Fashion’s Night Out
Some of the Seventy Seven Diamonds team stayed in Central London on Thursday evening to experience Vogue's annual event, Fashion's Night Out. The third event of it's kind in London promised to be bigger and better than ever, with hundreds of flagship stores opening their doors for after-hours shopping and cocktails!
The night did not disappoint; we started off on Molton Street by browsing the new collections in Browns and Kurt Geiger. After creating our own bespoke cocktails in Dune's pop-up bar, we headed to Butler & Wilson, rubbing shoulders with Mr. Wilson himself! The store was like a sparkly treasure trove, and we couldn't help wondering how much real diamond versions of their jewellery would cost...
Emporio Armani hosted a Summer Garden Party for the night, with the evening's entertainment coming from Emeli Sandé, The Good Natured and Baxter Dury. Gwyneth Paltrow was spotted at this event, but we didn't catch a glimpse of her! Celebrity spotting did occur, however, in the busy Mulberry store, where we caught sight of Alexandra Burke and Dirty Sexy Things model BB! This blurry photograph is the only evidence we have...
Fashion's Night Out was an incredible evening... roll on next year!
Top diamond makeovers Part I
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At 77 Diamonds, it’s fair to say that we’re a big fan of our namesake and there’s no denying that diamonds are always a fabulous addition. However, in the past some have taken embellishment just that one step further.
So in homage to the best of bling, we give you a rundown of our favourite diamond-encrusted delicacies, from mobile phones and headphones to fabulously festive diamond-encrusted Crimbo trees...
1. The blingin’ Mona Lisa
This gem – excuse the pun – only very recently hit the headlines and for good reason. An avid jewellery collector in China spent nearly 30 years sourcing the right diamonds to recreate Da Vinci’s classic painting, The Mona Lisa. However, unsurprisingly, this modern re-working still hasn’t been snapped by the Louvre.
2. Christmas came early with this advent calendar
For some it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a diamond advent calendar. Weighing in at an eye-watering 81cts, it’s got all the mod-cons, including a custom-made piece of jewellery. Well, have to admit, it beats a half-melted chocolate...
3. Diamond drawers...
For no discernable reason, diamond encrusted undies have really taken off in recent years. Victoria’s Secret originally teamed up with jewellers Damiani and a year later they launched the Fantasy Bra with a price tag of $2.3m. Since then, Lady Gaga has reportedly treated her duet buddy Beyonce to a diamond whip, bra and knickers for her birthday...suppose it trumps a 5-pack of briefs from M&S...
4. Kim Kardashian and diamonds Part I
Kim Kardashian – who appears in our list twice thanks to her love of the sparkly rocks – hit the headlines last year after seeing her 30th birthday in, in style. However, it wasn’t the week-long partying that garnered the most attention, rather the $1m cake made for her by Nino’s restaurant. However, in an appropriate display of restraint, the reality TV star put the stoppers on it pronto, leaving the pricey sponge to be served up on the dessert cart... Seriously, who would have ordered that?!
5. Diamond prom dress anyone?
This diamond-encrusted prom dress would do any precocious teen’s dreams justice. Just think MTV’s Sweet Sixteen reality show and you get the picture...
6. Diamond p-p-poker set...
Well, you’d certainly have to be on a winning streak to be able to afford this one. A British gaming company have created the ultimate poker set with white gold and encrusted with an array of precious stones. Price tag = $7.5million. Yup...
7. The bling Barbie
So it turns out that Barbie has a way better jewellery collection than most of us... Riiiiighht...
8. Kanye’s diamond dentures
And last but by no means least, who could forget Kanye’s diamond dentures? Not content with the normal enamel molars, Kanye replaced his bottom set of teeth with diamonds, first showcasing them on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Lucky Ellen...
 Stay tuned for Part II!
77 Days A Week: 07 Mar – 11 Feb
Monday
The week got off to, frankly, a criminal start when two New York diamond dealers were found guilty of staging a theft in their own store. In a bid to scam their insurance company for a hefty pay-out, the amateur crooks fell somewhat short of the mark and wound up with at least 5 years in the clink. Each. Meanwhile on the West Coast things went from bad to worse for LiLo, whose infamous trip to a Venice Beach jewellers caught on CCTV, got broadcast on US TV. And across the pond, a fifth man was convicted of the £40million heist at Graff in Mayfair in 2009.
