bLavish

Are Designer Imposters Good For Luxury Retailers?

July 16, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling at 4:39 pm | Comments off

I’ve always thought that high end designers must be really irritated about street side vendor hawking bags with their logos plagarized. It’s seems common sense to think that this kind of fakery would be a problem. But recent research shows that counterfeit bags actually boost high end sales.

For one thing, counterfeit bags function as free advertising for designer goods. I never really thought about fashion houses like Chanel and Gucci as needing free advertising, but now that I think about it the fact that every other person in a major city is carrying a bag with a recognizable logo (real or fake) must be a booster. Counterfeiting is one of the reasons, actually, that these logos are so recognizable.

Other research suggests that counterfeit bags act as sort of a gateway to designer purchases. So, then, fake Louis Vuitton is to real Louis Vuitton what marijuana is to cocaine? Interesting. Still, if you’re in the market for a fake, there’s more to consider than the impact on the label.

Most high end lines manufacture their bags responsibly, using ethically-source materials and humane labor practices. This is, of course, not true across the board, but for the most part, the more status a line has, the more accountable it is to its fans. Street vendors, since they operate illegally, are beholden to no one, and I have read exposes of the terrible conditions in which this products are produced.

Emerald Sunglasses by Shiels

June 26, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling at 9:00 pm | Comments off

Albert Bensimon, managing direction of Shiels designs, is a lover of the classics. The line’s latest eyewear is inspired by none other than Emperor Nero himself. Nero is said to have been the first person to wear sunglasses. The glasses were made out of emeralds cut into lenses, designed to block out the sun while he watched gladiator matches.

This version is pretty one-of-a-kind. In fact, they are one of a kind, because at $200,000, most people aren’t going to be buying them for daily use. The frames are made of gold accented with diamonds, and the glasses must be protected by security guards around the clock while they’re on display.

The glasses are featured in the Shiels Carillion window in Perth currently, but inquiries have been made by an unnamed celebrity who wants to make them their own.

Alexander McQueen Skull and Butterfly Ring

April 6, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling, For Her at 10:00 pm | Comments off

Sometimes classy and trashy are opposite poles, and sometimes they are flip sides of the same coin. On this amazingly badass ring by Alexander McQueen, the latter is definitely the case. There’s not actually anything actually trashy about this design, but it does reference biker girl style in a pretty clear way.

The design is classic McQueen, with his signature skull motif combined with Swarovski-accented flowers and butterflies. It’s the combination of these seemingly contradictory elements that make the design so effective. It looks as though the heavy, scary looking skull has been graced with a lovely halo. I guess some people might find the look a little creepy, but it fits in well with this season’s dark, edgy aesthetic without getting too goth.

$7.5 Million Poker Chips

March 14, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling at 9:46 pm | (1) Comment »

Geoffrey Parker, the British game-maker has produced the most expensive set of poker chips in the world. Not just because f the denominations shown on the chips, either, although those are significant and can be tailored to the desires of the customer. Each chip is encrusted in fine jewels. White chips have white diamonds, red have rubies, blue have sapphires, emeralds for the green, and the black have black diamonds.

Not only that, but the chips come housed in a gorgeous case, which is covered in alligator skin and lined in suede. The interior frame is lined in white gold chips, each inlaid with stringray skin. Total, there are over 1,000 carats of gems in the set, more than 20,000 jewels in all. Not to mention the four platinum-plated sets of poker cards and the dealer button inlaid with two rows of white diamonds. This is some pretty serious bling to be sporting at the poker table, and it’s safe to say that it’s for high rollers only.

Solange Azagury-Partridge Ballcrusher Ring

February 26, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling at 1:05 am | Comments off

Solange Azagury-Partridge is a jewelry designer that I’ve only begun to notice recently. Her posh, but edgy designs are he perfect way to add a little touch of toughness to your style in an inconspicuous way. This ballcrusher ring is as cool as its tongue-in-cheek name. The 18-karat gold ring  is shaped like a claw, and it holds a gorgeously lustrous south sea pearl. The claw itself is a little low key, and might be mistaken for a simply unusual setting if it weren’t for the black enamel nails painted on it.

I love this ring’s combination of scary and chic. It’s the kind of statement ring that whispers instead of screaming. It would make an extraordinary gift for a young, hip woman or anyone who likes a little edge in their jewelry.

