The Metropolitan Opera of New York is celebrating its 125^th Anniversary Season with a noteworthy magazine ad. “Let yourself go,” it beckons, showcasing a spectacular pair of earrings on soprano Renee Fleming. The photograph identifies her look as a costume for the production of the Jules Massenet opera Thais.

I bring this ad to your attention not because I support the fine arts most enthusiastically (which I do!), but rather because of the artistry of the styling of Ms. Fleming with jewelry in the ad. Notice how the scale of the dangles of the earrings is matched by the scale of the tiny braids in her hair, how the spacing between the dangles is mirrored by the spacing between the braids, and how the round stones set in the earrings are matched by the beads clipped above her ear. The starburst motif at the top of the earrings is an appropriate punctuation mark of dazzle. The look is cohesive, exciting and utterly gorgeous.

A beautiful pair of earrings truly can be the starting point for styling an entire look. If you’re lucky enough to have a spectacular pair of earrings in your jewelry wardrobe, take them out, put them on, get dressed to the nines, and let yourself go!

JCK