Crime doesn’t pay people. Crime doesn’t pay.
Tuesday
Tuesday’s big news was the announcement of LVMH’s acquisition of Italian uber-jeweller Bulgari. In a deal that is thought to have set the LVMH Group back a mere $5billion, it is sure to be the feather in their cap as they ramp up their jewellery division.
Wednesday
Wednesday was all about the vintage diamonds. First up was Katy Perry who revealed to Brit mag Hello! that she wore her grandmother’s diamond earrings at her wedding to Russell Brand last October. We,’re assuming this is the same Nan who had a diamond-encrusted cane at her 90th bash earlier in the year? Meanwhile Christie’s announced the sale of a 5.1ct emerald-cut diamond ring that once belonged to screen legend Gloria Swanson. You might say, an oldie but a goodie....
Thursday
Thursday was, well, umm, a tad strange. We thought that diamond dentures were Kanye’s thing and Kanye’s thing alone but as it turns out, his sartorial makeover on his teeth has inspired others too. Step up, Indian TV celeb Rakhi Sawant, who recently exchanged one of her molars for the diamond version. Don’t get us wrong, we love a bit bling...but diamond teeth, really?
Friday
Aaaand by the end of the week, things continued in the same vein. First up was Kim Kardashian, who, never one to shy away from diamonds, was papped with a diamond-encrusted lollipop courtesy of Sugar Factory. Whilst a Chinese jewellery collector revealed a diamond-encrusted version of the Leonardo Da Vinci classic Mona Lisa...well I guess they can’t say how plain the woman is anymore...
So, just another week in the world of diamonds.
By Hannah Powell
RED CARPET ROCKS: THE OSCARS 2011
With the Golden Globes, SAGs, BAFTAs out of the way...there was only one date we were still waiting for—us and over 40 million others, for that apparently is how many people watch them—The Oscars. And of course, we (like probably most of the 40 million others), were not as interested in who won what so much as who wore what...so here’s our little rundown of the season’s most rocking red carpet...
Image Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
Scarlet and purple tones were the hit this time around making the red carpet hotter and more sizzling than ever before. The newly slimmed down Jennifer Hudson arrived in a flaming orange Atelier Versace gown, cooled down only by the ice of chunky diamond bracelets and an equally va-va-voom statement cocktail ring. Actress and host Anne Hathaway followed suit wearing a stunning strapless red gown by none other than the master of red gowns Valentino, as did Sandra Bullock who glided down in a fiery though elegant corset dress by Vera Wang—adorned only with whopping diamond stud earrings.
Talk of the town and Best Actress winner Natalie Portman opted for deeper tones, donning a fuschia gown by Black Swan costume designer Rodarte, with matching tassel earrings and a studded gold clutch by Tiffany. Newly single actress Scarlett Johanssen also stayed away from the scarlet choosing instead a mauve lace (read: sheer) dress by Dolce and Gabbana, while the fiery (and pregnant) Penelope Cruz opted for a purplish mauve number by L’Wrenn Scott with sequined, yes, you guessed it, flames.
Image Credit: Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images
Nicole Kidman hit the jackpot as far as jewels go, wearing over 150 carats of Fred Leighton jewellery – most of which were taken up by a chunky diamond necklace – to perfectly dress up the white oriental-inspired gown by recently suspended John Galliano of Dior. Cate Blanchett also opted for lighter hues donning a unique lavender Givenchy piece with pearl and leather detailing and a geometrically cut out back, and equally arresting Van Cleef and Arpels jewellery. But without a doubt, in the lavender leagues, it was Black Swan co-star Mila Kunis who stole the show in a dreamy lace gown by Elie Saab couture and a simple diamond bracelet and cluster-drop earrings to boot.
Image Credit: John Shearer / Getty Images
Helen Mirren chose to support British Fashion donning a grey puffy-shouldered gown by Vivienne Westwood, who recently opened a store in Los Angeles, accessorised by the daring feat of both nails and clutch to match, while Halle Berry and Michelle Williams went down the angelic route in heavenly silk gowns by Chanel couture and Marchesa.
All in all, just another year at the Oscars...but with a lot more red couture than carpet.
Like Jennifer Hudson’s diamond cocktail ring? Get yours here.
And Mila Kunis’s diamond bracelet? Check out ours.
Get the look? Contact our bespoke team and make it yours!
