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...

We Heart Milan Fashion Week

It’s true what the style hounds say: “It’s always fashion week somewhere in the world.” This week, the runways were working it in Milan where all eyes were on Italy’s most famous houses: Versace and Dolce & Gabbana. As usual, the runway fashions, jewelry looks, (and after parties) didn’t disappoint.

Donatella took things shorter, younger, and sweeter this season with a heart-themed line that sparkled in a series of chunky yellow-gold right hand rings and statement bangles. The 3-D heart shape formed by an open zipper found its way on her flirty short dresses – and even her handbags showed a little love. The days of tacky, gaudy Versace are decidedly (and thankfully) over. Bravo!

And while Donatella made a heartfelt showing, the D & G boys –as always – took things up a notch. The sleepwear-inspired line had oodles of satiny fabrics, mini-mouse sleeve silhouettes and jewelry that ranged from the big and bold to the bigger and bolder. Vintage brooches, statement chains and hairpieces littered the runway, adding just enough wattage to each look without putting them over the top.

Celebs like Jennifer Lopez and hubby, Marc Anthony, Matthew McConaughey and wife, Camila Alves, and supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova sat runway-side and were all VIP guests at the closing night party at the uber-exclusive restaurant, Gold. After dinner, guests were whisked away for a surprise performance of none other than Diana Ross in honor of Gabbana’s 50th birthday.

Apparently there really ain’t no mountain high enough for these fashion icons. And in case you're worried about runway withdrawal, I have three words for you: Next week, Paris.


Versace