Designer Discovery: Merle O'Grady

Merle O'Grady was born in Dublin, studied Fashion Design at Limerick School of Art and Design, and then went on to study Accessory Design at Cordwainers College. She worked in the studios of different London designers, and then launched her first collection in 2008.

"Combining seemingly contrasting materials to create a new aesthetic is a key feature of Merle's designs. Rough natural semi-precious stones are mixed with sleek, almost futuristic Perspex shapes while chunky vintage chains sit alongside delicate Swarovski crystal detailing....The result is adornment that is striking and feminine yet armour-like, and ultimately luxurious" (via).

I am seriously in love with this collection.

{1, 2, 3 & 4} Photos courtesy of Kabiri

Photos courtesy of Merle O'Grady {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7}

 

The geometric shapes, and the amazing colors are what drew me in. And the teeny, architectural details - it just doesn't get any better. I'm in love. What do you think?

Sartorialist Bling

How lovely...

Via The Sartorialist

Love it all. And check out that ring!

Springtime Baubles From Jess L.C.

Spring is coming! And it doesn't get much springier than these lovely necklaces from Jess L.C.

JewelryWhore Reviews: 2010 Oscars!

It's like the superbowl for us womenfolk! You know I had my finger foods and rice krispie treats ready for viewing. And I think I can safely say that this year's Oscars did not disappoint!

(All photos courtesy of JustJared unless otherwise noted)

Favorites

FAVORITE. LOVED IT. This dress is definitely either love-it or hate-it, but I looooved it. And SJP's jewelry was almost as amazing as the dress.


So unexpected and different from what we usually see on the red carpet. Amazing!!! (Fred Leighton)

 

 

Photo courtesy of PeopleStyleWatch

One of the best of the evening. Rachel McAdams chandelier earrings were so fabulous. (Lorraine Schwartz 145-carat large cluster, multi-color diamond earrings)

 

Photo courtesy of PeopleStyleWatch

This. necklace. was. stunning. It's a 2.5 million dollar stunner from Tiffany's and it sparkled from a mile away. Gorgeous! (Dress, eh, not-so-much. It was a little too "mother of the bride.")

 

Dame Helen Mirren can do no wrong in my book. We should all be so lucky to look like her when we're SIXTY-FOUR. She looks so classy and lovely in her Chopard jewels.

 

Ok, Amanda Seyfried is gorgeous, but I didn't get the dress. It was not flattering on her. But the jewelry - that's another matter. The bracelets were awesome. I love the cognac color, and the different patterns. (Lorraine Schwartz 250-carat brown, champagne and mint diamond geometric bracelets)

 

She's no fashion-plate, but Tine Fey is one of the smartest and funniest women in Hollywood. And she knows she looks best when she keeps it simple and classy. Love her.

 

Another fabulous pair of chandelier earrings on Carey Mulligan. And I still have not figured what was all over her dress. Tiny utensils??

 

Photo courtesy of PeopleStyleWatch

Zoe Saldana really is insanely beautiful. But I still don't know how I feel about this dress. It's definitely interesting. And the jewels were stunning. (Lorraine Schwartz custom 20-carat bronzed platinum diamond drop earrings & Lorraine Schwartz 80-carat amethyst and diamond inlay ring)

 

While I don't usually like studs on the red carpet, I think these Cartier lovelies worked on J-Lo. That dress was so ka-POW that keeping the jewelry simple and chic was a smart move. (Did anyone else think her dress looked like it was made from bubble wrap?)

 

Ok, you're just going to have to trust me that this is Miley Cyrus' jewelry, because I can't bear to put a picture up of her. I'm sorry. What is up with her face. Anyhoo, her jewelry was gorgeous - so decadent! (Lorraine Schwartz bronzed diamond and ruby earrings, Lorraine Schwartz 200-carat bronzed diamond corset cuff bracelet and 10-carat ruby ring)

 

Ok, she was just at an after-party, but I love Anna Paquin's multi-chain necklace. Even though it was stuck on her boob, it still looked fab. And so did her fiance. (True Blood shoutoooout.) Anyone know who designed her necklace?

 

Photo courtesy of People Style Watch

Love the brooch in Diane Krueger's hair! (Chanel Fine Jewelry black and white diamond 'Camelia Nervure' hair brooch)

 

Another lady who can do no wrong, Meryl Streep looked stunning. I loved the black and white diamond jewelry against her lovely white dress (designed by Chris March!! The hilarious drag queen from Project Runway!!).

 

Her Marchesa dress was enough bling for Sandra Bullock. The simple Neil Lane diamond earring were just the right touch. Go Sandra!

 

Maggie Gylenhaal always makes interesting jewelry choices for the red carpet, and is definitely one of my all-time favorites. Her earrings Fred Leighton vintage ivory and diamond calla lilies, and I adore her hair clip (which I didn't even see last night! It kinda blends in to her hair) It's a Jennifer Behr custom-made jet crystal hair piece. And the bracelets!

