Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Fall Accessories. Put A Ring On It.

One of the easiest ways to provide a quick punch of panache to any fall item that's borderline blah is with a bold and funky cocktail ring. Virtually impossible to go out of style, a cocktail ring makes a bold statement with just a sweep of the finger. The options are virtually limitless when choosing some finger candy, with styles ranging from retro to modern, gaudy to subdued, or romantic to rock . And with the price tag dangling from most of these styles, you can afford to stock up on one for every day of the week, every mood, or even every digit. Few rules go along with sporting this type of bling, so pile them on at your leisure. And if anyone makes fun of you for your hardware-heavy hands, they can also serve nicely as makeshift brass knuckles. Just be careful not to damage the ring.

Shopping Guide:

1. Large Amethyst Cabachon Ring, $75

2. Forever 21 Rhinestone Shell Ring, $5.80

3. Blu Bijoux Turquoise Concentric Ovals Cocktail Ring, $20

4. Marni Studded bone ring, $295

5. KARA by Kara Ross Onyx Pyramid Ring, $285

6. Rachel Leigh Gumball Ring, $68

7. Mars and Valentine Amaranth Glass Flower Ring, $198

8. Kenneth Jay Lane Hammered Ring, $36

9. Mesi Jilly Shell & Silver Onyx Ring, $900

10. Monica Vinader Aqua stone ring, $225

11. Betsey Johnson Two Spiders Ring, $55

12. Kenneth Jay Lane Lapis Dream Cocktail Ring, $165

13. Bebe Round Metal Ring, $24

14. Juicy Couture Geo Ring, $88

Image Layout: Minette Higden
-Alia Rajput

Bling. Breathing Rare Air At Verdura’s New York Salon

Fulco Santostefano, Duke of Verdura, designed jewelry for Coco Chanel in the 1920’s and Chanel was often photographed wearing her Verdura Maltese Cross enamel cuffs.

Several weeks ago, my friend Carol (not Carol Calacci) invited me to accompany her to her appointment at Verdura’s New York Salon, an invitation I was all too happy to accept! Timeless, elegant and distinctly original, Verdura jewelry has been coveted by royalty, Hollywood and high society for nearly 70 years. We needed to pass through two security doors before we were admitted into the elegant salon where the salesperson was expecting us.

When I entered the salon I knew I was in a special place – like I was breathing “rare air.” Carol browsed in the "Gold Room" picking out earrings and jeweled brooches to try on. I perused many cases filled with diamonds and jewels, but the view from the windows was just as stunning. The Salon overlooks Central Park – it was a sunny morning in August and I was overlooking Central Park from a new and exciting place!

When it came time for Carol to try on the jewels she had selected, we sat at a fine table - covered in suede - for perfect lighting. As Carol tried on the first pair of diamond earrings I began commenting, "They are gorgeous," and “Aren’t they magnificent?" Carol kicked me under the table and I could tell by the look on her face she wanted me to hush and keep my ogling to myself, which was hard to do with all those spectacular diamonds in front of me!

What impressed me the most were the earrings made with pale, precious stones held by a delicate chain of diamonds or a gold braid, a pair of gold feather clip earrings that showed stunning craftsmanship, and antique diamond brooches, signed pieces, of course! Carol wasn’t ready to buy a piece that day, but I know she’ll be back again. I hope that some day you, too, may visit the Verdura Salon, see Coco Chanel’s cuffs, and breath in some “rare air” if only for a few minutes! It was truly sublime.

- Marguerite Durston, Guest blogger

Photos: blogdorfgoodman.blogspot.com

Jewelry Designer Tom Binns Announces 'Alice'-Themed Collection.

Some of Tom Binns' designs for his upcoming Alice in Wonderland-themed collection

Fine jewelry designer Tom Binns, a public favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama, is moving onto a more unusual realm for his next endeavor. Binns announced late last week he will be collaborating with Disney to design two collections inspired by the kooky characters in Alice in Wonderland. The storybook-themed collection will debut around the same time as the 2010 re-release of the classic tale, produced by Disney and directed by the spooky, darkly comical talents of Tim Burton. Binns was actually chosen as the first in a series of high end designers and brands that will be working with Disney on the Alice-themed project.

