THE GOLDEN RULE... from runways to Sophie’s Closet...

Get ready to glitter in gold this fall: gold is one of the predominant colours for the F/W 2010 season. We love the great selection of golden garments from gowns to dresses to pants, as well as bags and shoes, of course. We've broken it down to three distinct looks: the Golden Glam, the Golden Ornament and the Golden Rock. Sophie's Closet is ready to take on the gold with an abundance of amazing accessories for whichever look you choose.

THE GOLDEN GLAM


Gianfranco Ferré, Mulberry

We love everything about Gianfranco Ferré's glittery, golden, slinky gown: it's Old Hollywood meets Golden Goddess. A combination of gold and sparkly jewels is classic and utterly irresistible for any glamour girl. These bracelets by Lisa Freede and CC Skye are just perfect for a touch of instant glam. Of course, nothing is more glamourous than the delicate gold and crystal headband by Jennifer Behr.


Lisa Freede Swarovski Crystal Wrap Bracelet (AED 570)


CC Skye Pave Stud Bracelet (AED 1100)


Jennifer Behr Delicate Crystal Scallop in Antique Gold (AED 1100)

THE GOLDEN ORNAMENT


Alexander McQueen, Roger Vivier

Everyone was awestruck by Alexander McQueen's posthumous collection. Inspired by Byzantine empresses and religious iconography, golden ornamentation was a focal point of the collection, fit for an empress. McQueen wasn't the only one using golden ornamental accents; Roger Vivier adorned his shoe collection with delicate golden leaves. Naturally, we love a little bit of ornamental excess. In Sophie's Closet, we will be reaching for Rachel Leigh's "Gumball" (it kind of matches the McQueen collection) and CC Skye's "Angel Wing" rings to embellish our fingers. For our wrists, we pick CC Skye's "Dynasty" cuff with multiple ornamental chains. If only we could get away with crowns... we would wear them!


Rachel Leigh "Gumball" Ring (AED 350)


CC Skye "Angel Wing" Ring (AED 570)


CC Skye "Dynasty" Multi Chain Cuff (AED 555)

THE GOLDEN ROCK


Balmain, Alexander McQueen

Every season there is an updated take on "rock chic." This year, Balmain's Christophe Decarnin, a leader in edgy, used gold to accent his key pieces. Then there is the always edgy Alexander McQueen zipper bootie, this time adorned with a golden wing (the CC Skye "Angel Wing" ring would go well with this one too). We love accessories that are gold with an edge, like Joomi Lim's studded ring and CC Skye's "Gigi" spiked hoops. Of course, sharp spikes are not always needed for the edgy look: we think Vita Fede's leather and gold "Como" bracelets should do the trick.


Joomi Lim Studded Ring (AED 300)


CC Skye "Gigi" Spike Hoops (AED 495)


Vita Fede "Como" Single Hex (AED 285)


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TIMELESS VINTAGE CHANEL

Coco Chanel photographed by Man Ray (c. 1935)

Chanel needs no introduction. Single-handedly responsible for the look of the modern woman, Chanel is now more than a label, it's the centre of a fashion cult. Its devotees are always on the lookout for anything vintage Chanel, especially with the iconic interlocking 'CC' logo, which the fashion house trademarked in 1925. The logo soon took the form of purse locks, buttons, brooches, pendants and earrings.

We recently acquired five gorgeous pairs of Chanel vintage earrings: the simple gold and enamel CC earrings; the round, shiny gold button CC earrings (there were matching buttons produced); the "31 Rue Cambon" (the Parisian address of the Chanel atelier) gold CC earrings circa 1980s; gold wheat ear CC earrings (wheat ear pattern is a favourite of Karl Lagerfeld), also circa 1980s; and round gold earrings with a crystal centre and 'Chanel' emboss.


