Les Trois has been in and out of the Big Apple to bring our fashionista’s the best from Pre-Fall 2012. Here’s a sneak peak…

Givenchy Printed Polo Dress

Valentino Rockstud Loafer

Lanvin Embroidered Hardbox Clutches

Valentino mixes lace and tulle!

YSL's Snow Leopard

Givenchy Hand Painted Python Antigona

Floral Blouses with Lace Insets at Giambattista Valli

Stay tuned,

The Berkeley Hotel's Pret-a-Portea (c/o their website)

Our Spectacular Eats

The Transformed Salon

 In addition, there was a presentation of mannequins styled to perfection in suggestions for events or activities around town.  Some of the events featured were the Angel Ball, Art Basel, the Naples International Film Festival Opening Night, Hats in the Garden Luncheon, and the Kentucky Derby. 

Marissa was also on-hand to welcome guests and provided a walkthrough of each of the looks styled impeccably for each occasion.  The vibe was upbeat, relaxed, and most importantly chic; a perfect way to spend any afternoon.

Lauren, Marissa, Nicole, and Hannah at the Pret-a-Portea

Manolo Blahnik Velvet Leopard Snakeskin Pumps

With the clattering of Manolos ringing in the air, Marissa Collections was a buzz this morning anxiously awaiting a visit from Manolo Blahnik’s CEO, George Malkemus.  After happily making introductions, Malkemus was kind enough to speak about Mr. Blahnik, the designer and brand we all covet even before he made Carrie Bradshaw swoon on Sex and the City.  These beautiful, sexy, and comfortable creations are not just your regular, everyday pair of shoes, but an investment piece; shoes women can appreciate for years to come and stand the test of time.

Manolo Blahnik CEO George Malkemus

In fact, Manolo Blahnik is the only designer strictly concentrating on shoes.  In today’s fashion world, that’s unheard of; it’s flooded with brands and their extension brands or licensing deals.  Mr. Blahnik wants his shoes to be about the totality of a woman.  Nothing bold, distracting, or in your face; but a timeless and sexy pair that will make your look complete.  What’s not to love about that?

Left: Peep Toe Metallic Slingback; Center: Peep Toe Metallic Snakeskin Flat; Right: Pleated Satin D'Orsay Pump

With a background in architecture and an aesthetic pulling heavily from nature and the sea from her childhood in Sardinia, jewelry designer Luna Scamuzzi feels each piece takes its own shape as a new experience and work of art.  Born and raised in Milan, Luna and her husband, Paolo, took the unconventional approach of naming their company, Lucifer Vir Honestus, after the first medieval jeweler in Milan.  Having a passionate love of each unique stone and with her quintessentially Italian passion for shape, color, and design, Luna has come to create luminous little masterpieces timeless in beauty and brilliance.

Marissa Collections (MC):  I understand your background was in residential architecture prior to launching your jewelry line. Tell me about your work and your aesthetic in architecture, and how this experience influences your jewelry designs.

Luna Scamuzzi (LVH):  I don’t know exactly in which way my previous work as an architect has influenced my jewelry design work. For sure a passion for shapes, materials, design, and art has been the basis for what I think and what I make and who I am and what I represent.

MC:  Your designs have a very organic quality to them, with many pieces evoking images of flowers or even of sea creatures. What inspires particular designs or your overall aesthetic?

LVH:  There is nothing specific that inspires me. When I work on jewelry, I only try to make something that satisfies me in an aesthetic sense — it’s a sort of new experience I try to make. Something in which I feel totally free to make as I feel.

Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ring

MC:  I love that your pieces balance masculine and feminine qualities — for example, they are both architectural and organic, bold and delicate. Is there a conscious balancing act you play in your designs? 

LVH:  No, it’s an aesthetic sense I have inside.

MC:  You and partner Paolo Mandelli named your company after Lucifer vir Honestus, the first jewelry maker in medieval Milan. In a business where most designers are just trying to build name recognition, what inspired you to take this name for your design house?

LVH:  My husband Paolo and I were working on our degree in architecture, and we casually found this name in one of Milanese archives. When we started to do this work, we  instinctually thought on this magic name we had found. It’s like our destiny…

MC:  Italian culture has such a strong love and reverence for beauty and art. Tell me about your childhood growing up in Milan and any particular memories you feel shaped your design sense or sparked your interest in art.

LVH:  My father is an architect, and he and my mother loved design and particular objects. I love wild nature. During my childhood, I spent 3-4 months a year in Sardinia, when there was nothing there. Only nature and sea. I think this has influenced my aesthetic sense. I think we have it inside, and we just have to find the way to express this. I’m very lucky, because I’ve found it.

