HOLIDAY STYLE

Alessandra Ambrosio by Giampaolo Sgura for Vogue Nippon (December 2010)

The holiday season is approaching and it's time to step up the glitter and gold. No one wants to ring in the New Year wearing something boring. But the truth is, every outfit without accessories is a little bit boring. We truly stand by this theory at Sophie's Closet.

The pages of December issues were covered in sexy metallics and sparkly jewels, so we were inspired to do some "dressing up" ourselves. We grabbed some of our favourite cocktail dresses and killer heels from Net-a-Porter and paired them with our accessories. Our muse? Alessandra Ambrosio in this stunning photo from Japanese Vogue. Sticking with metallics and blacks, we created three looks: Flirty Art Deco, Modern Goddess and Rock Chic.


FLIRTY ART DECO

from Net-a-Porter: MILLY dress; JIMMY CHOO shoes; JUDITH LEIBER clutch;
from Sophie's Closet: CC SKYE "Power" ring (AED 880); RACHEL LEIGH bangles (AED 640 each) and earrings (AED 290)

This look is defined by geometric lines and patterns (think 1920s architecture). We love the contrast of the soft lace dress with hard edge lines of the Judith Leiber clutch, CC Skye's ring and Rachel Leigh's chandelier earrings.


MODERN GODDESS

from Net-a-Porter: ALEXANDER WANG dress; ROBERTO CAVALLI shoes; LANVIN clutch;
from Sophie's Closet: MELINDA MARIA "Mademoiselle" ring (AED 530); MELINDA MARIA bracelets (AED 450 each); SIMAN TU earrings (AED 1400)

Every woman is attracted to soft draped garments. They have that Greek goddess feel, especially when it's off one shoulder. Goddesses are a little over the top so we decided to add some feathers, pearls and gold to the mix. One of the biggest misconceptions is that all jewelry has to match all the time. It's definitely not true. We love mixing stones, metals and styles. It makes the outfit more unexpected and edgy.


ROCK CHIC

from Net-a-Porter: SASS & BIDE dress; ALEXANDER WANG shoes; ANYA HINDMARCH clutch;
from Sophie's Closet: BOUNKIT earrings (AED 1640); CC Skye "Angel Wing" ring (AED 570); Joomi Lim spiked bangles (AED 470); Jeniffer Behr leather headband (AED 990)

Nothing is sexier than a little rock chic. This peek-a-boo dress by Sass & Bide is the embodiment of it without being trashy. With an amazing long front zipper, sequins and fine mesh, all detailed with gold, this dress was screaming for gold overload. We added winged Alexander McQueen booties and our matching CC Skye wing ring. No rock look is complete without some spikes and studs so, of course, we used Joomi Lim and Jennifer Behr. And to soften it back up: some glamorous jewels by Bounkit. The rock lady is still a lady after all.


More holiday looks coming up next week! In the meantime, visit www.shopatsophiescloset.com to view our complete selection.

ANNE HATHAWAY sparkles in VOGUE

Anne Hathaway photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue (November, 2010)

At first glance, this Anne Hathaway November 2010 Vogue cover may look boring, but just wait to see what's inside: an explosion of glamour and diamonds worthy of Elizabeth Taylor! With labels like Van Cleef & Arpel, Cartier, Chopard, Boucheron, this editorial is enough to make a grown woman cry. But fear not: Sophie's Closet has some affordable alternatives that can achieve the same glamorous look.



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Anne is wearing a Marchesa red suede strapless dress with Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and ruby earrings that probably cost a fortune. Just as glamorous are our vintage Christian Dior earrings that come with a matching brooch (hint: you can use the brooch as a hair pin).


CHRISTIAN DIOR Vintage 1950s Earrings (AED 5500, price includes matching brooch)



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In this group shot, Anne sparkles in an Isaac Mizrahi sequined strapless dress and Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace and bracelet. We love the glittery diamond bracelet over black opera gloves. Our Lisa Freede Swarovski wrap bracelet should do the trick! Pair it with little "huggie" earrings to complete the look.

LISA FREEDE Swarovski Crystal Wrap Bracelet (AED 570)


LISA FREEDE Pave Circle Huggies (AED 275)


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In the most glamorous shot, Anne is wearing a Miu Miu embroidered top with Van Cleef & Arpels diamond drop earrings, a Cartier diamond-and-platinum necklace, a Chopard diamond ring and a Boucheron diamond, pink sapphire and ruby hair pin. The best thing about this shot is the tall chignon with the hair pin and we have just the right substitute pieces: Jennifer Behr's "Evelyn" comb with crystals, sequins and pearls or, for an even more affordable alternative, Ban.dō's crystal pin.


JENNIFER BEHR "Evelyn" Antique-inspired Crystal Comb (AED 930)


Ban.dō Crystal pin (AED 590)

For more sparkles, we suggest Kenneth Jay Lane's drop earrings and a CC Skye's cocktail ring.

KENNETH JAY LANE Antique Drop Earrings (AED 620)


CC SKYE Pave Spike Ring (AED 750)

Now if we hunt down a crystal drop necklace we'll have the complete Anne Hathaway look.

To check out all of Sophie's Closet's glamorous jewels, head to www.shopatsophiescloset.com.

Catching Up With GOSSIP GIRL Accessories

We are loving the start of Gossip Girl season 4. Things are getting really juicy with the Chuck vs Blair war and the impending return of Little J. We admit that the other storyline involving the new character Juliet's hunt for Serena's dignity is a little boring; we can put up with some boredom as long as the girls are looking as fabulous as they've been this season.


