Jewelry Joins the Parisian 'Haute' World

Jewelry used to be the under-appreciated step-sister of the Parisian Haute Couture world - that apex of fashion events that brings the best and the brightest to the shores of the Seine twice a year.

To even be allowed to use the term “haute couture,” one has to follow a Miss Manners' rulebook full of do's and don'ts - with very few designers making the cut (only seven houses are showing this week, for example).

But this year, jewelry brands are finally allowed to show alongside the frocks - a first for the buttoned-up world of high fashion (see Nick Foulkes' informative article in Newsweek for an in-depth look at the topic).

Van Cleef & Arpels, Chanel and Dior are among the select few to join the 'haute' crowd. And while the haute joaillerie can be seen by appointment only, it doesn't stop the looky-loo in me from wondering what on earth could be in the coffers for those who can afford the best the jewelry world has to offer.

Here is a link to a previous 'haute' offering from Dior that's at the top of my covet list and a few shots of pieces from the Paris jewelry shows earlier this year.

Want more? Stay tuned for a recap of my favorite Paris Couture runway jewelry looks tomorrow - including some crazy cuffs from Chanel and fairy-tale sized necklaces from Jean Paul Gaultier.

Yum!

Floral Fashion Explodes in Paris

The Paris Fall/Winter Haute Couture shows are kicking off this week with a wild display of flower power from one of my favorite designers, John Galliano for Dior.

Jewelry was a no-show on the runway, but once you get a glimpse of the cornucopia of color, you'll see why it would be a useless afterthought.

The eccentric British designer explained to the press that he wanted to do something bold and fresh with flowers, "allowing their color, texture and structure to inspire a new, modern beauty."

According to a report from France24, "The floral influence was palpable in the cut of skirts which looked as if they were composed of petals, and bustiers, sprouting fragile filaments in silk chiffon like pistils. Organza frocks appeared to have been constructed from hundreds of buds sewn together."

And the models had their heads covered in a veil of cellophane, like a bouquet fresh from the florist. J'adore Dior!

While I love the Alice In Wonderland whimsy of these frocks, I'm drooling over what appears to be the only black and white number in the collection - this perfectly petaled gown I could see any number of A-listers work on the awards show circuit (Maggie Gyllenhaal would be at the top of my list).

Stay tuned for more couture coverage - and hopefully some creative new jewelry statements to gawk at! In the meantime, weigh in with some of your favorite Dior designs!

Four July 4th Jewelry Ideas

It's almost July 4th again, jewelry hounds - that wholesome American holiday where folks all over this great nation utter the time-honored phrase,

"Hold my beer while I light this."

Sparklers of a different sort are what I'm interested in, so here are a few of my July 4th jewelry thoughts to add a little flare to your fashion.

1. Cocktail Rings

I like the idea of using your jewelry to add that last bit of red, white or blue to the BBQ ensemble - and what better way than with an oversized cocktail ring? Grab a costume piece from the vintage store down the block or shop from a huge selection of gemstone styles.

2. Step Away From The Flag Jewelry

Why not hit the holiday on the nose with a little flag jewelry? Because it's predictable, Mary. That's why. How about a little 'star' power like this instead?

3. Dangle/Disco Earrings

Time to bring out your fireworks-inspired ear wear, ladies. The more they glitter the better.

4. The Star 'Bangled' Banner, anyone?...Anyone?

Finally - the tried-and-true layered bangle look is a great way to add the 'Old Glory' color triumvirate to an all-white ensemble. You've already got 'em in the jewelry box. Time to bring 'em out an layer 'em on - maybe with a splash of gold for good measure?

Ok, jewelry hounds. Time to go get my, 'No, I really DO like potato salad' game face on.

In the meantime, weigh in with some of your favorite July 4th jewels!

Kanye West's Big-Time BET Bling

Bling. We used to see oodles of it during hip hop's heydey - from Lil' Wayne (who coined the term) and 50 Cent to old schoolers Flav-o-Flav and Run DMC. But times have changed, with the lingering recession keeping diamond grillz and oversized pendants to a fading glimmer.


Until Kanye performed at the BET Awards last weekend.

If you're going to make your 'comeback' opening an awards show on top of a volcano, you better have the goods to back it up. And Kanye's Pharaoh-inspired look certainly rose to the occasion with giant gold jewelry Sarah Palin could probably see from her back yard.

Hip hop jewelry supplier, Jacob & Co. created the custom-made link chain and charm depicting Egyptian god Horus, as well as a four-finger pyramid knuckle ring - both made of 24kt yellow gold.

And the price tag? They each retail for a nice two-bedroom in the burbs - a mere $300,000.

(The Horus. The Horus.)

What do you think of Kanye's quest to regain his throne through jewelry? Would you wear a Horus pendant to your July 4th BBQ? Weigh in!

Kelly Bensimon Picks Jewelry Over Jellybeans

Jewelry and the New York Housewives go together like pinot grigio and 'turtle time' - so it comes as no surprise that Hamptons hottie, Kelly Bensimon, is adding more trinkets to her celebrity jewelry line.

While Bensimon described her previous jewelry offering as 'Pocahontas goes to the disco' (huh?), her recent bauble collection has a more bodacious provenance:

"One of the most influential icons for me has always been Raquel Welch," Bensimon, 42, tells UsMagazine.com in a statement. "Wrapped in suede and golden-tanned skin, Welch in One Million B.C. epitomized raw beauty."

The creatively named, "Kelly by Kelly Killoren Bensimon" collection mixes metals, leather, feathers and crystals and ranges from $50 to $150 at Intermix stores across the country.

Bensimon also designed a limited number of baubles for charity, with 100% of the proceeds going to Feeding America.

At least she's not dropping a dance tune.

Celebrity Engagement Ring Blitz

Cupid is making the rounds in celebrity-land this month, giving we jewelry hounds a cornucopia of diamond carats to count.

First and foremost - we've got another royal wedding on our hands. Huzzah! HRH Prince Albert of Monaco finally parted ways with his bachelor lifestyle by proposing to Olympic swimmer, Charlene Wittstock, with what appears to be a 3-carat pear-shaped diamond stunner (see Jewelry.com's report for more diamond details).


Next up? Our favorite swashbuckling elf, Orlando Bloom, is breaking hearts with news of his engagement to model, Miranda Kerr. A rep at the Diamond Information Center told Us Kerr's ring is an oval diamond set on a white gold or platinum band weighing in at an estimated 3-4 carats with a price as high as $65,000.

Ugly Betty may have lost the ratings war, but its star won big in the end with her recent engagement to longtime beau, Ryan Piers Williams. Reports put the carat count of the round center stone at 4 with an estimated price tag of around $70 large.


Finally? Vienna Miller's diamond engagement ring is making news because, well, it's still on her ring finger. Reports are swirling that Bachelor, Jake Pavelka, kicked her to the curb after discovering she was cheating on him while he was away on business.

If you didn't see that one coming, I have some beach property in the Gulf I'd like to show you.

And if prior Bachelor break-ups are any indication, she won't be wearing the 2-carat Neil Lane diamond much longer. The show's producers get back the bling once the honeymoon's over.

Are there any other recent celebrity betrothals I'm missing? Weigh in!

Diamond Soccer Ball Bling

In honor of USA's brilliant World Cup win today, I thought I'd post this little diamond ditty to tickle your football fancy.

South African jeweler, Yair Shimansky, created the world's most brilliant soccer ball to draw attention to his brand during the World Cup festivities, and the result is a black and white dazzler worth a whopping $2.6 million.


The five-pound ball is covered in 6,620 white and 2,640 black round brilliant cut diamonds, all sourced in South Africa, for a grand total of 3,500 carats.

Replicas rendered in crystals will be in Shimansky's seven national stores for the duration of the World Cup and will be auctioned after the festivities, with proceeds going to charity.

In the meantime, that's not the only World Cup winner that's easy on the eyes. I'll be glued to the TV as Team USA enters the next round - the first time we've made it this far since 1930!

USA! USA! USA!