Style x BEAUTY

The last month of the year is a time of excitement and reflection. While we are excited to move forward with new plans and goals for the next 365 days around the sun, savoring in the reflection of our lives for the past year is never without parties. Celebrations are long-awaited, so gild it up like Adele Bloch-Bauer. Whether at home or out and about, the end of this year is a time to let yourself be golden.

*Pallas Athene* (1898) by Gustav Klimt is one of his first works in his Golden Era. It shows her strength without losing her femininity. They’re the same, right?

Woman In Gold

Socialite Adele Bloch-Bauer sat for Gustav’s Klimt during his Golden era. He used gold leaf to take arts and crafts to a magical level at the cusp of secessionism in the 1890’s. This is stunningly displayed in Pallas Athene (1898) predating Portrait Adele Bloch-Bauer I by a few years and contrary to Rembrandt’s interpretation by the illustration of femininity. Glimt’s collaboration with his fashion designer romantic partner may have influenced his stylish gilded renderings.

Jeans can be relaxed but stunning. Why wear a regular pair of denim when you can have them coated in heavy metal gold? A more muted gold instead of a shiny pair is choice. I wear them on the looser side, which is great for holiday eating adventures. These are by Isabel Marant that I got forever ago and like to pair them with a black or white tuxedo shirt and black patent leather booties. Ralph Lauren also did a bootcut pair, but I have not tried those IRL to assess their comfort level. Tom Ford’s version is a little more snug with black trim detailing.

The Shoes Have It: Carrie Bradshaw gets carried away in the Vogue closet when she sees “urban shoe myth” Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes. These in gold from their 50th anniversary collection are a go-to for a gilded party look. (Image: SATC HBO)

Mary Janes are, to my immense pleasure, back. I’ll take them in every color, but a sparkly gold pair for a dinner or work party hits the spot. These are from Manolo Blahnik’s 50th anniversary collection and a classic style idolized by Carrie Bradshaw.

Nails can be a bit of a hassle to upkeep during this busy time. Gold lacquer hides chips while maintaining glam. This Diwali by Chanel is another oldie but goodie that has yet to fail. A close color is Chanel Le Vernis Canotier (532). Their newer gold Clair de Lune (965) is opaquer and on the browner side like pyrite (based on their online content. I have not reviewed it IRL).

A bit of shimmer oil makes the skin glint in the evening light. Oil doesn’t need to be oily. The Gold Shimmer Oil by Omorovicza is a dry oil that smooths the dermis with a subtle glow and without a greasy feeling. This is definitely not for an abhyanga massage, but the jojoba, apricot and carrot oils nourish the skin for cold winter weather. It smells really good, too. Chanel also offers a gold oil, but it is limited edition and I have not tried it. Their blend includes rose and jasmine from No. 5, which are soothing to dermal tissues and senses.

Gilded glamour on the tips with a hint of stars. Gold by Chanel, Stars by TenOverTen. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)

3-Carat Science

Gold has shown promise in neuro drug delivery. In cases of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, gold-conjugated nutraceuticals like curcumin and resveratrol may decrease protein congestion and increase memory. Allowing the functional part of the plant to cross the blood-brain barrier and target specific regions, gold nanoparticles can become an effective and safer alternative to conventional drug delivery systems in the future.

Bottom Line

Gold is a color, an element, and a symbol. When wearing it for your last hurrah, reflect on the gold inside and look forward to the precious moments to come.

A final but important style tip: Do not wear all of these together, but rather space them out while on the social circuit. We’re not aiming for the Time’s Square look here.