Au Revoir, Yves!

The fashion world laid to rest one of its 20th century icons on June 5th at the Église Saint-Roch. Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent catapulted to fame in 1957, upon the surprise death of his mentor and employer, Christian Dior. Thrust to the head of the House of Dior, Saint Laurent thrilled the fashion world in 1958 with his "Trapeze" collection, which was an unmitigated sensation.

What's so striking to this fashionista, though, is the persistence of that silhouette in modern fashion, even at Yves Saint Laurent today, under the helm of Stefano Pilati. At far right is Saint Laurent himself, preparing for that 1958 collection. At near right is a coat designed for the 2008 Fall RTW YSL collection. Notice anything similar?

Sure, the modern version is cinched with a wide belt and features an au currant turn-down funnel collar, but the resemblance is still quite striking. Note how both ensembles feature only a single color. Such monochromatic dressing was always a signal feature of YSL sophistication. A full skirt and flattering one-color dressing? This look might be a girl-with-hips' best friend!

For Saint Laurent to present such a seminal show his first time out was truly phenomenal, and a testament to his ability to understand a woman's body. After all, his mentor had created the "New Look" in 1947, perhaps the fashion moment in all of the 20th century. To create his own identity out of that tradition, Saint Laurent had to be constantly innovative and forward thinking.

His collections based on artists' work - Mondrian, Picasso, and Matisse to name a few - created a symbiosis between the art and fashion world that had previously gone unexplored. These artistic concepts persist even today in the form of the Yves Saint Laurent website, where a series of black and white squares filled in with primary colors evoke no less than "Composition A."

And his 1968 collections featuring pants - pants! - for women were considered scandalous at the time. He even designed a tuxedo collection for women, replete with a smoking jacket, allowing them to look as calculatedly insouciant as a man while dragging on a cigarette, a favorite pastime of Saint Laurent himself.

Eventually the brand spread - like all good lifestyle ones do - into handbags, accessories, even make-up and jewelry. But Saint Laurent's vision maintains a constant presence. His 1976 "Rich Peasant" (ah, the days before political correctness) collection set of shockwaves through the fashion industry yet again, so much so that his Paris show was re-stages in New York!

Pilati channels this looks with the Fall 2008 RTW velvet coat layered over a chocolate brown dress (notice how the sleeves hook over ones thumbs) and opaque hosiery. Sure, times have changed - the fur hat is gone, as it the dirndl skirt - but the luxurious simplicity of the original is still there. As is, I'm sure, the concomitant price tag!

The DCGF has not yet been fortunate to purchase anything from YSL, although I see several blazers and suits from the 80s in Goodwill stores. They might be a bit dated now - big shoulder pads, double-breasted front - but the elegance and striking color of the original Saint Laurent is still there. Who knows what the future of the brand holds: household wares? more women's tuxedos? another new silhouette? I can't wait to see. And I'm sure a bit of Saint Laurent will be there in all of it...

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.

Gorgeous Gold Rings at HSN

Yellow has been a favorite color since this past winter, and what better embodiment of that trend in jewelry than gold.

Though it's ever so pricey, yellow gold has made a comeback in a big way this year, and rings continue to be bold and chunky. So I set out to find some beautiful gold rings that won't put a gigantic dent in your bank account. Surprisingly, I found a wonderful selection at HSN.





14k Gold Heart Dangle Ring

Midas-touched in polished yellow gold, this ring showcases a puffed yellow gold heart dangle. The heart features a textured, rhodium-plated heart design in the center with a prong-set, round diamond accent, for a splash of sparkle. Polished finish, tapered shank, so cute!

$119



Pure gold is too soft to withstand the stresses of every-day wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. Caratage, indicated by a number followed by k, indicates purity, or how much of the metal in a piece of jewelry is gold. Caratage is expressed in 24ths, 24k gold being 100% gold.





14k Gold Polished and Satin Bypass Ring

This stunning yellow gold bypass ring showcases a thick, overlapping design. The ring's sleek polished side overlaps atop a sugary satin-finish side, for a sinfully asymmetrical appearance. Measures approx. 13/16"L x 13/16"W x 1/8"H with 3/16"W shank. Tapered shank. Made in Italy.

$170



Of all metals, gold is the softest and most malleable, yet has exercised the strongest hold on the human imagination. It appears naturally in its metallic form, and can be fashioned into complex shapes with the simplest bronze, bone, or wooden tools, meaning that gold could be worked into tokens, personal adornments, and talismans by the earliest craftspeople.





