The jewelry gallery, Gauthier, in Scottsdale has been a staple to the upscale shopping galleries on Marshall Way in Old Town Scottsdale for many years. After meeting the man behind the bling, Scott Gauthier himself during a private tour and interview last week, I am still finding the words to express how beautiful and creative the hand-crafted jewelry is. Luckily, you can visit the jewelry gallery in Scottsdale to see for yourself.

The pieces are both art and architecture; wearable and inspirational, and an instant heirloom for those who lucky enough to have. For 24 years, the self-taught jewelry designer, Scott Gauthier, has been creating and designing each piece himself. Yes each piece is still the design of the designer, though now he has a fabulous staff to help create each finished piece. But even after a staff, two stores, 24 years and a collection of jewels that even the Smithsonian has tried to haggle for, Gauthier still has a kid-like excitement and enthusiasm around his work, his designs and his international clientele.

The in-house design and jewelry operation is amazing and so quality-driven.   I can’t even pick a favorite of the many, many hand-polished, exotic stones Gauthier shared, though I keep seeing the aquamarine necklace suite in my day dreams. The collection of stones Gauthier has been gathering over his tenure will take your breath away. And the finished pieces, well, most will leave you speechless.

Gauthier has two stores in the Valley and a third to open soon in Santa Barbara, California. And even more exciting, now the internet shopper is able to purchase online with the launch of Gauthier’s online jewelry e-commerce site this week, allowing customers to add Gauthier pieces to their online wish list or purchase an amazing new piece for their collection with a few clicks.

Gauthier | 4211 North Marshall Way | Scottsdale, AZ, 85251 | 480.941.1707

L’Atelier at Kierland | 15034 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 120 | Scottsdale, AZ   480.443.4030

WANT MORE LIKE THIS? NEWS & TIPS TO YOUR INBOX EACH WEEK…IT’S FREE!

Discover your Rockport style May 12th inside Dillards’ amazing shoe department at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Fashion expert Jeannie Mai, from The Style Network and the Today  Show, will be in store from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday for an “Ask the Expert: Discover Your Rockport Style” event, showcasing the latest in hot styles to rock this summer from Rockport Shoes!

I had the pleasure of having Jeannie answer a few of “mai” fashion questions before this weekend’s event. Enjoy the fashion tips from the expert and we’ll see you on Saturday!

Fashion Phoenix: What’s the biggest fashion mistake women make that you see most often?
Jeannie Mai: I often see women wearing clothes that don’t fit properly. I always say “if you don’t have fit, you don’t have fashion.” Even the very best ensemble can look horrendous if it doesn’t show off a woman’s body the way it is meant to be shown.

What’s hot for summer 2012 trends?
This summer’s hot trends list includes apparel and accessories in mints and oranges. Sexy sherbet shades of these colors are by far two of the most popular we are seeing show up the most in handbags, shoes, sandals and even nail color. Thanks to brands like NYX with their new Hot Orange nail color, the trend will be right at your fingertips.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, what’s your pick for hot jeans for mommie who need help ditching “the mom jeans” look?
Not Your Daughters Jeans has an amazing amount of elastic stretch to feel comfortable wherever you go. Another secret I have always loved is Old Navy jeans. At under $40 a pop, they come in an array of styles that last so long and the fit is so amazing.

What are your styles of Rockport Shoes for summer?
I have to say that the Janae Pump in silver is a “Mai Musty” for sure. It has a fun platform heel which is perfect to dress up daytime meetings. Yet for evening soiree’s it has just the right amount of sparkle, and most importantly, comfort to last you through the night.

I am also really loving the Audry Quarter Strap Sandal in Orange – the shade is flattering on practically every skin tone. And hello… adiPRENE by adidas technology makes it as comfortable as it is fashionable.

Audry Quarter Strap Woven

I met with the incredibly sweet Ken Downing, fashion director and senior vice president of Neiman Marcus today. He’s literally the man behind the suits, dresses and fashion style of the luxury department store and more and he was an utter doll to speak with. Our meeting, was full of fashion and fun, with the glowing-in-Gucci Downing giving me tip after tip of how to look great for Fall 2011 and even, how to look younger. The following article by me, was posted earlier on Desert Living Today.com:

I just had a lovely interview with Ken Downing, Fashion Director and Senior Vice President of Neiman Marcus. He’s a glamourous, Gucci-donning ball of fiery, fashion-fueled energy and in just a quick few minutes, we are energized for fall fashion. So what trends have the man-about-fashion fluttering this season? Here’s a list of what in at NM and Downing’s quick tip for looking younger in an instant:

Insider Tips from Ken Downing:

• The color of the season: Bordeaux, shades of red, juxtaposed with shades of pink. Pink is the color of upcoming Resort 2012, so your pretty-in-pink pieces will last.
• Return of the Lady: Ensemble dressing, nodding to the 60²s lady and Kate Middleton is in. Jackets that match your blouse, skirts. Nails that match lip colors, in shades of bordeaux and reds. Handbags that match shoes. Downing calls them, Clothes that belong together.  Creating that polished, together look.
• Leather and fur: Not just jackets here. Vests, trimmings, leather leggings,
• The Classic Pump: Wear it for day and into night. Juxtapose the edgy look of those leather leggings with the soft, polished lady like touch of the perfect pump.
• Low Velocity Bling: High shine dulls down, yet creates high drama for day time looks. Tarnished, blackened jewels and glittered fashion pieces are a must.
• Nail It: Downing’s collaboration with Le Metier de Beaute brings us the easiest way and our favorite way to update your look: nail polish. He suggests either a glittery champagne or a glittery bordeaux.
• Day and Night: No more transitioning from night to day. Wear your day for night and your night for day – pumps during the day, flats at night.
  