Melanza Pearl Drop Earrings

MC:  What stones and metals do you prefer to work with, and to what degree does the particular gemstone you’re working with influence each design?

LVH:  I love to work with rose gold and black gold. I love many different stones. It’s important they have something special: color, SHAPE, carats. For example, opals can be very different — white with fire, orange, rose, green, yellow —  and you can’t believe it is the same stone. It is magnificent and spectacular.

MC:  Can you tell me a bit about your process — for example, are you sketching designs first, are you collaborating with a team, and are you designing with a particular person or lifestyle in mind?

LVH:  I start to sculpt the wax, sometimes choosing a stone that I would like to see and what settles and how it settles. Then we cast models. And then the goldsmith who works for us helps finish the piece. Again, I have nothing particular in mind. Just an instinctive way to feel that piece. I think it’s a way to communicate and express a part of myself. I like to show a sense of expression in my work

MC:  I understand you use lost-wax casting to create your designs. Is each piece unique, or does your technique allow you to make multiples of the same design?

LVH:  Both. Mostly pieces are one-of-a-kind because of the uniqueness of the stones. But I can reproduce other pieces, making them similar.

Chalcedony Drop Earrings

MC:  With Milan being one of the top fashion capitals of the world, to what extent are your designs influenced by what’s going on in fashion?

LVH:  The place in which you live is a part of your way of seeing things. What we are is a mix of all our experiences and memories.

MC:  What are some of your favorite things, whether they impact your work directly or just make you happy?

LVH:  I’ve just had a baby, Brando Leone. He is all what I have in my mind and in my heart. This makes me very happy.

Roberto Faraone Mennella and Amedeo Scognamiglio

Since first bringing an innovative jewelry concept to New York City in the Spring of 2001, Roberto Faraone Mennella and Amedeo Scognamiglio have been charming the luxury jewelry world many times over.  Fresh, contemporary, and unconditioned designs have brought this award-winning Italian design duo into the forefront of refined craftsmanship.  Inspired by a classical Italian heritage cherished and stimulating to their creative genius, Mennella and Scognamiglio have shown everyday jewelry wearers the importance and of making a bold statement while embracing classic, timeless exuberance with a twist.

Marissa Collections (MC):  What originally inspired you to design jewelry?

Faraone Mennella (FM):  My Grandmother’s jewelry, full of 1950′s and 60′s coral cabochon.

MC: What is the biggest milestone or proudest moment in your career so far?

FM:  Seeing women on the street wearing my jewelry.

MC: Where is your favorite place in the world and why?

FM: Greece…freedom, youth, flavor!

MC: How do you feel about Marissa Collections as a home for your collection?

FM: Chic, unique and exclusive, like a Parisian salon in the 1950′s.

Double Clasp Crystal Necklace

MC: What personal piece of jewelry is most special to you?

FM: The Bullet bracelet.

Onyx Stella Large Drop Earrings

MC: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

FM: A beach in Greece.

MC: What is your favorite journey?

FM: From Florence to Siena

MC: Which talent would you most like to have?

FM: To sing.

MC: What is your most treasured possession?

FM: My Father’s watch.

Moonstone and Pave Diamond Cocktail Ring

MC: Who are your heroes?

FM: Professor Yamamoto.

MC: What is your motto?

FM: Nothing is impossible.

MC: What is your favorite stone?

FM: Aquamarine.

Sparkly Yours,

Parade of ball gowns!

The collection deemed his Greatest Hits certainly had new-comer, Nicki Minaj, oohing and aahing over the rainbow of begonia, daffodil, rose and chartreuse. Oscar made her the crown jewel at the 2011 American Music Award when she was the first to be styled from the collection.

Nicki Minaj in Oscar

No one can top Oscar’s beading and embroidery work. Each piece of the collection is a work of art with the fringe tassel, feather and lace diamond details. There is something to wow each and every woman.

It's all about the details...

Be sure to visit the collection in-store on January 9th-10th to see these breathtaking pieces in person!

1920's Mondrian Oil Painting...c/o artchive.com

For Spring 2012, it’s hip to be square, or round, or rectangle, or pretty much any other out of the ordinary shape when it comes to knock-out handbags.

Yves Saint Laurent Mondrian Dress (circa 1965)...c/o metmuseum.org

No, these shapes aren’t a throwback to painter,  Piet Mondrian; one of the most famous artists to create an entirely new style of art with asymmetrical lines and three primary colors.  Instead we could say they are paying homage to this simple, yet vividly interesting technique of art sans Yves Saint Laurent back in the day.

