Designer Rachel Roy has partnered with Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Estelle to create a capsule jewelry collection exclusively for the Rachel Rachel Roy brand. The jewelry includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. The collection ranges in price from $34 to $195 and will be available at select Macy's and online at macys.com and rachelroy.com in March.
Estelle said, "What I love about Rachel is that her look is unpredictable. One day she'll be in a cocktail dress and the next day she'll be in flats and a little jacket. No matter what she's wearing, it always looks appropriate. Rachel has great style and I loved collaborating with her on this line."
CNN's Monita Rajpal interviewed Cartier CEO Bernard Fornas. Bernard Fornas says Asia-Pacific will be a big area for growth over the next decade. He also thinks Europe should not be ignored. Fornas says to stay a popular luxury brand you must have beautiful products and excellent service. He says you have to keep people "dreaming of your products." Take a look:
WWD reports
that Cindy Crawford is launching a new jewelry line with J.C. Penney. The line will be called One Kiss.
The 40-piece collection, called One Kiss, is to hit 600 J.C. Penney stores and jcp.com in April. The line features sterling silver, gemstone and diamond designs inspired by a henna symbol that translates to "kiss." The pieces range from layered chains to drop earrings to stackable rings, all retailing for between $79 and $299.
One Kiss is Crawford's second partnership with the $15.1 billion retailer. In April, she signed with Penney's to launch a home and bedding collection, Cindy Crawford Style.
"Once I got 'married' to J.C. Penney, the opportunity to do more just seemed like the right thing to do and jewelry was a fun departure from bedding," Crawford said. "When I started speaking with the jewelry team, we were definitely aware of the success of the Jane Seymour collection for Kay [Jewelers] and her universal symbol of an open heart. But obviously, we can't redo what someone else has done. So we looked for a universal shape that had an appealing aesthetic. We came across this henna symbol for 'kiss,' which I liked. It was cool, but I love what it means. It's not necessarily a romantic kiss, it could be a mother's kiss. You can also buy it for yourself."
Cindy and the design team camped out at her Malibu home for long hours to design the line. Cindy says she wanted the line to reflect who she is: she spends lots of time at the beach and usually wears jeans. She wanted the jewelry to fit into her own lifestyle.
The new collaboration is part of Penney's plans to add upscale lines at affordable prices. The Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen line Olsenboye is also a part of this strategy.
Dogeared has obtained a license from HBO to create a jewelry line inspired by Sex and the City. In a recent blog post, Dogeared says the SATC jewelry line will be launching in the spring.
We have some fabulous news! Dogeared has officially licensed the Sex and the City brand from HBO to create a new line of jewelry! Sex and the City continues to have a bold impact on fashion, and Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte are true style icons! Designed to reflect the bold, fearless, and unique style the Sex and the City girls are famous for, this exciting new line will debut this spring.
The jewelry will be sold on the Dogeared website and on HBO.com. Prices will range from $50 to $200. The Sex and the City 2 movies arrives in theatres on May 28th.
Necklaces based on Disney's Princess and the Frog movie were recalled
today because they are filled with toxic cadmium. Here's the official statement by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
FAF Inc. Recalls Children's Necklaces Sold Exclusively at Walmart Stores Due to High Levels of Cadmium
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Children's Metal Necklaces
Units: About 55,000
Importer: FAF Inc., of Greenville, R.I.
Hazard: The recalled necklaces contain high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled jewelry is shaped as a metal crown or frog pendant on a metal link chain necklace in a crown hinged box. The packaging has the words "The Princess and the Frog" on it and contains the following model numbers and UPC codes:
Crown Model # 4616-4187 UPC # 72783367144
Frog Model # 4616-4190 UPC # 72783367147
Sold exclusively at: Walmart retail stores nationwide from November 2009 through January 2010 for $5.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take this recalled jewelry away from children. Consumers should return the recalled jewelry to any Walmart store for a full refund or a free replacement product.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact F.A.F. Inc. at (800) 949-3311 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.faf.com
The necklaces were manufactured in China: what a surprise. These necklaces are also being sold on Ebay and other places online, so parents should beware.
Walt Disney Co. said only "Disney supports the decision by FAF and the CPSC to recall the jewelry." Wal-Mart hasn't commented yet.
Steve Madden announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Lucas Design International to design and market a women's fashion jewelry collection for the Steve Madden brand. The line is scheduled to launch in Fall 2010. It will be sold in department stores and specialty retailers as well as Steve Madden stores and on stevemadden.com.
