-Sacred and sentimental, gemstones in any form speak of true love-

A diamond may be a girl’s best friend, but for the modern woman, it is just one of a variety of stones that complement her global style and romantic sensibility. Since the 1980s, when Princess Diana opted for a sapphire and Duchess Ferguson for a ruby, the popularity of colored stones has skyrocketed. Today, these stones are prize choices for unique engagement rings. Rooted in folklore and shimmering in colors that symbolize characteristics such as strength and eternal hope, gemstones say a lot about the woman wearing them.

Amethyst

A member of the quartz family, this violet gemstone is said to symbolize sincerity, security and peace of mind. The name is derived from the Greek word amethystos, meaning not intoxicated.

Aquamarine

Part of the beryl family, this blue-green gemstone is said to symbolize compassion and give individuals the courage to speak their truth.

Emerald

A symbol of eternal hope and rebirth, emerald is one of the precious stones. Because it is far softer and scratches more easily than diamonds and sapphires, Harold Krasner, president of Harold Stevens Jewelry, suggests wearing it in a deep setting like a bezel or prong.

Garnet

A symbol of consistency, good health and perseverance, this stone is known for its reddish brown hue. Tsavorite, derived from Kenya’s Tsavo East National Park, is a member of the garnet family and shows a brilliant green hue. So stable and perfect in its natural form, the stone is left untreated. “Emerald is so soft and porous and fragile, it really doesn’t work for everyday purposes,” says Jeffrey Martin, general manager and jewelry designer for John Franklin Fine Jewelers. “Tsavorite [is stronger and] looks great in both metals — yellow gold as well as the white metals.”

Opal

Associated with hope, happiness and truth, the opal’s hue varies from colorless to onyx. “A customer had a black opal ring and wanted matching earrings. Natural black opals are rare, and it’s very rare to find two pieces the same,” says Hunaida Shamieh, general manager of Royal Maui Jewelers and graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). “We found an uncut opal rock that was extremely close to her ring. We had the stone cut, and we duplicated the design to make earrings to match the ring.”

Peridot

A stone of springtime, this earthy gem ranges in color from light lime to dark green. Peridot is said to symbolize light, rebirth and renewal, combating negative and useless emotions. Interestingly, some peridots have been derived from meteorites. Malcolm Koll, owner of Charles Koll, says that while peridot is typically set in yellow gold, recently he’s been mounting it in white [metals]. “It looks stunning,” he says. “The rules are changing.”

Ruby

Part of the corundum family, the crimson stone gained popularity when Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, wore a ruby and diamond engagement ring. Resembling the color of the heart, it is said to symbolize passion, love and sexual desire. “I had a client with a ruby that was a family piece—a grandmother’s. It was an antique, cushion-cut karat and a half ruby,” Martin says. “We ended up setting it in a platinum and diamond pendant she could wear on her wedding day as her something old.”

Sapphire

Second only to diamonds in hardness, sapphires come in nearly every color imaginable, making them the best option for a colored gemstone that can be worn every day. Blue sapphire is believed to represent innocence and truth. “Sapphire, currently, is really hot primarily because the precious metals we’re using these days are silver or white—white gold, palladium, platinum. The blue of the sapphire really works well with the white metals,” says Martin. Malcolm Koll, of Charles Koll, and his team won an American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Award for a ring featuring a blue sapphire set in platinum. Typically set in a traditional, Edwardian style, he combined these elements with a more contemporary look. “It’s important to select something that works with everything,” he says. “The blue sapphire is color neutral.”

Tanzanite

Regarded by some as healing, sacred and representing new life, this rare gemstone is found only in the foothills of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. A member of the zoisite family, it shines equal parts blue and purple. “A customer brought in a gem-quality 15-karat tanzanite...brought back from Tanzania. It’s very rare to see any stones that size coming out anymore from Tanzania because the mine has been depleted,” says Liz Rayon, sales manager of Swiss Watch Gallery. “We set it in a beautiful pendant and surrounded it with a combination of rose and white gold, and added white and natural pink diamonds.”

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-Fancy footwear for the elegant bride-

 

Chain t-strap with Swarovski crystal embellishment, $450; Stuart Weitzman, Fashion Valley, 619.542.1692, stuartweitzman.com.

