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

Bling. Making a Statement

   

Lauren Dimet Waters for Second City Style Magazine

I'm over dainty, gentile jewelry. I'm ready to be bold, make a statement. I am finding the best way to add flair and infuse color into your painfully appointed ensemble is to make a statement with one piece of jaw-dropping jewelry. Statement necklaces were all over the runway for Spring 2008 and with good reason.

Luckily, you don't have to spend a king's ransom to buy a huge pendant necklace or cuff. Vintage, costume jewelry and affordable sites like Ebay and Esty which specializes in handcrafted jewelry, make it easy to find something you love. Just avoid plastic. To properly pull off statement jewelry you have to understand it's balance between proportion and scale.

Read more "Making a Statement" here

Events in NYC. A Rose for You!

If a stranger approaches you with a rose at Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal next week — don't say no! The rose is part of a new promotion by the "A Diamond is Forever" campaign, with each of the 1,000 roses handed out daily from next Wednesday to Friday tagged with a number that could land you a $5,000 diamond three-stone necklace once you log onto Adiamondisforever.com. As part of the campaign, Antony Todd will create a floral installation spelling out the "A Diamond is Forever" logo in even more red roses. There will also be a luncheon inside Grand Central next Tuesday. The likes of Claire Danes, Diane Kruger, Natasha Richardson, Evan Rachel Wood, Helena Christensen and Coco Rocha are expected to attend. Sounds like it's going to be a successful campaign to the women of SCS!

Source: WWD

Jewelry Trends. Inspired by Nature.

Lizards, snakes, bugs...oh my! After writing about Loree Rodkin's new pieces on SCS, we've noticed nature-inspired jewels just about everywhere. In everything from the scarab beetles, snakes, and geckos of Roberto Cavalli, to the bees and butterflies of Dior, nature is crawling out of the woodwork and onto the center-stage of accessory style. But don't worry, if a snake winding its way up your arm isn't your idea of chic, there are some beautiful fruit, flora, and fauna-based bling that won't creep you out. Take a look at these pieces below for inspiration:

Jewelry. Need, Want, Have to Have: Monogram Necklaces

Like what you see? Shop these necklaces here

Maybe it's because my initals have changed in the past year, I'm obsessed with initial necklaces. The scrollier the better, in my opinion. I do have a birthday coming up....hmmm.

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Celebrity Bling. Claire Danes Named the New Face of Gucci Jewelry

According to WWD, Gucci has signed Claire Danes as the new face for its fall fine jewelry ad campaign. It will be shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. "Claire Danes is a modern icon and one of the most interesting young actresses on the international scene. Claire's sensual, confident beauty and her passionate, independent and strong character embodies today's Gucci woman," said Gucci creative director Frida Giannini.

Source: WWD

Rocker Bling. Loree Rodkin's New Pieces for Spring.

Celebrity jeweler Loree Rodkin has designed some rocking new pieces for Spring 2008. The designer, who previously has created jewelry for Madonna and Mary J. Blige at The Grammy's, for Virginia Madsen at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, and for Cher's Believe and Farewell Tours, is taking on a more organic approach, and uses more natural looking precious stones in her new rings and necklaces. She's made her classic pieces more modern, and kicked up her rocker edge a notch or two. The new pieces are dark, and some feature insect charms that are not for the timid. We're especially enjoying the mosaic-like statement rings, both square and oval.
 
Loree Rodkin Rings

 
Two Rocker-chic pendants

 
An organically-inspired ring and pendant pair.

For more information on the designer or her line, see LoreeRodkin.com.

Jewelry News. Me&Ro's Robin Renzi in Chicago

CEO of Me&Ro, Robin Renzi

Designer and CEO of Me&Ro Jewelry, Robin Renzi, will be making a personal appearance in the Chicago store on Saturday, May 3rd, from 1 to 4pm. Renzi has been creating jewelry based on her subtlety-over-showiness mantra since 1991, and her designs have been worn by A-list ladies such as Sheryl Crow, Charlize Theron, and Julia Roberts. On the 3rd, Renzi will introduce new one-of-a-kind Me&Ro pieces, including the Opaque Diamond Collection, Andalusite Collection, and Miscellaneous Colored Stone Collection, as well as to consult with loyal fans of the line and new customers. Head down to 61 East Oak Street to meet with Robin and take a look at pieces like these:

Stack of 18K Gold Pear Shaped Pink Tourmaline Rings

One-of-a-Kind 18K Gold Brazilian Opal Pendant

10K Gold Small Full Flower on Natural Leather Bracelet

For more information or to shop online, see the Me&Ro website.

Jewelry Trends. Wooden Bling For Spring

We are totally digging wooden bling for spring and summer. Good thing because wood isn't as expensive as some of our other favorites...precious metals. Ever since my mom brought me back two wooden bead necklaces from France, I can't stop buying the stuff. So rock your wood (keep it clean, please) with a simple black dress or white tee. Go ahead...layer it on. Wood floats!

Click here for all of the shopping details

- Lauren Dimet Waters

California Bling. King Baby Studio Trunk Show

If you live or happen to be in Newport Beach, California this weekend make sure to check out the King Baby Studio Trunk Show at American Rag! We love King Baby Studio jewelry...OK, Queen Baby, actually!

We know the above is hard to read so here the pertinent information:

Saturday, April 26th
12:30-4:00pm

American Rag Cie
953 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.760.1510

R.S.V.P. to: Amanda@kingbabystudio.com

Bling/Jewelry News Flash. Fred Leighton Files Chapter 11!

According to WWD, Ralph Esmerian put Fred Leighton into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to halt the auction Tuesday of a collection of fine jewels and gems.

The 115-piece collection was set to be auctioned off at Christie’s at 6:00pm today, but the bankruptcy filing prevents any creditors from collecting on their debt, said Helen Davis Chaitman, who works at Phillips Nizer and is Esmerian’s attorney. At 5:00 Chaitman said she was going to stop the auction and had notified Merrill of the filing.

Apparently, Esmerian still owes Merrill Lynch about $180 million on loans he used to finance his 2006 purchase of the Leighton business. He missed part of a payment in the fall and has been tangling with Merrill in court since.

Source: WWD