Jewelry Trends

Happy pandemic everyone! I hope that everyone is doing okay. Those of you who can work from home, be grateful. My job can't be done from home, and I was in desperate need of a hobby besides colouring in my Vogue colouring books, so I took up jewelry making. Or really, beading. Luckily for me the layered and colourful beaded styles that were popular the last time I was into beading (circa 1996) are back again. Another trend to return, quite shockingly, is the douchebag signifier the pukka shell necklace. This time around however, it's mixed with colourful beads, gold accents or pearls. If this isn't your thing, there a number or other trends that might catch your eye.





Prada S/S 2020


The whole beachy, shell jewelry has been trending for a few seasons now, but according to Vogue for 2020 the mantra is go big or go home. The above look from Prada showcases this perfectly. I like how this shell "set" is like a play on the very classic pearl necklace with matching earrings. I would definitely wear this but maybe not as the set. P.S. Zara has a similar one, just in case Prada is out of your budget.



Mayol jewels

Mayol is my favorite brand for beachy jewelry. They are a mother and daughter from Greece, and the company's tagline is "inspired by the sea." They do the perfect combination of pearls, glass beads, gold accents, and whimsical designs that tell a story. This is where the inspiration for the pieces I have been making is from! Mayol is of course much nicer and of a higher quality, but I'm only in it for fun!



 

A Mayol necklace featuring a baroque pearl as the centerpiece. 





 


A pair of peach baroque pearl earrings.


Pearls are another jewelry trend that is still going strong this season. These, however, are not your grandmother's pearls. Natural shapes, varied colours and baroque pearls are what we are seeing. This brings a more unique and laid back vibe to the classic pearl. Personally my favorite are the barque pearls with an iridescent sheen. 














 The third jewelry trend that I am loving is hearts! This trend never fully disappears, but it's especially hot at the moment. Hearts on everything, earrings, necklaces and bracelets! It's a good time to love love. Colourful and playful, big and bold, or dainty and delicate, there is sure to be a heart style that finds it's way into your heart!



 
 The Cocktails and Dreams necklace from Mayol. The name alone sells it for me! 













Baublebar threader earrings





 

 Gold chain with heart from Jenny Bird




 

Silver heart huggies from Dreamboat Lucy.



Another jewelry trend that I have really been loving for a while now are hoop earrings. There are about a zillion varieties of hoops to please just about anyone. Big, small, thick, think, embellished, simple, colourful or neutral. Below are a few that I love.





Organically shaped gold hoops from Jenny Bird




 Beaded hoops from Zara




 

 Alexis Bittar studded lucite hoops


 

Hoops from Mayol that combine three of the biggest jewelry trends: hoops, pearls and hearts!



The final jewelry trend for spring 2020 that I love is the animal motif. Fish charms, panther rings, parrot earrings, tiger brooches, shiny beetles, sparkly butterflies and any other creature or critter you could think of has shown up to adorn us this season.


 
 Sparkly parrot earrings from Zara









Iconic Cartier panther ring




 
 Kenneth Jay Lane bracelets featuring monkeys, a panther and zebras



Leah Alexandra fish pendant













 





 

The Oscars

The grand finale of the awards seasons, the Academy Awards has come and gone once again. I almost missed watching it live (a very depressing thought), as I was on an airplane, but luckily they had live TV on the plane, so I could watch it in the air. This year's red carpet was actually quite impressive, with far less disasters than usual. It is fun to see all the hot messes, but it was refreshing to see so many people just looking hot and living their best fashion lives for 2020.




Scarlett Johansson in Oscar de la Renta

One of the best dressed of the night, Scarlett came to slay. She was nominated in two categories for two different films, so it was a great night for her. I recently heard someone's opinion that the Oscar winner always looks the worst. Or at least looks very forgettable (examples: Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, Julianne Moore and Julia Roberts), and that the nominees or presenters always look the most stunning, with the best gowns. I totally agree! Perhaps Scarlett knew she wouldn't win, so she dressed instead to be "so honoured just to be nominated." All that aside, this dress is incredible. The draped chain detail on the bodice is beautiful, and somehow she kept the shimmering satin wrinkle-free! It is somehow timeless and modern at the same time.




Renee Zellweger in Armani Prive

So now I might contradict myself somewhat, because here is an Oscar winner looking pretty amazing, if not a bit safe. It's hard to tell in a photo, but the dress was covered entirely in white sequins. I definitely preferred her blue Golden Globes dress, but the last time she won an Oscar she wore white as well, so maybe it's her lucky colour!












