Boston: Neiman Marcus, Forevermark

I'm always honored to photograph the fashion and beauty events at Neiman Marcus and at this time of the year it's especially nice to capture a little bling, or in this case A LOT of bling. I mean, what's more captivating than diamonds?

Forevermark knows how to do diamonds, and does it well.

This year, the most talked about diamond is a 25-carat rough diamond, which is part of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book fantasty gift. At 1.85 million the fantasy gift includes a trip to De Beers' headquarters in London, a trip off Namibia's coast where the diamond was discovered, and the design of the diamond into a ring by award-winning jewelry designer Maria Canale.

The evening was hosted by Boston's own philanthropist Corinne Grousbeck, who was wearing the incredible L'Wren Scott necklace and whose birthday was celebrated with, what else, "diamond" encrusted cupcakes!

Here's how Neiman Marcus does it, a glittery evening with the lovely Maria Canale and her exquisite diamond creations...

Jeweler Maria Canale is bringing her exclusive collection of pieces to Neiman Marcus in Boston tonight in the hope that the spotlight piece — a necklace of raw and cut diamonds worn by actress Nicole Kidman and worth $1.6 million — will find a local buyer.

The Boston fantasy gift (if sold, $75,000 will be donated to the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown) is an extension of the upscale department store’s famed Christmas Book. In the 2013 edition, shoppers with money to burn can drop $344,500 for a 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante or $1.5 million for an outdoor entertainment system featuring a 201-inch screen and a state-of-the-art speaker system.

Canale plays a part in Neiman’s most expensive fantasy gift — a rare 25-carat Forevermark diamond, which she will design into a ring. The buyer of this $1.85 million gem also gets a trip to De Beers headquarters in London and a boat trip along the Namibian coast where the diamond was found.

“The (fantasy gift) diamond itself is the amount of the gift. It’s going to be pretty awesome,” said the New York-based designer. “We’re taking inquiries now, and we’ll see.”

Whether the diamond experience sells is almost beside the point for Canale, who enjoys its journey on the pop culture conversation circuit. On last week’s “Saturday Night Live,” Seth Meyers cracked a joke about Neiman’s luxury prize.“Give her the gift that says, ‘My wife can never know about us,’ ” he said.

Tonight’s visit to Neiman, hosted by philanthropist Corinne Grousbeck, promised to be glittering — even for women who could never imagine owning something so over-the-top luxe.

“It is a selling event, but it’s also inspiring people,” said Canale. “We take photos of them. We put the jewelry on them. For clothes, you can just try on a dress. But jewelry is a little more intimidating.”

Grousbeck thinks Canale’s necklace can sell tonight.

“It’s so simple,” she said. “I love when important jewelry is dressed down. So wearable and not in your face.”

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/style_fashion/2013/11/maria_canale_brings_her_sparkling_collection_to_boston#sthash.CG5nXwxU.dpuf

Boston: Neiman Marcus, Elizabeth Locke

Neiman Marcus is synonymous with luxury. The fineries of fashion, designer trends on the cusp, not to mention the fancifulness of giving.

The 2013-2014 collection of jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke, whose pieces are handmade in 19K gold, reflect the classic, historic, vibrant colors of a time past, yet designed for the modern day woman.

The influence of the arts of centuries before us are seen in luscious Venetian glass intaglios, intricately carved gambling pendants, Greek and Roman relief coin pieces finished in hammered gold, all exuding the precious quality of timeless heirlooms.

Elizabeth Locke brings GOLD to the 21st century...

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Boston: Saks Fifth Avenue: Designer Floor Launch

As a photographer I am always seeking to capture the beauty in everything and the grand opening for the newly remodeled designer floor at Saks Fifth Avenue was exactly that: beautiful.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was hosted by VP General Manager Gretchen Pace and Marketing Director Cara Fratto, who unveiled the myriad of luxury boutiques including Donna Karan, Alexander McQueen, Alaïa, Stella McCartney, Pucci, Givenchy, Céline, to name but a few.

Each of the luxury brand's aesthetics are reflected in the unique layout, lighting and interior design of each shop. Exquiste materials, some imported from Italy, are showstoppers themselves, notably the pink inlaid wood floor (designed by Stella McCartney herself), the luminescent onyx wall from the team at Céline, and the baroque moulding at Alexander McQueen.

Donna Karan herself raved about the newly designed floor when she was in town for the launch of her own in-store boutique.

Join me as I take you on the scenic route through a lil' bit of luxury brought to you in classic Saks Fifth Avenue fashion...

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Francesca's Collection

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