London Fashion Week
...7 LFW Predictions
With LFW beginning tomorrow, London is getting into full fashion-week swing. This season sees Tom Ford showcase his new collection at a private viewing in the Smoke, while Christopher Bailey's Burberry is set to have one of the glitziest FROW's this side of the...erm...Thames. So in homage to one of the most important weeks in a Londoner’s calendar, 77 Diamonds has collated its top 7 LFW predictions.
1.
Tom Ford's private viewing delays LFW by a day as the members of the fash pack who weren't invited pile up around the Somerset House venue. The fashion police are called.
2.
Issa, who were set to showcase at LFW this season simply can't because even the pre-season designs are sold out. For the next decade. In a change of tact, the Brazilian design house chooses to model their designs only on Kate Middleton forthwith.
3.
Following in the misjudged footsteps of September's Burberry model fall, NYFW’s catwalk tumble and Naomi Campbell famously before them, tripping up over your own skyscraper heels becomes the new thing this season. As long you're in designer, dahling.
4.
After dressing like a sheep all last season, shearling goes on the back burner after Somerset House bill Burberry for hoover replacement parts and antihistamines.
5.
Black Swan cleans up at the Oscars and the ballet trend goes viral. Instead of stomping down the catwalk and cutting a few angular shapes at the end, models now pirouette their way down. Designers applaud how much better this showcases their designs and lament its delayed employment but concern grows for the Benjamin Millepied-styled ballet instructors distracting their models...
6.
After months of wracking their brains in an attempt to trump Largerfeld's string orchestra at the Grand Palais last season, London-based designer Christopher Bailey pips them all to the post and takes his much-lauded leather jackets and trench coats to Wembley Stadium with a full rock band to support. The event can be streamed live. In 4D. Of course anything Ralph Lauren can do, Burbs can do better.
7.
Alongside the make-up bars that pop up all over town...Somerset House also installs nail bars. Originally designed to spruce up the fash pack’s digits with a mani, the bars become inundated with the bloggerati, whose furious Tweeting from the shows have resulted in injury.
77 Diamonds will be at London Fashion Week, so make sure you stay up-to-date with the latest news from all the events via Twitter and Facebook.
LIKE the sound of ballet-inspired fashions? Click here for more.
REMEMBER when Tom Ford styled Julianne Moore for the BAFTAs? See here.
READ the red carpet round-up of Monday's ELLE Style Awards. Click here.
By Hannah Powell
Red Carpet Rocks: ELLE Style Awards 2011
It’s a huge date in the fash pack’s calendar and an annual precursor to February’s London Fashion Week. So it was unsurprising to see the great and the good from the fashion world at London’s Connaught Rooms for the ELLE Style Awards last night.
However, it wasn’t just rings and cuffs that stood out, diamond earrings did too. Vivienne Westwood rocked a pair of huge chandelier ones, while actress Jaime Winston teamed her quirky lace detail black mini with stunning bespoke wing detail diamond earrings; the perfect foil to her fur chubby. Indeed, the Brits did us proud last night as M&S model Lisa Snowdon proved she’s worth her fashion salt with a revealing LBD off-set with classic diamond hoops.
Red Carpet Rocks: BAFTAs 2011
Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
London was positively inundated with movie stars last night as Hollywood descended on the capital’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for the BAFTA ceremony. As expected the The King’s Speech cleaned up, collecting amongst other awards, the coveted Best Supporting Actor, Actress, Best Actor, Director and Film awards, eclipsing its closest rival Black Swan.
However, as always it’s as much about the awards and recognition of acting talent as it is the red carpet fashions. This year the glitterati's choice of diamonds were slightly more subdued compared to last month’s Golden Globes with only a few subtle flashes of bling; an education in ladylike glamour.
Diamond stud earrings were the big news of the night. Literal new kid on the block and True Grit star Haille Steinfeld teamed her elegant bejewelled Miu Miu two-piece with simple diamond studs, offering a flash of glamour but nothing to overpower the detail of the dress. Harry Potter star and one-time Burberry model Emma Watson also let her dress do the talking. Wearing an asymmetric nude chiffon Valentino gown with frill detailing, the actress chose a pair of ornate diamond earring cluster studs. Diamond studs were only rivalled by diamond tennis bracelets and diamond drop earrings, as seen on The Kids Are Alright actress Julianne Moore. The flame-haired thesp teamed stacked Bulgari diamond bracelets with a stunning strapless navy Tom Ford gown. The look was topped off with post-box-red lips and unusual double-drop diamond earrings.