Margot Robbie in vintage Chanel

I really like this look. The sleeve/arm bands give this look a big of something extra, and I really like the brooch detail. While not the best I've ever seen her look, it certainly trumps her hideous plaid situation from the SAG awards. 









Florence Pugh in Louis Vuitton

This is one of my favorite looks of the night. This colour can be tricky to pull off without looking like an unfortunate bridesmaid, but I love the whole look on her. The length and all the ruffles can also end up a disaster, but this all works. I love the coordinated shoes and belt, and the jewelry is perfect. This is her first Oscars and she killed it. Bravo to her and her stylist.

 

Kristen Wiig in Valentino

It's time for a break from the gorgeous gowns, so I give you this lasagna/sea creature/car wash (as so named by the internet at large) confection. I can get on board with some weird fashion, but this one is a no from me. I do kind of wonder though, if she was wearing it as a joke, hoping to inspire memes. If this is the case, I can't really fault her because she certainly got that job done.







Brie Larson in Celine

I can never resist a cape moment, and especially not a glittering cape moment. This is definitely a top look of the night for me. So glamorous with a bit of a seventies vibe. I hate to be too much of a meanie, but I cannot help but fixate on her very long fourth toe! Now, I know that nobody can help what kind of toes they are born with. They can, however BUY A BIGGER SIZE SHOE. I mean, come on. As a shoe person, this is particularly icky to me. I won't go so far as to say that this errant toe ruins the whole look for me, but it is a major distraction from an otherwise flawless look.  


 

 Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

This is the worst. Her dress was so ugly that she is probably relieved that she didn't win. Another dent in my theory about the winners vs nominees looks. The contraption protruding out of her waist appears to be an attempt at an homage to the surrealist visionary Elsa Schiaparelli. If so, the poor woman is probably rolling around in her grave. Especially considering the fact that the house of Schiaparelli has been resurrected in recent years and they have turned out some far superior looks to this this (see Beyonce at the Golden Globes).




 

 Regina King in Versace

This woman is always a queen of the red carpet. I love that this gown has the classic Versace snatched waist and curve-hugging contours, but also the ballgown skirt. In my opinion Versace is almost always a no-fail red carpet win, and this is certainly no exception. When she walked out to present Brad Pitt with his Oscar, I was wowed even on my tiny, grainy airplane TV.




Charlize Theron in Dior

Classic and timeless. I like the asymmetrical shoulder straps, and the jewelry. Nothing groundbreaking here, but beautiful nonetheless.





 Laura Dern in Armani

When I saw this look live on the red carpet I absolutely love it. Now though, looking at the photos I am not so sure. I do love the unique take on tassels with them adorning the bodice instead of on the hemline, but the skirt looks very stiff. My overall verdict is that I like it from the waist up, but not from the waist down.
















  






Penelope Cruz in Chanel


This is terrible! Penelope Cruz usually looks so amazing on the red carpet, but this dress is just a mess. It has every signature from the house of Chanel all combined in one dress. In care you weren't sure this is Chanel there's black and white, there's a bow, there's pearls, and there's an enormous camellia. Way too much happening here, all she is is missing are a pair of giant double C earrings and a quilted bag.













Janelle Monae in Ralph Lauren

This is such a high fashion glamour moment. The full on sequined gown is amazing, but the hood everything! I am getting fierce Grace Jones vibes and I love it.



 

 Geena Davis in Romona Keveza

An icon walking the red carpet looking like the true legend that she is. Classic, effortless and glamorous.




Salma Hayek in Gucci

Ugh, a stunning woman looking like a mess is such a disappointment. This literally looks almost identical to the Halloween costume I wore when I went as Cleopatra. This could also work for a Greek goddess costume, or perhaps a toga party. The dress on it's own is bad enough, but the leafy headpiece really puts this in the cheap costume realm.


 
 
 Molly Sims in Zuhair Murad

I love this gown. The peachy pink shade looks so good on her, and I love the contrast between the skirt and the bodice, it almost gives a bodysuit vibe. The draping of the skirt is so gorgeous, it manages to have both weight but not look stiff (see Saoirse Ronan above for an example of the stiffest skirt you've ever seen).






Brad Pitt
You are welcome. 

Screen Actor's Guild Awards 2020

While not the biggest awards show of the season, the SAG awards are one of my favorites. There

are only acting categories (no boring ones like sound editing), the speeches are always heartfelt, and the actors vote for each other. That being said there was some great fashion on the red  carpet. And of course, some tragedies as well.

