The Top Drawer

Contrary to popular belief, brooches are no longer reserved for the lapel of your jacket or to only be worn by your grandmother. In fact, with the vast array of designs available, brooches are possibly the most versatile pieces in your jewelry collection. First Lady Michelle Obama has been one of the most public figures fueling the recent comeback of antique style brooches through the inspiring ways she’s worn them. Whether you’re looking to draw attention to your best features or want to brilliantly compliment your ensemble, here’s a few fashionable (and some functional) ways to wear a brooch:

1 ) Design a necklace: Use a brooch as a pendant by attaching it to a diamonds by the yard, pearl, tennis necklace or any chain. Another idea would be to wrap the necklace or strand of pearls closely around your neck and creatively apply the pin.

2 ) Add sparkle to an evening bag: Create an intriguing look by pinning a brooch onto your clutch. For additional sparkle, pin two or more smaller and similarly themed brooches together.

3 ) Instant statement jewel: Apply your favorite diamond brooch to a thin ring or band to create an instant cocktail ring or place one on a wrist band made of fabric to be worn as jeweled cuff.

4 ) Secure your scarf: Wrap a colorful scarf or choker around your neck and secure it in place with a brooch for a French chic look.

5 ) Pin a brooch on your waist: A growing Hollywood trend is to wear a brooch directly on the waist of a dress or gown as did Eva Longoria at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards. Another idea would be to wrap a scarf around your waist and secure it with the brooch itself.

6 ) Compliment your head piece: Add a little flair to a casual fedora, floppy hat, beret, cabbie-style hat or just a plain cap by pinning a brooch onto it. Fond of the gypsy inspired look? Apply a sparkling accent to a turban headband by attaching a brooch to the center.

7 ) Use one as a hair pin: Yes you heard right. After styling your hair, carefully attach a brooch for a glamorous look. This works best with styles such as a bun, french twist or sleek pony tail. Try holding it in place by using bobby pins, attaching it to ribbon and weaving it in your hair or your own method as most brooches weren’t designed for this.

8 ) Instant wardrobe alteration: How many times have we bought an article of clothing knowing the “fit isn’t just right”, but we’d figure out how to work with it later? A well positioned brooch can take the place of a permanent alteration. Fashionably cinch up an over-sized cardigan, sweater, dress or even a long t-shirt with a brooch.

9 ) Make it a focal point: Add a brooch to the bodice of a strapless gown or place one at the lowest point of a neckline on a low cut top or dress.

10 ) Adorn your shoulder: Break tradition by applying a brooch to the shoulder of any jacket, blazer or even a turtle neck.

11 ) An alternative to buttons or clasps: Fasten a jacket, cardigan or artfully draped scarf with a sparkling brooch.

Now that we’ve got your creative juices flowing, pull out a brooch sitting in the back of your jewelry drawer and give one of these ideas a whirl. Don’t own one? Here are a few inspirational designs:

At the turn of the 20th century, decorative art movements such as Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, Jugendstil and Skonvirke sprung about across the globe with diverse influences and styles from each country. The jewelry created during this era differed greatly from most jewelry seen in the late Victorian period. On October 29th, an exhibition at The Forbes Galleries in New York City will present pieces from various movements side by side and explain the global interest in creating jewelry during this time.

International Art Jewelry: 1895-1925 will feature almost 200 pieces of jewelry and related decorative art objects by 75 different artists including work coming from Great Britain, United States, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Scandinavian countries. The exhibition will demonstrate the connection between the jewelry movements during this period while pointing out the differences and similarities between each.

“This exhibition will focus on the broader subject of the relationship of a number of early 20th century art jewelry movements rather than zero in on work in one particular style or country,” said Bonnie Kirschstein, Forbes Galleries managing director. The exhibition will run through March 17, 2012.

Art Nouveau jewelry was crafted with a heavy emphasis on color and the female form. These jewelry motifs largely included orchids, irises, pansies, vines, swans, peacocks, snakes, dragonflies, mythological creatures, and the female silhouette. Today, these type of pieces are commonly characterized as antique style jewelry and still remains a popular accessory among fine jewelry connoisseurs. Below are some vintage inspired pieces that capture the essence of the Art Nouveau period:

Wondering how to accessorize color in your wardrobe this season? A fashion color report released by the Pantone Color institute has identified the top 10 most directional hues for Fall 2011. The organization surveyed New York Fashion Week designers including Chris Benz, Peter Som, MACKAGE, Tommy Hilfiger, Tracy Reese and many others to reveal their inspiration.

“Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art,” said executive director Leatrice Eiseman. “Much like a painter’s masterpiece, there is a certain romance to this season’s palette,” she added. Firenze Jewels has applied Pantone’s findings with our eye for on-trend jewelry and diamonds below: