Madonna’s new jewellery and clothing range more leather and studs than diamonds and pearls

Madonna is designing a junior clothing range which is set to launch this August with the help of her daughter Lourdes who is now 13 and a style icon in the making, attracting attention recently for her eye-catching outfits and original fashion choices.

Madonna certainly has the right background to take on the fashion world having created a look that defined a generation, served as a muse to Jean Paul Gaultier and starred in campaigns by designers including Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabanna.

The self styled queen of pop is collaborating with US. based Iconix Brand Group to create new venture called MG Icon. “Material Girl” is her first collection which will be available online and at 200 Macy stores. It is called a “fast fashion range” and will feature back-to-school wear, footwear, handbags and jewellery ranging in price from $12 to $40.

The collection is described as “reflecting Madonna's timeless, unique and always glamorous style” - and includes kimono dresses, handbags and sunglasses. So it will be street wear and not glamour featuring leather collars or cuffs with studs rather than diamond collarettes or diamond bracelets. There is also a strong likelihood that she will launch a fragrance next year.

Fabulous Jimmy Choo’s with diamond ankle straps

Tamara Mellon has found a way to ensure that she gets first pick of every pair of Jimmy Choo shoes as soon they are designed. Miss Mellon is a Beverly Hills girl who comes from a rich successful and rich family. She has never needed money but went to work at her father’s insistence (he controlled the Vidal Sassoon empire).

Tamara is very beautiful (don’t you just hate her so far!) and is addicted to shoes which helped her to get a job in London’s Vogue magazine searching for unique and stylish shoes for fashion articles. And then she finally found what she was looking for… Jimmy Choo.

When she discovered Jimmy Choo he was a relatively poor Chinese emigrant who worked with his niece Sandra Choi making exclusive hand-made shoes of the best quality. Tamara Mellon had a long list of useful contacts gained during her Vogue period and came up with a plan so that she could expand the business work with them. But they needed money to crank the business up a notch, which Mellon provided by asking her father for $250,000 to open an official office. She then became the founder and president of the company.

Tamara Mellon has literally hundreds of pairs of shoes - all of them Jimmy Choo. She always get two pairs of the ones she really loves, and is pictured at this year’s Oscars wearing a pair from the new range which are the ultimate in glamour coming complete with diamond ankle straps.

Jimmy Choo’s were worn by too many actresses to name at this year’s Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAs but they included Madonna, Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Michelle Obama. But the one thing that the most stylish and elegant red carpet walkers nearly all had in common was that their accessories were a pair of diamond earrings, a diamond necklace or diamond bracelet. Obviously recognising that shoes of that quality merit only the best type of jewellery – pieces that feature diamonds!

Hurley Burley Jewellery - Hurley Burley on This Morning

I dont get much time to watch day time TV anymore but did get a chance this morning whilst getting through all my ironing.

This Morning was great and had a whole Section about Mothers Day Gifts, spa days, clothes, lunches out and Jewellery.

One brand that really caught my high was Hurley Burley that made some gorgeous Bracelets and Necklaces - very similar to Tiffany with the chain and the heart. But beautiful. They also have some lovely costume jewellery too all of which is hand made.

You can see more about Hurley Burley here. Great Name!

Affordable Diamond Jewellery for Mother’s Day

The earliest known celebration honouring mothers dates back to the annual spring festival of Ancient Greece which was dedicated to Rhea who was the Mother of the Gods. The Greeks would pay tribute with honey-cakes and flowers at dawn.

In the UK Mother's day is celebrated on the 4th Sunday in Lent (this year on 14th March) but in other countries around the world, it is celebrated at different times.

In America and most European countries honour their mothers on the second Sunday in May. May 10th is the day dedicated to mothers in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

But it is very different for mothers in Croatia where on the second Sunday before Christmas the children creep in and tie their mother's feet to a chair, shouting “Mother's Day, Mother's Day, what will you pay to get away?” She then gives them presents to untie her!

A Mother's Day card should be a special token of your love that shows your mother just how much she means to you. Pick cards that offer more than just the average text of "enjoy your special day” and look for meaningful poems or passages that show your appreciation for the lady who raised you.

Jewellery is something a bit different as a mother’s day gift, and nowadays you can pick up some very reasonably priced pendants or earrings which can be packaged with a special message. Jewellery is a traditional gift which your mother can keep rather than eat or eventually throw away which is what she would do with chocolates or flowers!

Of course the most special type of jewellery that you can buy your mother is something with diamonds, and you will be surprised how affordable diamond jewellery can be as you don’t have to give her a large solitaire diamond ring! Pearl and diamond earrings are very pretty and acceptable, as is gemstone jewellery and you can pick a ring or earrings or pendant with her birthstone to make it extra special.

