New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Former Miss India-turned jewellery designer Queennie Dhody has unveiled “Jewels by Queenie”, her high-end collection of precious art deco jewellery in the capital.
Dhody, the owner of a niche Mumbai store named after her jewellery range (Jewels by Queenie), has tied up with Notandas jewellers in South Extension in the capital to retail her collection, which was unveiled Wednesday evening.
As part of the deal, she will also offer tips to buyers on how to team up her jewellery with clothes and will put them in touch with fashion designers to purchase matching clothes.
Dhody, also a prominent socialite and a fashion writer, will now spend her time between Mumbai and the capital, where she will offer fashion consultancy services by appointment.
“Jewels by Queenie” is a mix of contemporary art deco and antique jewellery, which are large and opulent.
The bulk of her collection – nearly 100 earrings, pendants, finger rings, necklaces and bracelets – has been crafted with diamonds, both cut and uncut (polki), emeralds, rubies and icy sapphires (peridots) set in 18 carat white and yellow gold.
A pair of intricately-crafted unfurled rose earrings and a matching finger ring in beaten gold and petals of clustered diamonds stood out for their craftsmanship.
“White and yellow 18 carat gold is in. Diamonds look good in beaten yellow gold, which is smart and trendy,” Dhody told IANS.
“Moreover, it is easier to ‘pressure-set’ (a technique) stones on 18 carat gold than on 24 carat gold,” the designer said.
Dhody has been designing jewellery since 1988-89 though she started designing “professionally six years ago”.
“I took a few courses. The commercial initiative was just an extension of my passion for designing my own jewellery. The first jewellery that I designed for myself was a set of plain gold bangles without any patterns. I was also the first contemporary designer to use ‘polki’ or uncut diamonds for earrings before any of my peers thought of it,” the glamorous mother of two said, while showing off a bracelet.
It was a wide 2.5 inch handcuff bracelet in beaten yellow gold with a vertical clasp of sand grain diamonds – “the kind that she likes”.
“I have designed the bracelet myself. In Mumbai, some of the bracelets that I sell are as wide as 3.5 inches,” Dhody said.
The fashionista, clad in a short pink dress with a ruffled sash, teamed the bracelet with diamond danglers. “I do not believe in clutter,” she said.
The three trends in jewellery fashion this season, Dhody said, were “timelessness, bling and style”.
“The fashion pundits are predicting that the jewellery trend for the spring of 2010 should be timeless – exquisite pieces that can be passed down the generations and I agree. Big, bling and noticeable jewellery is in, along with translucent shimmering stones. Last year, women opted for glittering opaque stones. The designs this season are more earthy and glamorous,” Dhody said.
“However, rubies, diamonds and emeralds will be in fashion forever,” she added.
The bottom line in jewellery business is diversity in terms of prices, the designer said.
The prices of Dhody’s collection ranges between Rs.100,000 and Rs.10 million. “There is something for everyone,” she said.
Dhody has been influenced by antique Mughal jewellery and European art deco in her collection. “I have used uncut stones in bigger settings like the traditional Mughal designs and smaller stones for western art deco pieces,” she said.
Gold is the metal of her choice. “Despite the shooting prices of gold, Indians still buy gold and I cannot imagine emerald and rubies set in silver,” Dhody said.
When asked what is the jewellery she treasures the most, Dhody said: “It is memory – a diamond pendant that my father gave me; and I lost it.”
source: dhingana.com/news/queenie-dhody-launches-jewellery-collection-in-the/15995
Have you recently noticed jewelry getting bigger, necklaces the size of African tribal chest plates, mini chandeliers hanging off earlobes, or Malteser-sized pearls and beads?. These are all normal signs of the accessory trend du jour, referred to as ‘statement jewelry’. As the name suggests, these bold pieces of bling are designed to make a powerful statement.
Over the past two years, a huge number of jewelry and accessory stores such as Diva and Equip, have cropped up offering affordable costume jewelry. When the Global Financial crisis hit, many put the brakes on shopping for new clothes. Women soon re-discovered the power of accessories. Buying a new piece of jewelry was a simple, effective and budget-friendly way of updating an old look.
To wear a statement piece of jewelry, choose one key piece: a necklace, earrings or a bracelet. By wearing the one key piece, it becomes the focus of your outfit and doesn’t have to compete with any other jewelry. If however you wanted to wear earrings with an elaborate necklace, opt for something small and simple. Uber fashion stylist Rachel Zoe, Beyonce, Eva Mendez, Pink and Melissa George are all members of the statement jewelry fan club.
