I’ve been to a fair amount of Hollywood shindigs—most recently on Friday night, when Piaget threw a cocktail fete at Chateau Marmont to celebrate the Film Independent Spirit Awards—and I always opt to give the red carpet a wide berth. Something about the spotlight, the scrutiny, and the effort it would take to suck in my gut all while smiling authentically gives me an acute case of anxiety.
But in my dreams, I’m the belle of the ball, in a sexy one-shouldered red dress, sky-high red heels, and an ensemble of jewels in, yes, bright, forget-me-if-you-dare tones of crimson. (If you saw last night’s Academy Awards, you know that I would have been in good company. From best supporting actress winner Allison Janney to perennial nominee Meryl Streep to presenter Maya Rudolph, women in red was one of the night’s best themes!)
I’m a fan of statement necklaces on other women (I mean, did you see the crazy diamond collars and gem-encrusted bibs on parade last night?!), but there’s no denying that they’re tough to pull off with your average dress. Earrings, on the other hand, are a red carpet no-brainer. The only rule is they must be dramatic (which generally, but not always, means BIG).
These red-hot Notre Dame earrings from London-based Solange Azagury- Partridge’s Supernature collection are just the ticket. A sassy take on Deco, with rubies, purple diamonds, and ceramic set in 18k yellow gold replacing traditional diamonds in platinum, they tick all my boxes: bold, unapologetic color and an original, statement-making silhouette in a package that pays homage to timeless styling while simultaneously departing from it.
Notre Dame earrings in 18k yellow gold with rubies, purple diamonds, and ceramic; Solange Azagury-Partridge
For my hands, I’d go with a classic whopper of a ring by my good friends Walter and Tim at McTeigue & McClelland, whose Great Barrington, Mass.-based jewelry store and adjacent atelier specializes in heirloom jewels set with the finest of gems. This Classic Flora ring centers on a natural, unheated, padparadscha sapphire weighing more than 10 cts. mounted in a platinum basket with 75 rose- and round brilliant-cut diamonds (0.23 ct. t.w.). Handmade in McTeigue & McClelland’s signature 18k bloomed gold and platinum, the ring is something of a gem lover’s holy grail for the rarity of its center stone combined with the sophistication of its setting. I’d rock it like a maharani.
Classic Flora ring with natural, unheated 10 ct. padparadscha sapphire and 0.23 ct. t.w. rose- and round brilliant-cut diamonds in 18k bloomed gold and platinum; McTeigue & McClelland
My pièce de résistance? This unforgettable 18k yellow gold Feathered Cloak brooch from Tiffany & Co.’s 2017 Blue Book collection. Because if you can’t wear a crazy-excellent piece of jewelry art like this to the Oscars, then really, what’s the point?
Feathered Cloak bird brooch in 18k gold; tiffany.com
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