Gemstones Jolt the Paris Runways

It's been a lackluster year for runway jewelry so far - with the less-is-more trend influencing practically all of the Spring/Summer Ready-To-Wear collections.

So I was holding out hope that the Spring/Summer Paris Couture Shows for 2011 - known for their Alice In Wonderland-esque bauble displays - would deliver some jewelry looks worth squaking about. Chanel was characteristically bauble barren. As was Dior (a surprise). But...

Enter Giorgio Armani, who didn't just litter his looks with gorgeous gems - he used colored gemstones as the inspiration for his entire line, according to Style.com.

Huzzah!

"Inspired, he said, by the gleam of gemstones, Armani produced clothes that came from another planet, the same one that Pierre Cardin and Thierry Mugler might have touched down on once. (It's already been suggested its name could be Gaga.)"

From ruby reds to gorgeous greens, the luminous fabrics looked like they came straight from the Tron wardrobe department.

Chandelier earring silhouettes, chunky bangles (they're baaaack - or did they ever leave?) and a bib necklace made out of gemstone shapes lit up the line like a Christmas tree on crack.

And while the wearability of the collection left some scratching their heads (Gaga excluded, of course), there was no denying the fun Mr. Armani must have had in his futuristic fantasy land.

The dude has no one left to impress, right? Whatever floats your gemstone-encrusted boat, sir, as far as I'm concerned. And even though I am a reluctant fan of toning things down when it comes to jewelry fashion this year - it's kinda nice to see the bigger bolder look from season's past on display again.

Right? Wrong? Thoughts, jewelry hounds?

Jewelry Highlights from Paris and Milan

Jewelry hunting at last year's spring ready-to-wear collections was like shooting fish in a barrel. Everywhere you looked there were huge statement necklaces, boatloads of bangles and lots of layered links.

This year? The runway shine is as dull as a Michael Bolton quickstep.

HOWEVER - there are two noteworthy designers that used the jewel to make their lines pop: Giorgio Armani in Milan and Zac Posen in Paris (his show wrapped just hours ago). Observe...

Armani's Spring Ready-to-Wear collection was all about midnight madness. The navy night sky in Africa was Mr. Armani's inspiration, according to Style.com - and the jewelry he chose echoed the sentiment beautifully (I'm digging out my midnight sapphires as we speak...).

Zac Posen's line was more flirty, feathered and flapperish - with mesh jewelry styles that scream "Industrial Maven meets Prohibition Chic". Bravo.

With the Parisian pret-a-porter extravaganza just underway, some of my favorite designers are still on the calendar - Dior/Galliano, Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier. Will they bejewel their beauties? Stay tuned...

Lady Gaga Moonwalks the Grammys

Looks like Lady Gaga's red carpet Grammy look took a cue from Giorgio Armani's moon-inspired 2010 couture line this week in Paris - except for the small fact that Mr. Armani designed the frock especiialy for Gaga.

"I am honored to be wearing Armani this evening," she said in a statement to Us. "The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist. Mr. Armani is a fashion legend, and tonight would not have been the same without his touch, and his wonderful team."

Jewelry, well, is all a part of the dress but I'm keeping my eyes glued to the screen for costume jewels to match her duet partner - Elton John - during the show. Stay tuned!

Nick Verreos Looks at 2010 Spring/Summer Paris Haute Couture: Runway Videos!

COUTURE DAHHHLING!!!!!!
Sarah Palin Couture: Belorusian model Olga Sherer in her "Going Huntin' " ensemble

This season, John Galliano was inspired by Charles James, Standard Oil Heiress Millicent Rodgers, Dressage and the Turn-of-the-Century Gibson Girl. It was VERY old-school Dior; Monsieur Dior would have proud (I think). The show began with 1900's Equestrian suiting that if they were made several years back, would have end up in a W Magazine spread featuring Madonna and her estate in England. Lots of folding, pleating and Galliano continued his obsession with the full-front/fitted back look reminiscent of his "Egypt/Pharoah Dior Haute Couture Collection" back in 2004.A Met Couture Exhibit: Polish Runway Supermodel Magdalena Frackowiak looking like something out of a John Singer Sergent Painting