(Fred Leighton vintage 18k yellow gold and diamond bracelet & Fred Leighton vintage platinum and diamond bracelet with emerald and sapphire brooch)

Photos courtesy of People Style Watch


Photos courtesy of www.peoplestylewatch.com

I mean, it's Mariah Carey. We all know she likes butterflies and diamonds. And she is dripping in diamonds. I actually relly like the brooch on her hip, and the bracelets are great. The earrings, pretty, but maybe too much? (Chopard, Van Cleef and Arpels, H. Stern)

 


 Photo courtesy of PeopleStyleWatch

Love the ring (Lorraine Schwartz 110-carat blackened platinum and diamond cocktail ring), but the overall look was a liiiittle bit too drag queen!

 

Not-So-Much

Blah blah blah. Hoop earrings. Whoopdeedoo. But she is a gorgeous gal! (Cartier)

 

Oh the booby roses. Those were bad. Which is why I think Charlize Theron should have opted for some bigger, more eye-catching jewelry up top: to distract us from the weirdness below! (Harry Winston)

 

 Not that many disappointing jewelry choices! The ladies definitely stepped up their game last nite.

Who were your favorites? Who do you think missed the mark like WHOAH?

Sample Sales For Week of 3/8

Monday, 3/8

Gilt*: Lizzie Scheck Jewelry, Amrita Singh Jewelry

Gilt Fuse*: Amrita Singh Jewelry

Hautelook: Belargo

Beyond the Rack*: W/A Studios, JaBene, Omnatura

Editors' Closet: Michou

 

Tuesday, 3/9

Gilt*: Jewelry by Gerard Yosca

Hautelook: Decades Two

 

Wednesday, 3/10

Gilt*: PADE by Pade Vavra Jewelry

Gilt Fuse*: CC Skye

Hautelook: Lori Leavitt Jewelry

 

Thursday, 3/11

Gilt*: Jacob & Co Jewelry

Hautelook: Janna Conner Jewelry

Editors' Closet: Alzerina

 

Friday, 3/12

Editors' Closet: Skagen Watches

Hautelook: Joshua J. Fine Jewelry & Designer Watches Sale

 

Saturday, 3/13

Gilt Fuse*: Swarovski Jewelry

 

If you need an invite to one of the invitation only sites (*), just click on the links in the right-hand column!

 

Alisa Michelle Giveaway Winners

Here are the winners of the personalized Alisa Michelle necklaces!

 

C.M. - I love Alisa Michelle and have several necklaces already but am always looking for more! Mine would say "Something else" (because it's the name of my favorite song...and because I am! :) )
 
hframmer - i would love love love to have "impavida" on one of her awesome necklaces (i just bought one for my mom and one for my sister on hautelook). impavida is the italian feminine translation of "fearless" or "intrepid" and i've considered getting it as a tattoo for years--its a motto of sorts. as for the translation-- i lived in italy for a few months on a whim, and my heart is still in that beautiful country. fitting for a necklace that will sit so close to the heart!
 
randy - I would love to win these for my wife & I, inscribed with the greek word "Metanoeo"-Repentence. I hope i win, it's my birthday!
 
Congrats everybody! Alisa will be in touch soon to get your info. :)

 

Need Some Oscar Night Bling?

Did you get a last minute invite to the Oscars?? Yeah me neither. But let's look at some fab jewels anyway!

From 1stDibs

 

From Portero

 

Are you watching the Oscars? You know I am! And I'll report back on Monday with a big, fat post on all of the stunning jewels. Have a great weekend!

Links à la Mode : The IFB Weekly Roundup

Fashion Flashback

Edited by Debutante
As fashion weeks starting winding down, some are looking forward to the next trend in fashion. This week, I was thrilled to see so many bloggers focusing on the past -the history of fashion. An obvious passion of mine, vintage fashion has never been so influential. fête à fête reviews a gorgeous collection of vintage inspired jewelry. Fabulous Finds narrates a 1950s styled romp through Palm Springs. Oranges and Apples shares inspiring vintage Life magazine images. In politics, if you don’t learn from history, you’re destined to repeat it. In fashion, if you don’t learn from history, you won’t know you are repeating it!

Links à la Mode : March 4th

Designer Discovery: Satya Jewelry

"Satya" meaning "truth" 'is inspired by the designer’s many travels across the world, encountering cultures, temples, villages, museums and local markets. Such diverse elements as personal meditation, Thai textiles, ancient Indian coins, Sanskrit words and castings from found objects (including shells, stone carvings and leaves) evolve into unique designs' (via).

Each lovely piece is designed with wellness in mind, and the stones are all chosen for their healing powers. And if that's not enough goodness for you, they also donate a percentage of their sales to children’s organizations through the Satya Foundation.

Even if you're not really into the whole yoga, spritual stuff, Satya jewelry is so pretty it doesn't really matter! And let me just say, I've seen one of these necklaces in person and it's stunning. I saw it across the room. I'm like a cat: "OoOh Shiny!"

{Sponsored Post} My Jewelry Box!

If you've been a reader of this blog for a while, you know that I'm a big fan of finding awesome jewelry in places you might not normally frequent (see: here and here). So when I came across My Jewelry Box, I decided to approach it the same way; even though it might not be a regular online jewelry store stop for me, I found some great pieces on here.My Jewelry Box runs the gamut from simple sterling silver pieces to great diamond jewelry. Check out what I found!

 

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