And the Winner Is...

Award season has come and gone and with it an impressive roster of Red Carpet Trendsetters.

The 2011 Oscars proved to be a lack luster production overall - in my opinion - with its blatant attempts to appeal to a younger audience while missing the boat on entertaining its remaining demographics.  But the awards are really only a fraction of the show, right?  The fashion statements spoke loud and clear at Sunday night's festivities.  The ends of the spectrum seemed to be the rule of thumb with gowns draped in pale  nudes and lipstick red.  There seemed to be a subtle touch this year's red carpet.  I think it was coined by Whoopie Goldberg best that today's icons simply don't want to rock the boat and be under the "Worst Dressed" ridicule.  Rather than bold and outlandish the goal is to win through glamour and elegance, and this year's RTC hit the mark.

Kai Expressions is always quick to look beyond the fabrics - to the gems!  We have selected the top jewelry picks by this year:

Great beadwork for Cheryl Hines' glittering diamonds. Always love a statement collarbone piece!

 Four stars for Kate Beckinsale's Bold "Kiss My" Ring 

Gorgeous choker from Nicole Kidman - it made her look!

 Loved Jennifer Hudson's glamorous dangling earrings - she's really elongated for her new look! 

Lastly, "Lady O" rocked it in an amazing outfit that not only took the stage - it matched the stage!!  Her heiress left us with a true air of royalty... 

'Til the next ladies.  You keep us inspired!!

Not Your Grandmother's Pearls

Pearls have had a pivotal place in the jewelry box for decades.  Some passed along from mother to daughter to daughter's daughter, classical wedding and gala attire, perfect right-of-passage gift to commemorate any and all special occasions.  But grandma's pearls have come a long way baby...  These aquatic treasures are busting out of the mold into more contemporary every day wear, and fashionistas around the world are loving it!

Trendsetting First Lady, Michelle Obama, has made fashion waves since she and the president graced American hearts raising the bar on marriage, family, and of course, couture! Mrs. Obama represents the out most class with a moderate style that embodies her ubiquitous position as the most powerful woman in the world.  A true fashion diva, she is often seen with the universal double strand white pearl strands, a prerequisite for the corporate professional and more conservative fashionistsa that is more of a "Charlotte."  Mrs. Obama can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to fashion and setting a prime example for leading a nation with her head held high.

Enter "Carrie."  SJP has long since been the fashion icon raising the bar down every red carpet, be it a floral arrangement coming out of her hat or ruffles galore, no one can deny her highness turns heads. Here Sarah Jessica Parker adds her own unique touch to the classic pearl set, going bold, bronze and long.  A piece like this could be worn as she sports with a casual sweater, or to hit the town giving life to a simple cocktail dress.  With incredible dye techniques freshwater pearls today come in a variety of hues, shapes and sizes.  They are affordable, they can be dressed up or down, and they have just become your new best friend. Fortunately, they are no longer just for dress up any more...   

Several jewelers are mixing up textures and stones bridging the classic pearl to modern generations.  Mandy Moore looks dashing in a 'tuxedo style' set sporting black and white tones.  Note the length of the necklace breathes life into a simple strapless black dress, and paired with studs the necklace stands on its own to carry the outfit into a red carpet "do." Below Malinda Williams features the up-and-coming twisted strands of pearls that add a  fun and sophisticated splash for any occasion.

As the saying goes, the world is your oyster (pun intended).  Take advantage of the great canvas of freshwater and cultured pearl out there.  Mix them with some colorful semi-precious stones.  Wrap them in wire for a fun wearable-art ring.  One-of-a-kind jewelery designers are waiting for you (as are retailers at your neighborhood department store.) Tip #1: I learned from a trip to China that when you rub real pearls together, they should have a slightly rough connection. If there is a smooth rub, be careful, they are likely glass.  Tip #2: Have fun with it!  Wear a pair of studs to the gym or to keep the kids at bay, then change it up for an evening out with some dangling chandeliers.  Go for it!

A variety of pearls are available at kaiexpressions.com

Outshining Carrie's Star...

Well the buzz this weekend among 20, 30, 40 and even 50-somethings were all around the same thing: the long awaited arrival of Sex And The City: 2.  Shows were sold out nationwide, emphasizing the immense impact four ladies from Manhattan (and Brooklyn) can have across age, socio-economic and racial boundaries.

