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!

Jewelry Explodes in Paris

The Paris couture shows are taking the runways by storm this week, and while folks generally take a gander at the often-outrageous looks and wonder who on earth would ever wear such nonsense, I find couture gawking the perfect indulgence – especially in these trying times. It’s like rolling around in a vat of Cherry Garcia or having that third - ok fourth - margarita.

So imagine my dismay when I came across the Karl Lagerfeld show for Chanel. It’s all white. It’s suit skirts. It’s a jewelry wasteland. Of course there were fabulously intricate white hats that dazzled the well-heeled crowd, but I’m not in the mood for white right now, Karl. This economy blows. I’m no longer getting my hair highlighted. I want an escape, not a reminder of how bland life is now that I'm off the $4 lattes.

























Thankfully, Christian Lacroix is my new ‘white’ knight in shining couture. Not only are there colors exploding all over his catwalk, but the jewelry is an over-the-top display of decadence the likes of which I’ve never seen before. It’s like going down a bauble-filled rabbit hole on crack.
















































Dinner plate-sized hoop earrings, stacks of mismatched lacquer and crystal cuffs, multiple layerings of giant necklaces, gilded heart-shaped lockets, faux fronds of coral, beaded everything but the kitchen sink… Clearly, words don’t do the show justice, but Style.com’s reviewer comes close:

“(The show) was a pleasure to witness and something to be inspired by. Even if only the very few will own a part of this collection, there's an idea in there for every fashion watcher: If you've got jewelry, it's time to bring it out and try piling it on all at once.”

























So perhaps we mere mortals can take a lesson from the ivory tower of runway fashion. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Anything goes. If you’ve still got those rubber bangles from the 80s, put 'em on with your diamond necklace and that beaded choker you're afraid to wear for fear it makes you look 'easy'.

I may be getting a little couture-crazed, but if you don't want to scare the neighbors, you at least have to get the full effect of the Lacroix jewelry dreamscape by checking out the dizzying pics on Style.com. And be sure to pair your viewing with a nice pint of New York Super Fudge Chunk. You’ll thank me for it later.