set. And while there were some stunning looks to applaud, there were a few fashion missteps from some of the red carpet's most reliable stars.

Taylor Swift (despite her unimpressive duet with icon, Stevie Nicks) looked lovely in 12 carat diamond pendant earrings from Lorraine Schwartz. And Pink one-upped her teen competition with, oh, a mere $2.5 mil worth of ice from Neil Lane.



The statement necklace brigade was represented by Shawn Colvin. And simple diamond studs made Rihanna's unfortunate gown choice a little less, um, poofy?

Speaking of poof, Jersey Shore's Snookie showed up in basic hoops (sans the hair bump) and a Seaside-inspired mini that outclassed Britney Spears' unfortunate frock choice with what appears to be fishnet overlay. Oh, sister.

The biggest disappointment for me was the night's big winner, Beyonce, in these gaudy, oversized, yellow gold Lorraine Schwartz earrings and nude Stephane Rolland frock. Not a good color combo and a she crossed the glam line to gaudy. Agree?

And of course, Lady Gaga, in a category all her own - didn't disappoint with her fashion statement or her performance. The show could only go downhill after her incredible opening number with Elton John and the red carpet suffered the same 'gasp' vacuum as well at the end of the day.

What do you guys think? Are you as gaga for Gaga as I am? Are you thumbs up with the Beyonce choice? Weigh in!

Diamonds, Divas and Drama at the MTV VMAs

Before I get to the jewelry fashion and the Kanye West outburst during the MTV Video Music Awards last night, I’d like to just take a moment to reflect on what I thought was – by far - the best part of the night.

MTV isn’t always known to be a class act, and the VMAs is certainly not the place to go looking for it, but whoever was in charge of producing the opening Michael Jackson dance tribute ought to get some kind of award.

Who doesn’t remember running to the TV everytime an MJ video would come on – from Thriller to Beat it? And we ran because we wanted to see those synchronized dance numbers, right? And if it wasn’t Michael it was his sister, Janet, who carried the torch.

Well, for those of you who are square in my demographic – here is a link to the thing. The dancers were amazing - and the Janet Jackson finale was a great way to top it off. I teared up all the way through. It’s not the same as seeing it live, I’m sure, but you’ll get the idea. Nicely done, VMAS.

Now, on to the fashion. First of all, if I see another starlet in a metallic mini dress I’m going to hurl. Enough, already! And Pink and Shakira showed up wearing the same friggin’ one! They are cool, sure, but someone think outside the box, will you?

Diamonds simply dripped from Beyonce, who wore $1 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry; Taylor Swift showed in the same designer’s diamonds and a stunning beaded Kaufman Franco gown, and the third part of this ill-fated trio, Kanye West, just accessorized with his girlfriend in an unfortunate jumpsuit.

So by now, you’ve all heard about how Mr. West took it upon himself to interrupt Taylor Swift’s wispy acceptance speech to lament the fact that Beyonce didn’t win for Best Female Video. I’m thinking Beyonce will be just fine without yet another award in her trophy case (she won the night's top prize for the video anyway).

In other words, let well enough alone, Kanye. MTV is a corporate juggernaut out primarily to promote big stars (including yourself), not to make fine-tuned artistic statements. If getting a Moon Man was the same as winning the Pulitzer, maybe he'd have more of a point. Maybe he didn't get hugged enough as a child?

Thoughts? On any of this diamond-filled drama?

Stay tuned for Fashion Week updates as the week progresses! I love this time of year!

Kate Moss Is The Tops

Long lines and throngs of photogs waited in Soho today as the UK’s popular Topshop clothing chain opened its doors for the first time in the US.

Topshop, owned by British billionaire, Sir Philip Green, completely gutted an historic four-story building to create their New York flagship store, and by the looks of the crowds winding around the big city block they’ll have plenty of takers – despite the lingering recession.

“You’ve seen a few retailers collapse, but I think the big people will ride out the storm,” Green, 57, said in an interview while wandering the 25,000-square-foot New York store. “People haven’t stopped shopping. The young fashion market has still remained pretty resilient during these difficult times.”

Topshop is known for mixing designer duds with your run-of-the-mill ready-to-wear at price points we mere mortals can afford. Call it a step up from H & M, with Kate Moss as its Karl Lagerfeld or Stella McCartney.

The New York store has 32 changing rooms, a DJ booth, and a shoe lounge and stocks everything from cocktail dresses to $70 “skinny jeans” as well as jewelry and lingerie.

The divine Miss Moss made a brief appearance to christen the store today and celebrated with the city’s fashion elite last night at Soho’s signature hotspot, Balthazar.

