Brooches can instantly give your look a feeling of decades past, so today we're showing you how to create your very own. Avoid the trouble of sifting through countless flea market bins by following these quick and easy steps. Use them to add sparkle to a sweater or vest, or even grab a long chain to transform it into a pendant necklace! Watch on to see how it's done. On Allison McNamara: Madewell sweater, Hale Bob vest. Hair and makeup by Kasia Bohos.
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so we couldn't resist showing off these appropriately festive Matthew Williamson pieces. These jewels are so Fab, they don't even need a special occasion to be worn. I would sport the dazzling heart brooch ($200) with a sleek black blazer; the luxurious custom initial wallet ($200) would be an everyday essential; and that amazing ribbon necklace ($650) would be perfection against a simple white tee. See what I mean? These goodies will be available at the New York Matthew Williamson store opening later this month. Call the store if you must have!
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I like bearing some skin. Being the California girl that I am, when it's time to bundle up I sometimes replace a flash of skin with a flash of flair. Easing into party season, I've been looking for ways to add individuality to last season's clothes. When I came across this Arden B Faceted Double Brooch ($28), I was not only stopped by the faceted teal jewels but the silver chain connector — it's so Vivienne Westwood, is it not? This would be equally fun on a heather gray tee and a fancy frock. I would so do the brooch with this.
Preface: you don't need to have straight, blonde hair to do the brooch. That's merely a coincidence (and two Claudia Schiffers) you see. You do need to have an inclination to wearing a vintage style. As you can see from the blondes modeling these all very different brooches, though some of them are decidedly modern in design, they evoke the look of another time. A time when movies were black and white, men always wore hats and gas was insanely cheap. Were those the good old days? . . .
What better to go with your Yves Saint Laurent star bracelet than a pretty Victorian crescent brooch ($65)? That way you've got both the moon and the stars; modern and vintage.
The plated-gold, black enamel pin with a single seed pearl harks back to the 1890s, but still manages to be beautiful. Amazing.
For Rodarte's Spring '08 show, designers Mark Walsh and Leslie Chin accessorized the models with their breathtaking jewels. This Flaming Heart Brooch ($1,250) was one of them. Though it's pretty to see on the runway, I don't think I'd wear this in real life. It's too high-drama! What's your take?
To post your selections go to the Love It or Hate It? group. And if you want to learn how to do a blog post click here.
Where has Emmanuelle been? I think she is just adorable and wherever she was it did her good because she outshined the other girls at the twelfth annual GQ Men of the Year Awards. Remember how I was just suggesting a one-shoulder look for the holidays? Case in point.