Edward Rosenfeld, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Steve Madden, said, "We look forward to working with the Lucas Design team to offer a jewelry collection that will reflect the Steve Madden design image. We believe that fashion jewelry represents a great complement to the portfolio of categories that carry the Steve Madden name and that Lucas Design's expertise in the fashion jewelry business makes them an excellent partner for this endeavor."
Halle Berry looked amazing in a black silk bias cut gown which featured lace insets and a cut-out back. The gown was designed by KaufmanFranco, the firm founded by Isaac Franco and Ken Kaufman. Halle accessorized with earrings and a Diamond Firework Bracelet in platinum, all from Kimberly McDonald and Irit Design.
Mo'Nique wore a strapless, gold Reem Acra gown, and accessorized with a 15 carat pave diamond circle link bracelet and pave diamond diamond knot drop earrings by Everlon. She didn't shave her legs, though, and playfully gave the photographers an eyeful by pulling up her gown on the red carpet. You can see that picture here.
Mo'Nique told Barbara Walters once that she shaves under her arms, but says sometimes it's too much trouble to shave her legs and risk cuts and bandaids.
We say: honey, if you want that Oscar gold, it's time to head over to Bliss and get those legs waxed. Award season and hairy legs don't mix. And after that amazing and heartfelt acceptance speech, that Oscar nomination is looking quite likely. Andre Leon Talley is probably plotting a waxing session as we speak, eagerly wanting to erase from memory the infamous Jennifer Hudson Oscar bolero jacket disaster.
Nicole Kidman looked lovely in a peach satin Nina Ricci gown. She
accessorized with fabulous diamonds. She wore a 19th century diamond bow brooch, a four carat antique cushion-cut drop diamond earrings and a 1920s diamond and platinum bracelet, all from Fred Leighton.
Avatar stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver pose backstage at the Golden Globes last night. Avatar won Best Motion Picture - Drama and James Cameron Won Best Director, so the cast had quite a bit to celebrate. Zoe was wearing a crimson gown by Louis Vuitton dress and pumps by Brian Atwood. She accessorized with a black patent leather Ferragamo clutch.
Sam's black tuxedo, dress shirt and shoes were all designed by
Burberry. He chose a long tie, instead of a bow tie for the event.
Sigourney wore an emerald green, fitted, one shoulder gown by Herve Leroux. She accessorized with yellow gold jewelry from Fred Leighton.
Bulgari keeps releasing teasers of its advertising campaign with Julianne Moore. The video below offers some glimpses of Julianne in the ad campaign. It also shows a lucky cockato being adorned with bejweled gold Bulgari necklace. Two cockatoos appear with Julianne Moore in the photograph from the Bulgari print campaign above. The print campaign was shot by Mert & Marcus. Take a look:
CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum is advising parents to keep cheap metal jewelry out of the hands of children. Her warning follows a recent Associated Press investigation that found high levels of cadmium in cheap children's jewelry manufactured in China.
In March 2006, a tragic incident occurred which had a significant impact on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Jarnell Brown, a 4-year old boy from Minneapolis, Minn., swallowed a metal charm that was nearly pure lead. He sadly died four days later. Since 2004, our agency has conducted more than 50 recalls of more than 180 million units of metal jewelry because it contained a hazardous amount of lead. Since August 2009, it has been illegal to produce a piece of children's metal jewelry with more than 300 parts per million of lead.
Now we hear about cadmium in jewelry. This is unacceptable. Just this week, I sent a clear message warning manufacturers against the use of heavy metals, "especially cadmium," in a keynote speech that was delivered Tuesday at the APEC Toy Safety Initiative/Dialogue in Hong Kong.
Because of these recent developments, I have a message for parents, grandparents and caregivers: Do not allow young children to be given or to play with cheap metal jewelry, especially when they are unsupervised.
We have proof that lead in children's jewelry is dangerous and was pervasive in the marketplace. To prevent young children from possibly being exposed to lead, cadmium or any other hazardous heavy metal, take the jewelry away.
We are moving swiftly to stop the replacement of lead with cadmium and other hazardous heavy metals in children's products imported from China. We are also actively investigating the jewelry cited in the recent AP story and will inform parents and consumers quickly of any actions we take as a result of our efforts. Our investigation is squarely focused on ensuring the safety of children.
It is very difficult for a parent to determine if an item contains harmful levels of a metal in a specific item except by checking recalls listed on the CPSC Web site. Parents should know that swallowing, sucking on or chewing a metal charm or necklace could result in exposure to lead, cadmium or other heavy metals, which are known to be toxic at certain levels of exposure.