Wearing pieces from her Topshop collection and a pair of chandelier diamond earrings, Moss rubbed elbows with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, who wore white with her Lorraine Schwartz diamond danglers, and singer Jennifer Hudson, who performed for the dinnergoers in a sequined Topshop number.

That Sir Philip doesn’t spare any expense. And it’s no wonder. He and his wife, based in Monaco, shared an estimated fortune of 4.3 billion pounds in 2007, according to the U.K.’s Sunday Times Rich List.

That’s a lot of skinny jeans!

Emeralds, Oscar and Angelina Jolie

I'm still sifting through the glittering jewelry looks from last night's Oscar extravaganza, but I'd like to just take a moment to revel in the beauty of Angelina Jolie's shocking Colombian emerald jewelry. If the jewels, the Oscar nomination, the front row seats and the arm candy wasn't enough to put Jennifer Aniston over the edge last night, I don't know what will.

While I am admittedly a card carrying member of Team Aniston, the quiet elegance of Angelina's black Elie Saab gown was perfectly complimented by her Lorraine Schwartz 115 carat emerald teardrop earrings and her silver dollar-sized 65 carat right hand ring. Bravo.
























Despite America's wish for a more dramatic Jen-Angie showdown, it appeared as if the main characters in our favorite media-contructed love triangle weathered the awkward Oscar storm well. Jennifer got through her tepid animation schtick right in front of the stoic couple without stumbling, and Brad and Angie mastered their "I'm so interested. No. Really." for her benefit.

But the emeralds, people. I'm thinking those green Colombian beauties will go down forever as one of Oscar's best jewelry moments. Am I wrong here? Have Angelina's wiccan ways seduced me over to the dark side? Who do you think won the showdown last night?

And stay tuned for more Oscar jewelry gabbing from the red carpet to the glittering after parties. The Amy Adams gemstone lobster bib look has me on the fence. Totally glam or unfortunately gaudy?

Jewelry Lights Up The Golden Globes

All the fashion hounds are reporting a downturn in the dazzle department on the red carpet these days. The buzz goes something like: the troubled economy is keeping jewelry looks to a minimum, less is more will rule the day, blah blah blah. Either these folks are blind, or they simply didn’t watch the bling-filled shenanigans on the Golden Globes' red carpet last night.

How could you miss Beyonce’s, diamond fringe Lorraine Schwartz shocker? Or Christina Applegate's stunning vintage yellow diamond flower necklace – also from dame Schwartz. And I haven’t even begun to cover the wattage coming from Eva Mendez and Elizabeth Banks. I was sitting couch-side - gasping aloud.










Now, of course, there were those like a glowing Eva Longoria, who chose to keep things on the down low. Lots of tasteful studs with a “no necklace” choice made the red carpet rounds, including two-time winner Kate Winslet in 10-carat Chopard earrings, Anne Hathaway in Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and sapphire gems, and a gorgeous January Jones in barely there diamond studs also by Van Cleef. (She should trademark that dress color. Stunning.)


















Purple princesses, Anna Paquin, Hayden Panitierre and (my favorite) Olivia Wilde, also kept the bling to a minimum.











But there were others, like Amy Adams, who brought out the big guns with green gemstone statement earrings and a rocky right hand ring – another Lorraine Schwartz win. Kate Beckinsale does no wrong in Fred Leighton earrings that must have weighed as much as her nine-year-old. And Slumdog Millionaire star, Freida Pinto, offered dangling gold and diamond statement earrings to complement her mustard-colored frock.



















Another red carpet trend emerged on the wrist. Lots of statement makers here, including Bochic gold and turquoise snake bracelets on a resurfacing Sandra Bullock, stunning diamond and gold cuffs on Freida Pinto and layered bangles in every incarnation from the likes of Debra Messing and Megan Fox.


















The losers in my book aren’t shockingly bad, but rather fall into the ‘been there done that’ category. Angelina Jolie must have a closet full of that same dress. Cameron Diaz appeared in her traditional ‘colorful’ gown choice with bad roots and barely a jewel in sight. Marisa Tomei channeled Captain Jack with her Seinfeld-worthy pirate shirt and layered Neil Lane necklaces. And J-Lo? How many times are you going to work the plunging neckline dress? It’s gettin’ old, sister.


















So you’ve got the good, the boringly bad and for the ugly? Please reference Rene Zellweger’s updo, Sting’s new brunette leprechaun decision and Ryan Seacrest’s desperate attempt to get Brangelina’s attention on the red carpet. Not a pretty picture.