Satin sling back with bow, $285; Kate Spade, Fashion Valley, 619.220.8190,katespade.com.

Satin platform sling-back with Swarovski crystal buckle, $335; Stuart Weitzman, Fashion Valley, 619.542.1692, stuartweitzman.com.

Keenan caged sandal by Jimmy Choo, $995; Jimmy Choo, Fashion Valley, 619.295.0303, jimmychoo.com.

Christian Louboutin gold platform pump, price upon request; Neiman Marcus, Fashion Valley, 619.692.9100,neimanmarcus.com.

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-Fashion dresses 2012: actual tissue and colors-

If women don't wish to put on a dress of dark colors, she, for certain, will like a collection from Blumarine in which it is possible to meet the brightest colors - turquoise, violet, orange, yellow. Fashionable colors in the future season will be black, white, beige, gold, dark blue, red, silver and grey.

Models with a snake print (Chloe), a dress in length mini with an ethno-print (Balmain) and dresses with the image of a large flower of a contrast shade (Lanvin) will be looked incredibly stylish. By the way similar models you can find in bonprix - the internet shop of fashionable clothes.

One of most trend materials for fashion dresses of this winter becomes chiffon. Not less actual will remain a skin (like at Lanvin), jersey (like at Chanel), a lace (like at Blumarine), silk (Willows Sen Loran), fur (Celine).

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-PRECIOUS METALS-

18k white-gold diamond band with total diamond weight of 1.43ct; $7,650. Royal Maui Jewelers, Fashion Valley, 619.294.8160,royalmauijewelers.com

Tiffany & Co. platinum wedding bands for men (from left): knife edge, 4mm milgrain band, 6mm milgrain band, and Lucida® band; prices available upon request. Tiffany & Co., Fashion Valley, 619.297.7200, tiffany.com

Intertwining band with solitaires and leaves of brilliant Hearts On Fire diamonds. Available in 18k white gold or platinum; price upon request. Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, San Diego, 619.299.1500, leohamel.com

14k white-gold diamond band with total diamond weight of 1.17ct; $3,895. Royal Maui Jewelers, Fashion Valley, 619.294.8160, royalmauijewelers.com

 

Woven platinum and diamond eternity ring set with 15 round brilliant-cut diamonds, with total diamond weight of 6.7ct; $19,500. Matt Meis Goldsmith, San Diego, 858.499.0033,mattmeis.com

Unisex rings designed by Furrer-Jacot; available with or without diamonds and in platinum or 18k gold. Price and individual ring descriptions upon request. Diamond Boutique, Del Mar, 858.720.1800,diamondboutiqueonline.com

Marvel Band with five intensely bright Hearts on Fire diamonds set in an 18k white-gold band; price  upon request. Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, San Diego, 619.299.1500,leohamel.com

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-Fashionable dresses 2012: trends-

The business lady will be not puzzle next time what to dress for work in the future season: eminent brands offer the big variety of stylish and elegant models of business dresses. For example, Valentino and Celine recommend women to choose laconic beige dresses of a simple cut with long sleeves and a short waist, and brand Blumarine has shown unbelievable elegant dress in black color with the spirit of minimalism.

Designers of Jason Wu advise to fashion women to depart a little from strict rules of a dress-code and to choose an elegant dress with laconic flower prints.

Owners of a slender figure and bold character, for certain, will like dresses from laces as at Christian Dior or dresses with transparent inserts as at Stella McCartney.

World brands have not offended and the impudent girls welcoming shocking and brightness. One of most trend models in the future season will be dresses with furnish from feathers. Similar dresses meet in collections from Emilio Pucci, Marchesa and D&G.

Christian Dior has decorated the dresses with playful shuttlecocks which give to an image ease and femininity.

Jil Sander has surprised all admirers having shown on world podium improbably cosy and original models of dresses of a volume style with pockets on each side and sleeves.

Fans of a retro style will choose from some collections in this fall and winter too. There are easy, air dresses from 30 from Max Azrija, smart long evening dresses from 70 from Valentinо and dresses with wide shoulders and a fringe from 90 from Willows Sen Loran.

Romantic girls should like smart maxi dresses with fashionable (in this season) vertical cut like at Chloe, elegant and modest models from Lanvin, dresses in man's style from Dsquarted2, air models from Rodarte.