The first collection, titled Tom Binns for Walt Disney Signature, will consist of six limited edition luxury pieces retailing from 1,000 to $2,000. The pieces will be featured at high end retailers and fine boutiques nationwide. The second, more affordable collection titled Tom Binns for Disney Couture will be more extensive with 35 pieces designed in collaboration with Lucas Design International. The Disney Couture collection will retail from $100- $500, and will be available exclusively at participating department stores and specialty boutiques. Both collections will make their debut in Spring 2010 when the movie, starring Johnny Depp, is set to premiere.

Article and Photo Source: glam.com
-Alia Rajput

Celebrity Bling. Molly Sims in a State of Grayce

Coming soon to a home shopping network near you...Molly Sims’ new costume jewelry line called Grayce. The model's new line of earrings, cuffs and bracelets is set to debut on HSN. According to WWD, Grayce is inspired by Art Deco design from the Twenties, “understated glamour” reminiscent of the Sixties and Molly's love for travel and photography.

Source: WWD

Club Monaco Extends Jewelry Collection with a Touch of Paris.

 
Designer Ligia Dias (left) and some of her artful designs

Retailer Club Monaco has just announced that it will be launching its first ever design collaboration with Parisian jewelery designer Ligia Dias. The partnership between the label and the imaginative designer will take shape with a capsule collection featuring five unique styles that will hit select stores in November. The theme behind the collection will be combining organic, raw material with luxe elements into edgy, yet elegant pieces. The materials that will be used in the capsule collection include black cotton rope, pearls, silver-colored brass and glass. When the line drops this fall, it will be available exclusively at Club Monaco locations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Vancouver, with the pieces ranging from $149 to $399.

Article Source: WWD
Photo Source: refinery29
-Alia Rajput

Yoox.com Announces Collaboration With Famed Jewelry Collector For Vintage-themed Sale

 

E-commerce site Yoox.com as teamed up with world-renown jewelry collector and historian Deanne Farneti Cera, to assist her in selling some designer items from her vast collection of vintage and costume jewelry. Cera has penned multiple books on vintage and costume jewelry and has served as a mentor to many up and coming designers, helping them to establish their name in the fine jewelry industry. From over 30 years in the business, Cera has collected thousands of items, many of them one-of-a-kind prototypes and rare runway samples.

Now Cera is looking to share her wealth of timeless pieces with the public and has formed an exclusive partnership with Yoox.com to facilitate a series of themed sales. The first sale debuts today and is centered around the theme, "Revisiting the 80s." The sale will feature approximately 20 designer pieces from Christian Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, Ugo Correani, Karl Lagerfield, Gianni Versace, and more. All the pieces included int he sale were picked for their iconic appeal, historical significance, quality, and relevance to current trends.

The themed sales were all created and curated by Cera with the help if Yoox Vintage director Holly Brubach and include an limited number of items. Cera is excited by the concept behind the sales, as well as the new partnership saying, "A sale like this is a testament to the collector's knowledge, taste, choices, and it allows me to redistribute the same pleasure that I found in bringing these items together."

Items included in the sale (featured above) are:

1. Karl Lagerfield by Ugo Correani ruffle cuff made of plexiglass and black metal and painted to resemble lace.

2. Christian Lacroix heart earrings, cast gilded metal made with red velvet and simulated pearl.

3. Yves Saint Laurent dangling earrings with rectangular wood drops.

4. Chantal Thomas dangling earrings in the 3-dimensional shape of a bustier, made of silver plated metal.

5. Premiere Etage dangling long earrings made of lightweight gilded metal and chain. 

Check out all of Deanne Farneti Cera's items in her "80s Revival" sale on Yoox.com

-Alia Rajput

Bling News. Harry Winston Theft Suspects Arrested.

Finally. According to WWD, French police arrested 32 suspects this week in connection with last December’s $107 million heist at the Harry Winston jewelry store in Paris.

The four thieves (three of whom were dressed in wigs and dresses) broke into the Harry Winston store on Avenue Montaigne off the Champs-Elysées pulling off France’s largest jewelry thefts.

Police decline to provide the precise number of arrests, since the investigation is continuing. Yet, investigators were apparently tipped off that a number of foreigners had arrived in Paris to purchase jewelry from the December robbery.

"Harry Winston Paris Theft Suspects Held" here.

