Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman is a year-round fan of sparkly looks. But if you haven't ventured into sequins and beading, the holiday season is an especially good time to try them, she says.
Bryan Derballa for The Wall Street Journal Georgina Chapman, co-founder of Marchesa, pictured, loves sparkly looks such as beading.
"When you put on something with a little bit of sparkle, it lifts your mood and makes you feel like you're having fun," says the New York City-based Ms. Chapman.
Indeed, clothing styles this winter are full of sparkly details, including sequined tunics, crystal-beaded sweaters, and metallic pants, making it easier to try on the look.
The designer, who calls Christian Louboutin Sale herself a "huge fan of beading," says she loves "things to be slightly over the top." But Ms. Chapman generally feels that during the day shiny additions should be just an accent. They work best if the overall look is casual or understated, says Ms. Chapman, who sometimes finishes off an ensemble of polished skinny jeans, a white shirt and a dressy blazer or biker jacket with a "day-to-evening bag that has a crystal lock" or beading.
Bryan Derballa for The Wall Street Journal Shoes created in a collaboration with Christian Louboutin for the runway illustrate one way to incorporate sparkle in a look.
Sometimes Ms. Chapman uses colorful costume jewelry such as crystal pins, striking necklaces or beaded shoes to jazz up an otherwise staid work ensemble. But the more sequins or crystals on a pump, the more dressed down the rest of the ensemble should be, she says.
With statement jewelry, Ms. Chapman tends to favor costume over real baubles for daytime, noting that large, chunky necklaces or earrings can look too dressy. (An eye-catching ring with real gems can work as an accent, though.)
When wearing metallic looks, consider how they pair up with the rest of the colors in your outfit. While all kinds of shine work with black and neutrals, deep gold tones and bronzes often go best with warmer hues. Silvers and platinums work better with cooler colors.
If you're wearing a lot of jewelry around your face, think of your skin tone. "When you have a tan, gold obviously warms it up, and that looks beautiful," she says. "If you're paler, silver is excellent-it's got a cooler look to it."
Ms. Chapman also tries to keep her embellished pieces in the same tonal family. "If you're doing gold, you don't want to throw in silvers and bronzes-it's too all over the place," she says.
Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. If you're wearing all black, for example, small amounts of different metals can be mixed together. "You want a point of focus, to have something that highlights you," she says.
For evening, Ms. Chapman's shine quotient increases. "Where don't I do sparkle in the evening?" she says. Even so, Ms. Chapman advises seeking out a balance. She loves a sequined shift-dress. But "if you're doing an all-over beaded shift, then do a plain bag and plain shoe," she says. "You don't want to look like a Christmas tree." If her frock is very adorned, she sticks to "discreet sparkle" such as fine beading in a shoe or bag.
If you're unsure whether you're overdoing it, she suggests having a friend take a snapshot "to give you a different perspective."
Ms. Chapman believes you have to feel comfortable with the look you create.
"You can ruin a night going out in an outfit that makes you think, 'I hate what I'm wearing,' " she says. You have to stay true to your personality or you're not going to enjoy yourself."
Cherrygood, the UK's leading tart cherry juice, was a key ingredient in the event's signature ‘Red Carpet' cocktail inspired by legendary shoe designer Christian Louboutin.
Louboutin was one of the featured characters for the evening and the spectacular scarlet red Cherrygood cocktail was created in his honour. Even the cocktail bar was Christian Louboutin Discount shaped in the style of Louboutin's iconic scarlet red soles.
Guests at the Grey Goose Winter Ball included Dame Shirley Bassey, David Walliams, Ruby Wax, Graham Norton, Alexandra Burke, Jaime Winstone, Tamara Ecclestone, Olivia Inge, Liberty Ross and Marcus Wareing.
