Greetings from Basel! Calvin Klein flew me to Switzerland as one of their guests for this year’s BaselWorld exhibition. To those of you who are not familiar of BaselWorld, it’s the biggest watch and jewelry fair in the world. It’s my first time to attend the fair. Don’t be misled by the word ‘fair’ though. BaselWorld 2013 was set up to resemble a giant shopping mall with some of the biggest watch and jewelry brands setting up conceptualized “booths” that looked like their actual retail stores. It was a no-expense-barred event and it was fascinating to see what everyone came up with.

It was lovely reuniting with familiar and friendly faces in addition to the Calvin Klein team and Executives: my ultra chic friend Lily Kwong flew in from Gabon, Laura Burdese, Calvin Klein tumblr contributor Hanneli Mustaparta and Ulrich Grimm who is the Creative Director of both Men’s & Women’s Shoes and Accessories. Rita Ora performed at the celebratory party in the evening and my beloved DJ Mike Nouveau spinned at the festivities.

The new Calvin Klein watches and jewelry collection features clean lines and characteristic curved metal surfaces. Some of the highlights from the 2013 line include the ck dress watch, the unisex ck eager timepiece, the ck classic watch that has been newly redesigned for 2013 and ck undulate, a key jewelry offering for the season including two pendant necklaces, rings and delicate earrings that showcase sleek and rounded shapes. Overall, the new collection can be described as sleek, elegant and ultra functional. Totally in synch with the brand’s modern and minimalist DNA. Very Calvin Klein.

On me: Jacket, top, shorts all by Calvin Klein spring/summer 2013 menswear

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Like the old Nike saying goes, Just do it! Rumi and I popped by Cartier in Beverly Hills yesterday afternoon to look at some jewels. We walked out empty-handed after thirty minutes of browsing and continued our journey, hopping from one store to the next on Rodeo Drive all the way down to Barney’s. I’m not gonna lie, thinking about the obscene amount of money we spend on clothes, shoes and accessories on a regular basis (as an important part of our job), only to end up in the back of our closets, made me sick to my stomach. Do we really need another pair of shoes? Do we really need another bag? Do we really need that gorgeous Celine white leather biker jacket? The honest answer — no, not really. The REAL honest answer, ok, let’s not kid ourselves, YES! The point I’m trying to make here is, I do feel somewhat guilty spending so much money on clothes that ultimately loose their value after a season or two. After four hours of wandering around stores (and leaving with Proenza Schouler and Balenciaga tops… don’t judge!!!), we found ourselves back at Cartier and ended up walking out with something of REAL value that would, hopefully, withstand the test of time. Don’t worry, it’s nothing ultra extravagant; just an every day piece that we’ll have to wear for years and years to bring down the cost-per-wear ratio down… all the way to the ground. LOL!!!

It’s 5AM here in New York City and I couldn’t sleep. I can’t decide whether it’s the jet lag from my recent trip to Seoul or the fact that I’m trying to get caught up with all my work deliverables. I find it amusing how I constantly talk about “work” blah blah blah… yet at the same time, a huge bulk of it isn’t visible on a computer screen. Ah well. I guess what happens behind-the-scenes is for my personal pleasure only.

I always think of the beach whenever I get stressed. What about you? I think I need a proper beach holiday. The idea of spending a week in a remote island with blue skies, crystal-clear waters, gorgeous sand, no internet access or cellphone signal sounds sooo heavenly right now.

Bracelet and ring by Noritamy (click HERE)

Behold Angelina Jolie’s engagement ring. The ring was designed by Robert Procop in collaboration with Brad Pitt.

The $64 million question is… when am I getting mine?
Congrats Brangelina!

I love these gorgeous exotic cuff bracelets from Dannijo’s spring/summer 2012 collection. I salivated over the two-tone stingray cuffs (photo below) in terrific colors when I went to their showroom last week. Although we haven’t seen the long, cold bitter days of winter yet, it’s never too early to start shopping for spring!

[click here] Dannijo is available at Shopbop

I have always been curious what it’s like to walk inside the haute joaillerie boutiques at Place Vendôme but I’ve never mustered up the confidence to do it. What comes to mind is that hysterical Rodeo Drive shopping scene of Julia Roberts at the movie Pretty Woman. When the kind folks of Boucheron invited me to visit the gorgeous Maison, I couldn’t say no. Why not punctuate a successful (and colorful) pret-a-porter season by playing with some precious bijoux — I simply had to go!

The very handsome and knowledgable Benjamin and the super lovely Menel gave me a tour of the House. They regaled me with tales and showed me many images — ad campaigns from decades past and sketches made for ultra special clients such as the Maharajas of India. I also tried timepieces and gorgeous animal rings from the Cabinet de Curiosités collection. You have to see them for yourself. The craftmanship and details are astonishing!

I walked empty-handed, of course. However, that quick moment of fantasy and desire uplifted my dreary and drizzly Parisian afternoon. When the right time and moment comes along, set it in stone, I know where I’ll go to treat myself. I love Boucheron!

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Have you seen Michael Kors’ fall 2011 jewelry collection?

I’m amazed at the friendly price points. Just finished going through the lookbook (special kudos to the folks at Michael Kors for sending me a link to a downloadable, PDF lookbook!) and my favourite pieces are the gold cuff bracelets (US$195) and the $95 gold tone bangles. They come in tortoise as well. Very chic!

Four our third and final look, I fell in love with Stefano Alinari’s “Star of Time” necklace made out of gold, diamond, opal and lemon quartz so I made Ania wear this super chic black number from Calvin Klein Collection. I originally wanted to take photos of her outside the American Embassy in Florence (where a military truck was parked) but alas, the guards told us no photographs allowed. Disappointed, Ania asked me what else do I have in mind so I said well, let’s find somewhere old world to highlight the modernity of Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein’s dress, somewhere very European, somewhere indoors with lots of natural light. I wanted to smack my head after saying that… a bit stupid of me, innit, because we’re in Florence and everywhere we we go is European and old! Ania then told me her house is just across the road from where we stood (as in right in front of the American Embassy) so she graciously invited me in. Lo and behold her house is one of the most beautiful homes I’ve been to in my entire life!

Dress by Calvin Klein Collection, necklace by Stefano Alinari, shoes from Georgina Goodman..

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For our second look, I made Ania wear this stunning satin dress from Lanvin and a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. I wanted to “break” the outfit by putting her in this Altuzarra nylon parka. The result? Quite badass if you ask me. As a back-up option, I also used this terrific navy cape from Singaporean brand Raoul who is currently invading the online retail scene as of late. Everyone from Luisa via Roma to Net-a-Porter to yes, Shopbop… they’re all carrying Raoul.

Lanvin satin dress, Joseph Altuzarra nylon parka, Raoul wool cape, Jimmy Choo shoes, Delfina Delettrez earrings

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I’m all for cheap thrills, no secret about that. Imagine the delight when I saw this super chic wire necklace.

I got from the Dilli Haat market in New Delhi a few days ago for around ten US dollars. Awesome eh? Wear it underneath a shirt collar and voila! A touch of metallica doesn’t hurt anyone. Also looks terrific with white shirts as long as you don’t get it wet.