Source: WWD
Photo: Fox News

Jil Sander Drafts Fine Jewelry Deal with Damiani

Looks from the Jil Sander spring 2009 fine jewelry capsule collection

After tinkering around in fine jewelry design with a capsule collection this past spring, Jil Sander is making plans to expand the enterprise. The high end fashion house has just finished drafting a deal with Italian jewelry firm Damiani to create a full collection of fine jewelry and watches under the Jil sander name. Damiani, which produces its own namesake line in addition to collections for Alfieri & St. John, Calderoni and Bliss, has projected that the Jil Sander jewelry line will be ready for retail by the fall, with the watches slated to drop by early 2010.

Through the agreement, Damiani will be the only company licensed to create the fine jewelry and timepiece designs for the Jil Sander brand—a collaboration that reps for the apparel line are pleased with, especially brand new chief executive of the Jil Sander Group, Alesandro Cremonesi. The head of house recently released a statement saying, "By signing this licensing agreement for developing an upscale jewelry and watch collection, Jil Sander will enhance its product range on the highest level of luxury goods, offering jewelry with an equivalent pure, luxurious approach as our ready-to-wear and accessories.”

The jewelry is expected to embody the same qualities that are representative of the Jil Sander line with a style that is, as creative director Raf Simons declares, "sophisticated, luxurious, and ultramodern." Once the collections launch,they will be sold at Jil Sander boutiques, and select department and jewelry stores, as well as the Rocca Stores that are owned by Damiani.

Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput

Jewelry/Bling. Get the Ultimate Revenge with 'Out Of Your Life.Com'

A new enterprise has sprung up for us girls embodying that classic adage we have all considered before in times of crises: 'Don't get mad, get even'. Recently launched outofyourlife.com is a call to arms for the recently unattached who are looking to rid themselves of any mementos obtained during their so-called happier times. The site is a sassier take on the old pawn shop and a much more stylish option than the infomercials during daytime soaps that offer you cash in exchange for your old jewels. Forget the picture of the bespectacled grandma licking her manila envelope full of yellow gold and marquis-cuts in anticipation of a few extra bucks. How redemptive is that? What OOYL provides is a way to throw out any emotional baggage caused by some less than worthy guy and absolve yourself of his stupidity through a healthy outlet focused on growth—namely, capitalism.

Order a free Break Up Box and submission form to send your unwanted jewelry to outofyourlife.com

Boasting the phrase, "It's time to break up with his jewelry too" OOYL offers to take old engagement rings, wedding rings, diamonds, watches, and other fine jewelry in exchange for a check that is promised to be mailed promptly following inspection. The site assures that the purchase price of any jewelry is based on the quality, size, rarity, value and marketability of each item as objectively determined by jewelry buying experts. All you have to do is request a free 'Break Up Box' which will arrive pre-addressed and postage-paid for a quick and easy sendback brimming with all your unwanted baubles. And if he happens to wind up on his knees at your doorstep, bearing a dozen roses and whispering those three words we ladies all love to hear ("you were right"), then OOYL makes it easy for you to quickly (and discreetly) get your jewelry back before he's the wiser. Or you may just have a change of heart and want those chandelier earrings for your first date with hot, new neighbor— revenge as good as money in the bank. Well. Almost.

For more on the various Out Of Your Life services, visit outofyourlife.com
-Alia Rajput

Bling News. Gianfranco Ferré to Launch Jewelry Line

Finally some good news for embattled IT Holding SpA. Gianfranco Ferré, one of the labels it owns, is set to launch a jewelry line in partnership with Damiani.

The women’s jewelry collection in gold or silver, with diamonds and other gemstones, will premiere on  the runway in September as part of the spring women’s ready-to-wear show and retail for between $700 and $14,000.

“The idea is that of covering an area of the market, starting with silver, which in the last few years has generated very satisfying sales results,” Ferré chief executive officer Michela Piva told WWD.

Ferré creative directors Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi will oversee the design of the line, focusing on four themes inspired by late founder Gianfranco Ferré’s architectural style.

IT Holding, which also owns the Malo and Extè brands and operates under license the Just Cavalli, C’N’C Costume National, Galliano, VJC Versace and Versace Sport labels via its subsidiary Ittierre SpA, entered the Italian equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February.

Source: WWD
Photo: Style.com