THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR ARCHIVE  back GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR Vol. 2, No. 6 October/November 2005 Creating a Gracious Image Graciousness is about charm and good taste. It is the conveyance of a sense of genuineness, respect for others, and beauty that comes from one’s core. Can graciousness be conveyed through fashion? I think it can. Fashion can be fun, no doubt, and much of fashion is purely fad. What’s the latest trend, we want to know. We study how the stylists garb the celebrities and we want to look just like them. Some magazines give us pages upon pages of identical outfits – wear this style top, this style skirt and this style shoes and you’ll look fashionable, they proclaim. Here’s how to copy Celebrity X’s latest look on a budget, they show us. What’s truly gracious, however, is understanding that not everyone has the body type, or the hair texture, or the bone structure to wear what Celebrity X is wearing. What’s especially gracious is when we can skip a fad because we know it doesn’t suit us. And when we find a style that somehow makes us walk taller, smile more, or feel truly lovely, then we have found something that suits us to our core. The result is charm and good taste – those qualities that encompass graciousness. If you choose to embrace any of this autumn’s major trends, be sure to note the details that make the difference between a display of half-hearted efforts and out-and-out charm. Heavier fabrics and woven textures call for more substantial jewelry. The delicate chains and tiny earrings that looked fresh for summer are overwhelmed by the fall styles. Here are some of the biggest trends: Opulence and Russian folklore-inspired looks. This perennial style calls for beads around the neck and bracelets at the wrist. Think huge stones or multiples of necklaces and bracelets to carry out the sense of opulence. Jewels and beads look best in rich, deep colors, and yellow gold generally suits the mood better than cool white metals like platinum and sterling silver. Amber and deep-colored coral are traditional Russian/Eastern European choices for beads. Tassels provide an interesting design detail. Clothing designs that place layers of detail around the face and shoulders call for restraint in the choice of earrings. Skip anything that dangles and can get caught in your collars and scarves. Wear earrings that sit on your earlobes, or leave the earrings off entirely. The Femme Fatale/Hitchcock Woman. Think film noir and mysteries, women with smoky voices and waves in their hair. This look is streamlined and elegant, poised and finished. Jewelry choices should be understated and classic, such as pearls worn at choker length or at the base of the throat. Brooches are a classic choice to complement the clothing, as they add a jaunty touch but stay where you place them and don’t add a sense of unwanted movement. Again here, dangling earrings have no place. Wear stud earrings or larger ear clips that sit on the ear. Menswear. Oversize watches are a key style-maker to classic menswear looks. Also look for chunky men’s style bracelets in silver or gold. Necklaces should be short and simple in design and should just peek out between the collar of your shirt. Stud diamond, rhinestone or pearl earrings complete this look without competing with the lines of the apparel. Black. Black is never truly out of style, but this fall it returns in full force with a bit of Gothic influence. Black beads and stones in jewelry complement this look, and white metals such as platinum and sterling silver are often the accompanying base. If you have warmer skin tones, consider yellow gold rather than white metals for a little bit more kick. Jewelry needs presence to work with all the black, so don’t be afraid to go a little bit larger in the pieces you wear to balance those belts, corsets and chunky boots. Romance. With or without the Russian influence, high-necked blouses with ruffles, lace and self-ties are causing hearts to flutter once again. Some have the dangling cuffs of poets’ shirts. With all that ornamentation at the cuffs, bracelets should be foregone in lieu of large statement rings. Long necklaces should be fairly delicate and can be worn in multiples. A necklace that is too chunky will clash with the gentle romantic design of the blouse. Dangling earrings can be brought into play, but be sure that they complement and don’t distract from the blouse. There are plenty of other choices, some lovely, some not so great. Be cautious of some of the emphasis on layering clashing textures. Layering adds bulk so use this technique judiciously. The ‘70s collegiate look trotted out by some magazines can look very easily like thrift store mistakes. The military look, which also had a resurgence in the ‘70s, is back again in coats and jackets featuring brass buttons. This autumn, as ever, fashion gives us some delicious choices as to how to present ourselves to the world, and some of these trends may speak to you. If any of them do, great! If not, either ignore them or adapt them to your own personal style. And then, be sure to be gracious when you find that others are admiring and copying you.   GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR August/September 2005   Seven tips for finding the potential in your wardrobe - and in yourself!   I’ve always found fall fashions the most exciting of the year. Living in Chicago for over thirty years, I would eagerly tear into the massive August issue of Vogue each July and study it like a textbook to help me deal with the prospect of dressing for the cold months of autumn and winter ahead. I learned early to layer the rich colors and textures of the season and to personalize my style with accessories. The early reports for fall/winter 2005 show the kind of beautiful fashions that makes me wish that all designers would appreciate how much of the American women’s clothing market they are missing by persisting in directing their efforts on the small end of misses’ sizes. Happily, there are a few designers who know how to adapt current styles to flatter curvier women. Even better, many of the accessories that define the season are of a size and scale that work beautifully for the plus-size market. As you strategize your fall/winter wardrobe, here are seven tips to help you find the potential in your clothing.   Tip #1: Shop in your own closet. After you’ve had an opportunity to peruse several of the July and August fashion magazines to see what is currently stylish, and before you set foot in a store or start clicking away on-line, go shopping in your own closet. Pull out all the items that have potential for the season, including shoes, handbags, scarves and jewelry. Critically evaluate each item for fit and condition. If an item’s condition is poor, it’s time for a replacement. Start a pile of discards and a wish list of items you would like to fill in the gaps in your wardrobe. If the condition of an item is good but it doesn’t fit properly, some additional considerations are necessary. Don’t keep wearing that item as is – you’re never going to feel truly comfortable in it, so it will not allow you to feel and be your best, reaching your full potential. Instead, take the following two steps before you decide to eliminate that item from your wardrobe:   Tip #2: Get to know a good tailor. If a garment is the right size but its fit isn’t great, take it to a tailor for alterations. A good tailor can help you find the potential in your clothing. Simple alterations like lowering a high neckline, adding darts to a bodice that bunches at the sides of the chest, lowering the front portion of the waistband in pants, or putting slits into the sides of a top to release the pull across the hips can transform a garment into a comfortable item that flatters. Learn which alterations are typically necessary to make things fit your body (for me, with sleeves, the mantra is “shorten and taper”), and which items can’t be altered or would require major overhauls that are not cost-efficient. This information is invaluable as you shop, because you’ll be able to spot the potential the items that don’t fit perfectly off the rack. Having things altered is not a sign that there is anything wrong with your body – it means only that the garment was not specifically designed for the body you have. Money spent on alterations is money well spent. Add garments to the list of discards if alterations cannot salvage them by making them fit you properly. Tip #3: Ignore the advice that tells you to get rid of clothing that doesn’t fit you now only because your weight has changed. If your weight goes up and down from time to time, IGNORE that bad advice about getting rid of clothing that doesn’t fit. It doesn’t make sense to alter or throw out good clothing that fits you beautifully when you are at a different weight, just because it doesn’t fit you now. For those of us without unlimited clothing budgets, clothing is too expensive to allow for such cavalier behavior. If a garment has become too big or too small, retire it for the time being. Optimally, store different size ranges in separate closets so that what you view as your active wardrobe is ONLY those items that really work for you right now. Since sizes are oftentimes meaningless, find your own code for the size ranges that are too big, too small and just right. In deciding what to store, discard anything that is not in impeccable condition. Tip #4: Shuffle the pieces. Once you’ve tweaked your wardrobe with alterations and weeded out all the items that don’t fit you at your current weight, as well as anything that is worn out and ready to be eliminated from your wardrobe permanently, take a good look at what is left. Chances are, it’s a smaller number of garments and almost all of your accessories. Have some fun with the pieces that are left. Using the current fashion magazines for inspiration, break up matched sets and try different combinations. Don’t forget to include dresses and sweaters in the mix. Add different styles of shoes, handbags and jewelry to expand the range of possible looks from the same basic pieces. Take notes, listing all the pieces including accessories that comprise an ensemble you like. If possible, document the ensembles with photographs. Take notes of items that will complete certain looks – perhaps a certain color sweater, a certain style necklace, or updated shoes – and add these items to your wish list. Tip #5: Shop with your wish list in hand. Now that you’ve discovered the full potential of the clothing and accessories already in your closet, chances are you need less than you might have thought. Take what you’ve learned about what can be altered, and choose your new acquisitions carefully so that they truly work for you. If you’ve had your colors done by an image consultant, using your personal color palette will make the selection process even easier. By understanding the lines of your body, you’ll be able to shop more efficiently. Tip #6: Utilize the power of accessories. The easiest and most easily recognizable wardrobe updates are accomplished with accessories. New shoes and handbags in current styles can update most everything else in your closet. Well-chosen accessories can be some of the best-spent wardrobe dollars for the curvy woman. Brooches and earrings don’t care what size you are. Hats, scarves, rings, necklaces and bracelets found in appropriate sizes will give you a wealth of options for jazzing up your wardrobe. In jewelry, here are some of the hottest trends for fall and winter:   · Multiple necklaces. A great look for most curvy women. Be sure that the various necklaces have some relation to your garments and to each other in design. Avoid a messy tangle – it’s best if each necklace fits completely inside the next larger one. Extra long necklaces work best if you have a relatively small chest or if your breasts are fairly wide-set. It is not attractive to have a necklace swing off the shelf of a bosom or hook around a breast.   · Multiple bracelets. The lavish look continues on the arms. Mix bangles and link bracelets of various widths and textures. If you get too carried away, however, you may lose sight of the curve of your arm and it can look shorter and wider than it is. If you have extremely long arms, however, multiple bracelets can make your arms appear more in proportion to your body. Evaluate the look of bracelets in a full-length mirror. Strong bracelets on both wrists can add a horizontal line at the line of the thighs, which may not be a desired effect. Also be cautious about the noise factor with jangling bracelets if you work in an environment where your colleagues won’t want to hear you approaching. · Brooches. The versatility of brooches keeps them on the hot list. Use them creatively and in multiples for maximum impact. Pin them anywhere you’d like extra impact, including the neck of a turtleneck, a purse or a hat. Tip #7: Let your personality show. Now that you’ve organized your wardrobe and begun the fun of finding the perfect pieces to complete it, allow yourself to gravitate to the colors and textures that speak to you and delight you. Enjoy a brooch that serves as a conversation piece; a soft, touchable sweater; a hat that confidently displays attitude. The way you dress speaks volumes. When your wardrobe is operating at full potential and you know you look good, you’re ready to show the world your true potential       GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR   June/July 2005     How to use  the latest trends to reveal the real you   With warmer weather upon us, once again the fashion industry has produced a bumper crop of fashions to adorn and delight us.  Florals and global influences, worn either from head to toe or in carefully edited accessories, done right, can give us a fashion-forward edge.  Done poorly, we become fashion victims.   How we dress strongly influences the impression we make on others.  People draw conclusions about others in mere seconds, before even a word is spoken.   Through the way we dress and adorn ourselves, we reveal our true selves to the world.    Some of us have adopted signature looks, instantly recognizable, like a certain hairstyle, a color of lipstick, bright-framed glasses or eye-catching hats, “message” brooches (think former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright) or jangling charm bracelets.   Or we may have adopted signature colors (think Elle Woods from “Legally Blonde” and the color pink).  All of these choices reveal a certain confidence that transcends the offerings of current fashion.   For many of us, part of what we want to reveal to the world is our fashion savvy.  For us, staying current in trends is an essential part of our personal image. Truly staying au courant requires that we be closely attentive not only to what the new trends are, but also to what makes each of them work.    For example, InStyle magazine interprets a key current silhouette as volume without bulk, with fabrics such as chiffon, organza, gazar, tulle and lace.  But these clothes are not shapeless. “Structure, through draping, belting or corseting, allows one to appear to glide on a cloud rather than appear airborne.  So, no-no to a muumuu.  For those who are older, structure should corset the upper torso.  Resist the billowing sleeves and go for a goddesslike skirt or train. . . .”  In Bazaar magazine, Suzy Menkes urges:  “Before you step into spring’s full skirts, baggy pants and billowy blouses, you need to master the season’s proportions.  When in doubt, whittle your waist . . . .”  Oscar de la Renta is quoted as saying that one of the rules for making volume work is that “the silhouette should always be kept slender between waist and hips.”  Slender between waist and hips?  This is not a style for someone with womanly curves!  Does this mean that a full-figured woman needs to sidestep the volume trend entirely?    One interpretation of this trend toward volume without bulk that works well on many full-figured women is an empire-style dress, which skims over the waist and hips. Queen Latifah is often photographed in this style, looking beautiful.  Tunics can also be flattering, especially for those without a defined waist.  Draped necklines can be exceptionally lovely on almost everyone and keep the eye focused up toward the face.  Approach with caution the voluminous hippie-bohemian skirts, big floral prints and shiny materials that draw the eye to places you’d rather not highlight.      What this focus on structure and silhouette means is that, if current styles dictate that balancing a tiered peasant skirt calls for a skinny top, but you have an ample bosom and no waist, stay clear of that look.  It won’t work on your body.  And that’s perfectly alright!  Don’t wear styles that are unflattering. You can still reveal to the world your fashion savvy.   What you can do, and do exceptionally well, is catch the current trends in smaller doses.  The key, of course, is accessories.  As More magazine notes, if the head-to-toe look is too much, wear one embellished piece to give your basics a kick. Combine textures. And have fun with fashion!   Wedge shoes are big again.  If you can take the heel height, enjoy them.  They range in height from small wedges to sky-high.  They’re not dressy enough for business wear, but they look great with casual clothes.  For a more elegant look, snakeskin bags and shoes are once again at the forefront of chic fashion.  For fun, consider textured pastel metallics.    Big slouchy bags are part of the bohemian look, but choose these judiciously, so your look doesn’t trend toward sloppiness.  As noted by Vogue magazine’s style guru, Mrs. Exeter, in her March 2005 column, directed particularly toward women of a certain age, “I don’t like anything that droops, and global looks tend to droop.  I don’t even like chandelier earrings.  I don’t care how much something sparkles; if it droops, then any dazzling effects are mitigated as admiring eyes are drawn downward.  . . . Droop is gravity’s relentless ex-husband, so beware.  Always stick with clothing and accessories that lift the eye up, not down.”  This is advice worth keeping in mind, whatever your age.   There are two key trends in jewelry for summer 2005, both of which can be delightful on the full-figured woman because they both involve volume.    The first big trend is bangles, worn in multiples.  People magazine calls bangles “the trend of the season.”  Plastic and wooden bangles are hot, right along the genuine fine jewelry versions studded with gemstones!  Mix them up, and come up with your own eye-pleasing combinations.  Wear two or three – okay, maybe four or five or more – and  keep an eye out for hinged or open back bangles for comfort and ease of wear.    Don’t assume that you need wide cuff-like bangles if you’re full-figured.  Look to the size of your facial features for a clue as to the optimal width of the bracelets.  If you have large eyes or a large nose or mouth, wider bracelets will suit you.  If your features are delicate, choose narrower bracelets, but don’t hesitate to pile them on.    Be sure to try on a bangle bracelet before purchase.  Many of them are small, and it’s  horrid to be scraping your hand as you try to free yourself from a bracelet that doesn’t want to come off.  Also give your arm a bit of open space, or you risk the look of a “sausage” or “cankles” effect when you completely hide the beautiful curves of the lower arm and wrist.    The second big trend in jewelry for summer 2005 is beaded necklaces, worn in multiples.  What fun that these are back in style in a big way!  Combining colors and textures is a fun way to add some pizzazz to your basic wardrobe.  Check antique shops and eBay for inexpensive additions to your collection and experiment with different combinations.  If you do want to play with combinations (and who can resist?), seek to include some unifying elements.  The elements can be:   one or two common colors, materials (pearls or plastics; white metal or yellow), the same intensity of colors (for example, all pastels or all deep colors), or the same scale of elements.    By “scale of elements” I’m referring to the scale of the detail of the jewelry.  As a general rule, if you combine a big chunky set of beads with a fragile chain and filigree pendant, the latter will be overwhelmed by the beads.  Wear necklaces that work together to give your ensemble cohesiveness and balance.   Above all, never adopt a trend just because it’s trendy.  I was delighted to see the April issue of Glamour magazine address the question “Do I have to wear that?”  Their response:  “Nobody has to wear . . . anything she doesn’t personally love.  Sure, lots of us feel moments (OK, weeks) of uncertainty (OK, low-grade panic) as we’re pummeled by trends and confounded by ‘ins’ and ‘outs.’ But trust me, with time you’ll realize, ‘Duh. No way I’m gonna put on a python print.’  Sitting out a trend or 10 is more than all right, more than smart:  It’s empowering.”  Brava, Glamour!    Adapt the latest trends selectively.  Wear what suits you, what is flattering to your face and figure, what makes you feel terrific when you put it on.  When you wear what you love, you reveal your true self to the world.          GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR April/May 2005     Oscars, Oscars 2005 - a study in repetition   Repetition can be a good thing, a useful tool.  Repetition adds emphasis.  It helps others remember something you are communicating.    In fashion, repetition can bring attention to the shape, motif or color repeated.   But repetition is not always a good thing.  If you launch into your favorite joke for the umpteenth time and the people around you are groaning, you’ve learned this lesson.   The competing coverage of the red carpet arrivals before the Academy Awards this year – were there four or more channels doing simultaneous broadcasts? – did not add to the amount of information conveyed.  Although E! and TV Guide Channel tried to one-up each other (Star Jones Reynolds for E! repeating ad nauseum that she was positioned to have the first crack at arriving celebrities; Joan and Melissa Rivers for TV Guide Channel topping E!’s pearl-studded microphone with a microphone covered in rubies), the quality of information conveyed was decidedly sub-par.  Hearing the same questions repeated (again and again) by multiple interviewers on multiple channels was perhaps only a bit more boring for the audience than it was for the celebrities who gallantly tried to keep things fresh with each new interview.   We heard the commentators gush (and deservedly so) over Cate Blanchett’s star-worthy yellow silk taffeta gown by Valentino, with its elegant lines and lavish train.  Although Ms. Blanchett was standing directly in front of them, the commentators couldn’t agree as to whether the waist of her dress was the color chocolate brown (as stated by the E! Fashion Police) or maroon (as offered by the team on the TV Guide Channel).  And despite the fact that the dress was set off by the most exquisite brooch of pastel colored gemstones, we had to hunt through numerous post-Oscar reports to find any mention of the fact that the brooch was designed by Lorraine Schwartz in emeralds and diamonds.  People magazine reported that Valentino designed the dress and specifically instructed Ms. Blanchett to adorn it with a large brooch – and, by the way, People never got around to telling us what that mystery color is!   Brooches continued in a starring role at this year’s Oscars, often used creatively to accent the back of a gown or the hair.  Drew Barrymore accented the back of her black halter-style gown with a large diamond brooch by Lorraine Schwartz.  A pair of diamond dress clips added dazzle to Kate Winslet’s elegant periwinkle Badgley Mischka gown.  Ms. Winslet also wore diamond clips in her hair and lovely diamond drop earrings, all by Neil Lane.    Scarlett Johansson looking lovely in a structured black dress by Roland Mouret with three vintage Fred Leighton starburst brooches sewn into a ribbon and pinned in her hair.  She has grown into one of the most poised and lovely movie stars of our time, her impeccable posture and composure belying the fact that the dress was so tight she confessed she could hardly breathe, and that the blonde hair so beautifully adorned was looking a bit fried – perhaps too much repetition of bleach?   Sophie Okonedo was lovely with a long strand of spaced pearls worn around her up-do, but was seriously in need of some additional jewelry to add star power to her strapless white gown.  Here’s one case where repetition definitely would have finished the look.   One dress that needed almost no jewelry to make a splash was that of Hilary Swank.  She gets kudos for wearing a backless navy blue dress with a seriously demure front sure to raise controversy.  Unfortunately, for many people, it reminded of Celine Dion’s disaster a few years ago of a backwards white suit.  And only a body trained to the peak of perfect, as Hilary’s has been since her last movie, could wear this Guy Laroche creation.  For most women, my advice is don’t try this at home!   Other relative newcomers on the red carpet channeled looks from celebrities who preceded them, sometimes by years and sometimes by mere weeks.  Most notable for this fashion faux pas was Natalie Portman, who looked lovely in her Grecian putty-colored gown by Lanvin, but was the spittin’ image of Winona Ryder with a crystal headband in her tightly controlled hairdo.    Shame on the stylist of Catalina Sandino Moreno for not knowing that the Roberto Cavalli dress trimmed with sparkling metallic strips had been done and done again at the Grammy’s a couple of weeks ago.  Nonetheless, the dress was perfection on Catalina.    Contrast the youthful loveliness of Ms. Sandino Moreno with the overblown pretentiousness of the get-up of Emmy Rossum.  She must have bought her strapless Ralph Lauren column dresses in bulk.  We saw white at the Emmy’s, pink at another function written up in Elle magazine, and now red, each time worn with demi-parures of gemstones fit for a dowager and provided by Harry Winston.  This 18-year-old has the figure and the large facial features to enable her to take some chances and loosen up.  Her inappropriate choice of jewelry makes her look old beyond her years.   Halle Berry was another celebrity who wore a style we’ve seen on her before, and it didn’t look much better the second time around.  Once again she chose a single-strap gown, this one in taupe from Versace.  As one of my male friends noted, it made it look as though one of her breasts was larger than the other.  Here repetition of the strap on the other side might have made all the difference.   One area where repetition was a good thing was in longevity.  The young starlets might do well to look at some of the women who have demonstrated staying power in the movies.  Imelda Staunton chose a dress that suited her petite frame perfectly, created for her by costume designer John Bright.  Her fitted dress in teal taffeta with a skirt that was tea-length at the front and dipped to formal length in the back, three-quarters length sleeves, and a collar high in the back but providing flattering décolletage, was spectacular.  Ms. Staunton wore an interesting diamond squiggle brooch to emphasize the décolletage and added the perfect size diamond circlet earrings at her ears.   Another stand-out was Helen Mirren, whose Badgley Mischka gown was designed with elaborate patterns of lacey grey that set off every curve of her figure.  She wore a stunning princess-length diamond necklace but then – perhaps repeating the current trend toward multiple necklaces – inexplicably added two extra-long strands of diamonds that cascaded over her chest and added nothing to her ensemble.   Oprah Winfrey positively dazzled in her golden Vera Wang gown featuring a flattering portrait neckline, her hair in loose curls.  She seemed to be having the time of her life, and we enjoyed every moment right along with her.    Other stand-outs included Salma Hayek, who was sheer perfection in her custom-made Prada dress of midnight blue accented with black bows and tasteful beading, and makeup and hairstyle reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot.  Her diamond and sapphire drop earrings were the perfect finishing touch.    Ziyi Zhang also was a model of perfection, wearing one of the most spectacular diamond necklaces of the night, which was custom made for her by Bulgari to complement her perfectly cut black dress of lace and tulle by Monique Lhuillier. The necklace had two strands of diamonds, each one accented with a starburst design at front center, and the lower strand featuring two dangling starbursts.    Gwyneth Paltrow once again chose a dress with an ill-fitting bodice – this time in pastel pink by Stella McCartney.  However, her large multi-loop diamond earrings and bracelet of diamonds in a cut-out design by Damiani, an Italian line for whom she is a spokesmodel, were lovely.    I find it remarkable how many of the celebrities fail to take the time to make certain that their fashion choices are flattering.  Usually this is due to poor fit.  Often this is due to a lack of good foundations underpinning the dresses.     Star Jones Reynolds continues to be desperately in need of a good stylist to guide her.  First, Star’s sleeveless dress of a gold material by Richard Tyler did not fit her properly front or back.  Star had this problem before, with last year’s Oscar dresses being similarly ill-fitting.  Here’s one area where repetition is key:  You MUST make the time for repeated dress fittings, especially when your weight is changing.  Second, Star chose once again to overload on a mismatched collection of big jewelry – an enormous necklace with big earrings, two bangle bracelets and a mismatched lattice-motif necklace adorning the false curls pinned to the back of her head in an elaborate updo.  While going matchy-matchy with jewelry (a la Emmy Rossum) is considered overly conservative, jewelry worn together MUST have some consistency in design and materials to give an ensemble some finesse.    Melanie Griffith presented another important lesson.  Her lavender-grey Versace dress, which appeared to come straight from the 1980’s, had a deep décolletage accentuated by drapes of fabric on her arms.  The effect:  Her lack of good foundations made her breasts look saggy and the swoops of fabric on the sleeves repeated that line and made the sagginess even more pronounced.    