Episode 1 "Belles du Jour":
SIMAN TU Five Strand Pearl Choker (AED 3600)

Blair has always been #1 on the Gossip Girl style watch. Maybe it's because she loves the same designers as we do -- Siman Tu and Bounkit -- and she is always perfectly accessorized. In Paris, she played up her flirty feminine style with bold prints and big statement accessories like Siman Tu's pearl choker and the "Butterfly" necklace. In New York, she keeps her style a little more minimal, sticking to one or two colours and simpler accessories like the pink blazer paired with a purple Bounkit amethyst cuff.


Episode 2 "Double Identity":
SIMAN TU "Butterfly" Necklace (price on request)


Episode 2 "Double Identity":
SIMAN TU Tiara (AED 3150)


Episode 3 "The Undergraduates":
BADGLEY MISCHKA Victoria Bow Necklace (price on request)


Episode 5 "Goodbye Columbia":
BOUNKIT Faceted Amethyst Cuff (AED 2200)


Episode 3 "The Undergraduates":
SIMAN TU Cuff (price on request)

Blair may be #1 on our style watch, but that doesn't mean that we aren't head-over-heels in love with Serena's, Lily's and Vanessa's style. This season, Serena looks more beautiful than ever (and we are keeping fingers crossed for her and Nate). Her style is becoming more sophisticated with time and she is becoming a budding classic beauty like her mother Lily. It's no wonder they both wore this Siman Tu cuff this season (Lily wore the grey stone version of it in "Double Identity").


Episode 2 "Double Identity":
SIMAN TU Malachite Drop Necklace (price on request)

Lily has always worn Siman Tu but this drop necklace may be the most stunning one yet! Paired with a brown silk dress and one of her signature chignons, Lily is absolute perfection.


Episode 1 "Belles du Jour":
BOUNKIT Turquoise Amethyst Bracelet (price on request)

No, we are not forgetting about Vanessa. Why does this poor girl always end up being dumped by Dan? She is so stunningly beautiful! She stays true to her bohemian roots but that doesn't mean she skimps on expensive accessories: Vanessa also loves Bounkit! We definitely approve of her taste in bracelets, especially the amazing cuff she paired with a Catherine Malandrino dress in "Goodbye Columbia." She wore the orange one, but we have it in a stunning green onyx. C'mon Dan, get it together!


Episode 5 "Goodbye Columbia":
BOUNKIT Cuff with Faceted Green Onyx (AED 2200)


Episode 5 "Goodbye Columbia":
BOUNKIT Earrings (AED 1520)

We wonder whether Little J will return with the same goth punk look or whether she had a makeover over the summer (we are hoping for a makeover).

We'll make sure to catch up with our favourite show again soon. You know you love us! Xoxo.

Shop Gossip Girl accessories at www.shopatsophiescloset.com.

WINTER FLORALS

Vogue Australia (September 2010)

Who says florals are just for summer? Covers and editorials of September and October issues are blooming with florals from bright pinks and reds to dark and mysterious lace to romantic earth tones. Although most of our items can carry from season to season, some are just perfect for right now and ready-to-wear!



Vogue Australia (September 2010)

One of our favourite September covers was by Vogue Australia. Models looked fresh and lovely in Dolce & Gabbana lace and floral dresses. We just love bright red and fuchsia roses: they remind us of our Pas Comme les Moutons and Susan Daniels headpieces. For extra glamour, Jacques Fath's pearl necklace would be a stunning winter floral addition to any outfit.


PAS COMME LES MOUTONS "Jenny" Pink Chiffon Rosette Headband (AED 350)


SUSAN DANIELS Soft Silk Pleated Rose Headwrap (AED 360)


JACQUES FATH Chez MAXIM Rose Necklace (AED 2500)



Vanity Fair Italy (September 2010)

Gorgeous supermodel, Chanel Iman, looks mysterious and sultry in a black lace ensemble in Italian Vanity Fair. We love the idea of the winter femme fatale and when accessories can compliment lace so well, we have a complete look. Joomi Lim's crystal gold roses and Jennifer Behr's "Bella" comb are as delicate as lace and there is nothing sexier than some dark jewels like Jacques Fath earrings or the stunning flower ring by Kenneth Jay Lane.


JOOMI LOM Crystal Gold Roses (Exclusively at Sophie's Closet, AED 560)


JOOMI LIM Crystal Gold Rose Headband (Exclusively at Sophie's Closet, AED 375)


JENNIFER BEHR "Bella" Sapphire Comb (AED 1490)


JACQUES FATH Bal à Versailles Black Earrings (AED 650)


KENNETH JAY LANE Gunmetal and Hematite Gray Pearl Center Flower Ring (AED 730)



Harper's Bazaar US (September 2010)

Harper's Bazaar did an entire editorial dedicated to Ralph Lauren's floral collection. It's fresh and romantic: English Rose meets American woman. We love the earth tones, and we especially love the giant yellow rose on the model's head. So we just had to bring out some of our very own yellow flowers, all by Kenneth Jay Lane. As for a big floral hair accessory, we suggest Jennifer Behr's "Flora" crystal comb.


KENNETH JAY LANE Large Satin Dogwood Flower Ring (AED 350)


KENNETH JAY LANE Satin Gold Dogwood Flower with Pearl Earrings (AED 390)


KENNETH JAY LANE Crystal Centre Jonquil on Gold Flower (AED 900)


JENNIFER BEHR "Flora" Crystal Comb (AED 950)

We hope you enjoy a very floral winter. To shop these amazing accessories, head to http://www.shopatsophiescloset.com/.