Celebrity Inspired Jewelry Trumps All

Instead of flipping through magazines like Vogue for the latest and greatest style and fashion tips, many people are going through celebrity gossip magazines each week to see what their favorite stars wearing. Trying to take advantage of this latest trend, jewelry designers have been creating collections and looks inspired by Hollywood's style-setters and even collaborating directly with the stars.

Helena Krodel, associate director of the Jewelry Information Center, says such ties make sense for designers and retailers trying to reach teens and 20-somethings. "I think it's important to note that the reason [the celebrity gossip magazines are] so successful is that people from those age groups are really influenced by what celebrities wear," she says. Fueled by the Internet, Krodel says, consumers today are learning faster than ever what their favorite stars are wearing, so it's important that retailers stay on top of the trends as well.

Fashion new-comers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who already have a design resume from their high-end apparel collections, The Row and Elizabeth and James, are now moving into jewelry through a licensing partnership with Robert Lee Morris. The collection features signature Robert Lee Morris styles such as thick metal cuff bracelets and rings, along with motifs requested by the Olsens, such as scarab symbols, snakes and crosses. Falling under the label Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James, it debuted in September in Intermix apparel stores nationwide.

Famous designer Margo Morrison helps retailers to do just that by sending e-mails and postcards to storeowners and the media, alerting them to who's wearing her jewelry. Morrison says the appeal of celebrities to teens and young women is clear. "When a model wears an outfit, you know they're making their day rate," Morrison says. "When a celebrity wears it--you hope, anyway--that they actually like it, and that they are choosing to put it on their body."

The big question that remains is how do you market to young women who think little of spending on more ephemeral accessories such as handbags and shoes while forgoing jewelry, which can last forever? One thought being thrown around is to scale-back on the expensive platinum and go with a more cost effective sterling silver. Not only does it bring down the cost of the jewelry, but it doesn't forgo the quality or look the celebrities are going for. Another idea they are looking at is to associate a specific look more with celebrities in order to tie that celebrity in with that specific look.

No matter how you try and interpret the information, many young people are looking at celebrities now, more than ever for fashion tips. So go get your celebrity fashion jewelry if you want to try and stay ahead of the latest trends.