Last week I took a look at the trend of the color gold being used in holiday advertising… this week in honor of the countdown to the new year…. I can’t help but notice gold is having it’s moment-so to speak- in the spotlight of women’s fashion, as well.
A Valentino runway stunner - Fall 2007 couture from Style.com
In fact I would say it’s been the month- and perhaps even the holiday weekend- of the LGD ( little gold dress ). From starlets to fashion spreads to fashion opinions, the little gold dress it seems, is the trendiest sheath of the season.
So if your looking to add a little timely sparkle to your year end/beginning traditions, perhaps a little gold number is all you need…
In Style’s website suggest two different LGDs as the perfect party dress for the holidays.
Vogue gave gold dresses an entire spread in it’s December issue.
Baazar spotlighted gold sequined and embellished dresses in their December and January issues.
Both December covers of Lucky and Bazaar feature starlets in a LGDs.
Elle.com choose a photo of Kate Moss in a one of a kind Top Shop LGD for their look at the 25 best dressed of 2007.
Coincidentally Style.com choose the same pix of Kate Moss for there look at what to wear this New Year’s Eve. Wow, fashionistas sure love Miss Moss in this dress!
Today’s “Fashion Faceoff” on People.com just happens to feature Carrie Underwood and Kim Kardashian wearing the same Jovani gold sequin dress.
While Us magazine picked this metallic gold Alexander Wang Dress to as their “Who Wore It Best?“ for this holiday weekend.
People.com takes a look at the trend with images of Eve, Hilary Duff and Vanessa Hudgens all wearing LGDs on the red carpet.
And what will I be wearing this New Year’s Eve?… Will I partake in this trend…
Well- no doubt I’d love to show up wearing this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress on Monday night, but with a $625 price tag ( and a very tired post-holiday credit card ), this little gold number from Forever 21 is more of a reality!…. I love the idea of pairing it with dark grayish/blue tights…. I may just try this look at home ( minus the hair crimping, of course.)
(3 comments so far) · Bookmark this post
Wishing each of you a very happy holiday. Thank you for your encouragement this year and allowing us to add a bit of color to your world. We truly appreciate the support you have shown through your regular visits, comments, and emails. We look to getting to know you better during a very colorful 2008.
In celebration of the holiday I thought I would share a few of the holiday decorations I viewed recently.
Holiday Glamour Tree designed by Jamie Drake
Glamorous gold adds a warm glow to the holidays and shines beautifully as it adorns the Holiday Glamour themed tree that greets guest at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC.
The decorated tree is the creation of master designer Jamie Drake of Drake Design Associates in NYC and was one of the trees up for auction at the Georgetown Jingle charity event held to benefit the wonderful Pediatric programs at Georgetown University Hospital.
Jamie has created some of the country’s most dynamic, distinctive, and livable interiors for everyone from Madonna to New York City Mayor Bloomberg. He recently completed the renovation of Gracie Mansion, the ceremonial residence of the Mayor of New York.
In addition to having a phenomenal ability to work his magic in both traditional and contemporary interiors, he uses color boldly, fearlessly, and with great flair. What a talent! I’m a big fan of his and enjoyed seeing him while he was in DC.
Jamie Drake with Kate at the Georgetown Jingle
The beautiful suzani fabric from Donghia seen in my photo with Jamie Drake above and the one below was the inspiration for this festive tabletop designed by David Herchik of JDS Designs.
A suzani is delicate needlework on cloth and has been part of Central Asia’s folk art history for centuries. Donghia has updated the suzani with unexpected colors while capturing this time-honored art in its true form.
One Thousand and One Nights of Hope designed by David Herchik
The jewel tones celebrate the mysticism of far away lands and set the mood for a modern holiday dining experience. David’s delightful wit shows up in his designs as he mixes fine china and crystal with bright acrylic flatware.
The design and decoration of the tree created by Robert Pahnke and Susan Pilchard reflects the style, color, simplicity and rhythm of the artist of the Washington Color School.
In the style of the Washington Color School artists
The bold color, scale, design particularly pay homage to Gene Davis a key painter of the movement. The bright white tree illuminated with white lights create a backdrop reminiscent of the walls in Jefferson Place Gallery and show off the painting of fabric that twist around the branches from bottom to top.
