High-End Brands Showed their Stuff at The Luxury Review Event

YNY Jewels specializes in well-designed pieces made with fancy colored diamonds, colored gemstones and precious metals.

LOS ANGELES — Jewelry and watches shared the spotlight with luxury brands from an array of industries during the recently held The Luxury Review: Los Angeles at The Petersen Automotive Museum.

Bozeman Watch Company is one of a few timepiece companies based in the U.S.

Hosted by Rand Luxury, the event brings together brands from multiple industries including automotive, jewelry, resorts, spirits, electronics and home design. These companies get exposure through a guest list that includes press and media, product analysts, studio executives, product integration and product placement professionals, tv/film producers, personal shoppers, stylists and of course affluent consumers.

Based in the The Woodlands, Texas, Dannini specializes in diamond jewelry designs.

The event was held October 3 and about 30 brands participated. There was food, wine and champagne and free samples from several vendors.

B.M.R. Watches specializes in high-end, high-performance mechanical timepieces primarily for auto racing enthusiasts. These are the creations of watchmaker Bernard Richards. Brand ambassadors in the racing world include: Jean-Eric Vergne, Manu Collard and Cyrille Lemoine.

The next Luxury Review will be held in New York on October 17 at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

Harry Winston Gives $1 Million to UCLA Children’s Hospital To Establish Fellowship Fund

Honorees Maureen Stockton and Bryan Stockton attend the second annual Kaleidescope Ball.

Harry Winston, Inc. presented a $1 million gift to the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute, part of the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, to establish the Harry Winston Fellowship Fund.

The gift was presented April 10 at the second annual Kaleidoscope Ball – Designing the Sweet Side of L.A. at the Beverly Hills Hotel, which benefits the children’s hospital. Hosted by Maria Menounos, the star-studded event honored Emmy Award-nominated Julianne Hough and Emmy Award-Winning Derek Hough with the Kaleidoscope Award - given to members of the entertainment industry who bring light and laughter into the lives of children through their professional achievements and personal humanitarianism. 

Additional honorees at this year’s event included Maureen & Bryan Stockton who received the Humanitarian Award for their commitment to civic philanthropy, and 9-year-old Grace Suomi - a former patient of Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA – who received the Innovator Award.

As the first corporate sponsor of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA’s innovative pediatric fellowship program, Harry Winston will support the work of young pediatric physician-scientists who are conducting research to prevent, treat, and cure disease and illness in children.

“The Los Angeles community holds a very special meaning for Harry Winston.  It is where Mr. Winston spent his own childhood, and first began to realize his passion and future would be in precious jewels.” said Nayla Hayek, CEO of Harry Winston, Inc. “Through the Harry Winston Fellowship Fund, we are so proud to support the vital work of these talented young physician-scientists.  It is our hope that through their innovative research and groundbreaking ideas, all children will have the opportunity for a more brilliant and healthy future, to realize their own dreams.”

Harry Winston Fellows and fund recipients will be chosen annually by an internal selection committee led by Dr. Sherin Devaskar, physician-in-chief of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA and executive director of the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute. The Harry Winston Fellows will represent physician-scientists in their second and third year of fellowship who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in academic medicine. 

“The UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute promotes scholarship and lifelong learning at all levels of career development. The Harry Winston Fellowship Fund will support the best and brightest subspecialty fellows toward becoming exceptional academic physician-scientists who will go on to collaborate and establish networks locally, nationally and globally. The ultimate goal is to promote health and improve the quality of life for all children now and in the future,” said Dr. Devaskar.

The three Harry Winston Fellows, whose appointments are pending, are researching diseases that affect children and families worldwide.

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Hublot Names Kobe Bryant Its Newest Ambassador

Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, with Kobe Bryant.

Swiss luxury watch brand, Hublot, has named Los Angeles Lakers’ star shooting guard, Kobe Bryant, is its newest ambassador. To commemorate the partnership, Hublot released Kobe’s signature timepiece, the limited edition King Power Black Mamba.

“Bryant was the perfect choice for Hublot—a brand known for its precision and excellence, traits that have characterized the basketball icon’s celebrated career,” said Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot.

Hublot is enhancing its alliance with Bryant through its support of the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families in need by providing financial resources for like-minded organizations.