Key trends we are seeing include oversized gemstones, tasselled charms, chunky metallic cuffs, turquoise stones, tribal influenced chest plates covered in jewels and multi stranded necklaces dripping with eclectic charms and embellishments. When wearing bracelets, there’s no need to stop at one. Stacking two or more chunky bracelets on the one wrist instantly creates an eye catching and fashionable look.
jewelry designer Samantha Wills says about the current trends, “It’s all about vintage sparkle. Knocked back antique metals, emblazoned with crystals. A beautiful juxtaposition of mediums. It has a really old world Hollywood meets vintage feel”. A statement piece of jewelry can be worn to help emphasise or de-emphasise parts of your body. For example women who feel self conscious about their bottom or mid section, wearing a striking necklace or earrings will ensure all the attention is focused up top. Wearing a statement bracelet or anklet would draw attention to your waistline or below.
A statement piece of jewelry is also a great way to dress up a casual look, make an old outfit look new and a clever way to project your personality and individual style. Keep an eye out for statement pieces by Michelle Jank, Matt Weston, PeepToe, Sahan, Mink, Hollywood Style, Samantha Wills and ZoeMou.
source: whatshotandwhatsnot.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/how-to-wear-statement-jewellery/
photo by instyle.co.uk/celebrity/trends/celebs-in-statement-jewellery/statement-jewellery-080710-jessica-alba
Akoya Pearls – these are the type of pearl that are produced by the Japanese Akoya oyster. Akoya pearls vary in size between 2 and 10mm, depending on the size of the oyster in which it is formed. These pearls range in color from white, to cream, green, silver, pink, and gold. Akoya pearls are most recognized for their high luster, and their richness of color.
South Sea Cultured Pearls – these fascinating pearls are known to be quite large, most reaching diameters of over 10mm. These sizes are available because they are formed by oysters called Pinctada Maxima, which are quite big, and live in the warmer waters of the South Seas, as well as off the coast of Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. South Sea pearls have unique colors which depend on the specific type of oyster in which they’re grown. All south sea pearls come from silver-lipped pearl oysters, except for the golden pearls which come from the golden-lipped pearl oysters. The warm, natural golden color of the gold colored pearls are said to be even rarer than gold itself.
Black Pearls – Similar to their white and gold cousins, black South Sea pearls come from the black-lipped pearl oysters of Pinctada Maxima. These pearls which are naturally black in color, come from the Tahitian and Okinawa regions. They are typically between 8 and 15mm in diameter. Their colors range from blues, greens, violets, and combinations of these colors, as well as the most popular and desired peacock green. These pearls are a challenge to farm, and are therefore quite costly. In fact, to collect enough pearls that match in size, shape, and color for one strand necklace, it could easily take a dozen years of harvesting.
Freshwater Cultured Pearls – these pearls are almost exclusively cultured in the Chinese lakes and rivers, in Hyriopsis Cumingi mollusks. In each host, ten to fourteen pearls can be cultured at one time. These pearls typically come oval-shaped, or in rice grain shapes.
Conch Pearls – These unique pearls are harvested from the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, from the Queen Conch. Examples of the highest quality conch pearls are characterized by their entirely distinctive “flame structure,” which gives the conch pearl the appearance of a small flame burning on its surface.
source:purepearls.com/pearl-education/pearl-types.html
photo by .jewelsfile.com/lanvin-jewelry/lanvin-glass-pearl-necklace-shows-utter-dramatic-elegance
ruffledblog.com/pink-feathers-and-pearls/
ronancampbell.com/shop/jewellery/ti-sento/ti-sento-sterling-silver-pearl-necklace-3659pw-42.html
2011 New Year is coming. It will right at your door soon. With the New Year resolution together with economic situation now, you might want to create your own styles but still keep you in trend. Jewelry does play a major role for your features and outfits. Therefore, the 2011 jewelry tips include using what you already have in your wardrobe with additional of a new few pieces. Combination is the key for 2011 jewelry trend. Keep looking in your jewelry box, use the mixed and matched style with your old short necklaces and longer necklaces, for example to make the new attractive necklaces instead.
Not only would the jewelry pieces, the color of each piece be able to blend and give the 2011 jewelry in style. With your choice of jeans and t-shirt, your new mix and match style will definitely be able to catch up with 2011 jewelry without new bill in your file.
photo by vanessamooney.com/collections/
The snake jewelry trend was very popular since the ancient Greeks and Romans till the 19th century. Then, in the 20th century snake jewelry has been in style in Hollywood for years.