 
 Jennifer Aniston in Vintage Dior by John Galliano
This dress is peak Galliano perfection. The man knows how to do a bias cut. The fit is flawless, and I saw on her Instagram that she lay down in her car to avoid dreaded wrinkles, which I truly appreciate. Wrinkles on the red carpet can ruin a good dress. My only critique is that her nipples are so prominent! During her speech I couldn't look away from them. Her very visibly displayed nips made regular appearances on Friends, and she was once asked about it in an interview. She said something along the lines of "I guess it's just my nipples, I mean I was wearing bras." So I do feel a little bad, if it's just how her nipples are. That being said, has her stylist never heard of nipple covers??!! I always thought that was one of the mandatory things to have in a stylist kit! Otherwise, flawless.




Elizabeth Moss in Monique Lhullier

The balloon sleeve gone wrong. It can be a tricky trend to pull off, but my advice would be that if your sleeve is voluminous, then your skirt should not me. Also, the waistline makes it appear as though her boobs are sitting somewhere around her bellybutton. Overall, terrible. 


 
 Scarlett Johansson in Armani Prive

I love this gown. Armani Prive almost always nails it on the red carpet, and this look is no exception. I am getting strong mermaid vibes, and I am here for it.The heavy, high shine fabric gives it almost the look of leather, which is really cool. I love the earrings and the red lipstick too.








 


Jennifer Lopez in Georges Hobeika

This gown is even more stunning from the back, so I had to show that too. She definitely has redeemed herself after the Christmas present bow disaster that occurred at the Golden Globes. The only thing that I don't like about this look is her hair. The two perfect tendrils framing her face are giving me 1998 prom vibes in the worst possible way. I would be worse if they were curled, but I still don't love it.





Zoe Kravitz in Oscar de la Renta

The poor Mr. de la Renta is probably rolling over in his grave. This is so hideous. It looks like something a pageant queen in the 1960s would wear. Taking inspiration from past decades can be a great idea, but this interpretation is far too literal. The colour is that particular shade of peach favoured by brides who want to punish their bridesmaids love so much. The most offensive part of this ensemble though is the gloves. There is truly no excuse.






Millie Bobby Brown in Louis Vuitton

We saw a lot of the dress over pants look on last year's red carpets, so this is nothing new. I still love it, though, or I would if this girl was 40. She has aged herself by approximately 100 years. Way too much makeup and this outfit, while beautiful, would be better suited to Glenn Close. Most of these Hollywood stars are pumping themselves full of so much Botox and fillers, desperately trying to stop the clock, while Millie here has gone another route. Maybe she has her sights set on playing Queen Elizabeth in season 8 of The Crown, and is trying to look old enough. 





Sophie Turner in Louis Vuitton

 I was surprised to find out that this was Louis Vuitton, as I get more Versace vibes from this dress. I love the eighties influence with the bustier top and the massive belt. I get sort of a futuristic Barbie-Dynasty feeling from this and I like it.








Reese Witherspoon in Celine

Reese Witherspoon usually plays it pretty safe on the red carpet, so for her this is a bit more edgy, which I like. The pattern of the sequins gives almost a chain mail effect, which is really cool. My only criticism is that I do not like her hair at all. It looks too stiff and slicked. 




Margot Robbie in Chanel

She appears to have gotten the SAG Awards confused with Robbie Burns Day. This is so so so terrible. There is way too much going on here with the plaid, the belt, the necklaces and the tiered skirt. She is such a beautiful woman, so to me she wasted an opportunity to look amazing. 

77th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Awards season is upon us yet again! The first show of the season was even earlier than usual, I was still recovering from the flurry of Christmas, New Year's and getting back to a regular work schedule. I am sorry to say that the red carpet at the Golden Globes produced more misses than hits this year, and even more disappointingly, a lot of yawns. Read on for my critiques of the red carpet looks.









Jennifer Lopez in Valentino

The Christmas present jokes to made here are just too easy. I mean, wearing a giant white dress, with an even more giant green and gold bow stuck right on the front two weeks after Christmas is just asking for it. She normally looks abnormally good, but this dress is something that looks like it was make in Santa's workshop or the gift wrapping department of a very high end store. The hair and makeup were also not good. I think this could be one of the first times I have said this about the incredible ageless J Lo. The giant pile of braids plopped on her head looks like something from a cheap wig shop, and the makeup contouring is getting out of control, especially on her forehead.



