Princess Charlene in Ralph Lauren (Fall 2013)

Nicky Hilton in Valentino( Fall 2013) – American Ballet Theatre 2013 Opening Night Fall Gala

Crystal Renn in Valentino (Pre-Fall 2013) – American Ballet Theatre 2013 Opening Night Fall Gala

2013 Princess Grace Awards Gala

Yesterday:Princess Charlene attended the 2013 Princess Grace Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street  in New York City.(more photos 1,2,3,4)

 source(zimbio:getty images)

Naomi Watts in Michael Kors (Spring 2014 ) – ‘Diana’ New York Screening

Tiara Thursday: The Boucheron Emerald Ivy Tiara

It's Halloween, and I have for you today a tiara that would be the perfect complement to the forest fairy outfit I know you've been planning:

The Boucheron Emerald Ivy Tiara

This fascinating piece is from Boucheron, made in 2003 under the design of then-creative director Solange Azagury-Partridge. The tiara is in the shape of a wreath of ivy, made entirely from emeralds set in black gold. René Brus notes in his book Crown Jewellery and Regalia of the World that the design is based on a necklace from the Boucheron archive that dates from 1890, and of course ivy motifs on the whole have often been used in jewels throughout history. In this case, it is the materials here that make this something completely new. It's rare to see a tiara that is all colored gemstones without diamonds or pearls or anything else to break it up. It's also rare to see the use of black gold, which gives the tiara a rather deep, mysterious feel.

Queen Rania

The tiara was worn twice (that I know of) by Queen Rania of Jordan: in a portrait and for a state banquet during a 2003 visit to Sweden with her husband, King Abdullah II. This is a tricky piece to style but she did it well, allowing it to lend the appropriate drama to the portrait and pairing it with an ethereal gown for the state visit. But it seems it was only on loan to the Queen by Boucheron, and so we won't see it again. I love the design variety this tiara provides, but I can also understand fully why you would loan it and return it instead of own it for yourself - such a statement piece is bound to have limited uses.

What say you: too costume-y, or perfect for regular wear?

Photos: Boucheron/Vanity Fair/Abaca

Princess Charlene in New York City

Princess Charlene of Monaco has been  seen  shopping  in New York City.  (source and more photos )

Princess Letizia Attends an Award Ceremony in Madrid.

Princess Letizia attended AEEPP 2013 Awards at the Casa de la Moneda in Madrid.(more photos,2,video)

source(zimbio:getty images)

Blake Lively in Balmain (Spring 2014) – Announcement Of The New Face Of L’Oreal Paris

Diane Kruger in Chanel ( Spring 2013 Couture) – Chanel Little Black Jacket Brazil Event

Wedding Wednesday: Princess Aimée's Gown

HH Prince Floris of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven and Aimée Söhngen

October 20 & 22, 2005

Naarden, Netherlands

The youngest of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven's four sons was the last to marry, and his nuptials came just a couple of months after those of his brother Prince Pieter-Christiaan, their engagements having been announced at the same time. (This is the last of the four weddings to be covered here, see previously: Maurits and Marilène, Bernhard and Annette, Pieter-Christiaan and Anita.) Floris met Aimée Söhngen while both were studying at Leiden University.

Aimée's civil wedding outfit and her religious wedding gown were both designed by Lidy de Joode. For the civil ceremony, she wore an apricot dress made of lace on a floral background with a jacket of tangerine crepe and a matching pillbox-style hat. It is prim and proper as can be, and combined with her chosen hairstyle gives off a serious Jackie Kennedy vibe.

Video: The civil and religious weddings

In a way, her dress for the church ceremony two days later also has a retro feel. It reminds me of multiple royal wedding gowns from days gone by with its unadorned body, high and simple neckline, long sleeves, and luxurious thick fabric (silk Mikado, in this case). A slim skirt rests underneath an overskirt that splits from the front of the waist and extends back to a wide long train. The dress does have a tendency to look stiff in certain poses, but that happens sometimes with heavier fabrics (this is the same type of fabric used by Valentino to create Máxima Zorreguieta's gown). Aimée finished the look with a veil sprinkled with pearls, and - like the rest of the van Vollenhoven brides - she donned the Ears of Wheat Tiara from the Dutch family collection.

I'm always back and forth on this dress: is it too simple, or just simple enough? I can't help but think it lacks a little personality, but the simple gown does allow her face to shine through. Anyway, this couple is still going strong and over the summer welcomed their third child, a son Willem Jan, to join daughters Magali and Eliane.

What do you think: too simple, or just simple enough?

Photos: ANP/Het Koninklijk Huis/RVD/DPA

Princess Madeleine for Elle Sweden November 2013