Vintage CHANEL Clip-on Earrings, 1 x 1.2 inches (AED 1650)


Vintage Shiny Gold CHANEL Clip-on Button Earrings, 1x1 inch (AED 1600)


Vintage CHANEL "31 Rue Cambon" Clip-on Earrings, 1x1 inches (AED 1350)


Vintage CHANEL Clip-on Earrings, 1x1 inches (AED 1350)

Coco Chanel herself always wore round clip-on earrings (most women didn't have pierced ears back then) along with her trademark pearls. Her personal style is the foundation of the brand and the key for timeless, iconic style. She best said it herself: “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”


Coco Chanel photographed by Hoyningen-Huene (c. 1935)


Vintage CHANEL Crystal Centre Clip-on Earrings, 1x1 inches (AED 1,990)

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WELCOME BACK HOOPS!

Cate Blanchett in W (June 2010)

After a somewhat lengthy absence from the high fashion scene, hoop earrings are back with a vengeance. Having graced nearly every major magazine cover in the last few months, hoops big or small are a 'must have' piece of jewelry at the moment. Of course whatever look makes the cover is the look that everyone wants. And hoops are it!

One celebrity leading the hoop revolution (or comeback) is the fabulous Jennifer Lopez. Hoops have become her signature look, especially when combined with a little sparkle. To get Jennifer's look, we suggest Kenneth Jay Lane's pave hoops or, for a smaller version, Lisa Freede's huggies (Angelina Jolie wears them!).


Jennifer Lopez in Elle (February 2010)


Kenneth Jay Lane Large Gunmetal Pave Hoops (AED 798)


Lisa Freede Pave Circle Huggies (AED 275)

Kate Moss wore hoops on the cover of Paris Vogue's June issue looking gorgeous in the sun and styled in black and gold. Is there a better combination? We think not: that's why we love CC Skye's "Power" hoops!


Kate Moss in Vogue Paris (June 2010)


CC Skye Power Hoops (AED 750)

There are always classic gold hoops, like the ones worn by Gisele on the cover of Vogue's April issue. Every woman must have a pair of simple gold hoops in her accessory drawer. But if you already have the simple gold ones, try something a little edgier, like CC Skye's hoops with spikes.


Gisele in Vogue (April 2010)


CC Skye "Gigi" Spike Hoops (AED 495)

Spikes have been on the forefront of fashion for a while now (thanks to Balmain) and they are still going strong. The retro punk glam styling on Zink's cover also reminds us of CC Skye. We just love this spike and hoop combo: it's gold, glam and just a little dangerous!


Asia Bugajska in Zink (May 2010)


CC Skye GG Spike Hoop Earrings (AED 520)

www.shopatsophiescloset.com

Take a BOW!

Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S 2010

Who doesn't love bows? It's the one embellishment that we cherish from childhood to womanhood. Every woman should have something adorned with a bow, whether it's a garment, an accessory or a piece of jewelry.

Big bright bows made a summer splash on the runways with Marc Jacobs, Luella, and DVF. What a perfect and fun summer accessory!


Silk Dupioni Bow Headbands (AED 350)

Bows also made a more elegant appearance at the Chanel Couture show in metallic silks and adorned with feathers and jewels. Karl Lagerfeld sure knows how to make a woman look as enchanting as a princess! But we think a princess would also wear our Susan Daniels silk bow headband and the adorable Lisa Freede bow earrings.


Chanel Spring 2010 Couture


Susan Daniels Bow Headband (AED 490)


Lisa Freede Pave Bow Huggies (AED 250)

Of course, bows are not just a summer trend. They are also making a fall appearance in earth tones. Still a big statement but a lot more subdued, the way fall should be.


Valentino F/W 2010


Silk Dupioni Bow Headbands (AED 350)

Marc Jacobs must be obsessed with bows because they are showing up in almost every one of his collections. For fall, a bow can be a lovely ornament in sparkling crystals: Ban.dō's headband should do the trick (one can also wear it as a necklace too). There are also new Rachel Leigh "Audrey" bracelets in silver and gold...they're perfect little bracelets.


Marc Jacobs F/W 2010


Ban.dō Crystal Bow Headband (AED 890)


Rachel Leigh "Audrey" (AED 320)

And, yes, bows are coming back for 2011 too. Moschino's Resort 2011 was definitely bow crazy. For a big impact, we are loving Joomi Lim's sequined headband.


Moschino Cheap & Chic Resort 2011



Joomi NYC "Paris" Bow Headband (AED 360)

Loud and proud, bows are here to stay!

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