As far as jewelry is concerned, and style for that matter, there wasn’t really anything extraordinary – except for Sandy Powell – she stole the show! A well deserved Oscar to a very talented Costume Designer with an
incredible sense of style. She looked stunning and did not even wear a gown.

Every one else was ho-hum in my opinion, some of those dresses looked like fabric tornadoes and there was no color in the jewelry, only boring diamonds.Some red, which I like but not enough to make me change my opinion. If I saw one more nude color dress, I would scream!

Too uniform and expected, those stylists need to get more creative and take some chances. Made me miss the days of Cher.

The cast of “Precious” looked beautiful in royal blue.

As much as I love the hosts, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, I thought the whole show was boring, except for the dance portion. No musical performances?

They did not include some famous actors that passed away last year, like Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur. Yes, they did movies too. Missing them is worse than including Michael Jackson, which I can understand. He is the King of Pop (no one has taken his place) but he did two very successful movies.

They are so at a loss for what to do that the phrase “And the Winner is…” was brought back after being banished for quite some time. For years it became “And the Oscar goes to…”Did they really think that would be exciting?

There is one thing that I really like about the show – a drop down background made of several different lamp shades. Go figure! It was so bad I was paying more attention to the set than to what was actually happening on the stage. No offense to the set designers, much to the contrary. They did a wonderful job. In my opinion, the best in many years.

Overall it was utterly run of the mill, which makes me think I will find something better to do next year.

Sadly, Alexander McQueen died two days ago, apparently took his own life.  I can see some parallels between him and Van Gogh.  Both brilliant to the point of insanity.

He was young, about 40 years. A rebel and a genius at odds with an industry that is more interested in selling than creating. You can see a retrospective of Alexander McQueen’s work from 2001 to his last collection at the New York Magazine site.

His New York store on 14th Street is closed until next week and an impromptu memorial is growing on the icy sidewalks.

His death leaves a void of creativity in the fashion world. He will be greatly missed.  As Blondie once sang “Die Young, Stay Pretty”.

He was very pleased with his latest collections, shown in London this past October (2009) which sadly became his last. Titled “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” and inspired by Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, it was streamed live on the web.

You can watch it here:

This is Art, ephemeral, ever changing, moving, powerful as life itself.

Ksenyia Simonova is the Ukranian artist that just won the Ukraine’s version of the popular TV show “America’s Got Talent”.   It proves that even Commercial Television can present Art, and that Art is to be lived and shared.

Bravo! It is wonderful.

Newly added antique and vintage jewelry and jewelry boxes at the website.

Please use this link to see all newly added Vintage Jewelry.

As a vintage jewelry dealer and collector I have noticed on the past year or so a trend growing towards large flower brooches.  Even I was attracted to them!  Maybe it  started when the 60s were revived recently.  At any rate,  I had noticed that before the Obamas trip to Italy, where the First Lady wore a sunny yellow dress and a large green flower brooch.  She looked beautiful, as always, I love her independent sense of style.   Wonder if she knows those are the Brazilian flag colors – I was flattered!

Our store has a beautiful collection of those brooches.  My favorites are:

Vintage Lisner Red Enamel Flower Brooch

Pink Enamel on Copper Dimensional Flower Brooch

Faux Pearls and Turquoise Enamel Kramer Flower Pin or Brooch

The center rhinestones tremble when you move!

We have many different ones, you can use this link to see all our vintage flower brooches.

Prices range from $20.00 to $225.00 for my own  Biwa Pearl and Branch Coral flower.

I always loved her style and her clothes, even though they were out of my reach. Underlying her collections through the years is one theme, pure self expression.  Regardless of the inspiration or whatever time period this inspiration came from, it was always about how you felt. You could be a pirate today and a 50s rocker tomorrow. To me that is art to wear, regardless of what form it may take.

In 1981 I had the privilege of meeting Gene Krell, then manager of  World’s End, during a visit to Rio de Janeiro.  My son was an infant and my family had invited me to stay with them for a while.

Gene is a really sweet guy and we both stuck out in the crowd in Rio back then. He was there to research and to introduce the collection to the Media. I had the honor of having my jewelry used for the “Pirates” collection photo shoot. My then current jewelry collection was inspired by the 1800’s and Modernism. An odd mix, but quite stunning and just right for the time. After all this was the 80s. Living in the East Village I was very aware of what was happening then, it was part of my everyday life. Unfortunately, my copies of the magazines were lost in time in my many travels. I still search for them and hope to find them at some point. I returned to New York and he returned to London.  We stayed in touch for a while but then lost track of each other.

In the meantime, he has written Dame Vivienne Westwood’s biography for the book series “Fashion Memoir”, a must read as her history is fascinating.

This past Friday during an interview with British Jonathan Ross at his TV Show, she discussed shopping, style, consumerism and the survival of our species. I am glad to know we still have much in common as people in spite of our geographic and life style differences.

Looking beautiful as always, dressed in 7 meters of silk (about 7 yards)  she talks about making do with what we have, shopping our own closets and preserving the environment.  I believe she did not mention vintage as after all, she still needs to sell her own collections. It was a very interesting interview and both parts are embedded below. Enjoy!

Part 1

The episode will probably air on the 2010 season of the show.  This is the first time ever when an apraisal totals over 1M.

Here is how I want to remember him:

My son (who was a little kid then) and I will always have great memories from this time:

Thanks for the wonderful memories.
You will live forever.
RIP, Michael.

Of particular interest to this blog are the appearances by Patrizia Di Carrobio, Jewelry Expert and Dealer. Her history is amazing, from Italy to America. Her grandmother shared a New York apartment with Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s and begin consulting wealthy Americans on Fashion and Lifestyle choices. Patrizia moved to the US in 1980 and begin her career at Christie’s where she became one of Christie’s first women auctioneers.  Her taste in impeccable, her  opinions are practical and valuable. I really enjoy her appearances and I trust you will too.

The first video was made in the Spring of 2008.  The second is from March 2009.  Both are timeless and have great information for all categories of Arts, Jewelry and Collectibles.  More information about this show can be found at PBS.org, your local Public Television station or at wealthtrack.com

Don’t feel bad when buying Vintage Jewelry or Collectibles. A wise purchase can be a palpable investment you will wear or enjoy for many years to come.

Vintage Jewelry as an Investment Videos.  To learn more about Patrizia visit her site at PatriziadiCarrobio.com

Now have hubby watch it with you

About the same time  Mme Secretary Albright was interviewed by Bill Maher and worn an outstanding bee/wasp enamel and rhinestone brooch specially for the show host.

Madeleine Albright was the first woman to be appointed as US Secretary of State by then President Clinton. She has said many times that her brooches indicate her mood.  A clever way to communicate when you can’t always say what is really in your mind!

The exhibit titled “Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection” opens September 30 at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.  It will travel around the country for 2 years.  When told by the museum’s chief curator she would not have her jewels to wear for that a long a time,  Mme Albright as a true collector replied “Great opportunity to buy new ones!” .   Now that’s a woman after my heart!

Read more at the Huffington Post.

An earlier article about the same subject, from May 2008.

The Museum site is http://www.madmuseum.org.

YouTube video of  Madeleine Albright’s interview by Bill Maher is no longer available.