The collection seemed to be stuck on this "Equestrian Costume Diva" theme for a while until the full gowns came forth. They were marvelous in their technical mastery, draping and UBER femininity. The final gown, worn by Brazilian model Goddess Thana Kuhnen was VERY inspired by... the 1949 Dior "Junon" Gown. The petal scallop shaped hem and the delicate crystal beading were a definite homage. Click below to see the entire runway show:

Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture--
Part 1


Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture--
Part 2

Chanel Haute Couture: Love, Live, Silk Charmeuse...and Bermuda (Shorts)!For his Spring/Summer Haute Couture 2010 Chanel Collection, Karl Lagerfeld sent out heart-shaped hair with over-sized bows, fitted Bermuda shorts with the iconic Chanel jackets and lots of silk charmeuse/silk-back crepe. Asymmetrical cowl draping, lot of bias-cut, and hand-applied crystal embroidery throughout. Can't wait to see Chloe Sevigny try and work one of these $45,000 hand-made wonders in an upcoming Awards Show. I'm not so sure if any of Lagerfeld's jet-setting clients would go for the shorts-suit look but those silk charmeuse side cowl gowns are A MUST!!!!
Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture--Preview

Armani Prive: Over the "Moon" with Curviform!I honestly think this was one of Armani's best Prive Collections. I have been following all of his Haute Couture shows, season after season. And it has been very "hit-and-miss". Editors are somehow afraid to just come out and say it, but... some of his last collections have been a MESS: Tricky Hair, trickier draping, a bit too "dated" and 80's...and not in a good way. BUT... this Spring 2010 Prive Collection was TRES CHIC! One of his best. At least in my humble opinion. There was a Moon Theme, using half-moon Mother-of-Pearl brooches and curved shapes throughout.It was all about under-stiffening, buckram-backed ruffles and flutters. With all that, it was still 100 % romantic, feminine and Boy, I could see half of it at the Academy Awards! Speaking of Oscars, when I saw this gown above, all I could think of was actress Tilda Swinton. I know she's a fan of Viktor and Rolf and the more Avant-Garde designers but this off-the-shoulder stiffened neckline ivory princess-seamed Gown is SO HER!!!
Armani Prive 2010 Spring/Summer: Preview

Paris Couture Shows Bring out the Bling

Jewelry hounds, it's been a whirlwind of jewelry looky-looing lately, what with Awards Season in full swing here in the States. But across the pond in Paris there's a 'jewelry as fashion art' display going down that's not to be missed.

The Spring 2010 Paris Couture shows are known for extravagant displays for only the rich and famous, but that doesn't mean we can't lower our jaws from afar, right?

Enter the triumvirate of taste: John Galliano for Dior, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel and Georgio Armani for Armani Prive. I'm already hyperventilating.






Lagerfeld has spoken, folks: 'silver is the new gold' with his first line that hasn't included black, navy or nary a gold button. Silver cuffs and crystal bangles adorned the pastel pallete of classic Chanel looks, with evening wear that used diamond necklaces as part of each gown's structure. Interesting.

Mr. Armani was inspired by the moon this season, and used mother-of-pearl brooches, earrings, and statement necklaces to light up his line.

And my beloved John Galliano has done it again. With the 'eccentric millionairess' as his muse, the Dior designer created a line that had the celebrity front row gasping in approval, according to Style.com.

HUGE statement pieces of crystal and gold in every shade made the elaborate evening wear come to life. And wouldn't you know, the teardrop shape made a glittering appearance here too - (see my recent red carpet coverage for more 'tears').


How's that lower jaw doing? I could gawk at Galiano for days. Not a huge fan of the Lagerfeld looks, and feel the Armani pieces are a bit too one-note for my taste. Kindof like the heart motif Donatella Versace used in Milan's 2008 Fall show. What do you guys think?

Stay tuned for more Paris couture coverage this week, and I'm already saddling up for Sunday's Grammy Awards red carpet. Come Tweet with me!