Jewelry

THE COMEBACK OF THE COCKTAIL RING

July 10, 2019 By Noemi Leave a Comment

One of my first posts here on We Believe in Style was about cocktail rings. So when I read that they’re making a comeback I thought I had to write another post.

I don’t know if cocktail rings actually went out of fashion but there was a time when they had no rivals.

When it comes to cocktail (or statement) rings one in particular immediately comes to my mind, Yves Saint Laurent (yes, the brand still had Yves) “Arty Ring”, which was one of the most popular accessories among fashion bloggers (before they were called influencers). I almost bought one but the fact that it was extremely popular prevented me from purchasing it.

I once read the term cocktail ring comes from the fact that this type of ring easily catches attention while you’re drinking a cocktail, which is only a part of the history of this piece of jewelry. In fact, the term goes back to the Prohibition during the roaring twenties, when selling and drinking alcohol was strictly forbidden in US. So men and women used to hang out at speakeasies, secret bars where they could illegally drink alcohol, which wasn’t particularly good so it was mix with other beverages and ingredients.

Until the Prohibition era, women didn’t attend bars. When they started doing it, they wore glamorous clothes and precious jewelry. Their rings were often oversized and made of precious gemstones so yes, they caught attention.

These are some beautiful cocktail rings I found for you. What do you think about them? Do you prefer statement rings or you’re into minimalism and dainty pieces?

STVDIO “Isabella”.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Coup De Coeur “Wild Rose Pearl”.

Photo via Farfetch

Bernard Delettrez. If you’re looking for dreamy jewelry with a dark twist his pieces are perfect.

Photo via Forzieri

Anne Manns “Eadie”.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Azhar. This ring has an adjustable band, which was commonly used in the past, when women wore rings on gloves.

Photo via Forzieri

Aurélie Bidermann.

Photo via Aurélie Bidermann

Sara Bencini.

Photo via Forzieri

Apm Monaco.

Photo via luisaviaroma

Alexis Bittar.

Photo via Nordstrom

Givenchy.

Photo via MyTheresa

YOU CAN’T EVER GO WRONG WITH PEARLS

May 14, 2019 By Noemi Leave a Comment

“Pearls are always appropriate” said Jackie Kennedy, who used to wear fake pearls quite often (one of her fake pearls necklace valued about $65 was auctioned and sold at more than $210,000). But for the title of this post I chose the words by Ki Hackney, author of “People and Pearls: The Magic Endures”. Because yes, you can’t ever go wrong with pearls. And now there’s plenty of choice, whether you like classic pearl jewelry or cool, almost edgy pieces.

Me, I realized I like baroque pearls, which are very popular, now. I find quite charming that it’s impossible to find two exactly alike baroque pearls and I think they always stand out, even with the simplest setting.

While Marilyn sang that diamonds are a girl’s best friends, pearls are considered the queen of gems and the gem of queens and one of the ultimate timeless style icons, Grace Kelly, loved them and wore them both on the set of her films and in her private life. Lady Sarah Churchill go so far as to state “I feel undressed if I don’t have my pearls on”.

Pearls have always been loved and will always be.

And these are some items to sport pearls, both fake and real, classic and baroque.

This necklace by Lauren Stewart is such a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Safety pin + pearls = cool chic earring. By Loren Stewart.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Stament pearls and a touch of color for this necklace by Éliou, named “Asti”.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Timeless Pearly “Baroque” necklace.

Photo via matchesfashion

Irene Neuwirth “South Sea” bracelet. This is a luxury piece (it costs more than 5.000 €) I find elegant with a cool twist.

Photo via matchefashion

Alighieri “The Frozen Sun”.

Photo via matchesfashion

Frame Chain “Pearly Princess”. Glasses chains are, quite unexpectedly, among the accessories of the season.

Photo via matchesfashion

Peter Pilotto.

Photo via matchesfashion

White/Space “Treviso”.

Photo via Moda Operandi

JW Anderson.

Photo via matchesfashion

Mango. Don’t they look like a luxury piece of jewelry?

Mango

This Miu Miu watch is so cool.

Photo via matchefashion

Mounser “Pagoda Fruit”.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Delfina Delettrez.

Photo via matchesfashion

Mateo. Sooo beautiful.

Photo via Farfetch

Mango. I like these earrings so much.

Photo via Mango

I have written a post about pearls about a year and a half ago, you can read it here.

APRIL PICKS FOR HER

April 30, 2019 By Noemi Leave a Comment

Diane Kruger wore this Mango dress and looked great (which is pretty obvious, I know). You can see Kruger on my favorite fashion blog, Red Carpet Fashion Awards.

Photo via Mango

A linen t-shirt by H&M. It’s available in different colors but I chose it in white.

Photo via H&M

Such a beautiful cuff bracelet by Miansai.

