Spikes, Stilettos and Soda Can Chic

Alexander McQueen may be the only designer in Paris who refused to bow to the conservative malaise blanketing the fashion industry like a lingering rain cloud. Words like ‘sensible’ and ‘accessible’ had no business on his runway yesterday, folks.

Instead, McQueen dazzled the crowd with chain mail suits, lampshade hats, shiny hooded dresses and soda can accessories that screamed to the world, “You can take your economic woe and shove it!”

Think Grace Jones on ‘shrooms.


















According to Style.com, the crowd got in a heated debate after the spectacle – the older folks felt the ‘blow-up doll make-up’ and uncomfortable ensembles were misogynistic. The younger crowd – tired of all the sense and sensibility - couldn’t get enough.

Yet despite the over-the-top headpieces, unwalkable stacked heels and spikey jewelry, there were some incredibly made clothes on display.

Boxy jackets, airy dresses and fiercely tailored coats made a glittering appearance, and biker jacket chic and big shoulders also made an impression.



















But it was the sheer bravado of the line that made the program such a show-stopper. You have to wonder how many seamstresses were needed to make all the feathers and soda cans combine into this freakish display.

We may not see another runway quite like this for a while – so regardless of your sartorial sensibilities – perhaps we should get while the gettin's good.

What do you guys think? Would you wear any of this - or is that not the point?

Pantone Speaks: Iron Is the New Black

Now that jilted Bachelor star, Melissa Rycroft, is making her much-deserved comeback on Dancing With The Stars, we can all go back to our normal routine of OctoMom judging and fashion hunting. To that end, jewelry hounds, I give you the eagerly awaited Pantone 2009 Fall Color Report.

Who cares if it’s only March 10th?

Each season, Pantone surveys the designers of New York Fashion Week to collect feedback on prominent collection colors, color inspiration and color philosophy. The information is then used to create the Pantone Fashion Color Report that serves as a reference tool throughout the year for fashion enthusiasts, reporters and retailers alike.

"The fall 2009 palette is more unique and thoughtful than the typical autumnal hues of years past," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

"Designers recognize the desire for fundamental basics that speak to current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers' eyes and entice them to buy."

Fall 2009 brings us a “true red” in American Beauty, which is said to go with all skin tones. Purple Heart continues the hue’s trend as a must-have in your wardrobe, and the more subdued Honey Yellow provides an interesting contrast. Iron as the new Black will make traditional basics more interesting, and the season’s signature color, Burnt Sienna, brings back earthy oranges into our color lexicon.

So what jewelry should we wear to make the Pantone people proud? Yellow gold continues to be a hue that compliments the earth tones hitting the runways, and gemstones like amethysts and orangey citrine can add the right color combo to a basic look. And it goes without saying, but diamonds, of course, defy any Pantone prediction.

While you might not care that Crème Brulee is the new White or Majolica Blue is the new Navy, it’s always fun to see what the fashionistas are crowing on about this time of year. And here is a look at the Spring 2009 Pantone colors in case your concern for Melissa’s happiness has overshadowed your interest in what’s really important.

Nicole Richie Launches Jewelry Line

A while back I shared with you that Nicole Richie was yet another star getting into the celebrity jewelry business by creating her own boho chic line, House of Harlow 1960. The good news is - the line is actually quite good.

This weekend, House of Harlow 1960 officially launched at the exclusive West Hollywood boutique, Kitson Melrose, and the famous mom-to-be was there to drum up the jewelry buzz.

“I am so excited to be launching House of Harlow 1960,” Nicole told JustJared.com at the event.

“This is a chance for me to personally thank the people who have supported the line and supported my dreams. I am so blessed and am so thankful everyday that all of my dreams are coming true.”

Currently expecting her second child with rocker, Joel Madden, the former “Simple Life” star greeted fans and posed for pictures while wearing her signature styles.

House of Harlow 1960 is named after Richie’s daughter and celebrates the period fashions of both the 60s and 70s. Think art deco meets bohemian chic.

Price points are reasonable, from $30 - $250 and the line is only available at Kitson storefronts and on their website.

I applaud you, Nicole, for going from an annoying Paris Hilton BFF to a brick house in the fashion world. Her jewels are 'mighty mighty' in my book.

What do you guys think of her line? Over the top or just the right celebrity statement?

