The Iconic Dresses of Princess Diana Auction
Famous around the world for her stunning natural beauty, touching humanitarian efforts and tumultuous royal life, the late Princess Diana was also beloved for her undeniable taste in glamorous gowns. In an exciting international development, many of the most recognizable dresses are headed to auction to raise an estimated $900,000 for the Kerry Taylor Auction House. These ten dresses, many of which you’ll immediately recall from state visits and famous photographs, are officially up for bid on March 19th, including the following celebrated pieces in the latest Princess Diana auction.
The White House Dance
She wore it to dance with one of America’s most leading men of the time, John Travolta, at an acclaimed visit to the White House in 1985. The absorbingly rich navy blue velvet gown by Victor Edelstein is one of the most hotly anticipated dresses up on the block. The alluring off-the shoulder style and body-hugging design was a favorite with Diana fans across the globe.
The Vanity Fair Shoot
Downright captivating in a Catherine Walker gown, the people’s princess looked decidedly elegant in the 1997 Vanity Fair photographs thanks to this ebony black dress with sparkling details on the hips, bust and halter. The shape accentuated her toned arms and figure, while maintaining her royal appeal.
The Austria State Visit
No longer hiding behind subdued neutral tones, the late ex-wife of Charles bedecked herself in a glittering emerald green sequined gown with eye-catching puff sleeves and a breathtaking neckline. The long sleeves and shallow front slit kept things modest, showing her highness’ classy taste. This dress dazzled onlookers in 1989 for her state visit to Austria.
You may find these three looks the most thrilling, but all ten of the iconic dresses speak to Diana’s fine taste and showed off her incredible body of work. She may no longer be with us, but Princess Diana’s presence is still felt, and adored, around the world, guaranteeing a rich return at the auction.
Ashley B for Raymond Lee Jewelers, premiere fine jewelry and luxury watch boutique and buyer.
Spotlight on: Oz the Great and Powerful Jewelry
via JCK
Those of us who grew up with the Wizard of Oz will never forget tornadoes, the wicked witch, flying monkeys and having our pet taken by an old woman on a bike. The Wizard of Oz however left us with some incredibly powerful positive memories as well. The beautiful Glinda, magic ruby shoes and the fact that good will trump evil even in your dreams. It may have left us with the impression that REALLY short people can be scary, but if they sing happy songs, they are appreciated.
Well a L.A. jeweler has created a new line of jewelry dedicated to the Wizard of Oz remake, Oz the Great and Powerful, starring James Franco, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams. Jewelry designer Joe Vilaiwan has invented some necklaces, cuffs and earrings inspired by the tale.
Vilaiwan has created 6 separate collections that will appeal to fans of the movie. The six collections include:
- The good witch collection
- The bad witch collection
- The yellow brick road collection
- The Emerald City collection
- The china doll collection
- The garden collection
The collections include 22 carat gold over brass, 14 carat white gold over silver, and items that include crystal along with precious and semi-precious stones.
via JCKThe pieces will run from anywhere from $150 to $3000 plus, and are available at boutiques across America. Oz is obviously great and powerful and it is demonstrated in this new collection.
Raymond Z for Raymond Lee Jewelers, South Florida’s premiere source for buying and selling luxury watches and designer jewelry.
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RLJ at the Palm Beach Jewelry Art and Antique Show
If you’ve stopped by our Boca Raton jewelry store lately to peruse our usually overflowing showcases you’ve certainly noticed a few things missing. And where are our most fabulous, heart-stopping large diamonds, ruby and sapphire jewelry, and vintage Van Cleef and Arpels? They’re on their annual February whirlwind tour of course! We kicked off the month with the Miami Beach show, headed to Naples last weekend, and before Jeff and Lee fly off to Hong Kong, we’re exhibiting at the jewel of our show calendar: The Palm Beach Jewelry Art and Antique Show.
25 Carat Diamond White Gold Diamond Tennis Riviere Necklace – one of our diamond pieces.
How do we love the Palm Beach show? Let us count the ways. Not only is it in our backyard, up at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm, it’s full of our local friends and clientele. We’ve seen some customers stop by our booth (#329 this year) year after year, and we’ve always got new and exciting things to show off!
DAVID WEBB Custom Designed Jacket Diamond Pin – coming along to our designer case.
The Palm Beach show is one of the biggest, but also one of the most prestigious. Everything from Marie Antionette’s personal baubles to 18th century furniture lines the halls of the show. And we bring the best of the best of our bling. We also make sure to stock up on those extra special pieces that we just know will find a loving home at the Palm Beach show.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Alhambra Tahitian Mother of Pearl Necklace – one of our many VCA pieces
Beginning tonight, at the exclusive kick off cocktail party, the Palm Beach jewelry show will again defy the limits of gorgeous antiques. Each day throughout this President’s Weekend and carrying into Tuesday, the show will be open from 11am – 7pm. On Tuesday the show will close at 6pm.
BREGUET Lady’s White Gold and Diamond Marine Chronograph Ref8828 – in our watch showcase!
This is the 10th anniversary of the Palm Beach antique show, and Raymond Lee Jewelers’ third year exhibiting. We hope you’ll stop by and take a peek at all of the fabulous jewelry and luxury watches we’ve brought this year!
Ceylon Sapphire, Platinum and Diamond Ring – in our precious gems collection.
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China Bans Luxury Advertising – Including Luxury Watches
China is a lucrative market for everybody today. It is compared to a rapid growing consumer market like that of the United States of the 1960’s. That means big consumption and a desire for big ticket items.
ROLEX White Gold Day-Date Wristwatch with After-Market Diamonds – not welcome in Chinese advertising.
But now, luxury watch makers have been thrown a curve. Even those with fancy “Year of the Snake” watches are under fire (ahem, Bvlgari). China has placed a ban on advertising luxury watches.
What? A ban on advertising watches? What is up with that?
CARTIER Rose Gold Ballon Bleu Chronograph Wristwatch
You may not be aware but advertising bans have existed for years in the United States. Cigarettes and hard alcohol have been under restrictions for decades. These may be somewhat understandable but how about a ban on advertising luxury watches?
The Chinese ban on the advertising of luxury watches has caused some quick negative effects. Swatch reported an immediate drop of 3.3% in their stock. Richemont saw a drop of almost 2%.
PATEK PHILIPPE Ladies Rose Gold and Diamond Twenty-4 Wristwatch
The problem lies with greedy politicians. It seems that in China liquor and luxury watches are a source of political graft. The Chinese government feels stopping advertising will curb the demand for these luxury timepieces, and that corruption will be lessened. Yep, all you need is a good bottle of baijiu, and a nice expensive watch and you are on your way to political favors in the People’s Republic. Unless of course you advertise it.
Interestingly enough, the party that is putting this policy in force in China is exactly the party that is accused of taking advantage of such corruption. The party apparently is now on a crusade to lead the charge against such corruption. After all, they can’t have politicians drinking and telling time correctly at the same time.
Raymond Z for Raymond Lee Jewelers, South Florida’s premiere source for buying and selling luxury watches and designer jewelry.
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