CURRENTLY CRUSHING ON CHUNKY CHAIN NECKLACES

February 12, 2019 By Noemi Leave a Comment

As a huge lover of fashion and films, I often find inspiration from the style of on-screen characters. I recently watched again “Damage”, a 1992 film starring Juliette Binoche and Jeremy Irons directed by Louis Malle. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Josephine Hart.

Juliette Binoche’s character, Anna, often wears a chunky chain necklace, which I’ve always liked. The costumes of the film were designed by Milena Canonero (one of my favorite costume designers) and I remember an interview with her where she told that necklace was an important piece of the wardrobe of Binoche. Anna is quite a dark lady with a complicated past.

Photo via Pinterest

So, a chunky chain necklace is something I really want, right now. If you’re into minimalist clothes, like me, and love crew neck tops, this type of necklace will add a cool and yet classy touch to your outfits.

At the beginning I haven’t found many but with a bit of patience I managed to pick some beautiful ones. If you want to spend as little as possible you can also go to a sewing shop, a hardware shop or even a cobbler that repairs bags and look for chains sold by the meter.

These are the chain necklaces I found. Some of them are from the men’s section of online retailers, where you can always find great accessories. What do you think? Do you like this type of necklace?

Laura Lombardi.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Another beautiful necklace Laura Lombardi, named “Presa”, which means grasp in Italian, but also taken.

Photo via Net-à-Porter

Tiffany & Co. one of my favorite picks, available also in gold (at the price of $10,000).

Photo via Tiffany & Co.

Junya Watanabe. I love this one.

Photo via Ssense

Balenciaga.

Photo via Ssense

Annelise Michelson.

Photo via Farfetch

Isabel Lennse.

Photo via Farfetch

This necklace by Isabel Lennse is available also in gold.

Photo via Farfetch

BeneathMyVeilDesign (on Etsy).

Photo via Etsy

Versace.

Photo via Ssense

Martine Ali. The men’s section is always a great place to look for accessories.

Photo via Ssense

River Island.

Photo via River Island

ShaniJacobiJewellery (on Etsy).

Photo via Etsy

River Island.

Photo via River Island

JEWELRY INSPIRATION FROM PAINTINGS

July 26, 2018 By Noemi Leave a Comment

Jewelry is such an important part of an outfit. Whether you like dainty, minimalist pieces or statement jewels, jewelry defines your style, even more than clothes.

Have you ever thought that jewelry exists only to make people happy? I mean, jewels are useless. They don’t keep us warm or comfortable, but they bring beauty and joy to our life. At least they’re supposed to. That’s why I think that being a jewelry designer must be beautiful. Creating something just thinking about the joy that could bring in someone else’s life must be great.

Elizabeth Taylor, who didn’t create jewelry but bought and received many precious pieces, said “I’ve never thought of my jewelry as trophies. I’m here to take care of it and to love it, for we are only temporary custodians of beauty”. Aren’t these words poetic?

Nowadays, “arm party”, “stack of rings” and “layered necklaces” are some of the most popular, socials-friendly jewelry trends and many websites suggest how to upgrade our style game suggesting us to copy models, influencers, it girls. But I have always found paintings so inspiring when it comes to jewelry and how to wear it. That’s why I’m dreaming of this book.

Fashion always takes inspiration from art.

Fashion designers often state that paintings and art are a big source of inspiration for them. After all, what it’s now considered history, once was fashion at its highest level. Now there’re editorials of great photographers, once there were portraits and paintings of great artists. And gosh… women (and men) were so stylish!

So, I found some beautiful and inspiring details from portraits. I’m sure you’ll find these women as stylish as it girls, maybe even more.

“The Sorceress” (L’Envoûteuse) by Georges Merle (detail), preserved at Birmingham Museum of Art – Photo via Pinterest

“Doña Gertrudis de Compte y de Bruga” by Vicente López y Portaña (detail) – Photo via Pinterest

“Portrait of the Honorable Mrs Seymour Bathurst” by Sir Thomas Lawrence (detail) preserved at Dallas Museum of Art – Photo via Pinterest

“Portrait of Madame la Vicomtesse de Sennones” by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (detail) preserved at the Fine Arts Museum of Nantes – Photo via Pinterest

“Mary Fiennes, Baroness Dacre” by Hans Eworth (detail) preserved at the National Gallery of Canada – photo via Pinterest

“Countess Szechenyi” by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller (detail) preserved at Cleveland Museum of Art – Photo via Pinterest

“Portrait of a Woman, probably Catherine Carey, Lady Knollys” by Steven van der Meulen (detail) preserved at Yale Center for British Art – Photo via Pinterest

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“Portrait of a Woman” by Lucas Cranach The Younger (detail) preserved at Kunsthistoriches Museum – Photo via Pinterest

“Portrait of Madame Moitessier” by Jean-Auguste Dominique (detail) preserved at the National Gallery of Art (Washington D.C.) – Photo via Pinterest

“Half-Length Portrait of a Roman Woman” by Anselm Feuerbach (detail) preserved at Städel Museum – photo via Pinterest

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FASHION CRUSH – ALIGHIERI NECKLACE

July 22, 2018 By Noemi Leave a Comment

The Fashion Crush of the week is Alighieri “Dante and The World” necklace. I love that you can wear it in different ways and I love the way you can wear it with a deep back neckline.