Fashion women, who used to surprise others, should look a collection from Victor and Rolf in which dresses with a shade of the silvery metal, executed in vanguard style are presented.

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-2012 WEDDING DRESS TRENDS-

Last week, the who’s who of the wedding industry descended upon Manhattan for New York International Bridal Week, where top designers like Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Ines Di Santo, Monique Lhullier, Carolina Herrera and Ramona Kevaza displayed their creativity and innovative designs. We saw some new trends that we LOVE and wanted to make sure you had the latest scoop straight from New York.

Decorative Backs

Too often we only focus on the beaming bride standing before us but several of our favorite dresses this weekend had strikingly detailed backsides. Whether it was translucent lace with lovely bed work or romantic silk floral appliqués, these ornate gowns remind us that so often during a wedding a bride’s backside is truly in the spotlight during a first dance or stroll down the aisle, so why not make a statement.

Non-Traditional Colors

Sure, we’ve seen a fascination with blush and nudes, but Vera Wang pushed the enveloped by going to the extreme.  A few of her 2012 gowns this past weekend were actually midnight black and a more subtle caramel color—all gorgeous in a sultry vampress kind of way.

Seductive Slits

Unless you’ve opted for a short and sassy gown for a backyard or beach wedding, a bride’s legs are usually hidden beneath cascading tulle or tucked into a mermaid-style gown. Enter the provocative slit as Monique Lhullier and others have designed gowns that flow open revealing your gorgeous gams.

The Kate Effect

The Royal Wedding is continuing to make its mark in the wedding industry as brides-to-be search for that regal fairytale look. While lace has played a key role in elevating the beauty of gowns over the ages, Kate Middleton took lace to a new level in her Sarah Burton by Alexander McQueen gown. The “Kate Lace” created a sensual appeal in a more reserved style in the classiest way with its translucent neckline. Designers are creating dresses using the flattering sweetheart cut, and adding some Kate flair with lace or tulle overlays as cap or ¾ sleeves.

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-The 5 Best Outfits Of The Week: Off-Duty Cuties Take Over!-

Elizabeth Olsen showed off her covetable rock 'n' roll style at the Chanel couture show this week.

Kristina's fierce footwear and comfy cool top caught the eye of our street style photographer in Seattle.

Jennifer Lopez won in a Fashion Faceoff against Madonna in a glam Gucci vest, black leather pants and pumps.

Best Dressed Reader, Finichia, went preppy in pink and added some cute boyfriend jeans to keep things low-key.

Stephanie Lacava's cool rust-colored jeans, oversize coat and wide brim hat is our idea of a good time.

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-Make-up trends-

Gold sequin dotted eyes

No sooner had Givenchy’s catwalk closed that we realised there was one major thing ingrained in our minds: the makeup. Actually, that’s an overstatement – it wasn’t the makeup as a whole that had captured our attention, but a small flourish: the metallic half-circle below and above each eye.

After all, sometimes what you want from a beauty look isn’t just something that compliments and turns heads, but something that adds a little dot of unconventionality. And that’s precisely what this look is – literally. Creative, unique, yet ultimately wearable, the addition of a metallic circle to the upper and lower lids is all you need as a beauty look that stands out from the spring 2012 fashion showings.

At Givenchy’s spring 2012 show models’ eyes were dotted with silver sequins. It was a look that was at once childlike and innocent, yet futurist and a little avant garde. Here we’ve recreated a similar look using a champagne-gold sequin for an alternative take.

For the full how-to steps you can read the tutorial after the break.

Beauty how to: a futuristic flash of aqua

David Koma’s spring 2012 collection was based on the idea of a futuristic tribe. Fortunately, makeup took on the futuristic element as opposed to taking the tribal route. Combining finishes such as matte vs gloss, mirroring the finish on the garments created with the use of reflective perspex. A flash of bold colour under the eyes complimented the use of bold colour across the collection. 

As well as being perfect for spring beauty, fresh luminous skin is a great winter look too. Products such as MAC Strobe or Clarins Beauty Flash Balm keep skin nourished and protected from the effects of the cold climate combined with indoor heating. Be sure to invest in a good moisturiser for the colder months. A flash of colour on the lower eye lid is a great, quick and easy update to your look and it’s always nice to add some colour when the skies are grey!

