Bling it On

image from OK magazine.

The stars sparkle on the red carpet in sequined gowns from rose gold to midnight blue. The gowns range from cocktail length to skirts with draping trains for all-over glitter. With dresses like these, the celebrities minimized their jewelry and carried small clutches because their gowns shine on their own.

This is a trend we're happy to see making headlines since we love to use glitter in our designs. Above is our silvertone glitter poodle with a rhinestone collarm, our silvertone diamond ring and one of our new glitter intitals with a silver glitter star charm. The beauty of glitter is it can add glamour and whimsy to a piece.

Appreciation for our Troops

Dave Rodgers, local RI native and former Navy SEAL, commented on the amount of skill and difficulty required in performing a successful mission such as this one. Although the names and identities of the highly secretive Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden will not be released, we can send them, and all of our troops serving overseas a hearty congratulations and thank you for their dedication and service.

Donations can be made to the Navy SEAL Foundation, benefitting U.S. Navy SEALs, SWCC, NSW Support Personnel, and their families.

Trend Flashback: Street Chic

From our 2009 Trend Intelligence Guide, making a resurgence in popular fashion!

Street Chic is a youthful fashion trend reminiscent of the late 80's when graffiti art hit mainstream and teens danced to boombox beats in the streets of New York. Combined with some of today's newer styles, fashions include skinny jeans with oversize hooded sweatshirts painted in grafitti are or in bright colors with neon blue, yellow and green piping.

From People magazine, celebs like Khloe Kardashain, Anna Kendrick and Cameron Diaz are going street chic in brightly colored jeans, a fun way to break out of the winter blues for summer.

White Hot

Who says you can't wear white before Memorial Day? The rules have changed. There are no rules! And celebs like Katrina Bowden and Busy Philipps are welcoming spring in fun, flirty, frilly white frocks.

White is a versatile hue that compliments a golden tan or fairer skin, brunettes and blonds, and provides a blank palette for accessorizing. What do you think? Who wears it best in this photo from Star magazine?

Pewter Perfection

As we've reported before, metallics are shining for 2011. Gold, silver, bronze and the latest Hollywood fashion craze is pewter.

We're familiar with the metal, using it in our keepsake designs for over thirty years. Pewter is a popular substance for creating giftware and jewelry because of it's softness. It's easy to mold into intricate details and patterns and gives off a beautiful, matte sheen. Which makes it a perfect hue for red carpet gowns that mold to the figure and accentuate the natural glow of the wearer.

Sofia Vergara, Kerry Washington, Emma Roberts, Jessica Alba, Malia Akerman, and Blake Lively were all photographed in US Weekly wearing glittering pewter gowns in glam and classic styles, exposing the versatility of the metallic hue. We expect to see pewter becoming more dominant in fashion, giftware and home decor as the year continues.

Assorted pewter ornaments by Gloria Duchin.

What's Trending Now?

City Garden from our annual 2011 Trend Intelligence(tm) guide, a perfect color and style trend for spring.


The concept of “going green” has evolved from a trend into a way of life. People are returning to a simpler time by changing the way they eat, clean, and shop. Labels like “local” and “organic” are important to consumers, as they are more interested in where their products are coming from and how they are made. This sentiment is becoming more and more important in the city, with the presence of farmers markets, the upswing of parks and public spaces, and the obsession with everything vintage.

In fashion, recycled metals are being made into chic jewelry and belts, paired with light and airy fabrics. Textiles are being dyed with vegetables such as beets and eggplant. Patterns and textures representing nature are found on the street and on the red carpet. A major trend in home décor is upcycling, taking the old and making it new, and when this isn’t possible, creating something new that speaks to the past. Retro chairs are refinished and paired with a reclaimed wood table. Plants are used to create an oasis amidst an inner city backdrop.


In Christmas décor, these same ideas hold true. Decorations are made from old or recycled items and scraps of unused fabrics. Ornaments represent nature in a modern, city-living kind of way. Trees are made from uncommon materials and are showcased as an art installation, while wrapping papers channel the past with their retro patterns.

Shop this trend with popular gardening keepsakes at gloriaduchin.com

Precious Metals

Striking silvers and golds hit the red carpet at the 2011 Oscars ceremony. Halle Berry, Michelle Williams, Hilary Swank and other leading ladies decked out in form-fitting metallic gowns accented with jewels and feathers.

One thing you'll notice in the People Magazine photo above is the metallic hue of choice is predominantly silver. I think this is a trend that will continue through the year as silver gains its reputation for being the sleeker, shinier, more glam metal. Paired with bold colored accents, gems or sequins, silver looks rich and glamorous.