Accent on Shimmering

Karolina Kurkova in couture Rachel Zoe

(Reprinted from July's WAG Magazine.  Article by Debbi O'Shea)

It’s always fascinating to see how the worlds of fashion and sports collide. Is it too big a leap to think that the glittering gold of the upcoming London Games was subliminally in the imaginations of designers this past spring? Is it simply a coincidence that the likes of Michael Kors, Miuccia Prada, Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney all caught gold fever at the same moment?

The most important night of fashion each year is not the Academy Awards, despite the fact that the winners actually do get to bring home the gold (or at least, the gold-plated britannium). No, the real night to shine is The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, chaired by Anna Wintour. This year, for the first time, it was streamed live, to my delight. Believe it or not, there are those of us who value a gleaming bias-cut gown ascending a staircase just as much as we do a reverse 2 1/2 somersault in the pike position.

One of the most celebrated images of that night was Karolina Kurkova in a golden mermaid-style couture gown by Rachel Zoe, topped with a glamorous turban. She looked like a real-live Oscar. It was a breathtaking moment, worthy of its own gold medal in a paired event.

With gold on the red carpet and the runway, it was inevitable for it to trend through the world of accessories this season. Shoes shine, from Lanvin and Gucci gold ballerina flats, to platforms, pumps and sandals by Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik.

Gold clutches are having a huge moment and are particularly beloved by the Brits Sarah Burton, (for Alexander McQueen), Stella McCartney and Anya Hindmarch. They look particularly striking paired with dramatic cuffs by Philipe Audibert and YSL as well as 24k hammered bracelets by goldsmith Gurhan and skinny white jeans.

Not surprisingly, glimmers of gold have also found their way into the beauty collections of Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Giorgio Armani, Chanel and Deborah Lippman.

As the world prepares to cheer on its best and brightest at the Summer Games, you’ll have plenty to choose from if you attend any Olympic-themed parties. If not, we can do our part simply by raising a glass of Champagne to the athletes’ achievements. Truly, they are all winners and they do make us proud.

So go, USA. And as the Visa commercial says, Go, World.