Mel Arter and the MAC Pro Team created the fabulous look at David Koma. Backstage, she talked us through exactly what you need to recreate it!

Soft coral lips

Coral is, undeniably, one of the hot lip colours for summer. But while it’s often the bright, orange-based side of the coral spectrum that we see providing a pop of colour to an exotic spring / summer look, the softer side of coral shouldn’t go unnoticed. As 2012′s fashions unfurl, keep coral well and truly in mind.

And that’s precisely what we did when we set about complimenting our hair guide to the sculpted faux bob. To compliment model Sophie Van Dek Akker’s coiffed locks, makeup artist Shev Kelly for Napoleon Perdis created a makeup look for us that was perfectly fitting for a vintage belle. Here pinkish-coral lips are the crowning glory to flawless skin, peachy blushing cheeks, and bare eyes frosted with white liner.

Starry night eyes

Dark, smokey eyes are oft left for the colder months as dewy fresh looks take over with the strengthening sun. But there’s plenty of room for a smokey eye come spring 2012. In fact, it was a trending look on the spring 2012 runways from Gucci’s heavy take to a smokey shimmer at the likes of Emanuel Ungaro and Erin Fetherston. But while sooty black eyeshadow doesn’t always feel suitable for spring, the peacock plumage of purple and blue edged with black – as seen on the runway of Rodarte spring 2012 – is one you won’t regret mastering.

Perfect for fresh spring days and warm summer nights, and complimentary to a number of 2012′s fashion trends, you can follow the steps after the break to create this beauty look for yourself.

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-Men’s hairstyles for 2012-

2011 may have given us a completely fresh decade, but it’s in 2012 that we truly get to explore it. If the last decade was all about buzz terms prefixed by man and metro (think manscaping and metrosexual), then 2012 is all about exploring a masculine edge. Sure it’s refined, but there have been only a few periods in recent history where true masculinity didn’t come with a polished edge. Thus we leave behind a period where men and boy bands alike head to a hairstylist for the latest fandangled chemical straightening technique and instead, for those of them with curly hair, can opt for something au naturel. Natural, but no less stylish.

And natural is, effectively, where the short and curly hairstyle sits in 2012. Entangled, interlocked, and messy, it’s a hairstyle that not only connotes a relaxed lifestyle but is itself relaxed.

Of course, the nature of curls is that they come in all degrees of severity, some tight and compact, others softer but no less prone to doing whatever the hell they like no matter how much product you seem to put in your hair. The dominant men’s curly hairstyle of 2012 is a look that captures some of what the quiff offers, but it does so with far less height and with little effort to relax or straighten the curls.

The slicked back undercut isn’t the only 2012 men’s hairstyle that is something of a classic haircut revived. Nor is it the only hairstyle that requires a sumptuous amount of product to achieve its slick look.

The men’s slicked hairstyle with side part enjoyed its major revival around 2009 / 2010 when Mad Men first impacted upon the global psyche. Courtesy of the man’s man connotations that Don Draper gave the style it soon became the go-to hairstyle of many a man, the likes of actor George Clooney included. But where it was once for the older, stylish gent, the side parted, slicked hairstyle has become just as much a look for the young. As such it was quickly appropriated by many a designer for the styling of their catwalks. You equally won’t be hard pressed to find it worn, somewhat knowingly, by style conscious chaps on the streets.

Not tight enough to be an afro and with the mop top a hairstyle more akin to the Brit-rock than anything else, it’s hard to give this hairstyle a name that connotes exactly what it is. So, despite the naff sound to it, please forgive us: we’re labelling this evolution of one of last year’s men’s hair trends the curly mop top.

This is the curly kind of hairstyle that you’d wear to an indie gig or to a Bohemian festival. Scrap that. This is the curly hairstyle that you’d wear with bucket loads of confidence. But it’s not just confidence that’s required, but also the ability to style what is one of the trickiest hairstyles for 2012. The challenge here is to maintain the out-of-control curls, so it doesn’t look like you’ve just spent 18-months on a deserted island. Nailing the 1970s revival vibe, Gucci perfected the look on their spring 2011 catwalk choosing to concentrate on the front and offer the hairstyle with both short and long curly hair.