However, there were a few individual touches that we loved last night. Despite the relative minimalism with the jewellery on the red carpet, cocktail rings made another huge splash at the BAFTAs. Particular stand out pieces were Sarah Harding’s huge ruby ring (no sign of the Kate Middleton-style sapphire engagement ring she has been sporting of late), which accompanied her bright red Georges Chakra dress beautifully. While Brit actress Thandie Newton, mixed up her bold fuchsia pink Monique Lhullier dress with a huge emerald cocktail ring that was beautifully accompanied by crimson red nails. A trend in the making, for sure.
It was also the night for yellow gold jewellery too with Brit talent Rosamund Pike teaming her mustard Alexander McQueen gown with matching gold cuffs by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Lastly Natasha McElhone recalled the glamour of old Hollywood with an asymmetric embellished nude Escada gown which she ironically paired with peach velvet gloves over which sat a delicate diamond bracelet. A look that defied sense but in fact, totally worked. By Hannah Powell
LIKE Julianne Moore’s diamond drop earrings? Get them here.
REMEMBER the blingtastic Golden Globes last month? See here.
MAKE like Emma Watson and get some red carpet worthy diamonds...
By Hannah Powell
77 Days A Week: The Week in Review 31st Jan – 04th Feb
Monday
As chilly January turned to gloomy February last week, a startling statistic came to light. According to the National Retail Federation in America, US shoppers are going to up their jewellery spends by 17% this year. Indeed, their predictions may be true as hot young Hollywood couple Ashley Greene and her Jonas brother boyfriend were spotted picking out eternity rings; while on this side of the pond Kate Middleton and Prince William are thought to be taking their second-hand engagement ring to the Scilly Isles.
Tuesday
The beginning of the week saw the sad passing of one of film’s greatest composers. John Barry who had written the score for eleven Bond films, including Diamonds Are Forever, died aged 77.
Wednesday
Conflict diamonds took centre-stage on Wednesday with reports that President Mugabe would benefit from sales of a new Zimbabwean mine. Meanwhile, Naomi Campbell, who suffice to say has had her fair share of diamond-related conflict took to Gents mag GQ to talk about her brush with them.
And speaking of making your bed... diamond-designer Stuart Hughes unveiled his latest diamond-encrusted confection – a diamond double bed. The perfect companion to this week’s diamond Blackberry.
Thursday
Thursday got a lot of auction action. Sotheby’s revealed that their Important Jewels sale in New York raked in nearly $9million, while the Screen Actors Guild finished their annual SAG auction. Manwhile in London, Christie’s previewed the 2011 auction highlights which included a fair few sumptuous jewels. Click here to see them.
Friday
Following Campbell’s revelations about her own diamond gaffs, LiLo became a repeat offender when it was revealed that she was under investigation for fine jewellery theft... Meanwhile Manolo Blahnik cashed in on his rep with a diamond pendant and fashion stalwart Kate Moss finally put paid to those engagement rumours by announcing that she IS actually engaged. Official-like.
By Hannah Powell
Top 7 Valentine’s Day Gifts from 77 Diamonds
Red Carpet Rocks: SAG Awards 2011
Michael Buckner/WireImage/Getty Images
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SAG Awards 2011
Sunday night’s Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in Downtown Los Angeles saw a glittering array of celebrities from the world of film and TV. As expected The King’s Speech and Black Swan led the honours, collecting the Best Actor and Actress gongs respectively, mirroring last month’s Golden Globes. However, here at 77 Diamonds, we were just a touch distracted by the red-carpet diamonds on display.
Of course, Best Actress nominee and winner Natalie Portman (see above)Â stole the show in a strapless white Azzaro gown which she teamed with a staggering $2million worth of Tiffany diamonds. The loot consisted of two diamond bracelets and diamond-drop earrings set in platinum, which the pregnant actress teamed with a black satin Roger Vivier clutch.
In fact, the Black Swan cast didn’t disappoint as co-star Mila Kunis also opted for a stunning strapless gown, this time in peach and red. Kunis’ sweeping Alexander McQueen frock was styled with a Cartier diamond bracelet and earrings set in yellow gold.
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