14k Gold Hand-finished Floral Motif Ring

Fashioned from polished yellow gold, this picturesque ring features a wide silhouette with an openwork floral motif on a satin-finish backdrop. Creating a bold, yet feminine look upon your finger, this golden garden radiates elegance. Polished finish, tapered shank, made in Italy.

$220



The Cost

The price of gold jewelry is dependent upon the purity of the gold used or karat weight, as well as the design and construction of the piece of jewelry. The color of the gold is determined by the type of metal alloys included in it, and the percentage of each alloy. 18k gold contains 75% gold, which is alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough to withstand everyday wear.



Now, these are all 14k gold rings - 18k is not in my budget. Because 14k gold is composed of only 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals, its gold color isn't as rich as 18k gold. 14k gold is most commonly used where strength is most important, like in earring backs and bracelet clasps, but if I can have a nice 14k ring - or none at all - I'm going for it.





14k Gold Polished 'Snakeskin' Concave Ring

This impressive yellow gold ring boasts a sizable, eye-catching square table with a concave silhouette. The table showcases a snakeskin design, while open geometric cutouts on gallery let light pass through the hand-polished piece. Split tapered shank, polished finish, made in Italy.

$330



Pure gold doesn't react with other elements to create tarnish - the residue that accumulates on some metals before transferring to your skin as a stain. Sometimes people have allergy or staining problems with metals that are combined with gold, but the gold itself is rarely a problem.





14k Gold Brocade Ring

Enhance your style with a touch of opulence when you wear this elegant ring. Polished yellow gold is crafted into a bold, slightly domed square with an intriguing openwork design. Cutouts in the top of the square form a swirling, brocade-like pattern that reveals a layer of translucent blue enamel, while filigree scrolls form an open gallery along the sides. This allows light to reflect through the sapphire-colored enamel, simulating the rich look of stained glass. The raised, dimensional-looking square appears to float atop a polished band, which feels smooth and comfortable on the finger. Made in Italy. A customer favorite!

$200



To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and wash gold gently with a soft-bristled brush - an old toothbrush works well. Store gold pieces separately in soft cloth bags or in their original boxes to protect them from the exposure to harsh daily elements.





14k Gold Bold Concave Square Ring

Smooth, silky and irresistibly seductive, this ring is a striking testament to your sophisticated taste. Sculpted from yellow gold, this highly polished ring has a modified cigar band silhouette with a concave center. Flattened edges and tapered shoulders produce a square shape in front, lending a geometric flair to the dramatic design. Tapered shank. Made in USA.

$124



Sweet!

See full article.





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Gold Jewelry Feast! - 11 October 2007

Gold, Gemstones and Gilt Gone Green! - 02 December 2007

Baubles up for Bid - 08 December 2007

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Michele Watches

Maurice Barouh taught his son Jack the essentials of watch making - patience and a dedication to quality. It was an education in both the business and the craft of the industry, a lesson that Jack combined with his own interest in design. Jack's knowledge of the mechanics involved in watch production gave him the tools to focus on both construction and style.



Garden Party Collection

Inspired by the beauty and simplicity of nature, a unique series of three different enamel dials capture the scenes of an enchanted garden. This whimsical interpretation is further adorned with diamonds amongst the brightly colored enamel, as well as larger diamonds around the case.



Bumble Bee Royal Blue Alligator

Stainless Steel.

White lacquer dial.

White diamonds.

Sapphire crystal.

$1325



Jack and his wife Rita, who grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, moved to Panama in the 1970s to help run the family business as well as to begin their own family. While there, Jack's watches garnered great attention from the Latin American market because of their innovative designs.



After several years in Panama, Jack and Rita moved their two young children, Jeremy and Michele, to Miami, where they started Michele Watches, named for their daughter. The very first Michele Watch, the CSX Diamond, was just the beginning of many more collections to come.



CSX Collection

Michele succeeded in revolutionizing the industry with its first designer timepiece known as the CSX. A globe-shaped case illustrates its universal appeal. Pioneering a trend of luxury without limitation, CSX performance timepieces are specially designed for those devoted to living increasingly stylish lives.



Stainless Steel Gold Patent Leather

White Mother-of-Pearl dial.

Sapphire crystal.

$445



The lessons of the past have not been lost on the third generation of watchmakers in the Barouh family. Both Michele and Jeremy credit the brand's success to their parents' enthusiasm and perseverance. Michele believes that the company must stay up-to-date in terms of fashion, so they can maintain the competitive edge that sets them apart from other brands in the industry.



Deco Collection

A brilliant celebration of the history of Art Deco design. Modern mechanics and aesthetics are brilliantly fused together to capture the magnetism and wonderment of an unforgotten era. The distinguished rectangular case reflects the geometric shapes identified with Art Deco architecture.