My Favourite Diamond Jewellery at the Oscars

With all the hype surrounding the 82nd annual Academy Awards, it is difficult to select favourite frocks, shoes, bags, hairstyles, etc. But three things stood out to me – the fabulous “in your face” diamond necklaces worn by the actresses Hilary Swank, Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren.

The most daring outfit of the night went to Hilary Swank who was wearing an Armani Prive dress that plunged almost to her navel and scooped very low at the back. Her modesty was just about preserved by sliver of sheer mesh which kept the neckline (two straps) from gaping wide open.

Just in case the paparazzi didn’t notice that her gown had no front, she brought even more attention to the fact by wearing a fabulous and very large Charleston diamond pendant.

Miss Swank actually skipped the awards ceremony but attended the Vanity Fair Party: and given the fairly conservative fashions worn on the red carpet this year it was probably a good move to do so.

Kate Winslet was not nominated for an Oscar this year but was presenting an Academy Award instead. As a veteran of the red carpet she opted for an “Old Hollywood” look and was resplendent in a stunning strapless metallic Yves Saint Laurent gown. The modern fitted bodice was studded with small sparkling “diamonds”. She wore a large statement $2.5 million yellow diamond necklace by Tiffany & Co with simple diamond earrings, a diamond bracelet and simple clutch bag to complete her elegant look.

Miss Winslet wore her hair in cascading waves in a style reminiscent of Veronica Lake. To complete the look she wore very ethereal make up, with champagne-pewter shades highlighting her eyes and nude-pink lips.

Actors Dame Helen Mirren and Colin Firth were leading the British nominations at this year's Oscars. Dame Helen won best actress for The Queen in 2008, and was nominated in the same category, playing the wife of writer Leo Tolstoy in The Last Station.

Helen Mirren looked very elegant as usual and was simply stunning in a sheer silver and gray beaded Badgley Mischka dress with a large Chopard diamond necklace.

The new sport of looking for cracks in celebrity marriages

With the media obsessed with serial adulterers and celebrity marriage breakdowns I can’t help but feel that it’s making us feel that all relationships are doomed

The most recent bunch started with Tiger Woods and his multi-infidelities, then came the news of John Terry’s affair, Ashley Cole’s text flashing, Madonna splitting with Jesus, Vernon Kaye’s sexy texts and the interminable stories of Katie Price, Alex Reid and Peter Andre. And this has all happened over the past few weeks!

I must admit I sometimes enjoy reading the latest gossip about the overpaid and over privileged celebrity relationships, but recently things have changed and it feels more like the press are chasing misery for the sake of it. Unfortunately too many celebrities seem to treat marriage like children treat computer games: they keep on until they get them, play them incessantly and then move on to the latest release with more effects.

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie have just started filming The Tourist and already rumours are circulating that his 12 year relationship with Vanessa Paradis is under threat. Good news it that Simon Cowell has allegedly presented Mezhgan Hussainy with a diamond engagement ring, and Russell Brand has popped the question to Katy Perry but the question is being asked “how long will they last?” Somewhere along the line the words “Let’s hope it works out” have shifted to “There is no way it will last, and we’re going to read the gossip magazines to watch it falling apart”.

Try and remember that romance will only die if you let it. Show your love to someone by presenting them with a diamond eternity ring, or ask them to marry you with a diamond solitaire engagement ring. I keep using the word “diamond” because they are synonymous with the words “diamonds are forever” and are one way we might be able knock all this negativity into touch!

Fabulous Diamond Jewellery Worn at the Oscars

With the Oscars coming up this weekend it is always fascinating to see what the latest jewellery and fashion trends are with the over-pampered stars that walk down the red carpet. Apart from spending weeks preparing for the event with beauty treatments, hair design and dress fittings, the accessories are also a vital part of their overall appearance.

With Harry Winston loaning diamonds to the most famous or Oscar nominated actors, any designer who can get their wares showcased at this event is sure to get some publicity – good or bad.

Obviously it’s not great if your name is linked with the worst dressed stars, but the best and worst dressed list always attracts global coverage and with the number of viewers this ceremony attracts they really do get worldwide exposure. Photos taken on the red carpet, at the ceremony and post Oscar parties circulate for years. And remember that no publicity is bad publicity!

Many celebrities could afford to buy the jewellery and fashions they wear to the Oscars, but they don't have to as jewellery designers and dealers allow them to choose what they would like to wear from their latest catalogue. Many of the designers work with a number of celebrities and must be careful not to duplicate an item.