If you’ve already read the in depth list of men’s hair trends above, the fact that the undercut is a key haircut for 2012 will come as no surprise. That look in particular though is a slicked back undercut that relies just as much on its styling as it does on its cut. But because the styling is so particular, 2012 is a year in which other interpretations of the undercut abound.

In fact, as a men’s haircut the undercut sits as one of the most fashionable and versatile options in 2012, one capable of working with most of the hairstyles we’ve noted above. Take the Brit-rock indie hairstyle as an example – given that’s its swept from the side it’s easy to work the hairstyle in with an undercut, keeping the sides short and the long hair on top swept over and forwards.

That’s not the only option of course. Take this style for instance, which marries an undercut with a side swept quiff. The beauty of this style lies in its irony, as it’s about boasting the uncut parts of your hair whilst making it look like it’s a damn fine cut.

Grecian God or not, shoulder length hair is never truly out, but it’s not always in either. The question for when it is in is always what style of man it’s being worn by. Is it popular the kick-back Indie kid, the guy whose life revolves around catching the next wave or an altogether different kind of man? In 2012, long, shoulder length men’s hair sits as a haircut with both a smart and sleek finish.

You’ll note that there’s a big difference between long men’s hair as a surfer would wear it and as a guy would wear it into the office. While we’re under no illusion that you’re going to start seeing shoulder length haircuts around the boardroom table of the world’s stiffest financial institutions, it is a haircut that again has an office-edge. It just happens that it’s an office filled with creatives instead of bankers and accountants. Zegna took the lead with the sharp and somewhat conservative take on shoulder length hair at their spring 2012 showing.

Of course, just because it’s a haircut that is again the domain of the well heeled doesn’t meant that it’s naturally without its relevancy to those with a more relaxed attitude to life. Falke showed off just how that interpretation can work with long, wavy red hair in their spring / summer 2012 look book.

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-2012 Woman Hairstyles-

The monochromatic tones of printed text dresses and chaotic animal prints were glued together with free flowing, blow dried hair. Even though blow dries advertise themselves to be exceptionally casual and easy-to-achieve, in reality, they’re very conflicting. It’s important to get the optimum bounce in the roots and ensure the soft waves frame the face.

This Milan show struck a playful and affirmative chord via the clothes, and the hair and make-up further enhanced its ladylike elegance. 
On this runway, even the hair reverted back to a little girl’s age with the neat side parting, tucked hair behind the ear (to show off the studded earrings, of course) and soft curls at the back.

This spring 2012 hairstyle translates for a glamorous woman who’s on a holiday. The kind of style you’d pull together while you’re sunbaking on a Mediterranean island. We are anticipating this look to be a winner during 2012’s sultry summer.

When we listed the center part as a hair trend for 2012 it was less about the part itself (we know it’s far from revolutionary) and more about the looks and styles that come with it. A center part with flowing locks can be hippie or casual or even jet-settingly glamorous, but pair it with this looped-under ponytail and it becomes an elegant look of equestrian proportions.

The style will work on hair shoulder length or longer; the longer the hair, though, the fuller and more glamorous you can make this particular style.

If style pundits were in any doubt as to the status of the rockabilly hair revival that has been gradually gaining momentum over the last two years, then the display of 1930s through 1950s-inspired retro hair at the menswear fashion shows over the past few years was the final proof they needed. Designers including the likes of Jil Sander and Thomas Maier at Bottega Veneta sent out model after model sporting playful quiffs accessorised with rockabilly string ties and greaser gear. The message was undeniable: rockabilly – specifically rockabilly hair – was back. And it remained the key vintage-revival, attitude laden hairstyle of 2010 and 2011.

The seasonal changes in the real world didn’t affect the chirpiness of Sonia Rykiel’s spring 2012 collection. Just as the sunshine yellow carpet graced the catwalk, it also reflected the crispness of vanilla-hued clothes. But the prime position was given to the Parisian-styled hair that injected overdue positivity to fashion shows in Paris.

You would have noticed an ongoing theme in our 2012 hairstyles guide – flowing waves and blow dries aplenty. What was previously shunned for being a boring hair-down technique has now been revamped. Thank you, catwalk shows.

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