Hollywood Stars in full fashion force for Awards
ceremonies 2009 - Sun, 21 May 2009, 00:00 EST
"If you
look at the 1930s, the times couldn't be more depressing than they
are now," Michael Coan, of New York's Fashion Institute of
Technology, says, noting that the era was a heyday for Hollywood
glamour. "I think the ostentation is going down, but the
elegance is in. Overall, they're going classic, as people do in times
of trouble."
Classic
diamond jewelry, including small drops and studs, had a strong
showing at both the the SAG Awards and Golden Globes.
Newcomer
Freida Pinto, a breakout star from the film 'Slumdog Millionaire',
wore a bolder look to the Globes, but at the SAG Awards, she donned
more traditional diamond designs from Martin Katz: a blue and white
crossover ring,
drop earrings, and a seven-row bracelet, topped off with a second
bracelet in her hair.
And some of
the shows' biggest winners wore simple diamond looks too, including
Kate Winslet, who chose Chopard oval-shaped diamond drop earrings and
a five-row diamond bracelet
for the Globes and 30 Rock's Tina Fey, in Judith Ripka stacked
diamond bracelets and diamond pendant earrings at the SAGs,.
Coan says that
celebrities appeared to be most playful with their choice of
earrings."They're bold, large and oval," he said, calling
out a prevalent drop-hoop style at the SAG Awards.
"The
outline is very replicable and that's very important to know,"
he says. "Everything they were wearing in jewelry can be
modified to any price point."
Consumers can
easily emulate the bold earring designs, such as those worn by
Applegate and the yellow gold and ruby Bochic pair chosen by Jane
Krakowski for the SAG Awards, Coan says.
And in terms
of designer and branded diamond jewelry,
customers may be asking jewelers for lower-carat-weight versions of
Hollywood pieces they like, but experts say it's a good time for
sales associates to emphasize the idea of "fewer, better
things," as promoted in the successful De Beers' 2008 holiday campaign.
"Fashions
come and go, but during a recessionary period, what you have to do is
invest in pieces that you can mix and match with your outfits to
create totally different looks," O'Connor says.
From Hollywood
to hockey moms
--The 'Hoop
earrings', from small diamond versions to oversized drop styles,
were red-carpet favorites, but lightweight versions offer a big look
without the big price tag.
--Classic
diamond jewelry will always be a winner. Emphasize the versatility
and lasting power of traditional designs.
--Style expert
H. Stern's Andrea Hansen and Michael O'Connor both call out long
chain necklaces, which can be worn in numerous ways: long and simple,
layered a few times around the neck or twisted around the wrist. |