This tree is a beautiful reminder of a time when Washington, DC was in the forefront as the United States developed their own movements in the arts.
(No comments yet) · Bookmark this post
The holidays are right around the corner and I can’t wait! Living in Manhattan is truly wonderful this time of year. On chilly evenings I love walking past the fragrant evergreens for sale, lined up waiting to be taken home. Watching people ice skate at Rockefeller Center, then admiring the elaborate windows on 5th Avenue really makes it feel like Christmas.
I have started wrapping gifts in colorful paper with big bows [half the fun of gift giving] Soon I will try to fit them in my luggage and head home. I look forward to opening gifts in pajamas Christmas morning [who doesn’t], however; what I really can’t wait for is being with my family, especially my mom!
I know you are not suppose to pick favorites but I can’t wait to see her. My mom is gifted in many ways, her greatest being the joy she brings to everyone who knows her. Her kindness and love are effortless. When we see each other we have the best time.
We share many things in common - our taste in books and movies [that we cry at together] enjoying cooking [and eating] , love of art and music, our outlook on life,and the list goes on. Both of us being born in January, we also share GORGEOUS garnet as our birthstone. Lucky us.
Last year I surprised my mom with garnet earrings I made for her birthday. I hand picked two beautifully faceted teardrop stones. They were deep red with fantastic luster. Setting them in 18k gold showcased them perfectly. She wears them everyday, but enjoys them for “fancy” occassions as well.
One of garnet’s traits is it’s versatility. The “regal” red color of the gem works well when “dressing to impress”, while the flattering color of red makes garnets an easy everyday choice. We need to get over our fear of red!
Red is an incredibly complimentary color for all skin types. Blond, brunettes, and red-heads alike can AND should wear red. [read Julie’s blog, one of our favorite red-heads] Jewelry is usually a small accent piece, so garnets are a great way to introduce a touch of red into a wardrobe. If red really isn’t your thing, this amazing stone comes in a virtual rainbow of choices.
The term garnet refers to a group of more than ten different gemstones. I’ve included descriptions of a few to show their wide range in color.
 |
“Pyrope” is the most common and familair with it’s deep red color. It’s name is derived from the Latin word pyropos, meaning “fiery”. |
 |
“Grossular” comes in shades of grassy greens and cinnamon browns. |
 |
“Andrite” can be found in a range of dark greens, browns and blacks. |
 |
“Spessartine” discovered in Madagascar has a beautiful yellow-orange color called “mandarin garnet”, my personal fave. |
 |
“Demantoid” is a garnet for real afficiandos. It is a very bright green who’s brilliance is greater than that of diamonds! Found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, it became the legendary jeweler - Carl Faberge’s favorite gem to work with. |
References to garnets date back to 3100 BC. The Egyptians and Romans used them in jewelry and amulets believing it gave the wearer lasting love.
The Victorians adored garnets. Their unique style of setting many small stones resembled the seed clusters of a pomegranate. Perhaps you have an heirloom from a great grandmother like this? Have a jeweler check clasps and pin catches first, then by all means wear it.
Looking for a gem to “wow” your mom, your sweetheart or your best friend this holiday? Garnets signify eternal friendship and trust- making them a perfect gift!
Do you a share garnet as your birthstone?
(One comment so far) · Bookmark this post
It happens every year- you’re left with that one person on your gift list that has you completely stumped- perhaps it’s a brother who has everything, an overly picky best friend who never seems satisfied or a co-worker whose name you picked for the office gift pool- but you barely know… whoever it may be, the big question remains- “what do I give”?
Well I found myself recently in this same gift conundrum-(let’s just say to be fair, my friend has high standards !) What could I possibly give her that would possibly wow her without breaking the bank? I discovered it was as simple as using a little color knowledge, to turn a practical purchase into a spectacular gift!
Start with a simple gift that anyone would be happy to receive- a beautiful ball point pen, a warm, cozy scarf or an ipod case for example- in a color that best represents who you think that person is. Then on the gift tag, explain to the lucky recipient why you choose the color.
