Diamonds not always a girls best friend...

In these times of economic turmoil it looks like the "Diamonds are Forever" tag line of the industry is working against it.   Shoppers of high end baubles are unanimously saying "not now, maybe later" as they head into the start of the holiday season.   Jewelers are feeling the pinch more than almost any other accessory or fashion category.  With all due respect, the gorgeous creations from Ice Men like Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef appeal to a very select few that most would not feel so bad for if they too are on a budget this year.    Marilyn Monroe gave the industry a serenade that kept on giving for 40 years with her infamous tune - I actually love the Nicole Kidman version in Moulin Rouge.

A short walk down Madison avenue this past Sunday afternoon made the situation crystal clear to me - too many options.   Store after store after store - shrines of marble and granite lit up like times square on New Year's screaming LUXURY.. which I say with as much tongue in cheek as I can type.   What happened to luxury retailers?  Where is the class?   Where is the distinction?   Where are the real housewives of Atlanta when a jeweler needs to move some tacky merch???   Apparently, they are not shopping.   Recent additions to the Madison Avenue Gem alley - Kwiat, Mauboussin, Graff, Leviev, & Asprey. 

I hope that all of us can learn from the situation that is ripping through the banking, auto-motive, real-estate, and now retail sectors - BIGGER IS NOT BETTER.   Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle.  That goes for paper, fashion, jewels, friends, you name it!    Enough with the disposable economy mentality.   

One last note.   Abercrombie posted it's numbers and there sales tumbled in the 3rd quarter sharply.   Is this a surprise to anyone?   I love the brand and what they were able to create - they changed the face of marketing for the denim world- but if you can show me one new idea that has come out of that darkroom in the past 4 years ... I'll actually force myself to stand in the 5th Avenue store for an hour which will certainly render me deaf and devoid of my ability to smell again!  I mean how many pairs of torn up jeans for $100 does the average American tween need?   Why not head to the MOMA gift shop instead this holiday season and buy a gift that actually inspires thinking....Merry Christmas!

Shaken not Stirred, but punched, shot, kicked, stabbed, and burned.. 007 returns!

Daniel Craig blew into the box office this weekend as 007 in the latest James Bond film - Quantum of Solace

While the name doesn't exactly roll of the tongue - people had no trouble finding the movie this weekend.   Although the economy continues to be the weakest we have seen in decades - the Bond franchise seems to be recession proof!   Taking in a staggering $70Million from Friday night at midnight through Sunday - this makes Quantum the largest box office opening for any Bond film ever!   It seems to be unanimous, the public loves Daniel Craig as the smooth talking professional killer as he raced his way through Bond film # 2.    Dame Judy Dench returns as Bond's motherly boss M and she steals every scene she is in.    

It wouldn't be a bond film without a gorgeous femme fatale to temp James and distract him just enough.  This time around, the women in question is a professional hit "man" herself - as deadly as she is beautiful.   It is impossible not to watch Olga Kurylenko as she struts from scene to scene - where did she come from??

The Bond theme for Quantum is performed by Jack White (remember from the White Stripes) and Alicia Keys.   I don't see it topping the charts - but it is a haunting and surreal addition to the film.

Head to the theater to check out this non-stop adventure.   I might recommend a Dramamine for the faint of heart.    Quantum of Solace is definitely playing at a theater near you.

Lucky, Peaceful and Crafty?

In economic times of turmoil, it is not unusual for the fashion world to go a little topsy turvy.   There are studies about skirt lengths tied to the stock market crawl.   It has been said that fashion is the fastest art form (ok applied art) to respond to global politics.   This makes perfect sense as designers turn out their work every few months, as opposed to artists that can work for more than a year on a painting, or architects that spend several years bringing a project to fruition.

It is interesting to see the peace sign appear in collections at every price point this holiday season.   In reality, it is a holiday staple and since the U.S. has been at war - it is not some esoteric thought - but a real-life desire for peace.   Barneys NY has taken the concept over the top - as they always do!  The store has made peace & love the theme of their holiday season - tagged "Have a Hippie Holiday".    You can now wear it, sleep on it, and eat the sentiment!  There are gift cards, pillows, cookies - etc.  Stay tuned for the famed windows to be bell-bottomed  and fringed.... where's Cher?  Oh, I forgot - in Vegas.

While there is unprecedented good will growing in the hearts and minds of U.S. citizens and citizens of the world about the election of Barack Obama, we can hardly say that designers could have reacted this quickly to get these peace-full items in stores.   Lets just call it great timing!

 
I can't help but notice the similarity between Lucky brand's new bag and Chanel's resin chain bag that was a HUGE hit over a year ago.   This is a great example of trickle down design effect.   In reality, the Chanel chains were made of Rhodoid - which is the Rolls Royce of Resin.  The Lucky version is pieces of leather braided for a similar effect.   The leather reminds me of arts and crafts projects we did at summer camp.   Lanyard wallet making was always scheduled for rainy days.   Anyone else remember stringing wallets for gifts for your parents?

I won't say that Lucky is knocking off Chanel... lets be positive.   Lets say that Lucky has a great product development team!  How is that for good will!  There is one big difference.   Lucky bags are priced in the mid $200 range - and if you want one of the Chanel bags- you'll need to add a zero.

Peaceful Friday everyone!!!

Madonna to be Monogrammed by Louis Vuitton?

Rumors are swirling that Madonna is set to be the latest face in the yet to be seen campaign for French mega brand Louis Vuitton.   It would be the first major collaboration between Madonna and LV.   Creative director Marc Jacobs must be enamored by the fashion icon.  Madonna, of course no stranger to fashion has worked with major houses for 20 years.    Most notably on stage were the costumes Jean Paul Gaultier created for her Blond Ambition tour.   Remember - cone bras and garter belts!   

Lately, Madonna has been seen in quite a bit of Gucci - also another long standing relationship.   Tom Ford actually credits miss M for starting the buzz around his phenomenal rebirth of the brand in the 90's!     There was also the trippy campaign shot in Miami for Versace.   That was shot by Steven Meisel, the man rumored to be snapping Madonna once again for Louis Vuitton.

This summer Madonna made quite an entrance into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame induction ceremony wearing a sheer, hand embroidered Chanel dress.   This was a departure as Madonna and Karl Lagerfeld have never had anything other than a "polite" relationship.   

All hail Madonna, at 50 she is more in demand to designers than starlets in their 20's!!