Another actress in dire need of a better-fitting dress and/or better foundations is Regina King, whose dress of warm taupe with cascading flowers was pretty enough, but didn’t hide the problems with fit.  Satin is notoriously unforgiving.  She chose long drop earrings that added too much fussiness near the elaborate neckline, which could easily have stood on its own. Add to that her choice of wearing this year’s million-dollar diamond Stuart Weitzman shoes, and if I were that sponsor, I would not be happy.  When you wear million dollar shoes, you’d better look like a million bucks.   Finally, I was disappointed with the fashion choices of Laura Linney, who wore a gown of tattered ruffles of grey that fit her well enough but washed out her complexion, a hairstyle approaching the look of a bad mullet, and a long-necklace of pearls culminating in diamond yin/yang symbols wrapped twice around her neck and tied in front in a slipknot that kept slipping.  At an important event, do NOT wear accessories that require your attention, no matter how beautiful they look in the store.   Learn from the celebrities’ mistakes and from their successes.  Wear the correct foundations.  Particularly for special occasions, and optimally all the time, make sure that your apparel fits properly.  Choose jewelry that flatters and doesn’t require you to fuss over it.  Learn what colors and styles work for you, and then be confident in the repetition of your delightfully flattering choices.         GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR February/March 2005   Grammy Awards Spin Gold and Platinum   Maybe the Grammy Awards are becoming more mainstream, but the gorgeous, figure-flattering fashions on display were a far cry from the baggy, shapeless garments favored by recording artists so often in the recent past.    Gold and platinum were huge, and not just in the best-selling albums of the artists.  Dresses were edged or wrapped in shiny metallics, often in mixes of hues, for a dazzling effect.  In performing with her husband, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez wore a pastel grey-green blouson, halter-style dress with a wrap of mixed silver and gold worn around her hips that emphasized her famous derriere.  Usher’s date, model Eishia Brightwell, wore a short Gucci dress in soft yellow with metallic gold similarly emphasizing her hips.    Metallics, especially in mixes of subtle shimmery hues, are a look that can make any woman feel glamorous.   Use metallic accessories such as handbags, shoes, scarves and wraps, to bring add dazzle to your wardrobe without busting the budget.  But wear a metallic hip wrap only if you want to draw attention to that particular – uh, asset!    Roberto Cavalli, a designer favoring the use of metallics, was the designer of choice for the evening, having persuaded many of the biggest artists to wear his fashions.  Alicia Keys and Beyonce wore white and black versions, respectively, of Cavalli dresses similar in that they were edged at the sleeveless shoulders with a wide metallic band.  Alicia’s also featured cut-outs at the waist and emphasis on the hips.  Similarly, Sheryl Crow and Jamie Foxx’s date, Leila Arcieri, wore yellow and pink versions, respectively, of a halter style dress with a large, metallic-edged bite taken out of the left midsection of the dress.  I’m greatly surprised that the Cavalli team didn’t help the celebrities avoid wearing the same dresses.  Hopefully next year, the artists will be a little more creative and less lemming-like in their wardrobe selections.   Along with hip wraps, empire style dresses were another key trend.  Queen Latifah hosted the evening, wearing two beautiful creations by Bradley Bayou for Halston.  The first, in bright red with a sparkling golden belt buckle emphasizing the empire waist of the dress, was accessorized with a stunning wide golden necklace befitting a queen.  An empire waist was also seen on the Cavalli dress worn by Beyonce.    When Latifah changed into a strapless black number to croon a jazz standard, she chose a princess-length necklace of diamonds in platinum with beautiful and interesting drop earrings to match – classic and stunning. After her performance, Latifah put on her third and most casual ensemble of the evening -- grey slacks and top worn with a short shiny black leather jacket and long drop earrings.    Another artist who took a quasi-casual approach to the evening was Jill Scott, who covered up her black and metallic silver ensemble with a short jeans jacket sporting a black feathery brooch.  I would have liked to see the line of her jacket coordinate with the line of the long vee of her sparkly top to give her a longer line.     Dressing up in slacks was done to perfection by the marvelous Mavis Staples.  She wore black slacks and a low-cut v-neck top with a black jacket dotted with black sequins, and she looked gorgeous, proving that fabulous style is not just for the very young.   One style that is suitable only for the very young is the long Petro Zillia gown of white splashed with enormous multi-color mod flowers worn by Joss Stone.  If you are full-figured, avoid oversized patterns unless you have either a big personality and/or large facial features – eyes, nose and/or mouth -- that give monster-size posies some relation to your physical features, and even then, please tread carefully.     The mellow warmth of yellow gold pushed ahead of the platinum and white gold jewelry that reigned at the Golden Globes.  From Alicia Key’s stack of golden bangles to large yellow gold earrings worn by Beyonce, Ashanti, Janet Jackson, and Fergie of the Black-Eyed Peas, among others, yellow gold was the metal of the moment.  Even the men, including Tim McGraw and Usher chose layered yellow gold necklaces, with Usher adding several yellow gold chain bracelets to his ensemble.   As I write this, Hollywood is gearing up for the Academy Awards.  Which of the trends we’ve seen so far this year will continue, and which have already had their day in the limelight?  Stay tuned for the next installment as awards season continues.  GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR January 2005   Golden Globes a Dazzling Feast of Color   The Golden Globes awards show itself seemed almost interminably long to me, especially after clicking back and forth to watch two hours of red carpet coverage by competing commentators. But, like watching the Super Bowl for the commercials, watching the Golden Globes for the fashions is one of the rites of spring. It’s a first glance at the first trends of the year. And, go figure, Star Jones Reynolds stated that she had been “instructed to stop gushing and stop talking about clothes” while hosting “Live from the Red Carpet: Golden Globes.” What a silly, misguided instruction! A question for E! Entertainment: Why do you think we watch the show, if not for the fashions? This spring, fashion is a dazzling feast of color. The ubiquitous black that shrouded almost everyone at the People’s Choice Awards the previous week was largely relegated to the back of the closet, as the vast majority of stars stepped out in a glorious range of hues that went well beyond the subdued pastels and muted beiges prevalent at last year’s Academy Awards. Nicole Kidman looked beautiful in a teal satin confection by Gucci, accented by peacock feathers that Ms. Kidman herself added, to delightful effect. Here’s an example of how adding a bit of your own personality can make a look. Charlize Theron, sporting dark brunette hair, wore an exquisite shade of dark blue satin by Dior, and Chopard earrings featuring