Retro Glam Radiates

If you're famous, wealthy, both or simply have a Vanderbilt or Rockefeller ancestor then chances are you're lucky enough to own (or at least borrow) the occasional piece of vintage jewelry.

Swanning down the red carpet at the uber-chic Costume Gala were some seriously wonderful platinum vintage jewels by Fred Leighton.

Tilda Swinton was wearing a platinum and diamond “starburst” bracelet from the 1940’s, and a platinum with coral “star” brooch that was formerly in the collection of Diana Vreeland. While the ever-gorgeous Ellen Barkin went totally retro with clip brooches from the 1930’s, earrings from the 1920’s and a buckle bracelet from the 1920’s.

If you don't have a rich aunt, access to a jeweler's private collection or a chubby bank account, there' are still plenty of ways to get the retro-glam look at a sliver of the price.

Try these diamond vine pieces from Jewelry.com. Mix this diamond pendant by Jewelry.com for Macys with jeans and a tee and your ready for afternoon tea at the Astors.

Don't forget to complete the retro-glam look with this vintage style ring by Jewelry.com for Zales at just $399.

Costume Gala's Heroines and Sidekicks

New York's 'gotta attend otherwise I"ll be relegated to reality T.V.' event of the season is the annual Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala. It's a night in which excess is de rigeur, and the fashion powerhouses sweat tears and pounds worrying whether color is truly back and how high is an acceptable hair-do.

Last night was no exception. The bold, beautiful and brave attended the gala, whose theme this year was superheroes.

In brief - as far as mere onlookers could detect - blue is beautiful, bare necklines are bold and the brave had some serious fashion faux-pas.

Going for blue were Kate Moss, Eve Mendes, Jennifer Lopez and Camille Belle. Apparently Katie Holmes had heard the blue rumor but wasn't ready to take the full step - she fell.

Bare necklines were de rigeur with large diamond and gold earrings off-setting any idea that this was a return to basics. Gold chandelier earrings and large diamond drops were the jewelry stars of the evening, along with large cuff bracelets.

Finally, the bold were taking risks - and failing. Strangely fashion's royal priestess, Anna Wintour took the Superhero theme a pad too far and the uber-elegant Mrs Cruise seemed to forgo color co-ordiantion opting to wear a bright red dress with a pair of bright blue shoes. It didn't work.