• Make It Fit: Wear clothes that fit. Tailor, alter, make it fit you. You’re not hiding anything under those baggy clothes.
• Men: Tuck in your shirt!
• To Look Younger: Stay relevant. It isn’t about Botox and facelifts, it’s about staying relevant to the moment. Sporting your same style since high school, dates and ages you. More women, when they catch up to what’s relevant, feel and look younger.
• What Downing Never Leaves Without: A leather jacket and a soft, cashmere hoodie. Both great for layering.

And Neiman Marcus is about to update its own style as well, with the introduction of our very own Cusp store-in-store coming 2012 to Scottsdale Fashion Square. Cusp will re-introduce their contemporary sportswear collections with a more contemporary shopping experience, combining designer pieces, jewelry, accessories and more in a boutique-like setting inside the department store. Stay tuned for more!

Image via Neiman Marcus

Introducing the Neil Lane Bridal Collection exclusive to Kay Jewelers, a new offering of 36 engagement and wedding rings ranging from $2,600 – $7,800. When Hollywood’s biggest stars need an engagement or wedding ring, they turn to Neil Lane. And now, you can do the same for the biggest moment of your life with a ring from Neil Lane Bridalâ„¢, a contemporary vintage-inspired collection celebrating Hollywood’s glamorous past and your remarkable future.

Fashion Phoenix had the pleasure of chatting with the delightful Mr. Lane recently about the new collection, just in time for the local launch of Neil Lane Bridal on Saturday at the Kay Jewelers inside Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale. As much as we love chatting about fashion, Fashion Phoenix LOVES chatting about LOVE…diamonds, rings, engagements and we were enamored with the endearing Mr. Lane and his inspiration behind the new Neil Lane Bridal.

For over 20 years, Neil Lane has been designing jewelry for Hollywood and the World’s taste-makers.  Describing his aesthetic as ‘pretty’, the master jeweler focuses on the entire ring setting (or as he describes as ‘the house’) for the stone, rather than focusing on the size of the center stone itself. Forgoing the simple, boring solitaires and wedding bands, Neil Lane is famous for his vintage-inspired, yet contemporary settings with inspirations from his collection of period jewels and implicating his love of art and architecture in each ring design.

We gleefully had a few minutes to ask the jewelry designer about the new collection and about the current trends and nuances of engagement ring selection. Here’s a briefing of our interview…

FP: Neil Lane Bridal is comprised of 36 engagement and wedding rings divided into four different inspirational styles including ‘Energy, Essence, Harmony and Timeless’. Can you tell us a bit about each and how to find what’s best for a bride-to-be?

NL: The collection offers a lot of variety. A woman’s engagement ring is a fashion statement. And women shouldn’t wear something that they aren’t completely happy with. So variety is important in the new bridal collection.

Energy is never-dying, eternal energy. It keeps the world going. Energy and the energy we create is always there, it never dies. (FP agrees!)

Essence has a historical reference in art and architecture. The essence is the basis of all design.

Harmony is creating actual design harmony between the big diamond and ‘the house’, which is the setting or mounting.

Timeless is from my fascination with period jewels – in the hand-work and details that I bring to my designs.

FP: How do you know what style of ring suits one best?

NL: Some people know what they like. Some people need reassurance of their selection. Sometimes one must eliminate what doesn’t fit their style to find what does. Most often, the reaction to a ring is natural, organic and it’s a physical reaction to the ring they love. One can build up their knowledge of their style and aesthetic through research before shopping.

FP: You mentioned solitaires aren’t as popular as in years past? How has shopping for engagement rings changed?

NL: Years ago, many women never liked their rings – they loved their husbands, but not their rings. Couples shop together now so there aren’t as many surprises and women can wear what suits their style.

FP: What do you think about the current colored diamond trend?

NL: Colored diamonds are not a staple and are not for everyone or everyday. The colored trend won’t take over the industry. White diamonds with white metals are just easier to wear. We use white gold in the Neil Lane Bridal collection, but you can special order some styles in platinum.

FP: What’s your favorite cut of diamond?

NL: I have fun with all cuts and it really comes down to the setting, but I love a cushion cut diamond because it’s romantic or a classic round is always nice.

FP: What was the inspiration for doing a more affordable bridal line with Kay Jewelers?

NL: It was kismet. Kay Jewelers is the perfect company for Neil Lane Bridal. It was serendipitous, from some divine inspiration. (just like love itself should be, right!)

FP: Any celebrity moments that you were most proud of?

NL: When Sandra Bullock won her Oscar last year (2010) in Neil Lane jewels. That was a proud moment for me.

Timeless

Energy

Essence

Harmony

Thank you, thank you to Mr. Neil Lane for the fabulous interview. Fashion Phoenix is super excited to try on the new Neil Lane Bridal collection and to meet Mr. Lane himself at Arrowhead Towne Center on Saturday. You could WIN a FREE ring!!

For more information about Saturday’s event, click Neil Lane at Kay Jewelers.