Maybe we should call it cocktails at Tiffany’s (or rather with Tiffany’s).
In any event, the gems on display Friday evening at the Cunard Building in Lower Manhattan would have turned Holly Golightly vert with envy. The reason for the mega show of major baubles—the annual launch of the company’s Blue Book Collection, its poshest line that showcases some of the rarest precious stones in the world.
And when you say posh and gems—can A-listers be far behind? Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Watts, Jessica Biel, Diane Kruger, Eve Hewson, and Esperanza Spalding were among the notables who turned out for the event wearing a queen’s ransom worth of jewelry—all one-of-a-kind pieces from this year’s collection, called The Art of Transformation
The Blue Book was first published in 1845, by founder Charles Louis Tiffany. Today, the archival collection of these editions provides an overview of the company’s role in the evolution of American jewelry design. Past Blue Books include French and Spanish crown jewels remounted in Tiffany settings, as well as jewelry inspired by the stained glass masterworks of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), son of the company’s founder and a leader of the Art Nouveau movement. Blue Books from the 1920s showcase the platinum age of diamonds; in the 1940s and 50s cocktail-style jewelry suites recall Golden Era Hollywood. Pieces from this period include Jean Schlumberger’s Ribbon Rosette necklace that was mounted with the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond to promote the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Schlumberger’s necklace was also worn by Gloria Vanderbilt when she was photographed by Richard Avedon for Harper’s Bazaar. Other red-carpet jewels include the Tiffany Radiance necklace with rare yellow diamonds (Blue Book 2010–2011) worn by Academy Award® winner Kate Winslet at the 2010 Oscars®; and the lavish diamond necklace from Blue Book 2013 that Anne Hathaway donned when she accepted her Oscar® that same year.But back to the 2016 bash: Here’s what stars wore:
Reese Witherspoon (see above) turned out in a J. Mendel gown and lavish $10,000,000 diamond necklace, ring, and earrings.
Naomi Watts accessorized her Prada dress with a $575,000 diamond cuff.
Jessica Biel wore a $1,500,000 T-diamond bib necklace with over 2,500 individually set diamonds and a $300,000 diamond bracelet. Her dress was by The Row.
Diane Kruger paired an aquamarine, tanzanite, green tourmaline and diamond $525,000 necklace with a red Kaufmanfranco dress.
Eve Hewson donned a $70,000 tanzanite and diamond ring, $115,000 diamond bracelet, and $275,000 wide-diamond bracelet with a beaded gown by Prabal Gurung.
Esperanza Spalding donned a $130,000 Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger diamond fringe necklace and a $8,200 Schlumberger circle rope bracelet with a Sally LaPointe top and Lanvin pants.