over 36 carats of aquamarine that brought out the color of her eyes. Sandra Oh dazzled in a raspberry gown, Claire Danes in orchid, Kerry Washington in turquoise blue, and Mariska Hargitay in a luscious shade of pink. Well-chosen colors flatter and delight the eye in a way that basic black cannot. Learn what colors suit you, and revel in them! A delightful surprise (and great news for all of us brown-eyed girls) was the strong showing of brown in all the shades of a coffee house’s offerings, from cool browns, almost black in hue, as seen in the currently brunette Renee Zellweger’s chic short dress by Carolina Herrera, to the warmer caramel-touched hue of Hillary Swank’s satin column by Calvin Klein. Marcia Cross looked lovely in a Richard Tyler dress of cut velvet in multiple shades of brown that set off her beautiful red hair. Some efforts at incorporating color were less successful. Notable among these was the elaborate and stunning Donna Karan halter dress of draping, braiding and cut-outs worn by Teri Hatcher. Although the dress was reportedly custom-designed, the color – an icy grey – was too cool for the golden skin of Ms. Hatcher. I would have loved to have seen this dress done in a warm brown. Despite the color, the pure joy on Ms. Hatcher’s face delighted and made fans of us all! Silver was more effectively worn by Minnie Driver, who looked beautiful in a lace confection by Randolph Duke that perfectly set off her curves and complemented her naturally cooler coloring. Scarlett Johansson can teach us all a thing or two about posture and attitude. She looked every inch the movie star. Unfortunately, her unusually hued dusky apricot-colored dress and dark red lipstick clashed, detracting from her image. While matching lipstick to dress is not the fashion today, as a general rule, be sure that the reddish hues you wear are in the same color family. There were few full-figured actresses in the spotlight this time. (Queen Latifah, we missed you!) Star Jones Reynolds was gorgeous in a sea foam green dress by designer Kevin Hall designed to flatter her curves, and went for quality over quantity in her jewelry. Her $7 million 54-carat emerald-cut diamond brooch by Chopard was an example of ostentatious but understated elegance. Brooches made other notable appearances. Halle Berry carried off a dress notoriously difficult to wear, designed by Valentino, with fourteen tiers of ruffles in a soft shade of taupe, accessorized with an amazing brooch of multi-hued faceted stones sparkling at her bodice. In earrings, the styles were predominantly long, in all manner of styles and widths. This is the best of all possible worlds, for it means that there is something flattering for everyone! Notice how apparent body size, relative size of facial features and personality affect choice of jewelry. For example, Annette Bening wore small yet dazzling earrings and delicate diamond bracelets that suit her small frame and features. In contrast, tiny (is she even a size zero?) Eva Longoria wore huge emerald chandelier earrings by H. Stern, which would overwhelm the average petite woman, but worked for her because of her large mouth relative to her overall size and also because of her vibrant personality. (I would have preferred to see the earrings set in white metal rather than yellow gold, however, as the bright green and yellow was a bit too warm-toned for Ms. Longoria.) Contrast the success of Ms. Longoria’s look with the effect of the earrings worn by newcomer Emmy Rossum, whose huge, opulent Harry Winston emerald and diamond earrings, though magnificent, would have much better suited a seasoned dowager than a 19-year-old actress. Ms. Rossum has large facial features and therefore will generally look better in more substantial jewelry, but a more youthful design would have been much more flattering. Notice the exceptional choice of diamond Harry Winston earrings worn by Claire Danes, which were not too narrow and which extended exactly the length from her earlobes to her jawline – sheer perfection. Ashley Judd chose a pair of Martin Katz vintage earrings of diamonds and enamel with a delicate bow design, absolutely exquisite with her fine features. We saw all manner of wonderful, interesting necklines, with many asymmetrical drapings and one-shoulder gowns. Because of the level of detail of the necklines, necklaces were not as prevalent as usual but, as always, there were styles worth noting. Debra Messing was the epitome of taste in a princess-length strand of large black pearls worn with her deep vee-cut silk gown. Notice that the size of the pearls relate to her relatively large features. Debi Mazer wore a diamond and pearl drop necklace with an undulating design that was reminiscent of, and therefore beautifully complemented, her heart-shaped face. Note, however, how the drops at the ends of Ms. Mazer’s long, linear earrings brought the eye down; shorter earrings that end near her earlobes would have been more flattering and would have competed less with the necklace. Kate Hudson wore an unusual, wide choker of peridot and sapphire that looked to be set in vintage plastic and which also looked terribly uncomfortable. Raquel Welch looked amazing at age 78(!) in a figure-hugging Mark Jacobs gown accessorized with an exquisite Van Cleef and Arpels necklace in a structured asymmetrical design as curvaceous and timelessly sexy as the woman wearing it. The trend of wearing multiple necklaces was not in evidence at this year’s Golden Globes. I noted two exceptions: Angelica Huston piled on two enormous multi-strand diamond necklaces to bring interest to her simple black long-sleeved gown, and Evangeline Lilly wore two insubstantial and unrelated necklaces that detracted from the lines of her classic scoop-neck black dress. The multi-necklace approach can be charming for casual wear, but tends not to work well for more formal occasions. If you choose to adapt the style of wearing multiple necklaces, remember that the pieces work best when they have some relatedness in materials and design – merely consisting of the same metal or stones is not sufficient to bring harmony to your ensemble. Another lesson from the Golden Globes: Going without jewelry, and particularly, foregoing earrings, with a formal gown tends to make the look unfinished. Renee Zellweger’s cocktail-length dress just begged for some glittery earrings to complete the ensemble and bring attention to her face, especially since she chose to wear her hair back in a tight ponytail. I thought the ponytails sported by Renee Zellweger, Hillary Swank and Portia de Rossi looked fresh and chic. This hairstyle brings attention to great bone structure in the face. A ponytail also spotlights the ears, so if you choose to wear this style, be mindful of the shape of your ears. If they are flat to your head, as in the case of Ms. Zellweger or de Rossi, then a no-earrings look is fine. If you wish to camouflage prominent ears, however, use earrings large enough to cover the earlobes, avoiding earrings that dangle from wires, and wide enough to extend the line of the ears. In bracelets, bangles were a popular choice, often worn in multiples, as seen on Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, Kate Winslet and Star Jones Reynolds, among others. Diamond link bracelets were, as always, a popular choice, seen on Mischa Barton, Jennifer Garner, Marcia Cross, Nicollette Sheridan, Teri Hatcher, and a multitude of other stars. Bracelets are an appropriate choice for virtually every woman, as they highlight beautiful hands and arms but, at the same time, can distract the eye from imperfections of the hands and arms. That’s just another example of the delightful power of jewelry.     GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR December 2004   Love Actually   It’s year-end.  A time for reflection. A time to ask “What if?” and “Why not?”  even as we contemplate making resolutions for the coming year.  And it’s the perfect time to invite more love into each of our lives.   Awaiting the flurry of celebrity-laden awards shows that start airing in January, I’ve been delighting in repeated viewings on cable of the movie “Love Actually,” a 2003 release from British writer, producer and director Richard Curtis.  He’s the creative genius who also wrote the screenplays for the two Bridget Jones movies with their wonderful message that a rounder, softer body is not, by any means, an obstacle to finding love.    And with “Love Actually,” a patchwork of love stories, that message resounds in force.    Hugh Grant plays the new British Prime Minister, who is charmed by his catering manager, Natalie, played by Martine McCutcheon.     [talking about her ex-boyfriend] Natalie: He says no one's going to fancy a girl with thighs the size of big tree trunks. Not a nice guy, actually, in the end. Prime Minister: Right. Goodness. Well, well. You know, being Prime Minister, I could just have him murdered. Natalie: Thank you, sir. I'll think about it. Prime Minister: Do. The SAS are absolutely charming. Ruthless trained killers are just a phone call away.   Natalie’s chubbiness is no obstacle to her appeal.  She manages to attract not only the P.M., but also the visiting American president, played by Billy Bob Thornton.  Her weight receives comment from fellow staffers and even from her own father, urging “Come along, Plumpie” as the family prepares to head out for a Christmas Eve holiday pageant, but that name is spoken with affection, not derision.  And in the end, ever so delightfully, Natalie gets her man.   British appreciation for the fuller figure these days goes beyond the screen to real life. Co-starring in the Bridget Jones movies, the gorgeous (but alas, married) star Colin Firth told Elle magazine:  “[T]here’s nothing unattractive about Renee [Zellweger] when she’s, uh, you know, filled out a bit.  There are plenty of incredibly sexy chubby women out there.”    My message this holiday season is to urge each of you to appreciate yourself, really appreciate yourself.  Take stock of your unique beauty—the lines and curves, colors and textures of your body, your face, your eyes, nose, mouth, hair—the elements that comprise your physical self.  Reflect upon your skills, talents, intellect, creativity, compassion, goodness and personality.  Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a dear friend.  Honor the marvelous unique being you are, inside and out.  And show the world what an extraordinary woman you are by the image you present.      Resolve not to be a fashion victim.  Don’t settle.  Learn what works for you, uniquely you.  Find styles and colors that truly flatter.  Hold out for just the right look from head to toe.  Buy the best quality you can afford.  Put money into alterations to get the perfect sleeve width, a better style of neckline, an even hem. Use accessories of appropriate scale to personalize your style, making it a memorable reflection of you.    Love yourself actually.  And allow the world to love you back.   Wishing you love this holiday season.       GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR November 2004   Curves and Coziness for Autumn How luscious are the textures and colors beckoning us as cooler weather sets in! Lightweight clothing is relegated to the back of the closet, except for a few versatile, sexy and spare pieces that work year-round for special event parties and hitting the night life. And the summer's pretty embellished camisoles and tops continue to work under autumn’s structured jackets and textured cardigans. Warm layers and more substantial textures call for substantial embellishment this fall. Fashion spreads are filled with great ideas for ways to add the bling bling that catches the eye and adds a bit of personality to your every ensemble. Let’s take a look at a few of the current trends that can add style, warmth and richness as they complement our curves and revitalize our wardrobes this fall. (Real or faux) fur scarves and collars: What makes this look work is having some length to your neck. If your neck is short and particularly if it is wide relative to the width of your face, don’t add bulk to it with thick fur pieces wrapped around it. These will only visually shorten you. Instead, wear cashmere or fine woolen scarves that lie closer to your neck for warmth, and try these options for incorporating a bit of fur into your wardrobe: An oversize scarf trimmed with fur that can be tied over a coat or draped over one shoulder for a dramatic effect. A fur hat, which can both add a bit of height and jazz up any outfit, casual or dressy. A fur muff – think the romance of “Dr. Zhivago”! Sweaters: The epitome of coziness! There are some great options for fall, including wonderful knee-length or longer sweater coats. Be sure your choice skims over your curves and doesn’t cup your behind when the coat is buttoned in order to achieve a flattering long line. Layering a long chunky sweater over a thin feminine top is a very current look. The lightweight top lying close to your body highlights your curves while the sweater gives the eye a vertical sweep emphasizing the length of your body. Rounded Shapes in Shoes and Bags: For a woman with serious curves, this autumn’s choices in shoes and bags include trendy alternatives in delightful shapes reminiscent of those curves. If the lines of your body or your facial features include straight lines as, for example, if you have very straight eyebrows, then accessories with strong lines, such as rectangular handbags and shoes with pointed toes, will relate to the straight lines of your person and bring an emphasis to them. However, if you are composed entirely of curved lines, as many full-figured women are, then look for handbags and shoes that are designed around curves. Soft shapes in handbags, including rounded shapes in evening bags (see examples by Ferragamo and Chloe in the November issue of Elle) and of course the highly popular satchels, and the new round-toe pumps are excellent ways to bring flattering curved designs into your wardrobe. They will relate to the lines of your body and subtly flatter you in ways that straighter line designs cannot. Kitten heels are another trend that allow for the comfort of lower heels in shoes while still incorporating curves and providing a graceful feminine line to the legs. And, of course, Jewelry: And for the final touch this fall, add bold touches of jewelry. Remember that your jewelry should relate to your choices in apparel. The bulky sweaters and warmer fall fabrics of autumn can take on more substantial jewelry than you might choose to wear with your summer clothing. On the other hand, the layered look of lightweight pieces under chunky sweaters and tweed jackets inherently includes a combination of textures and styles that is pleasingly accessorized with multiple necklaces in complementary styles worn together. Wear necklaces in multiples if and when the necklines of your ensembles can accommodate. If you choose to replicate the look of multiples at your wrists, be mindful of the wear and tear on bracelets that are banging into one another. If your bracelets are set with stones, check them often to make certain that they aren’t loose or missing. Be especially cautious when combining bracelets of soft materials such as pearls with bracelets of hard metals. If you choose to wear a substantial necklace or multiple necklaces, generally it is preferable that your earrings take a lesser role. Choose coordinating stud earrings or larger earrings that end at or above your jawline so that the earrings complement and don’t compete with the necklaces. Choose the features you want to emphasize by the conscious placement of your brooch or brooches on your person. Keep the brooches near your face to focus attention there. Interesting pairs or trios of pins make a bold statement with a demonstration of creativity and wit. Adding touches of (real or faux) yellow or rose gold can add a warmth to the rich tweeds and wools of your autumn wardrobe that the cooler white metals alone can’t achieve. If you prefer white metals, incorporating colored stones in the warmer hues – reds, oranges, ambers and browns – can achieve a similar effect. Let me leave you this month with one final thought: As the temperature drops, whatever your budget and personal style, never forget that you have the power to spread feelings of worth and warmth wherever you go.     