Snake jewelry trend, including necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets is also worn by women of all ages, in all areas. If you are the one who never use snake jewelry before, you can try from now on. If you are looking for the attractive one, try the twisted metal snake necklaces. If you want it for daily purpose, try the small gold snack ring instead. Don’t put too many snake things on yourself at one time as snake jewelry is best worn in small doses. Check out for the one you want with reasonable price, and you will be the one who carry snake with you in the next coming year.
photo by blog.emitations.com/index.php/uncategorized/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-design-snake-jewelry
Fashion jewelry and costume jewelry is one factor that reflected personal characteristic. Especially for celebrities who always attend party every night. Among jewelry type, diamond is the queen of them. The celebrity diamond jewelry can inspire people’s inspiration for their own jewelry style. However, looking at the celebrity diamond jewelry style, you have to choose the one that suit for yourself, both cost and style has to be carefully chosen.
The most expensive celebrity diamond jewelry does not mean the most beautiful one for one person, in particular. Use the celebrity jewelry style as your guide, and use your sensation for consideration the best one for yourself. The right jewelry will definitely present your unique character.
photo by firstwaternews.com/slideshow.php?categoryName=MagnificentMoment&productId=612&lastId=1437&action=next
Rope pearl necklaces are becoming popular we think because they evoke the flappers of the 1920s but we also think because they are so classy and can be worn in a number of ways. Rope pearls have been worn by everyone from Cocoa Chanel (who championed the use of costume pearls in her designs) to Sarah-Jessica Parker.
Our rope pearls come in white, chocolate, lavender and pink and because they come in a range of colours they can be worn with everything from t-shirts to dresses to more formal wear.
Long rope pearls give you a number of styles to work with, you can loop them layer them, pair them with other necklaces or wear them as a bracelet.
Opera Length and rope length pearls can be worn long or loose
Wear rope pearls tied with a knot – you can tie two knots at the end of our rope pearls
Wear rope pearls with knots starting from the lower neck and making 2 or 3 knots along the line
You can also wear our rope pearl strands as a double or triple strand necklace. Our rope pearls are threaded on silk all the way through with no clasp so the design possibilities are endless. You can choose to have the same length strands or make each strand longer than the last (graduated strand).
Wear your rope necklace in two different length strands, with the shorter strand near the neck and the second strand as a longer length strand
Wear your rope pearls as a lariat take both ends of the pearl and tie around your neck once – you can adjust the knot to high or low depending on your preference
Wear your rope pearls as a belt by looping through one end over the other
Wrapped around the next once or twice with the remaining strand left hanging as a longer strand
Wrapped like a scarf around the neck – hold the rope pearl horizontally at the base of the neck then slip one end of the necklace through the loop at the other end
Wrap rope pears a number of times around your neck to create a chunky pearl choker
Add a small satin or velvet bow to your strand to add a touch of embellishment and colour to your outfit
Dressing up: Rope pearls go very well with a little black dress go for white pearls for classic elegance or other colours for a more contempary twist. If the neck on your classic dress is high, you can wrap your pearls around your neck once or twice with the longer strand left to hang down.
source: bijouxpearls.co.uk/pages/HowToWearRopePearls.htm
photo by ustrendy.com/store/product/12693/braided-pearl-chain-rope-necklace-black-and-white
Just when you finished off your wardrobe for this winter and have started thinking about next summer, I am challenging you once more with something very beautiful for next year’s fall.
Who said following fashion was an easy task?!
This Tuesday was a very snowy day in Paris but the guests who enjoyed the atmosphere in the Chanel Haute Couture salons were transported to another era, time and place. Karl Lagerfeld was inspired for his pre-fall 2011 collection by Byzantium, one of Coco Chanel’s major inspirations when she was the first to launch a line of costume jewelry in the 1920s.
The Paris–Byzance Métiers d’art show broadcasted Chanel’s specialist craftsmen that the French house has gathered under its umbrella: Desrues the costume jeweler, Lemarié the feather specialist, Lesage the embroiderer, Massaro the shoe-maker, Michel the milliner, Goossens the goldsmith and Guillet the floral accessory specialist.
In a decor reminding of an Ottomanesque chill-out room with 400 metres of squined fabric covering the walls, Lagerfeld revisited the bold colors and antique golds. Byzance and its splendor embellished every look from belts adorned with square glass beads to gold running through burn-out tweed and embroidered silks.
The make-up was kept in the same color family with one star product: The cream palette is combining five different golds and is said to be limited to only 1500 pieces.
This collection is for the modern Theodora empresses who might be Chanel’s clientele of today. Celebrating Chanel’s strong heritage is surely a smart move and one key to remaining a powerhouse in the decades to come, especially with the opening of a second Chanel boutique in Istanbul.
LoL, Sandra
source: sandrascloset.com/chanel-pre-fall-2011-paris-byzance/
photo by backseatstylers.com/fashionshows/chanel-pre-fall-2011-paris-byzance-collection/
