Tony Curtis: From Pants Suits to Pearl Strands

Diamonds may have been Marilyn Monroe's best friend, but pearls were the pretty companion of Tony Curtis in their iconic film "Some Like It Hot" - a movie masterpiece that I'm sure many will revisit now that the last living member of the film's trio has passed away.

For the uninitiated: "Some Like It Hot," is a1959 film in which Curtis and Jack Lemmon played small-time jazz musicians who witnessed the St. Valentine's Day massacre in Chicago and, pursued by gangsters, posed as women to escape with an all-female jazz band bound for Miami (Marilyn Monroe, included).

Hi-jinks ensue.

Oscar-winning costume designer, Orry Kelly, turned Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis into 'Josephine' and 'Daphne' using all the well-known fashion secrets drag queens the world over still use today: lots of neck scarves, long gloves, fun hats  - and yes - that ubiquitous symbol of understated femininity: pearls.

Pearl jewelry is generally thought of as the go-to gem when women want that 'conservative yet classic' look. Politicians and first wives love pearls for their sartorial safety, and they're always a Mother's Day crowd pleaser.

But Tony Curtis and his partner in crime brought the category to a, shall we say, 'new' audience - making everything from pearl-drop earrings to long strands work in ways the jewelry world never thought possible.

In other words: Clothes may make the man - but classic pearls create the crossdresser.

Tony Curtis, R.I.P.  Here's to you. Who's like you? Damn few.

Eat, Pray, Love...Shop

Jewelry and Hollywood. From Twilight's "Team Edward" pendants to Alice In Wonderland's Mad Hatter charm bracelets, consumers aren't just experiencing movies at the multi-plex. They're taking them home to their jewelry boxes.

The latest film to join the big studio licensing bonanza is Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling-memoir-turned-movie, Eat, Pray, Love. For those of you living under a rock, the movie stars none other than Julia Roberts and will be out in theaters next Friday.

Los Angeles jewelry brand Dogeared signed a licensing deal with Sony to produce a collection of jewelry, books and travel-related items associated with the film, with Fred Segal and ABC Home on board to distribute, according to WWD.

The "Eat Pray Love by Sue Wong" collection hit stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstorm, Bloomingdales, and Dillard's.

And on August 6th, 7th, and 8th, HSN will dedicate 72 hours of programming to featuring items themed around "Eat Pray Love" and its locales, including days dedicated to Italy, India, and Bali.

Somehow, I don't think Elizabeth Gilbert had branded T-shirts, caftans and bead necklaces in mind when she penned her story of personal awakening...but that's showbiz!

Stella McCartney Designs for Disney

Jewelry and fashion designers are the latest creative types to be tapped by Hollywood to bring buzz to upcoming film releases, and Disney/Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is shaping up to be spring's big sizzler. So it comes as no surprise that another big name has attached themselves to merchandise jewelry for the movie (Tom Binns is also in the mix with some stunning looks I'm already 'mad' about).

The divine Miss Stella McCartney is the latest talent to head down the rabbit hole, with two Alice-inspired jewelry pieces - a charm necklace and bracelet - each adorned with AIW icons including a rabbit, a Mad Hatter's hat, a spade, club, heart and diamond. The muted pallette is accented with Swarovski crystals and will retail for $425 (necklace) and $395 (bracelet).

Curiouser and curiouser? Though the movie hits theaters on March 10th, you can buy the pieces for your next tea party (no, not THAT kind of tea party) next month at Stella McCartney stores worldwide.

What do you guys think of her contribution? Weigh in!

Jewelry Inspired by the Silver Screen

We all know the film industry doesn’t just make money selling overpriced tickets and stale popcorn. For anyone who has ever owned a Princess Leia figurine or Leo Titantic shirt (you know who you are), you’re well aware that Tinseltown is happy to throw movie-related merch our way to fill their coffers (and eventually our Good Will donation boxes).

The good news is: there are some worthy movie-related jewelry lines that are set to debut this fall – some from hip, high-end designers that usually only the chosen few can afford.

First, the no-brainer. Nordstrom is launching a Twilight: New Moon clothing and accessory line in October – one month before the entire tween population bum-rushes a movie theater near them for the movie's release.

“I love Edward” and “I love Jacob” heart pendants and charm bracelets featuring film-related icons are just some of the silver and gold-plated offerings. Prices will be right in line with the youngster budget.

A not-so-obvious jewelry line comes to us from the mind of hipster designer, Pamela Love, who was tapped to create jewels inspired by the film, Where the Wild Things Are. Known for her goth style (crow heads, claws and bones are just a few of her inspirations), the 27-year-old worked with director, Spike Jonze to create the pieces that will be available soon through hipster clothing outlet, Opening Ceremony.

And finally, a taste of couture. Tom Binns, known for his avant-garde design style and for adorning our First Lady with eye-catching statement necklaces, is working with Disney to create high-end jewelry inspired by Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Yup. The same Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the Ice Queen.

The 35-piece line has price points that are considerably less than the normal Binns piece ($100 - $500 available in department stores) with six pieces retailing from $1,000 - $2,000 (sold in luxury boutiques). The Tom Binns for Walt Disney signature line will, like the movie, debut in Spring 2010.

So for jewelry hounds and movie buffs (and I openly put myself in both categories), there is no shortage of suited folks in the studio system who understand our passions. Have any of you ever purchased jewelry inspired by a movie? If not, would you? And which movie? Weigh in!