Sitting Pretty with Diana Quasha

A demure and ladylike look with a simple silver dipped necklace and earring set ("habibi").

This week our friend (and also advertiser) Diana Quasha, creator of Empress, Duchess & Tart paid a visit to the Carlisle Collection, picked out a few looks from their fall collection for herself and showed us how she'd accessorize them with her "shameless baubles."

Never underestimate the power of an accessory, especially when it's from the fashion jewelry collection of empress, duchess and tart!

We had the opportunity this week to team with the Carlisle and Per Se collections. It was a terrific example of how one can take a classic outfit and transform it look-wise by different types of jewelry.

We selected a variety of looks from the winter collection which could make the transition from day to evening ... with a little help from the EDT collections.

Our idea was to show how you can wear the same outfit from day to evening, by just reaching into your handbag or jewelry case and scooping out a new group of baubles ... from working girl to twilight temptress!

This is a daytime leather look — we used one side of the reversible jacket (a more daytime color than the black) and paired it with some of the Horn collection, a funky long necklace, earrings and bangles all in neutral tones of beige, grey, brown. Horn and wood pieces are our favorites for day wear because they have a soft and flattering effect on the skin, even in the bright daylight. For this reason, they are also favorites with resort wear.

But, now, take a look at the same jacket turned to its black side. We lost the tee shirt, and added some VA VA VA VOOM, a drippingly gorgeous strass and crystal necklace ("sheba") that can accent or cover a decollete.

We added a strass and feather cuff "electra,” knowing that with an all-black outfit, it wouldn’t be too much. The only thing missing here might be a fabulous rock on the finger ... the fun about the EDT stuff is how well it works with your real jewelry.

Let's go the the green sweater dress which we chose because of how great it looks with gold jewelry of differing character. The day look (above, left) shows a delicate matte leaf necklace and earrings, while the evening look (above, right) shows a bold, gold-dipped necklace with a satin ribbon closure called "wild diamonds.” Ear bobs are multi-stone hoops and a stretch gold and strass cuff, the latter two from the "brazil" collection.

Again, save the bling and shine for the evening hours, and long enchanted evenings when you want to make a bigger impact on your admirers!

The simple navy sheath dress is a wonderful classic which is dazzling (above, left. Detail: top right) paired with a mother of pearl necklace ("daphne"), and a strass and pearl cuff ("indira").

But we can go down a notch or so for a demure and ladylike look with a simple silver dipped necklace and earring set ("habibi") (above, right). The hot pink nubby jacket, when open, is a less formal look. and we used matte gold again.

Then, where we see a pink strass brooch and matching earrings which compliment the dressy neck piece (above, left).

But ... there are some wonderful dresses that just have to go with glam, and beg for bling, like the one above, right. The striking topaz-colored necklace, "allegra” and its matching topaz earrings have a high octane impact against the lustrous satin.

empress, duchess and tart
TREILLAGE, LTD.
1015 Lexington Avenue
212-588-1972
www.empressduchesstart.com

Carlisle / Per Se showroom
16 east 52nd Street, 1
16th Floor
212.751.6490
www.carlislecollection.com

Twitter: ShoppingDiary

Bookmark this page

E-mail to a Friend

More Articles

Sitting Pretty with Diana Quasha

Subscribe to New York Shopping Diary

Email address:
(optional) Your name: