Wilfredo Rosado

A while ago I found an amazing jewelry designer on Twitter - Wilfredo Rosado!

This man was mentored by Giorgio Armani, and a protégé of Andy Warhol. He has worked with different luxury brands, including Versace, and has now his own jewelry line, of which he says: "Launching fine jewelry had always been a secret ambition of mine. There's something very appealing to me about taking the idea of something precious, like diamonds, and creating something sexy and streetwise and different.". His jewelry is all handcrafted in Paris and Italy. So let's take a look at what this man can do!

The Feather Collection:

"Pink/Black Array" - 18k rhodium yellow gold feather cuff bracelet with 8ct white diamonds.

"Flight Of Fancy" - 18k white gold feather brooch with diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and spinels. The brooch can also be worn as a pendant.

"Large Lariat" - 18k white gold feather lariat with single south sea pear, Tahitian pearls, mabe pearls and 1.21ct diamonds. The feather flower is removable and can be worn as a brooch. The pearl pendants can also be worn separately, so can also the white gold chain and the pearl chain. In all these feather pieces the feathers are interchangeable and color can be custom ordered.

The Factory Collection:

"Cog Necklace" - 18k white gold multi-cog necklace with 15.5ct diamonds.

"Cog Ring" - 18k white gold cog ring 2.82ct diamonds.

The Cage Collection:

"Cage Ring" - 18k rose gold and and pavé diamond ring with 6.83ct turmaline.

"Treasure Chest Ring" - 18k white gold pavé and diamond ring with 3.02 floating diamond.

"Large Cage Pendant" - 18k yellow gold pendant with pavé diamonds and a heart shaped charm in ruby pavé on handmade gold chain.

The Fringe Collection:

"Fringe Cuff Bracelet" - 18k yellow gold fringe bracelet. Handmade chains with 16.5 bezel set round diamonds.

"Fringe Necklace" - 18k yellow gold fringe lariat. Handmade chains with 9.92 bezel set round diamonds surrounding a polish rock crystal.

The Branches Collection:

"Branch Pendant" - 18k white gold branch pendant with 9.68ct pear shaped diamonds and pavé diamonds.

The Cameo Collection:

"Sexy Lady Cameo Pendant" - Hand carved shell cameo pendant with 18k hammered yellow gold, diamonds and a pink sapphire.

"Lips Pendant" - Hand carved shell cameo pendant with 18k hammered yellow gold and diamonds.

"Hard Lace Earrings" - Hand carved shell cameo earrings with 18k white gold and diamonds.

The Blackamoor Collection:

"Urban Prince Ring" - Ring with hand carved blackamoor set with 18k yellow gold, diamonds and colored stones.

"Urban Prince Pendant With Mesh Tank" - Hand carved ebony wood blackamoor pendant with 18k white gold, diamonds and colored stones.

"Urban Prince Pendant With Rope Chain" - Hand carved ebony wood blackamoor pendant with 18k yellow gold, diamonds and colored stones.

I have shown you quite a few pieces from these jewelry collections, but if you want to see it all check out Wilfredo Rosado's website!

My favorite collection is the "Cage Collection". I would just love to let the "Treasure Chest Ring" sparkle on my finger on a full moon lit night...

Ladurée Les Merveilleuses

There is a French deluxe tea salon and pastry maker called "Ladurée". In February they will release a makeup line called "Ladurée Les Merveilleuses". It will first be released in Japan, before expanding to Europe, the US and Asia.

I found some info about it on "Rouge Deluxe", that states the name on the makeup line was inspired by the Merveilleuses of 18th century France, with those people's love of glamour and decadence - in their turn inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

In an interview with Ladurée's Image/Communications Marketing Director, Safia Thomass Bendali, she talks about the long time Ladurée has spent carefully developing this makeup line, to make sure it isn't just beautiful, but also has quality. Lot's of emphasis is placed on blushes - since during the age of the Merveilleuses the cheeks were seen as the main area for playing up ones feminine allure. These blushes will come in three different shapes (the prices have been converted form Japanese Yen to USD by "Rouge Deluxe"):

Face Color Rose Ladurée: Available in three shades. Run the brush over the petals and apply to your cheeks. 74 dollars for the refill. 41 dollars for the case.

Cream Cheek Base: Comes in five shades. About 56 dollars.

Pressed Cheek Color: Available in 20 shades. 50 dollars for the color. 20 dollars for the case and brush.

Facial Powder: Comes in four shades, and cost 113 dollars.

There will also be:

Concealers: 51 dollars

Color Control and Smoothing Base: 51 dollars

Cheek Brush: 82 dollars

Fluid Fondation: Three different shades, 79 dollars

Hand Mirror: 48 dollars

As these products doesn't come so very cheap, I guess I now need to get a new - well payed - job, for I feel they would look marvelous on my antique vanity table!...That I guess I need to find and buy first then...And place it right next to my red velvet covered divan - which I don't own either...YET!!!

All That Glitters...

Today we're gonna look at some things that are so luxurious it's almost ridiculous, but most of us wouldn't mind having just because of that same reason!

First something I spotted on the blog "Glamoursplash":

Looks like gold lingerie, doesn't it? Well, it is gold lingerie!!! This set is part of the "Conversation Piece" line that was created in the mid 50s by Vanity Fair. 

The fabric consists of Vanity Fair nylon tricot that has been impregnated with 24kt gold, and covered with Chantilly lace - so it's still soft and drapable. Not so sure I would want to wear a pair of panties made of only gold. That would probably get a bit uncomfortable after a while...

The set comes with the note of advice above...

...and if you find a piece of lingerie with this note - also in gold - sewn into it, you've found one of the other "Conversation Pieces"! There was also a theatre slip, nightgowns and peignoir sets in this line, so keep a look out for them!

Through the mysterious lady called "LilyOfOpulence" on Twitter, I've found the perfect stockings to wear with the golden lingerie set:

Black stockings with a back seam in either gold or silver, from "What Katie Did"! The good thing about these - at least if you're just looking at the price - is that it's not real gold and silver, and so are a bit more friendly to our bank accounts than the real stuff...

But let's get back to the wallet-breaking things, and take a peek at the bra and panties that broke the Guinness Book of Records as one of the most expensive lingerie pieces ever made!

Every year since 1996 Victoria's Secret has created a new "Fantasy Bra", together with different renowned jewelry designers. This bra is then used as a centerpiece of Victoria's Secret's yearly fashion show, and as the focal point to promote this show. In the year 2000 Gisele Bündchen got to wear the bra - with matching panties - made of red satin, with over 1,300 stones including 300 carats of Thai rubies. Gisele only got to wear it for the photo shoot though. It was never a part of that year's show. I'm not sure why, but it could probably have something to do with the fact that it's worth 15,000,000 dollars!!! 

If you want to see what the "Fantasy Bras" have looked like through the years I suggest you visit "Vixen Lady", who has them all lined up on her blog!

And now for the shoes! And then we all obviously will need a pair from the "Loriblu Luxury Shoe Collection"!

These shoes are studded with real precious stones and gold!

The brand has rolled out two exclusive pairs: one in golden color (pictured above) and the other in purple. The luxury heels are designed by designer Graziano Cuckoo in collaboration with gold jeweler Ponte Vecchio. The limited edition high heeled sandals are made in suede and snake leather with ankle straps studded with diamonds and rubies that can also be worn as an elegant bracelet, separately. These sandals cost 40,130 dollars.

The sandals wil come enclosed in a special trunk, made of soft black leather with gold stitching and closures, and decorated with Swarovski crystals. The limited edition sandals will be officially presented to the public in Loriblu boutiques in Milan and Rome. The new collection will be accessible, on demand, in the online shop Loriblu and boutiques in Rome, Milan, Dubai, Doha, St. Petersburg and St. Benedetto del Tronto.

And lastly, something to drink! "Old Taylor" may not be the most expensive whiskey in the world. Bu this ad from an issue of "Life", 1954, I found on "Why Did We Stop Doing That?", makes it fit well onto this luxury list:

The text states: "Inscribe your decanter gifts in 23 carat gold. With every carton of the Old Talor Presentation Decanter, you will receive a leaf of genuine 23 carat gold. With it you can write your personal greetings directly on the decanter. Old Taylor in the Presentation Decanter costs no more than the standard bottle which is always available." Lavish, ain't it?!

So you see, everything that glitters ain't gold - but a lot sure is!!!