Glow Little Glow-worm GLOW

How to Look your most Fantabulous Tip of the Day:
Moisturize.
Keeping your skin well hydrated is the MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do for your skin.
When: basically after washing, before putting on makeup, and before going to bed.
Why:
*calming acne -About 90% of the acne that I have encountered is due to over dryness from over-cleansing and over-treating, which the skin tries to combat by over-producing oil. You end up shiny and pimply, and scrubbing madly away at your poor skin
*healing acne-healthy skin heals faster, (scabs and scars will heal in about half the time because they won't dry out and flake)
* helping make up go on more smoothly (and stay on for longer-your skin doesn't produce all that extra oil if it doesn't need to!)
*fighting off wrinkles (yes ladies, even now it is wise to look after our skin)
*Even if you are too tired to wash your face, moisturizing takes off the surface gunk and freshens you up
*and it LOOKS great!
Healthy, dewy, glowing skin now actually DOES come in a bottle (not really, but just about!)
Moisturize moisturize moisturize.
How:
*use a nickel to quarter sized dollop- people too often use too little or too much. (too much is better than too little)
*apply smears (but don't rub in yet) to the forehead, cheekbones, chin, nose and jawbone- this way every place gets some moisturizing
*gently smooth the smears out and away. DON'T pull your skin. Smooth over the eyelids and under the eyes (bring your fingers toward your nose NOT away like you are giving your self asian eyes. Your under eye skin is impossibly delicate, you need to treat it as though it is the skin on a baby because that is essentially how fragile it is-especially on older women)
*RUN WILD AND FEROCIOUS!!!
Here are some great products:

For Normal Skin
Olay Beauty Fluid














Best for Oily

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Best for Dry

Clinique Moisture Surge

Best for Sensitive

Cetaphil

Best for Combination

Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream

an afterthought:
maybe its in the rice-people in japan have wicked crazy style.

Kendra’s Engagement Ring Bling

This Girl Next Door may have left the Playboy mansion, but she’s certainly sporting a nice parting gift. Namely, a 2.25 diamond engagement ring from fiancé, Hank Baskett.

The Philadelphia Eagles star, spent weeks shopping for the perfect ring for his bride-to-be.

"I wanted something unique just like Kendra," he told Celebuzz. "I wanted to get something she hadn't seen anywhere."

That could have been a tall order considering Kendra’s Playboy past, but Baskett worked with local jeweler, Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers, to hone in on the princess cut sparkler - that is also surrounded by 60 smaller diamonds to give it shimmer from all angles.

You have to like a guy who thinks these things through.

Baskett admits he was nervous before popping the question last November,

"I honestly felt this was the one. But there was still a lot of nerves," he says. "Like my god, I hope she likes this."

Wilkinson, 23, says she never gave Baskett any advice about what kind of bling she'd like.

"I had nothing to do with [the ring selection]," Wilkinson says. "I didn't even know he was proposing."

But you can tell by the way she flashes that ring finger that Baskett hit the ball out of the park on this one. (Or some other sports-related metaphor).

The two plan to wed at – where else? – the Playboy Mansion on June 27th.

Jennifer Lopez Keeps Loaner Diamonds

It's gotta be rough being famous. You're given thousands of dollars worth of loaner jewels for public appearances, premieres and parties - and all you have to do is look fabulous. Oh. And return them when you're done.

But some celebs apparently mistake the word 'loan' for 'give', which is exactly what the New York Post reports Jennifer Lopez did to jewelry magnate Robert Mouawad.

Apparently the mega mom borrowed $50,000 worth of diamonds from Mouawad to wear to the launch of Andrea Lieberman’s fashion line, ALC, at Barneys in Beverly Hills but later decided to keep the loaner diamonds to add to her private collection.

“We received a call from [her manager] Benny Medina, informing us that Jennifer was going to keep the jewelry,” an insider blabbed to the NY Post’s Page Six. “As far as Mr. Mouawad is concerned, Jennifer can have whatever she wants, but a premature demand seemed presumptuous.”

Medina later countered their claim by insisting the jewels were a part of the deal to appear at the function.

"There was no demand whatsoever. There was an offer. It was very clear," he said.

"She was the only celebrity whose name was on the invite. She would have done it for nothing. But this was how it was presented. It was quite a generous offer," he added.

What's the lesson here? J-Lo's love might not cost 'a thing', but her personal appearances certainly do.

Jewel Club Loves the Jewelry Insider

Hello jewelry hounds!

Last week you read about the cool friends and family jewelry site I found, Jewel Club, that offers Jewelry Insider readers the whole gamut of fine jewelry categories at wholesale prices AND BELOW. Giggity!

Well, Jewel Club loves us so much that they offered us our very own access code instead of the one I posted last week.

Our special access code is : INSIDER

Easy enough? So feel free to use it the next time you log in to www.jewelclub.com, and you'll be treated to a feast of glittering gems - just in time for spring.

AND - I was also given two other insider tips for even further discounts. Use this code at checkout to get an extra 20% off your purchase for the rest of the month:

JEWELRY

And if you are in the market for March's birthstone, Aquamarine, they are giving us an extra 20% off for a limited time.

So, OK, brace yourselves. This stunner of an aquamarine ring with sapphire and diamond accents once retailed for $1149.00 The regular Jewel Club price is $305.38 but you can get it now for $244.31. Put in the JEWELRY 20% off code at checkout, and you get 20% off THAT - -which puts the price below $200!

I'm getting a jewelry high just crunching the numbers here.

And you don't have to be a March birthday girl to glitter in the gem either. Drew rocked the light blue aquamarine look at the Golden Globes this year, and there's no rule against you doing the same. Their price points range from under $100 on up...so there is an aquamarine available for almost every budget.

Honestly. I have never seen jewelry savings like this on such a cool site. I hope you all agree.

So our special Jewelry Insider access code is INSIDER and the place is Jewel Club. Get on after it!