Sex-And-The-City-Weekends were blooming everywhere especially here in Los Angeles.  I decided to make it a full What-Would-Carrie-Do-Day and hit the luxurious Hollywood Spa Luce basking in sun, poolside daiquiris and the beauty of "girl time."  And then it was off to City Walk for a lil of The Big Apple on the big screen.  My impression? The girls were definitely back in town, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey catching us up on the last two years through stale marriages, stressed out motherhood, work balance struggles, and yes, even hot flashes.  The ladies stayed true to their original characters and were more or less  relatable to a diverse crowd of girls (and boys) that just want to have fun.

Where does the magic come from?  A huge portion: the fashion!  Trendsetting Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda have been raising the style bar for over a decade, but it was the unlikely of the quartet that stole the fashion stage: Miranda.  From the opening scene the red headed sharp shooter sauntered out in a butternut toned draped dress that diverted eyes from the usual couture contenders.  Miranda's character continued to be a rock to her sometimes wayward friends, hosting one of the funniest "Sip!" scenes where she gets Charlotte to finally shed her high expectations of perfect motherhood and illustrate the power of letting loose with your girls and being yourself, in all shapes and forms. Walking  away from the film it was Miranda who left a lasting impression, showing a diamond in the rough can most certainly give way to a true gem.

While Ms. Bradshaw (Preston??) continues to lead as a fashion icon, she had just a few too many "what is she wearing?!" whispers to don her crown as the diva to die for.  Miranda managed to show a little less effort which catapulted her right to the top of  Manhattan's Mount Olympus of the fashion gods.  She deserves the title, and Miranda, work it mama!

Signature Beauty: Unleash Your Diva Within

Last week I attended the star studded premiere screening party for LisaRaye McCoy’s new reality series, LisaRaye: The Real McCoy, debuting this month on TV One. The Standard Hotel in downtown LA was bustling with Hollywood Hitters all there to support the lady of the hour. The show chronicles the daily adventures of LisaRaye and her teenage daughter, Kai, as they return to Los Angeles and continue with their celebrity-meets-reality lives. You may recognize LisaRaye from her television sitcom, All of Us, or her appearances in The Player’s Club, Beauty Shop and The Wood. Me, I first envision her phenomenal billboards illustrating the amazing Caribbean shores of Turks and Caicos where she stood in white surrounded by a turquoise sea (she was formerly First Lady). The ad was breath taking, and highlights Ms. McCoy’s exquisite and subtle natural beauty.

It’s this inner essence that captured me most of all about LisaRaye’s new show. Right from the start you see she is the first to proclaim her well-deserved diva-ness, but it is her unique charm that will pave her path back into the spotlight. LisaRaye has nothing but love for her daughter and her unbridled care and devotion resonated off the screen. Though she has her own way of expression, her relationship with Kai (including drilling her new boyfriend and popping up at her job to check in with her manager personally!) will drive the show and create a new fan base relating to single moms dealing with similar (though less glitzy) issues.

LisaRaye’s distinct allure is also due to her obsession to ONLY wear white! Her entire closet showed white literally from head to toe, stating ‘I look good in white, that’s what I am rocking.’ A bold move and it must drive her stylist crazy, but I admire her stance and knowing how to work what she’s got. Looking like a Grecian Goddess I watched her as she spoke to the audience, a white off-the shoulder dress enhanced with crystals, LisaRaye was stealing the show with her radiance and I got to thinking, what is my signature?

Naturally, as a designer I am known for adorning jewels even to the grocery store, but I started wondering what I would wear to create my own signature? It’s a unique concept that is worth exploring. You may have noticed I adore maroon and gold – perhaps I will weave this color scheme into my every day garb. Or like actress Niecey Nash, who sports a signature flower in her hair, maybe my favorite calla lilly will spread seeds through my appearance. The idea goes back to the days of 1970's Laverne DeFazio who rocked the infamous script “L” on her blouse. I challenge you to think about what symbolizes you, and how you can leave a fashion imprint that embodies your inner beauty. Take the nod from LisaRaye, and unleash your diva within!

For more information on LisaRaye McCoy, check out her blog or IMDb profile.