Swarovski Crystallized: Holiday Jewelry Collection Preview

Socially Superlative
December 6, 2009 


Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED proved exactly why this saying rings true. This past Thursday, December 3, the company’s Concept Store in SoHo hosted an intimate event allowing guests to view the new holiday jewelry collection. Treated to champagne and healthy hors d’oeuvres, invitees were encouraged to take a tour of the decorative space.

Making my way through the long entrance room I was shocked to discover the reasonable price points of many pieces. With several options under fifty dollars, women can create a look that expresses their individual style and personality. In a tough economy, this is a strategic way to increase sales while maintaining customer satisfaction. With so many different designs to choose from, I began feeling like a kid in a candy store.

Also located on the main level is the lounge, fully equipped with comfortable seating, spacious bar, and exhibition space. This area is perfect for hosting special events, live video streams and exhibits in the fashion, jewelry, and interior design industries. Leading to this area are manikins dressed in exquisite gowns, including one of my favorite designers, Kati Stern of Venexiana. Her black sequin dress immediately caught my attention.

Downstairs is another exhibition area with more seating and decoration. Portraits of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and other fabulous fashion icons line the walls. This museum-like room has several opera hats and jewelry on display inside glass cases. An original dress worn in Phantom of the Opera took my breath away. The beading and lace provide the garment with an extremely elegant appeal.

There was just something about the ambience of the store that made me feel like a million bucks. I couldn’t help but wish I could transplant the massive diamond-studded ceiling-to-floor installation leading to the lower level into my much smaller apartment. For just opening this past summer, several other events have already taken place inside its doors. Just one night earlier, Swarovski hosted a party for Vogue.

Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED currently has three collections. Their Autumn Winter 2009/2010 Collection includes the Noble Collection and the Substance Collection, which features the Liquid Pearl, the Twisted Pearl, the Two-Tone Pearl, and the Clustered Pearl. The Christmas Collection and the Basic Collection serve as the other two collections featured in stores and online.

Customers can join an all-access artistic club that links them with other creative professionals. Their E-commerce Website even gives the option of customizing individual jewelry pieces. The “Jewelry Store” sells ready-to-wear pieces that can be designed by the customer, while the “Elements Store” is the place to purchase loose CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements and other accessories.

- Megan McDonough

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2009/12/06/swarovski-crystallized-holiday-jewelry-collection-preview/

Bravo “Launch My Line” Launch Party at Avenue

Socially Superlative
December 3, 2009

Bravo’s new fashion competition, Launch My Line, celebrated its premiere one day early. Held at hotspot Avenue, judges and contestants strutted down the red carpet before entering the lively party held on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009.

Bravo’s newest creation pairs established business professionals with well-known fashion designers who are there to help their partner in launching his or her own fashion line. At stake for the winning professional is having their line officially launched. The designer who provided guidance and expertise along the way received $50,000 in compensation.

Designers Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED2 serve as hosts for the television series, and Lisa Kline and Steffani Greenfield are the judges. Contestants represent different professional backgrounds, which makes the competition even more interesting. From just the first episode, it appears that strict time limits on challenges lead to frustration in the workroom.

Among contestants are jewelry designer Kathy Rose, stylist Louanna Rawls, fashion critic Merle Ginsberg, and fashion writer Patrick McDonald. Actress and model Molly Sims, Tinsley Mortimer and Richie Rich were among party guests. The party would not have been complete without Andy Cohen, SVP Programming and host of Watch What Happens, who was in attendance.

Each contestant appeared quite stylish and genuinely excited to be a part of this project. Vanessa Gonzalez sparked in a vibrant red sequin dress and Marilyn Crawford smiled confidently in her cream-colored ensemble. Keeping her company throughout the night was her limited edition FENDI tote. Perhaps the highlights of the evening were the Caten brothers. Their matching shiny gold blazers and black bow ties truly reflect their quirky and vivacious personalities.

Once inside the doors of Avenue, guests were treated to glasses of champagne, wine, and tasty sushi rolls, waffle fries, among other samplers. The two-level venue was the perfect space for the event, with several television screens strategically set-up to play the premiere episode of Launch My Line.

DJ and contestant Eric Cubee Chee blasted Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, and the birthday girl herself, Miss Britney Spears, as party-goers danced to the beat.

Near the end of the night, bite-sized Crumbs cupcakes were served. New Yorkers love their cupcakes, and Crumbs proved to be the perfect way to end the evening.

Of course, no party is complete without a goodie bag, and Bravo did not disappoint. Guests received Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster 8 track album, Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing lotion, and a free session from Completely Bare Hair Removal Specialists. Not bad for a day’s work.

- Megan McDonough

http://sociallysuperlative.com/2009/12/03/bravo-launch-my-line-launch-party-at-avenue/