GEMS FROM THE JEWELRY COUNSELOR October 2004 The 2004 Primetime Emmy Awards   After the long summer lull without awards shows, the Primetime Emmy Awards gave us a peek at what some of our favorite celebrities are wearing these days.  In a way, the timing is odd from a purely fashion perspective, in that an 85-degree September afternoon in Los Angeles is generally not conducive to wearing the styles being introduced for the fall.  Still, with the prospect of a cooler evening and an air conditioned hall facing the attendees, they brought us a mix of textures from summery, bare satin dresses to velvet cloaks and from feathers to fur.  The eye was delighted with the range of hues, from pretty pastels to rich earth tones to classic black and white to the most intense citrus colors.    How delightful to see full-figured celebrity Star Jones at the microphone for E! Entertainment Television’s “Live from the Red Carpet.”  She dazzled, and her enthusiasm was infectious.    As appropriate for a diva, as she laughingly commented, she wore two different dresses as host of the red carpet show.  The first, a golden confection by Marc Bouwer, had a beaded halter-style bodice highlighting Ms. Jones’s spectacular décolletage. What was puzzling was her choice of jewelry.  She wore huge thin diamond hoop earrings and a beautiful diamond bracelet of over an inch in width with what appeared to be an elaborate flower design clasp on her right wrist.  These were lovely choices separately but had nothing in common from a design perspective other than the use of diamonds, the one being very contemporary in feeling, the other vintage in design.  Then she added what appeared to be two necklaces, or possibly one very long necklace doubled up.  The first necklace was a pretty chain of diamond-shaped links that fell between her breasts (a fashion no-no) and ended on her stomach (ditto – it’s just not the best point of emphasis for most women).  The second necklace, composed of the same diamond-shaped links, ended above her cleavage in a huge tasseled pendant that bore no resemblance in design to the diamond earrings or bracelet.  The tassel needed to be adjusted all evening but the stylists on the set didn’t seem to notice.  Doing away with the necklaces or choosing designs with a common style or theme would have presented a much more elegant look.  It was more than a surfeit of necklaces that was problematic with Star Jones’s second ensemble for the evening. I’ve never before seen a dress by Badgley Mischka fail, but this one did. The pale pink “lingerie-style” gown didn’t fit her properly at the bustline, creating an obvious gap. The gown seemed to have a corset-like mid-section that focused attention there. Ms. Jones wore a shrug made of “summer chinchilla” that seemed to get twisted around and fall awkwardly as she moved. By the end of her segment she had discarded it entirely. And she tried unsuccessfully to cover up the bodice problems again with long necklaces that leaped over the gap. The Fred Leighton diamond earrings that replaced the hoops were lovely. But another fashion faux pas was the bracelet that appeared to be a necklace looped repeatedly around her wrist. Like the shrug, it loosened and unwrapped with each successive bit on camera, until it was hanging off her wrist. Surprisingly, no one came to her assistance to assist with these wardrobe malfunctions. Star, we love you, but you need (a) an on-site assistant, and (b) a good stylist who understands how to dress and accessorize the fuller figure!  I was so looking forward for Star Jones to correct an oversight we’ve seen in years past when Joan Rivers hosted the pre-awards show: Almost to a person, a full-figured celebrity is never asked who designed her dress or accessories. To my great disappointment, Ms. Jones did nothing to correct this oversight, and not an iota of information about the designers to the plus-size market was either sought or shared. Similarly, the E! Entertainment “Fashion Police” in their post-awards show, discussed briefly the fashions of select celebrities over age 50, but only the designers of the apparel of Bonnie Hunt (in Kevin Hall), Stockard Channing (in Zac Posen) and Barbara Walters (in Donna Karan) were mentioned, whereas the designers for Doris Roberts and Tyne Daly, the fuller-figured members of that group, were once again completely ignored.  Taking a closer look, Doris Roberts looked lovely in a scoop neck black satin dress with what looked to be an over jacket of black velvet edged in satin. The E! Fashion Police noted with approval that she wore two trend setting styles – diamond chandelier earrings and the large diamond brooch on her lapel.  Tyne Daly was criticized by the E! Fashion Police for her too-casual choice of a black pantsuit splashed with large red flowers at the left shoulder and right hemline of her knee-length jacket. She accessorized the ensemble with sassy red shoes, matching earrings and necklace with disks of red opaque stones, and a shorter necklace with a peace sign pendant. Her use of color was superb. I think she looked great and that the ensemble was very flattering to her, but would have preferred to see it made up in a more festive choice of fabric, reflecting both the formal feeling of the event and fall’s emphasis on ornamentation.  Among the other full-figured celebrities present, Aida Turturro wore a black dress with a flattering sweetheart neckline and no noticeable jewelry at her ears or neck. I would have loved to see a bit of bling bling happening near this dynamic lady’s face. (Ms. Turturro, may I introduce you to my line, Apprecia Fine Jewelry?)  As for trends in jewelry, once again, earrings ruled.  Nothing brings attention to the face like a gorgeous pair of sparklers.  Diamond earrings were seen in all variations from studs to single drops (Sarah Jessica Parker), double drops, or triple drops (Kim Cattrall and Cheryl Hines), to linear designs (Edie Falco and Anne Heche), to chandeliers (Sharon Stone wearing Kwiat and Lorraine Bracco wearing Chopard), to huge designs that defy categorization (Barbara Walters and Teri Hatcher).    Long crystal pieces added to the drama of earrings selected by Debra Messing and Mariska Hargitay.  But caution – these can be heavy!  The earrings on Ms. Hargitay swung wildly and appeared to be pulling on her earlobes.  Indeed, there was plenty of oversize jewelry present at the Emmy Awards.  A pair of huge diamond earrings accessorized Jennifer Aniston’s gold-embroidered, white strapless Chanel column dress.