Kobe Bryant King Power Black Mamba

The announcement was made Wednesday on the rooftop of The London Hotel West Hollywood. Guadalupe presented Bryant with the Limited Edition King Power Black Mamba. This was followed by a shoot-off with two children from After-School All Stars Los Angeles, a charitable beneficiary of the Bryant Family Foundation. Taking shots from a makeshift basketball court constructed over the hotel’s rooftop pool, the contest raised $30,000 for the program.

A dinner afterward was attended by several celebrities, including Zac Efron, Jimmy Kimmel, and Mark Salling.

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Girard-Perregaux Presents Watch to Basketball Giant Yao Ming

Yao Ming with limited edition Chrono Hawk watch.

Luxury watch brand, Girard-Perregaux, presented NBA star Yao Ming with a Chrono Hawk timepiece during a gala honoring the seven-foot, six-inch basketball player for his achievements on and off the court.

Yao was honored by the Asia Society Southern California with its “Visionary of the Year” award at the organization’s annual gala, held Tuesday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

The “Yao Ming” Chrono Hawk watch features a manufacture chronograph automatic movement housed in a 44mm stainless steel case. The rubber strap and sapphire caseback are embossed with Yao’s special symbol in vivid red. Girard-Perregaux only created two watches of this design. The second was auctioned at the event for $16,000.

The Yao Ming Chrono Hawk timepiece.

Yao is an eight-time All-Star center with the Houston Rockets and played on three Olympic basketball teams for China He is a veritable ambassador of the sport on behalf of China. In 2011, he became the founder and proprietor of Yao Family Wines, cabernets from Napa Valley. He is also a giant in the philanthropic world through his foundation and through partnerships with the Special Olympics and WildAid in its quest to prevent the eradication of sharks and African elephants.  

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Red Carpet Jewelry Roundup for 2015 Golden Globe Awards

Jessica Chastain in Piaget Limelight Couture Précieuse Earrings in white gold set with 194 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 12.91 ct).

In terms of jewelry, the Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet on Sunday resembled more of a Dîner en Blanc event then it did a major entertainment industry celebration. There was so much white it was blinding.

Naomi Watts in Bulgari's signature Serpenti diamond necklace.

Colorless diamonds with white gold and platinum was by far the leading trend on the red carpet Sunday. Very few bold statements as well, as classic, understated styles were the norm.

Julianne Moore in Chopard with two platinum and diamond bracelets and three rings.

Colored gemstones and yellow gold were near invisible. This is unusual considering that the trend in recent years had been leaning well toward colored gems, colored diamonds and yellow gold.

Anna Kendrick in Fred Leighton 1960s ruby and diamond pendant earrings.

Of course the big jewelry houses adorned the biggest stars and made the biggest splash. Jessica Chastain sparkled in white gold and diamond earrings and cuffs by Piaget. Naomi Watts may have the only bold statement of the evening wearing Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti diamond necklace. Julianne Moore was a consensus best dressed of the evening as she matched her metallic gown with two platinum and diamond bracelets and three rings by Chopard.

Allison Janney in Martin Katz 15.83-carat fancy yellow radiant diamond ring microset with 370 diamonds, 7.13-carat fancy yellow radiant diamond earrings, and a yellow radiant and white emerald cut diamond bracelet with 15 fancy yellow diamonds and 15 white emerald cut diamonds.

Fred Leighton also seemed to be the most visible brands on the red carpet Sunday. Usually this would mean a variety of color and styles but not this year. Only Anna Kendrick chose to wear understated ruby and diamond pendant earrings and ring.

Martin Katz, known for his diamond designs, although he had been venturing into color in recent years, adorned several stars Sunday but only Allison Janney went with something a bit different using fancy yellow diamonds, but still understated.

Chrissy Teigen in $1 Million in diamonds by Harry Kotlar, including a radiant cut diamond ring and cushion cut pink and white diamond earrings.

The De Beers Forevermark diamond brand, which personifies whiteness in its jewelry, adorned no fewer than three red carpet stars with layers of white diamond and metal jewelry (Kate Hudson, Giuliana Rancic and Frances O’Connor).

Katie Cassidy in $1 Million of Diamonds by Harry Kotlar, including 8-carat round brilliant diamond stud earrings.

Model Chrissy Teigen and actress Katie Cassidy both looked stunning, each wearing more than $1 million of understated (believe it or not) jewelry by Harry Kotlar.

Mark Ruffalo in a Montblanc Star Twin Moonphase timepiece.

