Cynthia Sliwa

Trend Watch: The Return of the Necklace at the Oscars: And the Winner Is . . .
March 3, 2008

Like retired players appearing on post-game shows to analyze every strategy on the football field, the official designated fashion commentators have by and large all weighed in now on their favorite fashions and jewels at the 2008 Academy Awards. 

The two biggest trends of the evening were the strong showing of the color red for evening gowns, and, at long last, the return of the necklace. Thanks to my fellow bloggers at JCKonline.com, you’ve had a chance to marvel at the look (and imagine the price!) of some of the most splendid jewelry seen on the red carpet this year. I can only imagine how much these pieces must sparkle up close and personal.

What I found especially lovely about the jewelry at this year’s Academy Awards was the detail in the necklaces that once again found their rightful place as a key accessory. Statement necklaces are back, and I’m thrilled.

Here are my choices for most flattering jewelry at the Academy Awards.

First Runner Up: Keri Russell wearing a vintage H. Stern diamond floral necklace, with asymmetrically placed oval loops adding interest to the design. Interviewed on the red carpet, Ms. Russell commented that she had wanted to leave off the necklace and wear only delicate earrings, but had been talked into wearing the necklace. The size and detail of the necklace were perfection on the fine-boned beauty. The necklace fell at her first balance point*, framing her face and filling in the neckline of her strapless Nina Ricci gown. Next time Ms. Russell wants to go bare-necked, I hope she’ll reconsider. She wears jewels beautifully.

The Winner: Laura Linney, in Cathy Waterman’s yellow gold necklace with double fine chains featuring delicate diamond drops, and on which was suspended a pendant featuring a dark pear-shaped stone. The necklace was sheer perfection on Ms. Linney, who wore the necklace along with a cuff bracelet to accessorize her classic strapless gown by Michael Kors. The color of the necklace was stunning with her hair, the size of the pendant was of perfect scale to complement her features, and the shape of the pendant continued the sense of the soft curves of her hair. The necklace fell at Ms. Linney’s second balance point*, emphasizing her smile and her dimples. Ms. Linney looked absolutely radiant. 

        

(In case you’re unfamiliar with the concepts of the first and second balance points, which you will find discussed in detail in Jewelry Savvy, I’ll provide a brief primer in coming blogs. These are image consulting concepts that originated with my mentor, the internationally revered image consultant Carla Mathis, AICI CIM of the Body Beautiful Institute, and are based upon principles of art.) 

Less successful were necklaces worn by other celebrities on the red carpet.

Cate Blanchett’s Lorraine Schwartz necklace was stunning and extremely interesting but didn’t work with the style of her dress. Pushed together inside the halter-style neckline, the necklace didn’t lay properly and took on the appearance of a scarf. This is a rare misstep on the red carpet for Ms. Blanchett, who usually is among my style favorites. I would have preferred to see a gorgeous Lorraine Schwartz brooch accessorizing the bodice of her purple Dries Van Noten gown. 

I’ve tried hard to find a flattering photo of Nicole Kidman wearing the dazzling 1,399-carat sautoir necklace by L’Wren Scott to accompany the oddly cut bodice of her not especially flattering Balenciaga gown. I think the necklace was too much and far too fussy on the reed-slim beauty, and it looked rather like a fringed shawl that someone much older would wear to keep the chill off her neck. I’d love to see this necklace on a full-figured woman with the attitude to carry it off.

Newcomer Ellen Page looked lovely, but her chic, lengthy Fred Leighton necklace worn doubled-up required constant adjustment. That was unnecessary fussing that detracted from her fresh, lovely look in her tiered black Jean Louis Scherrer gown, and could easily have been rectified. 

Finally, I mention one additional favorite. Although she didn’t adorn her Galliano gown with a necklace, I was excited to see Heidi Klum’s exciting choice of pink and red jewelry (earrings and bracelet from her own line, natch) and hot pink clutch to accessorize her bright red gown. This unusual color combination takes tremendous fashion confidence. That is style personified. 

Posted by Cynthia Sliwa on March 3, 2008 | Comments (0)