For example…. you gift your brother with a red ballpoint pen, the message being ” Red represents action and confidence, it increases enthusiasm and stimulates energy…. just like you do everyday for your family!”
A yellow leather post-it note holder for your co-worker’s desk with the message-”yellow represents optimism and creativity… just like you bring to all of the office meetings”
And just so you know…. my picky friend will find herself opening a lovely, soft winter scarf in the perfect shade of purple because- “purple is the color best worn by those with mystic and royal qualities”- a true fit for her “inner- princess”!
Read more about the messages and meaning of color- you’ll never look at gift color choice the same way again!
and just in case my gifts might work for you, visit…
More fun gift ideas in a spectrum of color choices…
(One comment so far) · Bookmark this post
We’ve been writing a lot about the popularity of metallic colors over this past year. Whether it be fashion, home, garden, technology or automotive- the shimmery hues of pure metal truly appeals to designers and consumers alike.
Elle Decor’s look at the trend of metallics
So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that advertisers and retailers gravitated to this trend for the holidays. After all it’s glitz is both sophisticated and festive.
But while silver seemed to be on everyones minds this summer and fall ( remember those silver ballet flats that were on everyone’s must-have list), gold seems to be the hot metallic to ring in the new year!
Everywhere I look lately there is a golden glow- as Gold is the color du jour for fashion, home decor and even advertising.
Just take a look at how these companies are enticing shoppers to “go for the gold” this holiday….
Gucci choose a golden palette for both their jewelry and newest fragrance campaigns.
Macy’s featured an all gold accessories campaign for the holidays.
Donna Karan named her newest fragrance Gold, while the ads for both Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet and Fendi’s Palazoo seemed to be dipped in gold dust.
Burberry choose to feature their iconic trench in gold for their winter campaign, while Coach followed suit- showcasing a golden version of their famous signature C motif.
Bebe and Arden B., known for their spicy apparel use gold to rev up the sex appeal even more- in a Studio 54 kind of way.
Mikimoto’s golden pearls and Neiman Marcus’s gold clad model exude to consumers a desire of pure materialistic luxury!
The newest ads for American Express feature a jet-setting Beyonce decked out in all gold- Do you suppose she coordinates with her gold American Express card?
Have you noticed a golden glow in ads lately?
Some of what we’ve said about glamorous gold recently…
Metalics at home
Metallics in garden
Metallics you wear
Liquid Gold
Glamorous Gold
Gold shines as “Color of the Year”
Next, I’ll be taking a look at the trend of gold for holiday fashion and home decor…
(One comment so far) · Bookmark this post
The gorgeous hue Blue Iris was chosen as the color of the year for 2008 by Pantone a global authority on color.
The color of ocean and sky, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective color of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to feel calm and isn’t a feeling of calm just what we are seeking as the world around us becomes more complex?
Purple gives Blue Iris a sense of mystery and luxury. It takes blue from tried and true to new and intriguing.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute shared with me that they chose this blue-purple blend because it is a color that represents the overall color direction Pantone sees for fashion, cosmetics and home products in 2008.
Wellspring palette from the Pantone Home Furnishings Forecast
While blues and purples are shown across the eight Pantone palettes they make an especially strong showing in Wellspring a palette described as, “Universally understood as cleansing and clarifying and as the world’s most precious commodity, water provides the Wellspring that literally supports and sustains life.”
“Blues and aquas clearly define the liquid’s cooling and more soothing qualities, highlighted by a glimmer of effervescent undersea green, violet and indigo. The undulating tones of mother of pearl and sandy shades of the shore bring a beautifully warming balance.”
More on Pantone’s color of the year on Color Pro…
(3 comments so far) · Bookmark this post
I am so please that CMG featured my article on Marrakech in the Winter 2007 Color Chips. The photos they added look great!
If you’d like to read the article it is available on Sensational Color.
Also you might want to look back at Jaima Brown’s post Blushing Beauty which she wrote shortly after her recent trip to Marrakech.
Another great read is the blog My Marrakesh. Maryam does a wonderful job of giving us a view into an American families quest to build a guest house in Marrakesh. The pictures and writing are both inspirational.
Enjoy the journey to this colorful destination…even if only virtually.
(2 comments so far) · Bookmark this post