We are working to take decisive action at CPSC, using the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, a law aimed at keeping kids safe from toxic chemicals and metals.
The key message that I want parents to know is: We will act to protect young children, but take the metal jewelry away from children who will swallow, suck or chew on it while our work continues.
This warning could have a significant impact on retailers that sell cheap children's jewelry as many parents will likely hear the warning through news outlets and avoid new purchases. The CPSC has not provided any guidelines for disposing of jewelry containing cadmium. The threat of cadmium is significant. It can cause cancer, brain damage and learning disabilities. A story here has a slideshow that has a diagram listing some of the illnesses caused by cadmium.
Senator Charles E. Schumer is proposing legislation to ban the use of cadmium in children's jewelry and toys. Companies also need far more stringent reviews of imports from China to keep these products from getting on the shelves in the first place. It is unnaceptable that the harmful product ends up on store shelves.
The Sun-Sentinelreports that Claire's stores have joined Walmart in pulling jewelry found to contain cadmium in an Associated Press investigation.
"While we have no reason to believe that this product is unsafe, out of an abundance of caution, we are taking this action because we take our responsibility to our customers very seriously," company officials in Pembroke Pines said in the statement. Customers who brought tainted products can return them for store credit.
Charms on a "Best Friends" bracelet sold at Claire's contained 89 and 91 percent cadmium, according to testing that was part of an investigation by The Associated Press. The jewelry shed high amounts of the metal in a procedure that examined how much cadmium children might be exposed to if they suck or bite the items.
An Associated Press investigation found that the children's jewelry, manufactured in China, contains high levels of cadmium. Chinese manufacturers were basically substituting lead for cadmium, an equally dangerous metal. Cadmium is known to cause cancer and children can get low-level doses just by sucking or biting on jewelry with high levels of cadmium. The metal ranks 7th on the CDC's list of the 275 most hazardous substances in the environment.
Reuters reports that Tiffany recorded positive sales figures in the last two months of 2009. These were huge improvements over plunging sales at the peak of financial crisis in late 2008.
During November and December 2008, Tiffany saw sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year plunge 35 percent in the wake of a global financial crisis that reined in even its most well-to-do customers.
During the same months of 2009, U.S. same-store sales rose 12 percent, with a 16 percent rise in November and a 10 percent rise in December.
The company's total same-store sales rose 8 percent on a constant exchange rate basis. The company's flagship store at Fifth Ave in New York saw sales jump 20 percent.
Net worldwide sales climbed 17 percent for Tiffany during November and December. Tiffany's sales were up but not all jewelers did as well in the 2009 holiday season. The WSJreports that some of Tiffany's rivals suffered from declining sales or smaller gains.
USA Today's On Deadline blog reports that Walmart is pulling children's jewelry items suspected of containing cadmium from its shelves. Walmart is responding to an AP report that found cadmium in some children's jewelry made in China.
The move follows an Associated Press investigation released yesterday that some Chinese manufacturers are substituting cadmium for lead in children's charm bracelets and pendants. Lab tests showed "extraordinarily high levels" of cadmium in some pieces, AP said. The metal is known to cause cancer and, like lead, can impede brain development in the very young.
Cadmium is known to cause cancer and children can get low-level doses just by sucking or biting on jewelry with high levels of cadmium. The metal ranks 7th on the CDC's list of the 275 most hazardous substances in the environment.
As the Consumer Reports Safety Blog explains manufacturers of cheap jewelry in China have basically swapped lead for cadmium - a metal which is just as dangerous to humans. The CPSC says it is moving swiftly to deal with the replacement of lead with cadmium in certain children's products imported from China.
American companies should have already been keeping a very close eye on any products they are manfacturing in China. Time and time again Chinese manufacturers end up swapping in some other metal or material that is toxic to humans in order to pass inspections and save money. These toxic and substandard products that have been marketed to children and pet owners over the past several years should never have even made it on store shelves.
Jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger Monarch necklace contains pave diamonds that fall like glistening snow on leaves with 18 karat gold stems. A monarch butterfly nestles among the leaves. The butterfly's wings are color-saturated yellow sapphires. The Monarch necklace is part of the Schlumberger collection handcrafted by Tiffany & Co. jewelers in New York and Paris. The price is $155,000.
Steve Madden announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Lucas Design International to design and market a women's fashion jewelry collection for the Steve Madden brand. The line is scheduled to launch in Fall 2010. It will be sold in department stores and specialty retailers as well as Steve Madden stores and on stevemadden.com.
The Sun-Sentinel 
Reuters 
