Some celebs just know how to work a red carpet. When you want to know what’s hot, look to these five always-sophisticated stars.
Carrie Underwood
American Idol has produced chart-toppers, platinum-album–sellers, Grammy winners, a Tony nominee, and an Oscar winner, but it’s only given us one genuine glamazon. And we’re not talking about Jennifer Hudson. (Or Adam Lambert.) Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood brought out yet another jaw-dropping dress at the recent Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas—a Jean Fares Couture gown in oh-so-trendy royal purple, topped off by Sutra sapphire and diamond earrings. No wonder they call her the reigning queen of country.
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Pink tourmaline and rose-cut diamond earrings (same design as Carrie’s); $5,400; Sutra Jewels, Houston, 713-988-8210, sutrajewels.com |
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Under $500 |
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Under $5,000 8.10 cts. t.w. blue sapphire earrings on 14k gold and silver; $4,785; Shery Shabani at Fragments, New York City; 212-334-9588; fragments.com |
Dianna Agron
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We’re so used to seeing the Glee star glide by on wisps of chiffon and tiers of lace that we almost didn’t recognize Dianna Agron at the 2011 Grammy Awards, between the Vivienne Westwood silk bustier, the smoky eyes, and the rockabilly ’do. But perhaps her boldest move? Eschewing traditional million-dollar borrowed baubles in favor of fab House of Lavande vintage costume jewelry.
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1970s-era bracelet; $498; House of Lavande, Palm Beach, Fla.; 561-802-3737; houseoflavande.com |
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Under $300 Wrap bracelet with nuggets in sterling silver with gunmetal vermeil on cotton cord; $295; Chan Luu, Los Angeles; 213-624-0856; chanluu.com |
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Under $400 Coppola cuff; $375; DANNIJO, New York City; 646-755-8909; dannijo.com |
Jennifer Lopez
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It’s no secret La Lopez loves her bling. (We’re not the only ones watching Idol to see what’s on her hands.) In fact, the singer/actress/multi-hyphenate just became the face of Spanish jewelry brand TOUS. J. Lo brings it even for low-key events like this one announcing her as a spokesperson for the Boys and Girls Club of America: The Hervé Leger by Max Azria dress may have been a bit risqué, but the pink gold Brumani earrings were spot-on.
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Looping Shine earrings in white and pink gold with diamonds and crystal; $4,306; Brumani, São Paulo; 55-11-3088-2725; www.brumani.com |
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Under $3,500 Petite Latchet earrings in 14k pink gold and blackened sterling silver with diamonds and sapphire; $3,300; Alberian & Aulde, Weehawken, N.J., 800-757-4728; alberianandaulde.com |
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Under $200 Tina earrings in 14k rose gold–plated brass with gray Swarovski crystal accents; $188; Paige Novick, New York City; 212-265-2047; paigenovick.com |
Rihanna
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We always expect some fierce love-it-or-hate-it fashion from the chameleon-like singer. The white illusion Jean Paul Gaultier Couture gown Rihanna wore on the Grammy red carpet? Hated it. (Toilet brush, anyone?!?) The Christian Dior Couture black gown she wore for her blazing “Love the Way You Lie” performance with Eminem? Loved it. Loved everything about it, from the yellow floral print to the handkerchief hemline. Plus: Her gold Vahan earrings looked like flames!
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14k gold wing-shaped earrings; $4,600; Vahan, Mamaroneck, N.Y.; 914-381-4464; vahanjewelry.com |
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Under $2,500 Bamboo slim long drop earrings in 18k gold; $2,200; John Hardy, New York City, 888-838-3022, johnhardy.com |
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Under $150 Antigua earrings in gold-plated bronze; $135; Virgins, Saints, & Angels Jewelry, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; 888-801-7922; vsadesigns.com |
Mila Kunis
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Natalie Portman may have earned the trophies for Black Swan, but all season, co-star Mila Kunis was steadily stealing the spotlight on the carpet. (Life imitating art alert!) At the 2011 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, Kunis emerged the clear winner in a flirty Nina Ricci black strapless mini and an elegantly festive layered Ofira turquoise and diamond necklace.
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Under $600 Sterling silver cable link bead chain with blue chalcedony, aquamarine, and freshwater pearl; $575; David Yurman, New York City; 212-752-4255; davidyurman.com |
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Under $1,200 Jennifer 42-inch 14k gold wire-wrapped beads with gold clasps in turquoise, angel coral, aquamarine, and ruby (each strand sold separately); $1,200 as shown ($300 each); Kara Ackerman, New York City; 212-554-4117; karaackerman.com |