Jet-Set Jewelry at the 2010 Venice Film Festival

The 2010 Venice Film Festival kicked off yesterday with a smattering of parties, premieres and pretty people. And while the well-known celebrities are always a big draw (Natalie Portman and Jessica Alba are already turning heads), my favorite film festival pastime is gawking at the jet-set jewelry on miscellaneous red carpet passersby.

Here are some of my favorites so far. But before we take that journey, pause if you will to witness Naomi Campbell's emerald engagement ring from her Russian billionaire boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin spotted at the "Miral" premiere today. Wowza!










Stay tuned for more Venice Film Festival fashion coverage - and New York Fashion Week is one week away! You gotta love this time of year....

Free Jewelry Means One Thing: It’s Swag Time

Awards season for celebrities means lots of galas, gowns and - of course - giveaways. Swag bags that were once a small token of an awards show’s affection have ballooned into a prize worth more than a year’s salary in most circles.

And ‘bags’ don’t really begin to describe the suitcases full of loot the stars get to schlep home after the festivities. In fact, there are entire swag rooms, or ‘gift suites’, the celebs can stroll through to pick up anything from free spa weekends and handbags to electronics and fine jewelry. Sounds rough.
According to Yahoo!'s OMG, some of stars spotted trolling the gift suites this year were "Swag Hag", Debra Messing; “Gossip Girl”, Michelle Trachtenberg; and our favorite mom, Jessica Alba, who apparently fell in love with a woven, diamond-studded bracelet from Tacori. Other stars ogled conflict-free, earth-friendly fine jewelry from Precious Earth, and glittering gems from Touchstone Crystal.

And Best Actress nominees will be presented with a sparkly compact created by L'Oreal with help from colored-gemstone manufacturer Carelle, says National Jeweler. The compact features lemon citrine and pale-green quartz stones set in 18-karat yellow gold with diamond details. In addition to the nine compacts gifted to the likes of Angelina Jolie and new rival, Anne Hathaway, one last compact will be auctioned off on eBay.com to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation during the Golden Globes broadcast.

So while we’re watching sympathetically when the losers in each category get sloppy drunk on Moet and try desperately to get within Brad Pitt’s sightline, it’s best to remember that these artists may not have everything – but they can all powder their noses in style. For free.

Jessica Alba – Campari’s Coruscating Calendar Girl

A luminous Jessica Alba dazzled in Milan last week for the red carpet launch of her 2009 Campari calendar. The lady in red paired a stunning scarlet Dolce and Gabana dress with Bulgari vintage ruby and diamond jewels that made this jewelry hound drool on first sight.
Rubies haven’t looked this good since the red slipper renaissance!

Hunky husband, Cash Warren, attended the event with his lovely leading lady, and Donatella Versace, Alegra Beck and other glittering Milan residents kept them company.

The 10th anniversary edition of the Campari Catalog was directed by Jean Paul-Goude and photographed by world renown, Mario Testino, in Malibu – the perfect place to capture the “Club Campari” theme. Pics feature a curvy, post-baby-bod Alba in black and white swimsuits and elegant evening wear.

"I'm usually walking around in comfy clothes with a baby on my arm, and it's nice to dress things up and feel sophisticated, sexy and surrounded by so much beauty," Alba said of her sexy shoot. "Also being surrounded by Brazilian models made it even easier!"

Glamazons, Eva Mendez and Salma Hayek, have graced the pages of the calendar in year’s past, and I think we all can agree that Ms. Jessica has successfully carried the torch.

Campari will distribute the calendar internationally, but will only print 10,000 copies - -so get your guys a glittering eye-full before Santa runs out this season! You can, of course, always get a glimpse on their website: www.campari.com.