I also love the name Alighieri. Dante Alighieri was a poet and he’s one of the most important Italian poets of all times. Designer Rosh Mahtani, who studied Italian (and French) literature at Oxford University, took inspiration from Alighieri (or Dante, as we usually call the poet in Italy) for her brand of jewelry. That’s why her creations have such poetic names.

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A TREND TO TRY: SHELL JEWELRY

March 20, 2018 By Noemi Leave a Comment

Among the trends of this spring and summer there’s one that it’s actually pretty new, shell jewelry. It’s not one of those trends (gosh, I dislike this word so much, but is there a good synonym?) that regularly come and go and, to be precise, shells seem to be fashionable also in clothing and home decor. So, maybe shells are the new cacti.

I don’t know about you but shells usually make me think of boho accessories, something to wear at Coachella’s so when I read about this trend I thought “not for me” (I dislike so much “festival fashion”) . Then I found out that there’s actually beautiful shell jewelry, and you can embrace this trend in a chic way, which made me regret even more I didn’t buy a vintage ring I saw years ago. It featured a golden shell with a pearl inside. I liked it but I didn’t buy it because sometimes I have this strange habit, I don’t know if you can relate. Sometimes… I save money!

Anyway, if you like shells, you can invest in a pretty precious piece. If you don’t particularly like shells but you’d like to sport this trend just go for an affordable piece or a low-key one.

I admit that writing this post made me realize I like shell jewelry. This trend is perfect for summer but with the right outfit you can sport shells even during winter.

These are some cool and interesting pieces. Are you into this trend?

Albus Lumen x Ryan Storer

Sophie Bille Brahe

Albus Lume x Ryan Storer

Sarah & Sebastian

Kenneth Jay Lane

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Zimmermann

Chupi

Gripoix

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FASHION CRUSH – VERSACE MEDUSA NECKLACE

March 18, 2018 By Noemi Leave a Comment

Versace Medusa necklace is definitely a fashion jewel I’d love to have because I’ve always loved the logo of the house of Versace. I actually dream of having a vintage piece of Versace, possibly from the ’90s.

If you’re watching “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” you may have noticed some amazing pieces of clothing and accessories worn by Penelope Cruz in the role of Donatella. She often wears chunky necklaces and bracelets which I love.

Despite of the controversy of the series, what I like about it is that it gave dignity to the other victims of Versace’s murderer. They were men with their own stories, and I never read anything about them, except for their names and jobs and how they’ve been killed.

But let’s go back to fashion. This necklace is made of metal and crystals and it features the Medusa and the Greek fret, the signature motif of the brand. Versace spring 2018 collection is a celebration of Gianni Versace’s creations and inspirations, the prints and the pieces that made the brand so iconic and that make Gianni still so missed, even after more than 20 years.

FASHION CRUSH – LOREN STEWART BRACELET

February 25, 2018 By Noemi Leave a Comment

This gold and pearl bracelet is so pretty and chic (and by now we know pearls are not boring at all). Loren Stewart is a brand to watch because the jewels are sooo pretty but don’t cost a fortune.

The brand was founded in 2009 by Rachel Loren and sisters Satya Stewart and Anna Stewart-Safrani, who started melting down old pieces of jewelry to make new ones for themselves and their friends. Every piece is handmade in Los Angeles by expert artisans and Loren Stewart is a brand committed to the respect of environment and workers. That sounds great, right?

When I read that among the main inspiration of the brand there’re music and films of the ’80s like “Pretty in Pink” and “Breakfast Club” I realized this is probably more than a fashion crush. It’s true love!

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THE HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS

February 7, 2018 By Noemi 4 Comments

I chose some famous words by Emily Dickinson (which inspired a Selena Gomez song) because I love them and I thought they were perfect for the title of a post dedicated to romantic fashion and to clothes, accessories and jewelry that feature hearts. The fact that next week it’s St Valentine’s Day is a coincidence 😉 also because hearts are like sequins, studs and many other things. You love them or you hate them.

Obviously I’ve always loved everything that is heart-shaped. Gift me with a heart-shaped thing, whether it’s a tin box or a piece of jewelry, and you’ll make me happy. Obviously, I love clothes embellished, embroidered or printed with hearts.

So I found some beautiful and interesting pieces, from jewelry to underwear that you can wear to celebrate love and your love for hearts.