Jewelry Sparkles at Dior and Bulgari Bashes

When two of the most celebrity-friendly fashion houses celebrate themselves, they usually have plenty of A-list wattage on-hand to turn up the star power.

Case in point? The Dior Store re-opening in New York City last night, that featured the likes of Amy Adams and Natalie Portman in black and white with minimal sparkle and Liv Tyler in a feathery frock with a funky statement necklace.

The 57th Street flagship store was closed for the past five months for a complete makeover, WWD reports. Architect Peter Marino aimed to bring the spirit of the Parisian flagship on Avenue Montaigne to New York with a look inspired by the residential feel of a Paris hotel.

The jewelry jaw-drop award, though, had to be the chunky emerald earrings worn by Wendi Murdoch (yup, wife of Rupert). With a household income like theirs, you can bet your assets those puppies are real. Wow.

Alas, my favorite Dior girl, Charlize Theron, was nowhere to be found. Maybe because Natalie Portman is the new face for their new perfume, Miss Dior Cherie? Hmmm...

Across the pond in Paris, the venerable Italian jewelry house, Bulgari, continued to celebrate their 125th year with the opening of '125 Years of Italian Magnificence Bulgari au Grand Palais.'

 

On display until mid January will be some 600 shiny baubles, including famous jewelry worn by the biggest movie stars of the century, including the stunning diamond and emerald brooch Elizabeth Taylor wore at her first wedding to Richard Burton, alongside sparklers worn by style icons Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly.

Bulgari's A-list spokesmodel, Julianne Moore, was there to celebrate in what appear to be peacock-inspired gemstone earrings, along with celebs Juliette Binoche, Lenny Kravitz and Clive Owen.

 

Dear, Santa: All I want for Christmas is a jewelry spokesmodel contract. Love, Laura

Julianne Moore: Bvlgari's Blingy Beauty

When Julianne Moore bared all for the Bvlgari Serpenti campaign last year, I was - shall we say - skeptical about her choice to add 'jewelry spokesmodel' to her resume. Why does a serious, successful actress need to get naked to peddle high-end jewelry?

The answer, of course, was - she gets to peddle (aka wear and probably OWN) some of the most beautiful baubles on the block. And since they've always got her in her birthday suit (what better way to wear 50+ carat emerald earrings?), she's certainly reminding Hollywood that she's still viable leading lady material.

So I'm over my concern. Ms. Moore knows EXACTLY what she's doing. Even though the city of Venice banned her lion-laden campaign ads for being to 'lewd'. (Italians? Not appreciating nudity? What gives?)

Just look at the jewelry she gets to wear - like this latest entry from Bvlgari's recent 'Save The Children' event in Rome earlier this week.

 

The emerald earring choice just keep on giving...

What do you think of Ms. Moore's new career as the jewelry world's lucky leading lady? Sell-out or smart cookie?