Montblanc and Jaeger-LeCoultre helped dress several men in their timepieces and Montblanc added cufflinks for at least two more men walking the red carpet. Hip Hop artist Common sported a carved moonstone elephant and diamond jabot by Fred Leighton.

Jeremy Renner in a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin timepiece.

However, the highlight among those wearing watches was Diane Kruger who looked stunning in a Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Art Deco timepiece.

Diane Kruger in a Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Art Deco timepiece.

Grammy Winning Jewelry Designs

Jennifer Lopez, and her exposed leg, wearing $5 million worth of
Norman Silverman diamond earrings, rings and bracelets
(more photos below).

Most of the fashion talk at last night’s 55th annual Grammy Awards was centered around the CBS memo with its warning not to show too much skin. According to the Los Angeles Times, “The memo specifically warned attendees to adequately cover their ‘buttocks and female breasts, bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack, bare sides and curvature of the breasts.’ They were also encouraged to avoid sheer clothing and thong-type costumes.”

J Lo outsmarted the CBS brass by being revealing and living up to the standards imposed by the memo. Katy Perry abided by the memo by covering up yet still managed to be revealing. Nicole Kidman and Rihanna both looked stunning. The rest of the stars were for the most part, boring in their attire.

As far as jewelry goes, unlike the outfits, many of the designs worn by the stars were bold. Precious metals shined brightly, diamonds and colored gemstones sparkled. Below are few of the highlights.

At the age of 45, actress Nicole Kidman (with her husband Country Music singer Keith Urban), dazzled on the red carpet wearing Fred Leighton's 19th Century green enamel, diamond and gold snake cuff and pyramid shaped gold pendant earrings to complement her Vera Wang gold embroidered gown.

At the other end of the age spectrum (24) and looking just as fabulous was Barbadian singer Rihanna who reportedly was draped in Neil Lane jewelry, including a 100-carat diamond and platinum serpentine bracelet, multiple diamond and ruby serpent rings and 30-carat diamond and platinum drop earrings.

 
Singer Katy Perry is wearing an Adeler 14k yellow gold Chalcedony ring, but I really had difficulty noticing. Like J Lo, she too, abided by the CBS memo and still managed to proudly display her assets, retail: $3,908.

More pictures of J Lo in Norman Silverman jewelry. Above she is wearing a 10-carat diamond stud earrings. Below she is adorned with 2.18-carat diamond band ring, a 9.76-carat diamond band ring, a 33.77-carat canary diamond bracelet, a 31.30-carat diamond bracelet and a 33.68-carat diamond bracelet.

TV personality Nancy O'Dell wearing in a Allia smokey quartz, citrine and spinel earrings, retail: $4590; an Isharya "Black and Nude" pyramid luxe cuffs, retail each: $278; and a Le Vian ring, retail: $247,

A number of entertainers were on hand Saturday night at the Clive Davis & The Recording Academy's 2013 Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Antonio "L.A." Reid at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, Calif. Among them:

Jewelry industry favorite, Jennifer Hudson in Michael M. Diamond drop earrings (above, retail: $30,500; and Demarco 18k rose gold mixed diamond cuff, retail: $187,500.

 

Singer Ciara wore a Demarco 18k rose gold diamond ring, retail: $17,400;a Le Vian 14k Strawberry Gold diamond ring, retail: $8,297,and a Norman Silverman 18k rose gold diamond band, retail: $12,760.

Kathy Griffin is adorned in a palladium Cosmic Meteor ring by D'ette Delforge of 3D Designs, which features a natural octahedron diamond surrounded by round brilliant cut diamonds.

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Last Chance To Bid On Jacqueline Kennedy’s Christian Dior Necklace

A gold-plated necklace personally owned by former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy is currently up for auction at the Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles. The company is taking bids online and by phone, with the bidding scheduled to conclude Thursday.

The necklace features six graduated strands of gold-plated square-linked chains, punctuated with 23 fluted spherical beads in faux coral. A charm near the clasp identifies it as Dior, made in Germany in 1973, while she was married to Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis. There’s documentation stating that the necklace is from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis estate sale, sold by Sotheby's in April of 1996, lot 501.

The auction is scheduled to end tomorrow (January 30) at 5 p.m. PST. However, there is a possibility of the bidding being extended until a bid hasn’t been placed for 30 minutes. Bids can be placed online at the auction house's website or by phone at 310-440-2982.

Additional information on Jackie Kennedy’s Dior Necklace can be found at this link.

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