Fashions from the Pre-Grammy Gala

Pictured: Toni Braxton rocks a statement necklace at the Clive Davis Grammy Gala

Last night the music industry elite gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for Clive Davis’s Pre-Grammy party. Clive (former president of Arista records, and other labels) is a music industry legend. He was in the news last year for bringing back diva Whitney Houston after a 7 year absence from the music scene. Whitney was the star attraction at last year’s event. I love to be a fly on the wall of the party by watching the fashions on the red carpet. The Recessionista was not on the guest list, not a surprise, but music industry bloggers Arjan Writes and Soul Bounce were in the house providing updates via Twitter. Tara Met Blog was at the “Midnight Brunch After Party” broadcasting fashions like Natalie Cole’s dress on Twitter.

So here are some of the fabulous, not fabuless looks from Clive’s party. Above is Toni Braxton in a beautiful statement necklace to compliment her little black strapless jumpsuit. Sheryl Crow rocked the same type of look with a beautiful Irene Neuwirth necklace at MusiCares on Friday night to compliment her LBD. The statement necklace is a great way to dress up a little black dress. Look for great ones for less at Loehmann’s, T.J. Maxx and the online fashion clubs (check under my The Recessionista’s Top Picks for membership info.)

While Toni’s red carpet look was classy and rather understated, other party invitees made more, um, unconventional choices. This is what I love about Grammy fashions, the slightly over the top looks that you don’t typically see, the avant-garde choices. Check out Rhianna in Viktor & Rolf and Ciara in Givenchy like you’ve never seen Givenchy haute couture before.

Pictured: Ciara in Givenchy boa with silk bow and black shorts. Rhianna in an usual Viktor & Rolf dress. These are the ultimate in nontraditional style looks. Don’t try this at home unless you have money to burn! 🙂

Pictured: Fergie at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy party in designer Zuhair Murad. Her striking sliver dress is accented by a lone bracelet.

Fergie’s silver metallic silk chiffon one shoulder dress with lace insets and clear crystal beading is from Zuhair Murad’s Ready to Wear Spring 2010 Collection. I love how Fergie complimented her shiny dress with the wrist bling. This is a look that is stylish, accessible and uniquely affordable. There are all kinds of “wrist candy” available to compliment your evening out look for low prices. Here are a few cheap & cheerful selections I’ve seen at Kohl’s to match award season’s blingy looks.

Pictured: Top row, award season bling, bottom row, the Kohl’s costume jewelry match.

Are you surprised to see the bottom row of elegant discounted bling. Here are the products and the prices.

From left to right, the Kohl’s bracelets are:

SONOMA life + style Gold-Tone Flex Bracelet, on sale for $ 16.80
Candie’s Silver-Tone Crystal Flex Bracelet, on sale for $14.00
daisy fuentes Silver-Tone Crystal Floral Flex Bracelet, on sale for $22.40
Trifari Silver-Tone Crystal Flex Bracelet, on sale for $16.00

These are perfect compliments to any special evening out look, especially if you have something planned for Valentines’ Day. For a necklace similar to Toni Braxton’s necklace, check out this Sterling Silver Freshwater Black Pearl Circle-Link Necklace. If you take the time, there are always looks for less! 🙂 Stay tuned for more style coverage from today’s Grammy Awards. I’m waiting to see what J Lo wears to the Grammys.

This just in, there are auctions on Grammy memorabilia and items on eBay through Feb. 10th at: www.ebay.com/grammy