Apart from Harry Winston, Michael Katz is a Beverly Hills jewellery designer and dealer who has the reputation of being able to intuitively match people with jewels, and another is New Yorker Fred Leighton who also supplies rings for the right hands of the Sex In the City ladies.

If a celebrity trend looks hot enough then jewellery companies will rush to produce look-alike versions of the piece. The Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez diamond engagement ring being a classic example with a number of companies flooding the market with cheaper copies.

Along with the top-end loaned diamonds comes a personal security guard, with Joan Rivers telling the story of when the lights went out unexpectedly at a post-Oscar party her guard immediately grabbed her elbow and steered her straight out the back door.

I’ll certainly be watching the ceremony for as long as I can stay awake for this weekend so see if I can spot the celebrity wearing the biggest piece of diamond jewellery or the one who has had the most botox treatment.

Shoes with detachable jewellery

Shoes with detachable jewellery are the latest must haves. Top designer Chrissie Morris has just launched a range of uber sexy shoes with cuff bracelets used as ankle straps which can be removed and worn around your wrist if required.

The British designer’s latest collection features stilettos with a thick ankle strap that can be removed and worn as a leather cuff. All of the shoes in her latest collection are very art deco and would look great with some diamond stud earrings or a diamond tennis bracelet.

If you prefer footwear that is made for comfort like trendy flat pumps, then you can always dress them up with some blingy shoe jewellery which clips on to the shoe.

Just think the next craze could be hair jewellery which could be used on your head or double as a larger than life brooch. Or maybe tops or dresses with detachable necklaces?

Design Your Own Sparkling Diamond Teeth

Diamond studded teeth has become the latest fashion craze in the USA. There is no drilling or needles required to fit these fashionable teeth as a mould is made to create special caps which fit right over your permanent teeth.

Not only will your smile be sparkling, but you can hide any flaws you might have in your mouth by closing gaps between teeth, straightening out a crooked smile, or improving the look of a chipped tooth.

Many rap artists are purchasing custom diamond teeth which come in a number of styles set in the shape of hearts, stars or square diamonds in the centre of each tooth. Because each set of diamond teeth are made specifically to fit your molars, the design can be specially ordered with rubies, or other gems embedded in white or yellow gold for your own personal style.

Alice in Wonderland Jewellery

Tom Binns designs and sell high-quality contemporary jewellery. He has created a number of couture collections consisting of handcrafted, one off pieces, so it is no surprise that he was approached to create the Alice In Wonderland inspired collection used in Tim Burton’s soon to be released film starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

The film's producer Disney is launching a fashion merchandising plan, collaborating with designer Sue Wong to create an Alice in Wonderland dress collection to be sold in US department stores. Swarovski has been asked to create a Wonderland jewellery collection ranging from charms and rings to the “Sparrow” rose gold necklace that is worn by Alice in the film; and hot jeweller Tom Binns has created two further collections with costume jewellery pieces including motifs such as giant keys and multiple red hearts.

Binns read the book “Alice’s Adventures Through the Looking Glass” to find symbols representing the stories. This was not difficult with strong images like the keyhole, the Mad Hatter's top hat and watch with time being a big reference point for the story. He found that every scene in the book has something iconic that would represent it from start to finish.
He then focused on five main characters or episodes as a framework for his designs: the White Queen, the Mad Hatter, the Red Queen, the Tea Party and the Cheshire Cat. He has created 40 pieces but was so inspired he could have easily made 200.

How Celebrities Say It With Diamonds

If you want to know how the other half live I have put together some facts on what celebrities expect when they get engaged:

1. When Catherine Zeta Jones got engaged to Michael Douglas he bought her a stunning 10 carat antique marquise diamond ring worth $2 million to mark the occasion. (Incidentally the marquise diamond cut got it's name as it is said to resemble the shape of the mouth of a smiling marquise).
2. Joan Collins was given a 19th century heart-shaped diamond ring by Percy Gibson (who is now her husband).
3. Paris Hilton had two engagement rings when she was engaged to billionaire Paris Latsis: a canary 24 carat diamond ring worth $5 million and a 15 carat white emerald-cut diamond ring worth $2.1 million. Wonder if she gave them back when they split up?
4. Britney Spears also has two engagement rings: a 4 carat cushion-cut carat diamond ring worth $40,000 which she bought herself before her wedding to Kevin Federline and another that her now ex-husband gave her after they had been married for nine months.
5. Madonna received a three-stone antique Edwardian diamond ring with a decorative platinum band from Guy Ritchie. A three stone engagement ring is said to represent the past, present and future, so I would imagine she would rather not know what’s coming when she next hooks up with someone!
6. Beyonce’s 18 carat diamond wedding ring has a £2.5m price tag. Jay-Z ignored the more traditional plain gold band and instead chose a fabulous diamond.
7. Although Elvis fanatic Vernon Kay is certainly in trouble with his wife Tess Daly for sending those sexy text messages, when it was their wedding anniversary she took a bad fake copy of a horseshoe pinkie ring which Vernon had purchased at Graceland’s and got a Hatton Garden jeweller to create a white gold version with diamonds.

