G IS FOR GUCCI & GOOD CAUSE

Italian fashion house Gucci is known for it's famous G G logo bags - this summer the G also stands for Good Cause!   Gucci has teamed up with Project Home to raise money for charity by selling a t-shirt and canvas tote.  PPR - the corporate parent of Gucci has funded production of the documentary HOME.   Director Yann Arthur-Bertrand spent years planning the project that looks at earth from an aerial view.   The goal of the film is to inspire people to change thier behavior and think about environmental issues.  

Gucci designer Frida Giannini designed the items using organic cotton and non-toxic dyes.   The canvas bag comes along with the t-shirt and retails for $195.

The film was released in June and some may remember reading about a screening in LA at the Stella McCartney boutique.   McCartney is a long time advocate for Green and Environmental causes.  Her company is also part of the Gucci Group.

To find out more and watch the film Home -visit the website: www.Home-2009.com

To purchase the Gucci T-Shirt - go to www.Gucci.com

SWAROVSKI SPARKLES IN SOHO

SWAROVSKI & PHILIPPS USB DRIVEThe spring season has been gloomy and gray in NYC this year.   The drizzly, cool days of spring have lingered on and on.   Swarovski changed all that last week when they unveiled the biggest sparkle to hit retail in 2009.   The Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Boutique opened at 499 Broadway in Soho, NYC with a bang and crowd that lined up down the block to get in on the bling!SWAROVSKI TINKER-BELL

When you think Swarovski, you might think figurines.   You would be right.  The company has been the master of fine crafted figurines and sculpted crystals for over 100 years.   In 1895 Daniel Swarovski revolutionized the world of cut glass with his innovation that would change his destiny.   He had created a new technique in cutting  crystal and was wise to quickly patent his invention.   From the very beginning, the company has been innovative and forward thinking as to what they can bedazzle next!  Now with the help of the 4th and 5th generation, the company is still family owned.

Every major fashion house has at one time or another worked with Swarovski to work their magic on the latest dress, bag, shoe, or of course jewelry piece.SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS BY THE MILE!WALL OF LIGHT CRYSTALS -BLUE & GREEN

The latest concept in the Swarovski retail world is CRYSTALLIZED.   The idea is to personalize your jewelry by choosing each element and build your own look.   The store is line with the WALL OF LIGHT that has thousands and thousands of choices - ranging in color and shape.   With prices starting at $4 or $5 dollars a bead - the concept appeals to a wide range of audience.   The marketing is wise for Swarovski as the appeal of crystal is staggering.   There are over 400,000 members of the Swarovski Crystal Society .

The idea of customized jewelry continues to grow.  As I mentioned in the article on Whimsy Worldwide rings - women the world over are taking more control over the design of the jewelry they choose to wear.

The opening party was packed beyond believe.   My friend and I got claustrophobic just trying to get to the bar.   There were a handful of celebs there - but honestly .. it wasn't their night.   It was all about the stars on the walls -and in the cases!SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL COLUMN OF LIGHT

The centerpiece of the store is an amazing column of light chandelier that has hundreds of thousands of crystals and is two stories tall as it lights up the staircase.   The column of light evokes a sense of glamour similar ot the 81st Academy Awards Ceremony.   DAVID ROCKWELL OSCARSYou might remember - the academy tapped design master David Rockwell to design the set.   Mr. Rockwell commissioned Swarovski to sparkle the stage and curtain with over 1 million crystals!

You can add some sparkle to just about anything you like.  I do mean anything- From a USB drive to your Wii, to your Nespresso Coffee Maker.   Oh yeah, there is the jewelry too!SWAROVSKI'D NESPRESSO

If you are in NYC this summer, hit the boutique on Broadway - just around the corner is the pop up shop for Nespresso.  I'll have more on that soon, but grab an iced coffee and all of your $2 charge will go to charity.   The concept of the pop up shop will not disappoint.   a caffeine fix rarely comes in the form of charitable donation - so take advantage of it while you can!

www.Swarovski.com

FARRAH & MICHAEL - DEATH OF TWO STYLE ICONS

Who could have predicted the sad chain of events that unfolded this  last full week of June 2009.   The terrible cliche of celebrity deaths in three rang true - first with that of famous side kick Ed Mcmahon, dead at 86.   ED MCMAHON & JOHNNY CARSON ON THE TONIGHT SHOWThis gentle giant was as famous for his voice that a generation grew up hearing nightly say - "Heeeeeeeere's Johnny"  as he introduced Johnny Carson on the tonight show.   Later still he was the host of Star Search - another right of passage for the youth of my generation.  ED MCMAHON ON STAR SEARCH Long before contestants risked getting ripped apart by Simon Cowell on American Idol, young hopefuls would hold their breath to see if they got "One Star", "Two Stars", or wait for it ..... "Three Stars".   Maybe it was a kinder, gentler time.  