Solange Azagury-Partridge Hot Lips Ring

February 5, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling, For Her at 5:00 am | Comments off

Okay, gentlemen, you officially have ten days until Valentine’s Day. Ladies, that means you have three more days to get in reasonable gift requests or drop relevant hints. If you’re the kind of woman that likes glossy, pop art inspired jewelry, this Hot Lips ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge would be a great addition to your collection.

The sterling silver base has been coated with an extra thick layer of enamel, which makes the lips look extra glossy and lacquered.  The bubblegum pink color is bright and eye-catching. But if the eye-popping color isn’t enough to attract attention, the substantial size will be.

I have to say that while I’m not usually the kind of girl that goes in for pink anything, there’s something cute and kitschy about this ring that is really appealing. Even girls who aren’t girly girls can find a way to work this one into their wardrobes.

Sparkling Borrowed Gems Of The SAG Awards

January 31, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling at 7:00 pm | Comments off

Any red carpet is a glittering showcase of jewelry trends, but the SAG awards this year were a particularly sparkly affair. Or, perhaps it just seemed that way, given the current economic climate. The thing is that, for the most part, celebrities don’t actually own the jewels they wear on the red carpet. They borrow them, sometimes millions of dollars worth.

This year, actresses Lea Michele (of Glee) and Natalie Portman were both hooked up with classic gems by the illustrious Tiffany & Co. Michele wore nearly $1 million in Tiffany baubles, including a platinum pear-shaped diamond ring, platinum lever-back earrings, and several diamond studded bracelets. Portman wore $2 million white and yellow diamond earrings and a couple of diamond bangles.

Not everyone was outfitted by the house of Tiffany, however. Mila Kunis wore Cartier, and Clair Danes wore Fred Leighton. For the most part, classic, iconic styles were favored over edgier, more contemporary looks.

Love Necklace by Solange Azagury-Partridge

January 31, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling, For Her at 3:00 pm | Comments off

This week I will be featuring an array of Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Because we women are all different, and while most of us will probably smile at least a little at a diamond, choosing the right one can be difficult. This is a great gift idea for a woman will quirky chic taste. It’s fun and blingy, but still totally authentic. Plus, if LOVE is the message you’re trying to send, it says it loud and clear.

Rose gold is a new rage that I didn’t really see coming, but suddenly some of the hippest jewelry designers around are using it. It has an instantly vintage appeal that is buffeted in this case by the handwritten design. This necklace has a lot of length to it, so it’s really better for a younger woman who layers on her jewels rather than one who goes for something big and classic. Not that this is any small bauble. No, indeed, but it does have a subtle delicacy to it that is feminine and sweet.

Anita Ko White Gold Diamond Wing Earrings

January 24, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling at 5:29 pm | Comments off

If you’ve noticed the lobes of any high glamour celebrities, lately, you have for sure seen more than a few pairs of sparkly angel wings. I’m not always one to get behind the trends, but when they’re as beautiful as this, who can resist? Why bother with cheap knockoffs when the real thing looks better? Besides, real diamonds have resale value, as opposed to paste, which won’t get you a penny if you get tired of it soon.

These gorgeous white gold angel wings are set with 1.2 karats of white diamonds and pave. They have a large butterfly closure that will ensure that they sit well against the ear. These babies are the perfect accompaniment to a multitude of outfits. They’ll work with jeans and a tight tee just as well as they will with your evening attire. The combination of hipster chic and glam makes them not just versatile, but also super fashionable. What a way to wear your bling!

Aurelie Bidermann Sterling Dreamcatcher Necklace

December 21, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Bling Bling at 8:00 pm | Comments off

Shopping for fashionistas is tricky business. You can’t just walk in to any fancy boutique and walk out with the right handbag. If she’s a girl with her own sense of style, she’s going to be offended if you just go out and grab the most popular “it” item of the year, even if it is decadent and luxurious. You better know whether her style is boho or posh, uptown or downtown.

If she’s a downtown boho type, this Aurelie Bidermann dreamcatcher necklace is a great choice. It’s embellished with semi-precious brown chalcedony, and the sterling has been woven into an intricate traditional Native American design. It’s also a gift that’s meant to bring good luck, as the web is meant to catch your dreams. What a great way to show your hippie chick that you dig her unique brand of chic.

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