BeansTalk Previews
The Oscar Jewels
 |
| Celebrity stylist and host Michael O'Connor predicts that colored gemstones will be one of the red carpet trends to watch for this year. (Photo by S. Saiyavongsa) |
By Samantha Saiyavongsa
BeansTalk Contributor
Academy Award nominees, attendees, celebs and stylists dazzled at this year's StyleLab Jewelry
Preview in Beverly Hills in anticipation for the 85th Academy Awards this past weekend. Held over two days before Oscar weekend, celebrity stylist and host Michael O'Connor helped guests select one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces for the red carpet last weekend.
O'Connor's curated selection of exquisite platinum jewelry features world-renowned jewelry designers, including Farah Khan, Takat, AGTA Collection, Argyle Diamond Collection and more. Pieces were valued from $4,000 to $175,000. (In case you were wondering, a Jeffery Daniels Unique Designs for Gem Platinum statement necklace featuring 35-carats of diamonds is worth that much!)
Guests to the intimate preview arrived in appointments for individual consultations with O'Connor, picking out the most flattering pieces for their face shapes, gown styles and hair color. O'Connor's personal favorite? A Farah Khan ring featuring a 20.12-carat Zambian emerald surrounded by 2.79 carats of diamonds, worth $25,886. "I'm surprised nobody has picked it up, yet, even I would wear it!" he said slipping it onto his ring finger.
 |
| BeansTalk reporters and Columbia College of Journalism students Alessandra Incandela and article reporter Samantha Saiyavongsa flank red-carpet stylist and jewelry expert Michael O'Connor of StyleLab's Jewelry Preview. |
Of course, guests couldn't leave the suite empty-handed even as the jewelry collection began thinning toward the end of the final day. Each guest went home with a strand of freshwater pearls as a gift.