Then on Thursday the sad ,sad news.   FARRAH FAWCETT - HER SIGNATURE STYLEFarrah Fawcett lost her battle with anal cancer and died at the age of 62.   No other female entertainer had more influence over the hair and style of young women around the world.   From Jamaica to Japan Farrah seduced the world in the late 70's with her famous feathered hair and all American looks.   In just one season on the Aaron Spelling hit show "Charlie's Angels" Farrah was catapulted to fame and infamy as the bleach blond sexpot of the crime fighting female trio.   Then there was that poster!   The biggest selling pin up poster of all time.   Long before Pam Anderson made a one-piece sizzle on Baywatch - Farrah was able to defy the boundaries of two dimensional print with her natural assets that drove adolescent boys crazy - and their dads too!   Marrying Lee Majors aka "The 6 Million dollar Man" cemented her place in tabloid heaven - for this was the first of several rocky relationships.  FARRAH FAWCETT - THE INFAMOUS POSTER

Farrah's battle with cancer was able to shine a spotlight on Anal Cancer that is one of the least studied or publicized forms of the deadly disease.   The TV special "Farrah's Story" that chronicled her fight was really a love note to this Angel.   It was her personality that was always fun, light hearted, and playful that really came through and was present until the end.   The special was surrounded by controversy.   The battle being between Farrah's circle of dubious friends and loved ones and the producer of the program- who really don't deserve any more media spotlight.   What struck me the most was one line during the special.   Near the end of the two hour show, Farrah's voice over was giving some final thoughts on her fight and her hope for a cure.  After a silent pause she said - "More importantly, HOW ARE YOU?".    It was a line so ordinary, but delivered in Farrah's trademark innocent manner.  It hit me like a ton of bricks.   While some say it was done on purpose for effect - I don't believe it.   I think it was signature Farrah.   I'm mourning her loss.    She wasn't Mother Teresa - but she made me feel good any time I saw her on TV - and how many people in life can you say that about?  

Later the same day - Thursday June 25th we learned Michael Jackson went into cardiac arrest and died at just 50 years old.  Nothing I can say can begin to explain the dysfunctional abyss that was the reality of Michael Jackson's life - his unmatchable talent and the influence his ever changing and overly effected style had on millions and millions of people the world over will never be duplicated.MICHAEL JACKSON - CIRCA 2005

From his sequined glove, to thick white socks with black loafers Michael Jackson stunned the world with his fashion choices.   While most details were so over the top they looked more like parody even when worn as an honest tribute - the studded leather jackets, the side cocked hat,and the short pants.  Michael was working the shrunken suit look long before Thom Browne influenced the Menswear industry.  I wonder if  Mr. Browne was a fan on MJ growing up?  Fan or not - exposure to Michael's look was unavoidable.   Jackson changed the world of music and video with his groundbreaking performances.   There will never be excitement surrounding videos like that of Thriller or Beat It, or Bad - ever again.MICHAEL JACKSON - BADMICHAEL JACKSON PERFORMS IN SIGNATURE SHORT PANTS

What a sad week.   We lost an angel and peter pan and the man who told us weekly to "reach for the stars".  Maybe on the way into the pearly gates, Michael and Farrah had Ed to give them a proper introduction.

CUSTOM JEWELRY CRAZE NOT JUST A WHIMSY

WHIMSY RINGS AND BEADSAfter working in the fashion industry for years, it's rare that I come across a trend that has totally escaped me.   That happened this week when I discovered WHIMSY - a jewelry collection that showcases collectible glass beads.   I had no idea there was such a collectible.   Not only are women all over the world collecting glass and enamel beads - they incorporate them into jewelry any way they can.    The folks at Whimsy have come to the rescue by offering  a great collection of rings that lets you interchange your favorite beads.  Made from reclaimed sterling silver, 14-karat gold and gemstones, the rings would be beautiful on their own - but are designed to showcase your beads.    Artist R. Craig Whitten is the man behind the collection.  Mr. Whitten has been hand crafting fine jewelry for 30 years. WHIMSY RING AD

As we are seeing more and more - people are wanting to personalize fashion and create one of a kind items.  Whimsy is a perfect way to show your style and get creative.   The collectible bead craze is also a perfect example of customers spending more time to build a collection of items they love.   These jewelry lovers are not just going to a store and putting down a credit card, but purposely taking the time to choose each piece.   This is a trend that has reached far beyond arts and craft items and with the Whimsy collection we see that the idea has reached the designer price point range.   Whimsy rings are perfect for displaying your favorite beads from Pandora, Chamilia,Zable, Halia, or Trollbeads.

I attended the Swarovski Crystallized boutique opening this past week.   The entire concept of the store is individual crystals for sale for you to create your own look.   I'll have more on that zoo of an opening later!  For a global company like Swarovski to be rolling out concept stores- it's clear they feel the customized jewelry craze is here to stay. 

I'm sure it's just a matter of time before you see Chanel or Louis Vuitton offering customized costume jewelry bracelets, rings, and necklaces!   To shop for Whimsy beads and rings today - visit  www.WhimsyWorldwide.com