Deco Dark Purple Alligator

White Diamonds.

Mother-of-Pearl dial.

$1875



Michele's eye for trends has been one of the assets that differentiates Michele Watches. She is largely responsible for moving the brand's design aesthetic forward, and also for capitalizing on the trends of the moment with the interchangeable watch bands she designs that are made in several skins, from crocodile to stingray, lizard to leather.



One of the Barouh Family's biggest sources of inspiration comes from their yearly travels to exotic locales. "We were always fortunate enough to travel to see different cultures," said Jeremy, who, like the rest of his family, speaks French, Spanish, and English.



According to Jack Barouh, the best part about working with his children is seeing how each brings a different experience to the table. "After watching them grow up, go through college, declare their independence, and travel, they've returned as complete individuals who have a great deal to offer the company," he said.



Michele Watches' third generation has mixed a love of fashion with a love of travel and design to create a truly unique product. Michele and Jeremy understand that, unlike a great shoe or bag, a watch is a living device, one that encompasses both a history of craftsmanship and the potential for becoming a family heirloom.



Today, Michele Watches is a $50 million business that has become part of Fossil, a global leader in the fashion watch market with a proven track record of attracting and expanding brands. Jack Barouh made the decision in 2004 to merge his company with Fossil in order to give Michele Watches an even greater position of strength in the global watch industry. But Michele Watches still operates as a family business, with the design and business decisions made by the Barouh family in partnership with Fossil.



Pretty pricey, but we girls have to have something to dream about.

See full article.





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Prehnite: Misty and Romantic

Prehnite is one of those gemstones that no one has ever heard of until suddenly you start seeing it everywhere. Discovered in the 18th century in South Africa by a Colonel von Prehn, prehnite is usually a light green colour - a distinctive green not quite like any other although I have seen people confuse it with green tourmalinated quartz. It is also found in Namibia, Germany, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, India, Austria, and Canada as well as Scotland, Australia and France.
I like prehnite for its "misty" quality of green; some would say almost a milky quality although I disagree with that term. It does have black inclusions occasionally, but often these inclusions simply add to its beauty since the contrast with the pale green is quite beautiful. The prehnite bracelet above can be found on our Unique Gemstone Jewelry page, and the one below on the Unique Handmade Bracelets page. The prehnite bracelet above is simply two strands of prehnite blessed only with sterling silver for an accent, while the bracelet below also has the lovely lampwork beads of Suzette Celestin of Gaslite Lampwork. For those of you interested in the metaphysical aspects of gemstones, prehnite is best known for promoting lucid dreaming and is known as a protective gemstone with regenerative properties. It is also said to encourage energy flow through the body.
And here, because graduation is coming up, I've included a prayer box necklace with a difference: lampwork beads and genuine natural aquamarines. It's also loaded with sterling silver and would make a great graduation gift for a young girl who's special to you. Of course, the greatest part of the gift would probably be the prayer that you could write on a tiny piece of paper and put inside the prayer box so that it could accompany her on her journeys after graduation.

jewellery accessories jewelry fashion shopping braceletsbeads handmade beaded jewelry beading helmi gioielli smykker tak? juvelen lampwork beads The Jewelry Blog jewelry trends accessories jewelry prehnite unique bracelet handmade bracelet prayer box necklace

The last poll is OUT, Now: Which TREND IS?

I only added a few choices here, so please add your own if you'd like!

For our first new poll now that we're BACK!: Which trend is as tired as an unposted-to blog / non-updated poll, itself???

n

Which trend is OUT?

• 
  
  It's all in, baby!
  


• 
  
  Leggings
  


• 
  
  Babydoll tops
  


• 
  
  Skinny jeans
  


• 
  
  Huge bags
  


• 
  
  corsets
  


• 
  
  Uggs*
  


• 
  
  All of them
  


• Add an Answer
  

View Results

* I fixed the spelling of a user-submitted option. (Huggs are NOT out!)

Stealing it back

We just got over a heat wave in NYC, I finally stored the winter coats, Summer is just a few days away, and it's already Fall in the handbag world.

Chanel has shipped their new styles, and the ever so kind Maurice Robinson of Saks sent me a few pictures, from which I selected my favorites.



This first one may look a bit familiar to many...



Many fans of Marc Jacobs that is. But the fact remains as ubiquitous as the Stam was (still is to judge by the street vendors), it was a rip off, er, I mean homage to Chanel's signature style. I mean, what says Chanel more than chains and quilting?