I’ve found it always helps to relate things to better remember what you see.  So even if Geometry wasn’t your thing, I’ve been so kind as to put together a cheat sheet for you of things that remind me of this shapely trend so when you’re browsing the racks you’ll be able to snatch up these chic shapes.

3.1 Philip Lim Shiny Abichi Bag = Barbie Lunch Box

Lanvin Quilted Happy Mini-Pop Crossbody = Mirrored Compact

Kara Ross Diamond Python Clutch = A Beautiful Rainbow

Michael Kors Small Crossbody = iPad and Marc Jacobs Chameleon Ruby Clutch = iPhone

Lanvin Amalia Lambskin Bag = Old School Boom Box

Reece Hudson Circle Crossbody = A Record

Inge Christopher Beaded Josephine Clutch = A Candy Bar

Obtusely Yours,

Images by Google

New Year’s Eve is the biggest party of the year.  Its one night out of 365 days champagne is constantly flowing, you promise to start the new year with a resolution (which you break after three days) and you can kiss anyone you want when the clock strikes midnight.  So in light of preparing for this sparkly evening, here are my top five New Year’s Eve party essentials.

1.  An Amazing Dress

Lanvin Sequins and Silk Gown

2.  Bold Eyes

Smashbox Holiday Flash Eyeshadow

3.  Dancing Shoes

Miu Miu Glitter T-Strap Sandals

4.  Bling

Faraone Mennella Hoop Earrings

Faraone Mennella Bracelet and Ring

5.  A Fun Purse

Lanvin Sea Shell Clutch

Cheers to a Fabulous New Year,

(Images from Google)

[By Jennifer Heebner, Senior Editor]

Last year’s Honeysuckle “encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor,” according to a Pantone Color Institute media release, but this year’s Tangerine Tango promises to provide “the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

Pantone determines its selection through research in the entertainment, arts, fashion, and textiles industries. This year’s influences come from couturiers like Nanette Lepore and Adrienne Vittadini as well as paint shades, pillows, and even cosmetics, including the 2012 launch of SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE, a cosmetics homage to the colors of the year.

For jewelers, Tangerine Tango means displaying a range of orange offerings—carnelian, citrine, fire opal, and more—but also displaying non-tangerine colors to complement, according to Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association. “Think of what you can put in your inventory that will work with tangerine,” he says. “That’s called color blocking.”

Tamara Comolli mandarin ring

Coincidentally, fashion-forward merchant, Marissa Collections, in Naples, Fla., had just placed a juicy-looking mandarin garnet ring from Tamara Comolli in a recent Town & Country print ad when JCK called her to discuss the color. Employees who double as stylists at the store advise clients to accessorize stones like fire opal with neutrals but also navy blue, red, and purple. “We like Tangerine Tango popping with these colors,” says Jennifer McCurry, GG and jewelry buyer. “Going into spring, it’s all about blocks of color,” she adds.

Coming soon for Spring: Michael Kors Python Tangerine Crossbody!

Meanwhile, colleague and assistant buyer for ready-to-wear Nicole Erickson relies on the Pantone Color of the Year when shopping for inventory. “At the beginning of each season, we always keep the Pantone colors in mind, and this year, tangerine was the most frequently bought color for spring,” she observes of purchases like shift dresses and blazers.

“It’s not so much having the right colors but about accessorizing inventory,” says Hucker.

Have a photo of the color in your store and share it with staff.

Keep color swatches or a color wheel in store to determine complementary shades.

Think about accessorizing Tangerine Tango with other strong colors—called color blocking—like navy blue or red, to best accent the season’s newest clothes and accessories.

Chat up younger staffers who’re fashion savvy; they are a wealth of information on how to dress season-appropriate.

Google ‘Tangerine Tango’ to see examples of how it’s worn, and search for it on sites like Pinterest.com, Lookbook.nu, and Polyvore.com, for visual inspiration and ideas to share in store.

It’s official, the holidays are here.  With Christmas only days away (are you done shopping yet?) and New Years right around the corner, everyone’s in bright spirits and rockin’ around the Christmas tree (or Menorah) celebrating the season.  Holiday parties are a seasonal ritual or excuse, whichever you prefer, to drink and be merry with friends and loved ones.  So I thought in honor of this customary tradition I would help you with what to wear because lets face it, that’s the number one question you ask yourself when you open up the invite.

Feminine and Flirty

Sexy in Sequins

Polished in Pants

Glitzy and Glamorous

Distinguished and Dainty

Happy Partying,