Spring Magazine Round-up - Harper's Bazaar, March 2011

Kim Kardashian on the cover of the March 2011 issue of Harper's BazaarI had high hopes for the jewelry coverage in the March 2011 issue of Bazaar, but feel like the magazine snoozed on promoting a couple of very cool stories.

First of all, there is a great little article on Daphne Guinness (page 398). Guinness is not only a fashion darling, but I’m sure she also has a truly spectacular jewelry collection. We get a glimpse of this in the stunning pictures captioned with those beautiful words, “Jewelry – Guinness’s own”. Gorgeous earrings and bracelets from Harry Winston are just some of the serious gems sported by this eccentric icon. I wish the magazine had focused a bit more on the timeless jewels she uses to accessorize her of-the moment fashions - that’s where true style begins!

So, I was a little disappointed the cover went to Kim Kardashian when such an interesting alternative was profiled in the same issue. Seriously Bazaar, not even a cover blurb on the Guinness article? Anyway, I wasn’t completely pessimistic about jewelry in this issue with Kardashian as the covergirl. After all, she has designed two jewelry lines herself, one for Saints and Angels and another under the name Belle Noelle with the help of Pascal Mouawad. For such a shameless self-promoter, I expected to read a bit more about her vision as a designer or her hopes for the jewelry brand.

But then, I got to page 412 and all was forgiven.  Kardshian interviews the one and only Dame Elizabeth Taylor! Naturally, the conversation drifts towards the serious rocks in Taylor’s collection.  I was completely overwhelmed by this unexpected gem of an article. If you don’t believe me, read it yourself online. It’s a great read and only reinforces my love of Liz Taylor as a jewelry collector. In every interview she seems like she really enjoys her collection and wears the jewels not just because they symbolize a moment or a relationship. She seems to appreciate them for their beauty and discusses what it means to be the custodian for jewlery work of art. with a single page, this issue turned from a nice weekend read to a keepsake I'll be referring to for a long time.

Spring Magazine Round-up - InStyle Magazine for March 2011

Julianne Moore on the cover of InStyle, March 2011I’m always happy to see InStyle show up in my mailbox. When I saw Julianne Moore on the March cover, I knew that the jewelry coverage in this issue would be something special. In my opinion, if you don’t love her Bulgari ads then you simply don’t love jewelry.

I literally squealed with delight when I saw their review of style at the Golden Globes. Award season is peak time for celebrity jewels and page 222 gave me close-ups of the best jewelry moments from that red carpet event.

If that wasn’t enough to make me swoon, the incredible Marion Fasel contributed an article on last year’s most stunning Oscar jewelry, the Best of the Brightest on page 434. I loved tweeting the red carpet with her during the 2011 oscars under the hastag #oscarjewelry. This article is full of jaw-dropping bejeweled splendor from the 2010 ceremony. I can’t wait to read her take on this year’s fashions. If you aren't following her on twitter, you're missing out on some of the best jewelry writing in the industry.

As fun and exciting as the big award show coverage is, the best thing about InStyle is it’s consistent and thorough coverage of stars wearing trends, and accessorizing outfits from low-key weekend outfits to full-on Hollywood glamour. There is a mix of high-priced items in this issue and affordable luxuries that really appeals to me. Some of the highlights for me:

• A short profile of designer Kara Ackerman among the bold jewelry worn by stars on page 130
• Floral barrettes in all sorts of media on page 358
• And the Deals & Steals, beginning on page 409 always include great costume jewelry at great prices

Spring Magazine Roundup - Lucky Magazine for March 2011

Heidi Klum graces the cover of the March 2011 issue of LuckyI’ve only recently subscribed to Lucky magazine and I could kick myself for not subscribing earlier. Page for page, I think Lucky publishes more information about jewelry, interviews with jewelry artists and credits for designers than any other magazine.

The fullpage article devoted to Wendy Stableton Reyes on page 82 is a perfect example. An in-depth discussion of her charity, Colombrilla, is accompanied by gorgeous pictures. It’s a wonderful showcase for this talented designer. I’ve sent it along to several people as proof that beauty and adornment aren’t necessarily frivolous pursuits, they can sometimes do the world some good.

Some other highlights:

• Jewelry designer Kimberley Baker gets mention in the city guide for Seattle, WA (page 95)
• I was super excited to see a familiar name, Erie Basin on a city by city guide to design boutiques (page 98). Their tumblr page has been my daily dose of awesome antique jewelry for a long time.
• The tribal necklaces on page 140 give me hope that statement neckware is making a comeback. With designs like this it’s just a matter of time.
• I’ll be picking up a pair of jeweled slingbacks on page 170 this spring. Creating a complementary piece of jewelry could be just the creative push I need to get to my workspace!

Spring Magazine Roundup –The March 2011 issue of Elle

Katy Perry covers the March 2011 issue of Elle MagazineSpring has not exactly sprung in Chicago just yet. To keep my mind off sundresses and sandals I’ve been enjoying the March issues of every fashion magazine I can get my hands on.

I don’t subscribe to Elle, but I pick up a few issues throughout the year and it’s always a welcome diversion. If you pick up a copy, be sure to check out the “Buffalo Girl” pictorial. Stylist Aleksandra Woroniecka worked strong statement making jewelry into the wildly patterned and eclectic outfits photographed by Horst Diekgerdes.

However, my favorite pieces appear in the “It Happened One Night” photo spread beginning on page 434. The sleek, modern sculptural pieces of jewelry chosen by Brian Molly bring a high polish to the menswear inspired outfits. Even cover girl Katy Perry brought out the sparkle with a diamond flower ring by the inimitable Van Cleef and Arpels, page 398.

There are lots of full page advertisements to flip through. I saved images of jewelry from Moschino, Ippolita, Solange Azagury Partridge and Loree Rodkin for my inspiration boards.

Some other pictures worth a thousand words:

• Carved bronze serpent collar necklace by Stephen Dwek (page 154)
• Yellow gold double-finger ring by Boucheron (page 154)
•   Every item in the great Escape article, but especially the jeweled skulls by Pietra Dura (page 234)
• The continuation of the bejeweled bug trend (page 274)

Best Bejeweled - Berry picking the top choices at the Oscars

Getty Images via Celebuzz.comOscar night belonged to Natalie Portman and she definitely made my best bejeweled list for the incredible tassle earrings she wore to accept her Best Actress award.  How can you not fall in love with the rich deep color of these rubellite* and diamond earrings by Tiffany?

If a star wasn’t wearing emerald gems, chances are good that they choose deeply colored jewels in fuschia, berry or even tutti frutti concoctions. But for me Natalie Portman wore it best with this vintage inspired design and a classic Elsa Peretti® Diamonds by the Yard® bracelet. I immediately ran to Tiffany’s Facebook page for details and this powerhouse design did not disappoint. 

*Thank goodness for Wikipedia! I didn’t realize A) Rubellite is a type of tourmaline and B) I’ve got to pick up some watermelon tourmalite immediately. It’s mouthwateringly pretty!