nOir: all that glitters
PUBLISHED October 16th, 2012 11:56 pm | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am
Y’know, Marilyn may have been on to something when she sang “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” – I’m just not sure she got the whole picture. I mean sure…diamonds are fabulous, but for the more financially challenged among us, it’s a bit optimistic isn’t it?! I suppose “anything sparkly is a girl’s best friend” doesn’t have the same panache as a lyric. But the truth is, if it glitters, I want it – and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune, or require a sugar daddy! For the last few seasons large, chunky, vintage-looking and totally affordable jewellery has twinkled and tempted me, I’m caught in it’s dazzling headlights and I want more.
Big and bold jewellery is hugely in, blanketing everything from high street to designer in a sea of huge, sparkling gemstones. Bright colours, oversized rocks, vintage detailing, but essentially ostentatious bling is everywhere. But as opposed to its 80’s distant relations or brash Hip Hop counterparts, it’s a feminine, heirloom look, punked up for a new generation.
Yesterday I discovered a new label that will be making my credit card weep soon enough. Introducing nOir- it made my heart go pitter patter.
nOir was created by Leeora Catalan, whose name you may not know, but the fact that she started her career at Ralph Lauren and Oscar De La Renta shows some serious fashion credentials. Whilst working as a fashion stylist, Catalan unable to find what she wanted for a particular show she was involved in, decided to create specific pieces herself. The rest as they say is history: those pieces were immediately ordered onsite by a department store and pulled in by Italian Vogue to shoot.
Throughout the years, Catalan has collaborated with fashion industry icons like Marc by Marc Jacobs, DKNY, L.A.M.B (aah Gwen Stefani – you rock my world!), and Patricia Field of ‘Sex and the City’ notoriety. Her luxe-looking yet highly affordable designs often grace the pages of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Nylon magazine. In the years since its inception, nOir has grabbed the attention of style makers such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Madonna, Fergie, Beyonce, and Gwen Stefani and now, Heh Zee! A testimony to the appeal of these totally fierce designs.
Luckily for us, nOir is available in Singapore, at What Women Want, a treasure trove of eclectic sparkle and temptation at the Mandarin Gallery. Loaded up with fun, stylish and bold statement items, What Women Want will make you feel like a kid in a candy store. A super fashionable, chic and sparkly candy store!
Written by Heh Zee