Bling iPhone made of solid gold and diamonds

If you are lucky enough to have someone with more money than sense who loves showering you with over the top luxury gifts then the world’s most expensive iPhone - the 3GS Supreme - could be something you have always needed but ot realised it until now!

This phone has been created by Stuart Hughes and costs about £1.92 million with its solid 22 carat gold casing and front bezel is beset with 136 flawless diamonds which make up 68 carats.

The rear apple logo has 53 diamonds and the front navigation button has one single cut rare 7.1 carat diamond.

The box that houses the iPhone 3GS Supreme is made from a single block of Granite, in Kashmir gold with the inside lined with Nubuck top grain leather with a total weight of 7kg. The handset is unlocked for worldwide use.

You can’t buy these phones off the shelf as the iPhone 3GS Supreme was commissioned by an anonymous Australian businessman working in the gold mining industry. He is obviously making some very rich pickings from the soaring gold prices.

Is this the ultimate luxury or just a waste of diamonds?

Why your make up bag could be riddled with disease

Do you realise that your make-up bag can be a breeding ground for bacteria as beauty products have a shelf life just like foodstuffs. As they age they can grow bacteria which can cause irritation or infection.

So whether you’re into wearing full slap with false eyelashes studded with diamonds or just use a coating of natural lip gloss be aware that a survey has just shown the average make-up bag contains a number of items that are four years out of date. Some women still had products which were 15 years past their recommended use-by dates!

To give you an example: if mascara wands are used for more than six months after opening they can breed bacteria that cause conjunctivitis. Old lipsticks can make lips dry and blistered and dirty brushes can cause herpes, ringworm and impetigo.

68% of women replace make-up or skin products when they run out - no matter how long that takes, and 72% never wash make-up sponges or brushes.

Below is the recommended use by date for standard cosmetics:

• Mascara 4-6 months
• Eye shadow/blusher 18-24 months
• Eyebrow pencil 18 months
• Lipstick/lip gloss 18-24 months
• Eye/lip liner 18 months
• Perfume 36 months
  

Five years ago rules were brought in by the EU stating that all cosmetics carry advice on when they will expire and many manufacturers duly added ‘period after opening’ symbols to indicate how long a product lasts. The bad news is that research carried out by Debenhams has indicated that 89% of women do not know this information exists, cannot understand it, or cannot read the tiny writing.

In light of the above, Debenhams has now written to Health Secretary Andy Burnham to push for further legislation to cover the safety of consumers.

How will Cheryl and Ashley split the dogs and the diamonds?

With Cheryl Cole back in the UK at the marital home she shared with Ashley, and the Chelsea footballer staying in France where he is receiving treatment on his broken ankle, rumours are rife on how the couple will eventually split their £35m empire.

In other words, who gets the dogs and the diamonds?

To give you some idea of scale of diamond jewellery we are talking about here: Ashley has an £85,000 Stephen Webster diamond earring which was a wedding gift from Cheryl. He also has a diamond-studded Cartier Santos 100 watch worth £25,000 and a Franck Muller gold watch worth £85,000.

Cheryl has two diamond rings: her heart-shaped diamond wedding ring is worth £150,000 and her square-cut yellow diamond ring is worth around £160,000. She also has a Cartier Santos 100 watch studded with diamonds worth £20,000, plus a fancy Hublot Big Bang Cappuccino watch which is worth £35,000.

Cheryl has a close relationship with the jewellers de Grisogono, who gave her a pair of stunning £70,000 diamond drop earrings which she wore to the X Factor finals.

And then there are the cars: Ashley currently has a driving ban which is stopping him from using any of his incredible collection of vehicles. His favourite is a Lamborghini Gallardo which is worth around £115,000. He also has a £200,000 Bentley and two Range Rovers at £80,000 each.

Ashley bought Cheryl a Bentley for their first wedding anniversary, but she said the £150,000 car was “just too much” so he got her some Cartier jewellery instead.

The two things that Cheryl is almost certainly guaranteed to walk away with are the Chihuahuas Coco and Buster which are her great loves. Apparently Ashley never liked the way she would allow them to sleep in the bedroom, saying they got in the way.

Whatever happens, neither of them will exactly be struggling after the split!