Today we’re going to talk about jewelry – a subject I rarely tackle. Or, to be more specific: diamonds and what they mean to a gal. The headline for this blog is a line from the song Diamonds Are Girl’s Best Friend. CLICK HERE to see Marilyn Monroe strut her stuff in this movie.
“A DIAMOND IS FOREVER”
This is the famous slogan created in 1948 for DeBeers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. by a female copywriter named Mary Frances Garety at N.W. Ayer, a Philadelphia advertising agency. Her colleagues in the company (all men) argued that it didn’t really mean anything – but the client loved it. In 1999, Advertising Age proclaimed it “The Slogan of the 20th Century.” And, it’s still going strong. (I love this story.)
LADY GAGA’S SPECTACULAR OSCAR DIAMOND
Moving on I spotted a terrific piece in the Financial Times Weekend of May 18, 2019 by Grace Cook titled Red Carpet Reruns. This is a fascinating article that reveals “the comeback kings of celebrity jewels.”
Lady Gaga and the massive Oscar diamond
ONE OF THE LARGEST YELLOW DIAMONDS EVER
In 1878, Charles Lewis Tiffany paid $18,000 for one of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered – a whopping 287.42-carat stone acquired in South Africa the previous year. It was cut in Paris with 82-facets (24 more than the norm) which gave it so much radiance it looked as if it was lit by an inner flame.
In 1973, the famous yellow diamond was advertised for sale in the NY Times for $5 million. The offer was valid for 24 hours. There were no bidders.
AUDREY HEPBURN WORE IT IN A 1961 MOVIE
It graced the neck of Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s where it was framed by a necklace of diamond ribbons. Fifty-eight years later, Lady Gaga wore it at the 2019 Academy Awards. Remember: A diamond is forever!
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961
CARTIER AND ITS FAMOUS THREE-WAY CREATION
High quality jewelry is rarely versatile – except if it’s from Cartier. The French house created two identical leaf-shaped strands of diamonds set in flexible platinum that could be worn three ways: as a corsage, a necklace or as a tiara.
AT THE MET GALA MADONNA WORE IT AS A NECKLACE
In 2011 Madonna paired this creation with a teal silk Stella McCartney gown embroidered down the back with a cascade of stars. The diamonds, worn as a necklace, seemed to perfectly mimic the sparkles on the dress.
AT THE OSCARS: RACHEL WEISZ WORE IT AS A TIARA
In February 2019, a talented British-American actress wore this sparkling jewelry where the world could see it at once. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Favorite (a film set amid the trappings of the British Court).
I’LL NEVER LET DIAMONDS OUTSHINE ME!
At times, there are celebrities who don’t want a diamond to outshine their own star on the red carpet – so they opt for a more demure, but no less dazzling jewel. This is why De Grisogono’s elegant and simple, yet stylish earrings are so popular.
These teardrop earrings are crafted from 18-karat gold and faceted with 617 sparkling white diamonds that brilliantly reflect the light. Rihanna wore these elegant earrings in 2010 at the NRJ Music Awards. Five years later, Natalie Portman wore them at the Cannes Film Festival where many of the guests, including Karlie Kloss and Cara Delevingne, wore De Grisogono.
Rihanna wore De Grisogono’s diamond earrings at the NRJ Music Awards
Photos courtesy of the Weekend Financial Times, May 18, 2019
Summing up, a spokesman for the company says, “These teardrop earrings are timeless, ageless and a bestseller. Our clients definitely love them.”
Shaun Nelson-Henrick
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I just read an article that sounded – to me at least – like “a canary in a coal mine” or an early warning of danger. This piece, written by Joe Pompeo, appeared in the May 2020 issue of Vanity Fair magazine with the title “The British Tabloid Invasion” and a subtitle that read, “How the Daily Mail is conquering American gossip.”
The paparazzi horde, La Dolce Vita, 1960 – photo courtesy of Vanity Fair
Apparently the good old U.S. is a nation of “not great” sleepers. Really? And I thought I was the only one! According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it was revealed that one out of three Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. Yikes!
I think we’re all taken by the incredible mystique of the famous French fashion house, Hermès that has been with us for two centuries and is still owned and operated by the same family. From its beginnings in fine equestrian leather goods, they are – in the tumultuous year 2020 – best known for their handbags and many other items.
My image of Hermès has always been rarified products at equally rarified prices so imagine my surprise when I recently received a very stylish publication of theirs in the mail.
