LupRocks Gossip

Backstage from the Design Cares Kaleidoscope of Dreams Fashion Show

LupRocks.com partner, Nolcha, was the production sponsor of last night's star studded Kaleidoscope of Dreams fashion show, which benefits the very worthwhile St. Jude Children's Hospital.  We emailed some questions to Nolcha founder Kerry Bannigan and got some insight into what was going on behind the scenes:

What time does the show start tonight?  8:30pm so lets say 8:45pm incase Philip Bloch, Veronica Webb and Chanel Iman speeches extend – we all know they love to talk fashion ;o)

Tell me what’s going on right now....are the models there?  Models are running late – tell me something new ;o) The team is calling the rest of the models now to chase up on arrival time and rehearsal. Most of the models are important figures of society so have very busy schedules.

When do you start with hair and make-up?  4pm hair and make-up start. Mac and Warren Tricomi are doing samples to show the team at 3:30pm. Great teams to work with and a shout out to Moani at Mac.

Who do expect to attend the fashion show?  Tonight’s roster so far will have Shannon Doherty, Real Housewives of NYC, Access Hollywood, E!, Trump family and city socialites.

Nolcha is the backstage production sponsor, what does that entail?  Making sure the show happens!  Nolcha is running backstage and front line production. We work with the light and sound technicians for the show. Getting the models ready – full hair, makeup and gowns – order for the show and then calling the runway show to make that the models are sent out on time and everybody gets to enjoy the beautiful gowns that have been donated by major designers for auction including Versace, Valentino, Gucci and Karl Lagerfeld.

Most importantly, will any of these models be wearing jewelry??  Alexis Bittar provided the jewelry.

I'm sure we'll all be seeing pictures from the event in the media very soon...even further proof that LupRocks.com was right on track when we decided to partner with a venerable organization like Nolcha!  Contact us if you're interested in participating in Nolcha's event at September's New York Fashion Week.  Thanks Kerry! 

Backstage Celeb Gift Lounge Opportunity

Are you an aspiring rock star-turned jewelry/accessories designer who would enjoy nothing more than hanging out with your favorite rock stars?  We might be able to make your dreams a reality!

Backstage gift lounges are a unique opportunity to get your product directly in front of celebrities and walk away with an arsenal of pictures of celebrities donning your product!  LupRocks.com is proud to partner with an organization who is at the top of their game in the celebrity gift lounge world to offer you some very enticing opportunities:

Backstage Artist Lounge Rock Festivals :

Pointfest on May 23, featuring Offspring
Rock on the Range on May 16 & 17th featuring Motley Crue and Alice in Chains
Maloof Money Cup on July 10-12th, talent to be announced 

We’re well aware that these pay-to-play opportunities don’t always measure up (we’ve been there before!), but we know from experience that this company that we’re partnering with goes above and beyond in delivering on their promises.  So if you ever felt like a celebrity gift lounge was in your future, these are the opportunities to consider!

Please contact us for more information!

Oscar's 2009--The Good, the Bad and the Attitudinal

Since we know you go to more reliable sources for your official post-Oscar's coverage, I'm just going to put forth some of the observations about the show itself, the dresses, the attitudes, and of course, the jewelry, that were floating around a bleary-eyed Lup H.Q. this afternoon:

Penelope Cruz--my God she looked fabulous!  Hair was classic, face wasn't overly made-up and more radiant and gorgeous than ever, and even though the jewels were boring (Chopard), I was almost glad that there was nothing to distract from her dress, a vintage Balmain over 60 years old.

Sarah Jessica Parker--We're generally big fans of SJP's red carpet looks, and last night was no exception.  While we really wish her breasts hadn't been so prominently on display in her Dior Haute Couture gown (was that really necessary?), the fact that it had a belt almost redemed the bulbous effect of being so wedged in there. 

Kate Winslet--That classic/futuristic hair, the elegance of the two-tone Atelier Yves Saint Laurent gown, the one-shoulder look that is so well-suited to her body, graciousness in every interview....she would have been a winner no matter what the outcome of the awards! 

Anne Hathaway--Another adopter of the light-is-right trend, Ann looked stunning in her Armani Prive gown and vintage Cartier jewelry.  Of everyone on the red carpet however, I was wondering how the h*#! she could walk in that dress, it was like a narrow tube.  Her smile was, as usual, radiant enough to take away my vicarious discomfort. 