I'm happy to see Chanel wresting it's signature style back, and showing who is the boss.

This is doubtlessly a handbag that your grandchildren would be thrilled to find in your closet...and you would have it that long. Good thing to, because prorated out, that makes the $3495 the Mademoiselle costs a pretty good deal!



My next is also classic Chanel, albeit updated and modern.



Not quite as timeless as the Mademoiselle (but really, the interlocked Cs speak for themselves, and probably do transcend the whims of trends) the Lock It has a bit more of a youthful appeal, and shows the edgy side of Chanel brought out by Karl Lagerfeld. No chains here, but the quilting, in 2 sizes, has been given a modern twist and is flatter, giving it a woven appearance. I love that for a company not afraid of an out sized logo, the only exterior nod to it's manufacturer is a small ID tag of a buckle.

This bag is all that is cool and modern. Maybe a bit too cool and modern for everyone at $3825, but like I said earlier, Chanel really is in a class of it's own, and barring trendy materials 9sheepskin?) is a lifetime bag in most styles.`

As for your grandchildren, by then, it'll be vintage...and who doesn't love a vintage Chanel?

Both bags are available at , but not online. For purchase inquiries (or any other Chanel handbag need) contact Maurice Robinson of Saks at maurice_robinson@s5a.com.

Freya Daisy

It's getting awfully hot here at Intimate Guide headquarters. It may not officially be summer, but with temperatures in the 90's, it sure does feel like it. That's why we've decided to go with something “summery” for this week's Frilly Friday selection.

Now when you think of summer, you probably think of sun showers, flowers, frozen drinks, swimming pools and melons...the kind you eat...at the table.

Errr, and that's what the colorful Freya Daisy collection makes us think of - watermelons. The green (officially lime) and fuscia color palette of the daisy collection is quite “summery” indeed. The Freya Daisy Plunge Bra is an unlined, seamed underwire bra. It is primarily composed of ultra sheer mesh decorated with fun polka dots. A satin ribbon with a rosebud applique decorates the non-stretch center gore. The thong is also primarily ultra sheer mesh with a satin bow and rosebud applique with a keyhole in the back. Floral embroidery decorates the front near the waist.

While the Freya Daisy collection looks nothing like a daisy, we'll forgive the lingerie namers. After all, daisies are a summer thing and so is this collection. The great news is that even if your breasts are the size of water melons, Freya has got a Daisy bra for you. Happy Friday!

rural uttar pradesh and delhi

Comfortable private transport, unlike accommodation, is inexpensive in India, and so I hired a car with a driver for four days to explore the northern rural areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh states, and deliver me to my final stop in Delhi. Which brings me to considering the way people travel on the roads here… I was impressed by the ingenuity and grace of women riding sidesaddle on the backs of motorcycles with babies in their arms and a second child artfully folded between father and mother. It is no news that helmets and safety precautions are only the vaguest of suggestions for drivers of all vehicles. As I people watched from the backseat of a car which was itself diving in and out of traffic with wild abandon, there were many times I just closed my eyes. Motorized pedi cabs (tuk tuks) intended to hold two adults in the back regularly hold 6 to 8 while trucks tear down the potholed roads with 30 people perched high on top of the load. India has a crazed new love affair with the car, and has produced a number of very cheap ones, most recently Tata’s Nano, which sells for about $2K. In the country, there was still room on the roads, but in Delhi, as with other cities, the roads seemed choked past capacity already, with unbearably dense air pollution, and I wonder how this country will adapt to a car revolution.

I found myself surprisingly drawn to India’s northern countryside, with its vast, flat expanses of farmlands, village paths, and huge shady trees. Here is where I came across some of the sights I found most magical. Families of wild monkeys playing by a river, a working train of a dozen camels haughtily towing massive loads, a cattle drive of hundreds of miles (led by barefoot boys) taking over roads, snake handlers, and ingenious rail thin men who ran entire shops and tailoring businesses off lovingly customized bicycles.

Cities in India were a surprise for me because I usually find many things to love in urban settings and am less in tune with countrysides. This trip, it was reversed. In cities, I found the level of harassment as a woman on the street made it difficult to discover or enjoy the beautiful aspects, and the urban overcrowding, slums and pollution for me outweighed the aesthetic pleasures. In the country, I felt relieved with the presence of open clear sky, space for people, and quiet.

On the last day in Delhi, I went to visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, and spent my final hour at midnight watching the dessert wallahs ply their trade on the sidewalk. Eight hours later I flew to England and spent a gloriously peaceful two days in the quiet hills of Devon.

For more photos, please check my flickr page.