Beyonce in Schiaparelli

Now this is a sleeeeeeve! The giant sleeve is having a moment, the likes of which we haven't seen since the days of Marie Antoinette and I am here for it. I love this over the top, golden, gravity defying shoulder pouf juxtaposed with the sleek and simple black dress. I would prefer a bit less boob, and those gloves are a bit weird (I didn't see her wearing these at the actual ceremony, so maybe she was just trying them out?), but otherwise a win.







Gwenyth Paltrow in Fendi

This is one of the worst looks of the night. It's the most hideous shade of brown that could be found, and it's completely see through, but I think what I dislike the most is that I don't know where to look! Way too much is happening here, from the balloon sleeve, to the high neck, the massive tiered ruffly skirt, the bra and undies combo underneath, and then also underneath, an enormous diamond necklace!!! Why would you hide the only nice thing about your whole outfit??!!








Jennifer Aniston in Dior

Jennifer Aniston always does classic and chic so well, and she not disappoint here. This ballgown style is a little different for her, as she usually goes for something sleek. I love the tiny belt and the "crumb catcher" neckline. I also like that she left her hair in her signature beachy waves, keeping the look more modern.









 Charlize Theron in Dior
While Charlize is clearly stunning, her dress is not. It could have been without the stupid bustier thing sticking out, or the very dated looking draped fabric off the shoulder. The colour is gorgeous and very unexpected, but the black accents ruined this whole thing for me.







Kerry Washington in Altuzzara



This is bordering on vulgar to me. I mean, maybe this type of look could be pulled off by an edgy pop star at the Grammys, but even that might be a stretch. Body chains bring back memories of this woman I saw once, fifty-ish, belly shirt, booty shorts, thigh high boots, and a rhinestone body chain spelling out the word SLAVE. I am not making this up, so you can understand my aversion to body chains. Looking back now, I wonder if maybe I should have tried to help this woman...Body chain aside though, the skirt is terrible, it doesn't even fit her correctly with all the bunching. The jacket is very nice, but it doesn't work with the skirt. Overall, not a good look.








Renee Zellweger in Armani

The new face she bought herself a few years ago has been discussed enough, so here I will focus on her stunning red carpet look. I love this gorgeous gown, from the beautiful powder blue shade, to the neckline, the crystal detailing, and the matching shoes. This is thing to wear when you're nominated, classic and modern at the same time. A Golden Globe winner and a winner on the red carpet!



 

 Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

Worst dressed list. One of the unfortunate things about being the face of a brand, like she is, is that you are usually contractually obligated to wear them on the red carpet. Certain brands do not do red carpet gowns well, and Louis Vuitton, in my opinion is one of them. This looks like she tied up some old bed sheets, grabbed the fake flower from the bedside table stuck it on her shoulder and called it a day. The blue flower thing is so strange to me, I don't get it.










Glenn Close in Armani

I love this look. Tuxedos were a big trend on the red carpet this year for the ladies, and I love that she opted for a navy velvet dress version. This woman looks amazing, as usual.





Zoey Deutch in Fendi

One of my favorite looks of the night! I love the yellow contrasted with the blue jewels, the balloon sleeve trend here is on point, this is tailored to perfection, AND, newsflash: this is a jumpsuit! The very simple hair and makeup is an excellent choice with this more over the top ensemble. Perfection.



 

 Lucy Boynton in Louis Vuitton
Another PSA to avoid Louis Vuitton on the red carpet. Combining styles from the19th century with a space age looking fabric is ill advised. This is so so so bad, I really don't even know what else to say. The clunky shoes and bad hair and makeup are not helping either.





 

Priyanka Chopra in Prada

I love the Old Hollywood glamour vibes she is giving us. The bubblegum pink is a bit unexpected for such a timeless silhouette, and I love it. Pink was all over the red carpets last year, but this year she  stood out as not as many others were wearing it, and certainly nobody else wore it better. Thank you, Priyanka, pink will never die!



 

 
Joey King in Iris van Herpen

 While I don't hate this, I don't love it either. It's very weird, and I have to commend her for wearing something so strange and different on the red carpet. That being said, all I can see is this:



If you read my blog last year, you will know that I love a good nudibranch meme.



 

 Cate Blanchett in Mary Katrantzou

Ahh, Cate the Great never disappoints. Always walking the line between high fashion weird, and stunningly beautiful. She is managing to work so many trends here all at once: pleats, statement sleeves, tiered skirt, and lingerie as clothing. Somehow she makes it all work. On anyone else this could have easily been a total mess, but Cate always comes to slay.