Marisa Tomei--I've always had such a soft spot for Ms. Tomei, and the fact that I re-watched "My Cousin Vinny" on Saturday didn't hurt that cooing sensation of love I felt when I saw her in her silvery Atelier Versace gown.  The train looked impossible to manage and the overall effect was perhaps too complicated for my taste, but hey, she's still a knock-out.

Diane Lane--Speaking of knock-outs, Diane Lane is so f'ing hot I can't stand it!  The fact that she was clearly there reveling in her husband, Josh Brolin's nomination made her that much more endearing.  I know it's old fashioned, but I like a gal that'll stand by her man and not make the show entirely about HER. 

Viola Davis--While she might not have made anyone's fashion radar, I couldn't help but notice that her husband needed to GET OFF HER GRILL!  I can't find any videos of her online, but I swear, her husband was the definition of "smothering" in every interview that I saw.  I know he's excited, but give the girl her night!

Beyonce--To some (meaning, anyone of the male persuasion) Beyonce can do no wrong.  And while I will say that she can get away with fashion calls that most people can't, all I can say about that House of Dereon dress she rocked last night was...BOO! 

Jessica Biel--Speaking of BOO....yet another gal who can do no wrong in the eyes of most men (and many famale admirers), Ms. Biel's Prada monstrosity was not at all flattering to her figure and the choice of black shoes caught everyone I know off-guard.  Her face however, was gorgeous as per usual. 

Amy Adams--Since I'm being mean, Amy Adams?  She had what my sister so eloquently called a "back butt."  Her face is so cute and her hair was simple and elegant, but the rest of her?  Well, it just didn't work. 

Angelina Jolie--Speaking of mean....could she maybe, just maybe crack a smile or deign to talk to a reporter??  I know they're "above it all" and everything, but if you really didn't want to be bothered, why not pull a Steve Martin/Nicole Kidman and avoid the red carpet all together??  Why walk the carpet and then just blow past everyone who wants to speak to you?  On the other hand, she's just a knock out and that can't be helped, and while there've been some grumblings about her "day glo" jewelry in the blogosphere today, I just love me some big ole emeralds!  Go Lorraine Schwartz! 

Sophia Loren--An original "dame" Miss Loren was what they call a Hot Mess last night and God, do I love her! 

Hugh Jackman--And he can dance?!  Be still my aching heart!!! 

Slumdog Millionaire--The entire cast and crew rockin' the red carpet were adorable!  I'm in love!  Angie and Brad could take a lesson in gratitude and graciousness from the five year old beaming ear-to-ear during his stint on the red carpet. 

Robert Downy Junior--Could he be any cuter?  You think??  No way! 

Party Dos and Don'ts

Last week I attended a party for iconic watch company Vacheron Constantin.  While I was thrilled to go with my friend (a big time watch editor) and very excited to see the famed I.A.C. Building, I have to admit that overall, the party fell flat.  Sure it was cool eyeballing Salman Rushdie and his hot new female companion, and it was fun to check out Kate Bosworth and see just how skinny she is in person (very!), and I felt honored to be in the same room with the architect Richard Meier, who designed, among many other famous building, the very building the party was housed in, but the general atmosphere of the party was one of snobbery and those who aspire to achieve it.

Designer extraordinaire Yves Saint Laurent once said, "We must never confuse elegance with snobbery." and while I agree wholeheartedly, the organizers of this event should have realized that the same is true in reverse.  The reason for the party was the launch of the "un-knock-off-able" Quai de L'ile watch, which was fabulous, so this is not a critique of the company, I know nothing about them other than they've been making highly respected watches for hundreds of years, but there had to be a way for the organizers of the event to shuffle us nobodies past the red carpet line without being so blatant about the fact that they think we're nobodies.  And I know for a fact, because I've done it myself, that there is a way to tone down the backstage chaos when you're in front of house--it makes people nervous and anxious when some stressed out PR girl is pushing through the crowd screaming into her headset, even if it is about getting Kate to go through the photo line.  Behavior like that doesn't make you look important, it makes you look rude. 

I guess the bottom line is, having famous people attend your event and ignoring everyone except them does not make your event fabulous.  While the wait staff were in general pretty friendly, the tone is set from the top, by the people making the decisions.  Those people should remember that everyone at the event is a potential customer, fan or foe.  While a regular person's endorsement of a brand might only reach 20 of his closest friends and a famous person's can reach millions, the two do not have to be mutually exclusive.  And besides (and maybe this is the naive midwestern girl in me) how hard would it be to just be nice? 

Jessica Kagan Cushman on "Ugly Betty"

We just love it when something we've already embraced as the hottest new trend is seen on one of the hottest shows on television!  I mean, I knew that my "Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou, Romeo?" and my "No Wire Hangers! EVER!" bracelet by Jessica Cushman was a huge hit, getting compliments everywhere I go, and the "Martini, Shaken Not Stirred" bracelet that I gave to my very important editor friend has been worshiped by all of the other fashion editors she hangs out with, but to see "Amanda" from Ugly Betty, a veritable icon of "what's hot" rock the look just fills us with a little flutter of self-love....

Look for Jessica Kagan Cushman on LupRocks.com. 

Pish Posh

Well it looks like our favorite campy dresser Posh Beckham has found herself a new home.  We can think of no one better to take the repeat fashion offender into his halfway house of haute couture than everyone's favorite designer Marc Jacobs.  Last week various ads have been leaked, and it looks like Posh Beckham herself will be the new muse for Marc Jacobs' Spring 2008 line.  We have to say, Mrs. Beckham has never looked better.

Accessories Trends of the Rich and Infamous!

You've just got to love those less-than-law abiding celebrities! Britney Spears related drama has reached a fever pitch this week, clogging our beloved blogosphere more than holiday indulgences have clogged our arteries. While we will spare you the regurgitation of the hot-off-the-press news from gossip blogs that we check at least once (ok maybe more than once) a day,   we will take this time to update you on the fashions of the rich and infamous.  This edition of the LupRocks blog offers the hottest trends in celebrity In-Court accessories.

Naomi Campbell on her second day of court in March 2007 for assault charges

Image from Getty Images
While her fashions for her court-ordered community service were more than questionable, we've gotta hand it to her for attempting to tone it down a bit during her trial.  Still, we've gotta say, we love the bracelets and the rectangular sunglasses add a nice, in-cognito touch.

Paris Hilton heading to trial in May 2007

Image from Getty Images
Praise be to Paris' stylist!  Dressed actually tastefully for once, Paris Hilton sports an homage to our favorite In-Court fashionista Winona Ryder, rocking a very similar navy headband that the movie star wore in her appearance.

Nicole Richie heading to her July 2007 hearing for DUI

image from dailyblabber
You can't have Paris without Nicole!  Here's a pregnant Nicole Richie ready to dominate the courtroom, clad in all black.  We're fans of her sky-high Christian Louboutin heels and her Oliver Peoples sunglasses.

Winona Ryder headed to her 2002 hearing for shoplifting charges

Image from Getty Images
The pioneer of in-court style herself, Winona was quite the trendmaker during her trial by consistently wearing designer duds, most specifically those from mega designer Marc Jacobs.  We think the sleek headband and coquettish pair of Marc Jacobs heels, proudly proclaim innocence.  Too bad the court didn't think so.

Engagement Rings for Everyone

Though I'm sure you've heard plenty of news about infamous celebrity couples and their pregnancies, this LupRocks post comes to you forecasting a different trend.  Instead of popping out kids, it looks like this season more and more couples, both famous and not-so-famous, will be popping the question.   According to a survey by Modern Bride, November and December months account for 26% of all marriage proposals! Celebs included in the trend are Nicky Hilton, who we hear will be getting engaged to her boyfriend of a year, David Katzenberg over Christmas. 

If you want to seize this holiday season to propose to your honey, LupRocks is here to take a little bit of the burden off of your proposal by helping you pick the perfect engagement ring.  In this article from TheKnot.com, which also appears on MSN Lifestyle they note a few major engagement ring trends to help guide your decision.  At the top of the list is one of our favorites: natural color diamonds!  Included in their post is a breathtaking olive natural color diamond ring by LupRocks designer AMGAD. 

Also, to ease you in your hunt for the perfect engagement ring, LupRocks offers a complete virtual showroom of designers who specialize in Bridal Jewelry.  We have something for every taste, and every budget, so if you're still stumped, check us out.

Holiday Gift Guide Part II: Bling it Back

No matter how much time you spend sourcing out that perfect special something for everyone on your list, sometimes when it comes to receiving gifts, your cheery "Ho Ho Ho's" turn into woeful "Oh No No No's!"  This installation of our holiday gift guide reveals those ill-chosen gifts that absolutely without-a-doubt must go back to where they came from.  We hope we can relieve you of some guilt involved in returning these gifts, because when you bling them back, you'll find a much better use for the cold hard cash than letting those less-than-savvy styles slowly decompose in your closet.

1) "UGG"ly boots:  Though whoever bought this gift probably imagined you wearing these boots in all sorts of unfriendly weather, for all practical intentions, Ugg-boots and their offshoots (that means you too, Mucklucks and Emus!) have long since been ruled out as acceptable footwear.  They might keep your tootsies toasty, but unless you're living in an area that gets three feet of snow on a regular basis and you can spy elk passing by your window, we would advise returning these fuzzy monsters and using the cash to buy a much more practical pair of booties.
 

2) Flashy and Trashy:  We know you love your friends, but sometime their fashion sense may be a bit ambitious for your taste.  This winter, make your closet happy by blinging back anything that is a little too over the top.  No one wants to pull a Posh Spice, or even worse--a Britney, by revealing too much skin.  Also to be avoided is anything that takes the trends too much to heart.  This includes anything from jackets and dresses with too much metallic, to shoes and handbags with too much patent leather, to anything with a too high waist.  Taking "mom pants" to a whole new level are these jeans by Cheap Monday's, and more reflective than a solar panel is this trench coat by Gwen Stefani's line L.A.M.B., both of which you should bling back without a second thought.

3) Knock-Off No No's:  More than anything else, anything that smacks of a knock off has got to go.  Though a fake Louis Vuitton handbag is easy to spot, some other knock offs are a bit more subtle.  House of Holland is a sassy label that has made its mark by creating bright t-shirts with equally colorful quotations on them in bright bold lettering.  The clever catchphrases have inspired other companies like Urban Outfitters, Top Shop and Forever 21 to follow suit with somewhat less witty sayings.  Try to avoid these soon-to-be forgotten fakies.

Also, as any good accessories guru knows, a piece of jewelry with cubic zirconia is one of the biggest fashion crimes one could ever commit.  If you find yourself being gifted a piece with CZ as a present, you can politely (or sneakily) return it for a more tasteful option, such as a piece with rock crystal, Swarovski crystals, or other semiprecious stones such as freshwater pearls.  In the event of this fashion tragedy LupRocks already does most of the searching for you, providing for you a selection of Fashion Jewelry designers with much nicer options in our crystal and semiprecious stones categories.

We hope you liked our Bling it Back edition of our holiday gift guide! Check back for our third and final installment, with just the tips to help you go green, and save plenty of green by finding a brand new home for your less than perfect gifts.
    

LupRocks Netflix Picks

Feeling a bit overloaded with the holiday madness? Already sick to death of the chilly weather? Too pooped to even think about going out to that office holiday party?  Sometimes all you need is a nice luxurious break from the hustle and bustle to help get your head screwed back on straight. Unfortunately, with the writers strike in Hollywood still underway, curling up on your couch to watch some TiVo might cause more frustration than enjoyment.  This is a perfect time to seize the opportunity and update your Netflix queue with some releases -- it's just about as easy as setting your TiVo, we promise. 

Here's a list of our top Netflix picks featuring the hottest jewelry and accessories from LupRocks designers: 

The talk of the town seems to be this new release, The Nanny Diaries starring Scarlett Johansson.  The Nanny Diaries is the screen adaptation of the immensely popular book, in which Scarlett Johansson stars as the nanny to a child with two dysfunctional parents played by Laura Linney and Paul Giamatti.

If indie dramas are your thing, Interview starring Sienana Miller and Steve Buschemi is a perfect pick about a jaded journalist forced to interview a soap star.

If you're in the mood for a romantic comedy, No Reservations, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Arron Eckhart will be sure to charm!

If what you're really craving is a goofy, laugh-your-guts-out comedy, then may we suggest, You, Me and Dupree, starring Kate Hudson, Owen Wilson and Matt Dillon, in the weirdest domestic situation since the odd couple.

And finally if you are simply indecisive, may we recommend the always failsafe, always fabulous option:  Sex and the City!  Even if you can recite every episode by heart, there's still nothing quite as charming or entertaining as watching the fab four live out their New York fairy-tale lives.

Hope you enjoy our Netflix picks!  Make sure to keep an eye out for Luprocks designers' jewelry and accessories!  Now if you just tell Fresh Direct to deliver some popcorn and candy, you can stay cozy and entertained for days! It just doesn't get any more hassle-free than that!