QVC ‘Jewelry Love’ Day Was Pretty, Pretty Good

We admit it: We did some damage to our credit card on Friday during QVC’s jewelry love day. It didn’t help that we were off, taking a comp day after covering the National Retail Federation conference last weekend in Manhattan, and could watch much of the day.

We thought QVC did a good job of presenting baubles across categories — gold, silver, gemstones, diamonds, high price and low price.

Veteran QVC gold buyer David Markstein debuted his new line for the home shopping network, and we thought it was inventive and appealing. We ordered two of his items, one a 14K gold bracelet and a silver cross that is on waitlist.

Gold has gotten so expensive that frankly we really can’t afford it anymore. But we’ve been looking for two items in solid gold anyway: a link-type bracelet to layer and a small cross. We’re hoping that the bracelet we ordered from Markstein is substantial enough for us for the price.

We also ordered a small cross from Eterna Gold that was dimensional and had diamond-cutting, another item we plan to layer. We’ll see how that goes.

Finally, we ordered a half-a-carat Infinity diamond ring in silver, with round stones and baquettes (our favorite cut). BTW we really enjoy Michele Lau. We weren’t looking for a diamond ring, but this one looked really good for the price — a big look for the money. We hope we like it.

Jeff Moseley debuted his new jewelry line, Pure Tarzanite. They were gorgeous pieces, but well out of our price range. But we love seeing his passion for the stone, and wish him well with this venture.

So, it’s time to lock up our credit. And there goes that New Year’s resolution about taming our spending.

BTW, someone who reads this blog stopped by the NRF press room to say hello. He knew we were at the conference because of some posts we did on LinkedIn. He said he works for some vendors for both QVC and HSN.

We actually got in trouble for talking too loudly and had to cut our chat short!

Celebrity Stylist Rachel Zoe and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Vendors On QVC and HSN, Makes New York Post’s List Of Trendsetters This Decade

Two home shopping vendors, celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and rapper-entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs, both made the New York Post’s list in its “A Decade of Trends” story Thursday.

Zoe, who does a fashion and accessory line for QVC, was lauded by the Post for building “a career on perfect taste, an eye for vintage and a knack for pulling fabulous gowns.” Zoe, who does “The Rachel Zoe Project” for Bravo, is pictured with client Nicole Richie.

Combs, who sold out his fragrances during is recent debut on HSN, won high praise from the Post. “By far, one of the greatest retail successes that doesn’t make us want to barf is Sean John — the label launched in the late ’90s by music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs,” the Post wrote.

The Post said that this “early entry in the celebrity clothing-line genre” has “staying power.”

Paula Abdul Set To Return To HSN Dec. 12 and 13 After October Cancellation, No Word About When No-Show Tori Spelling Will Be Back

Paula Abdul HSN ring

Two months after her last appearance on HSN was cancelled without explanation, former “American Idol” host Paula Abdul is returning.

Abdul is scheduled to appear on HSN Dec. 12 and 13 to sell her Forever Your Girl line of fashion jewelry, which is marking its first anniversary.

Back in October, Columbus Day weekend, the singer was listed in HSN’s online and print program guides to do jewelry shows for two days. But she never appeared.

Around that same time, actress Tori Spelling was also scheduled to be on HSN for her costume jewelry line, and those shows were also pulled without explanation. Curious and disappointed viewers were speculating that the no-show was due to Spellings ill health or her rumored marital woes.

So far we did not see Spelling listed for any return to HSN.

Spelling and her husband Dean McDermott are the star’s of Oxygen’s reality show, ‘Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.”

ShopNBC Makes It Official With Press Release On Judy Crowell’s Debut With Accessory Line

Judy Crowell

We know this is not news to our readers, but here is a slightly edited version of ShopNBC’s official press release Tuesday on the debut of Judy Crowell’s line:

Judy Crowell Launches New Fashion & Accessories Collection on ShopNBC

MINNEAPOLIS — ShopNBC, the premium lifestyle brand in electronic retailing, announced today that Judy Crowell, television shopping industry veteran and fashion trend forecaster, has joined the network as the inspiration and designer of the new show series, “Judy Crowell Collection.”

Ms. Crowell will premiere on ShopNBC Tuesday, November 24 at 2 am and 9 pm ET.

Judy Crowell brings over 20 years of television experience to ShopNBC. She began her career as a TV correspondent, then as a TV shopping host for QVC and HSN. Ms. Crowell’s career led her to fashion hot spots around the world, including Monte Carlo, Basel, Milan, and Hong Kong, where she developed a global sense of style. Ms. Crowell is certified as a trend forecaster from the World Fashion Council.

The Judy Crowell Collection will feature fashion outerwear and accessories for women seeking to update their wardrobe and help create a polished look. Designed to enhance rather than replace a woman’s wardrobe, the Judy Crowell Collection also caters to women searching for timeless and affordable accessories. Viewers will be surprised and delighted with the newest trends in handbags, sunglasses, scarves and more, along with Ms. Crowell’s advice on where and how to wear each piece.

Judy Crowell’s Key Accessories for Holiday 2009:

— Paisley Scarf (S51183). Key accessory for the season, the scarf adds
instant sophistication to any outfit.

— Crackle Finish Clutch (S50996). Add a little ooh la la to last year’s
little black dress.

— Braid Detail Shopper Handbag (S50997). Look pulled together and stay
organized with this handy tote that shifts from work to play.

“We are pleased to welcome Judy and her collection to the ShopNBC family,” said Cindy Chen-Derkacz, ShopNBC’s Vice President of Fashion.

“Her sense of style and trend insight is long-admired by her loyal viewers and industry experts. Judy’s presentation style is not only entertaining, but will also educate viewers with effortless ways to create a timeless and polished look. Judy and her collection are an exciting addition to our fashion category, as we continue to build an array of wardrobe options that work for the busy lifestyles of ShopNBC customers.”

“Since the moment I walked into ShopNBC and felt the energy of the network and its entire staff, I’ve been excited to premiere the Judy Crowell Collection to viewers across the country,” said Judy Crowell, designer and guest expert.

“As women, we oftentimes have an entire closet full of clothes yet feel like we have nothing to wear. I hope to change that. I’ll be combining my experience and enthusiasm for fashion, along with helpful style tips to educate, entertain, and connect with viewers.”

ShopNBC Launches First Beauty And Fashion Week Saturday, Hot Label Laundry By Shelli Segal On Board

As part of its continuing effort to diversify, ShopNBC is kicking off its first-ever Beauty & Style Week event Saturday night.

The event will feature ShopNBC’s largest number of beauty and fashion launches ever in one week.

“We are thrilled to present this chocked-full, week-long Beauty & Style event to our viewers,” ShopNBC’s chief merchant Msaid Kris Kulesza said in a prepared statement. “Some of the most sought-after brands in the industry will be featuring their new beauty and fashion must-haves as well as great holiday gifts on ShopNBC.”

Kulesza said, “From the likes of the hottest celebrity hair stylist Ted Gibson Beauty to global brand Laundry by Shelli Segal, from Dr. Robert Rey aka ‘Dr. 90210’ to America’s favorite shoe expert Miss Meghan, viewers will discover a wide array of wonderful finds — items we affectionately refer to as ‘ShopFINDS.’ Those who tune in will also be titillated about the prospects of learning from these expert guests how to instantly update their look in a way that easily works for their lifestyle.”

As part of the event Rey, known as E! Entertainment Television’s “Dr. 90210” and an in-demand cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills, will be introducing his new skincare line, Sensual Solutions, on ShopNBC. Through his products, Dr. Rey offers a non-invasive alternative to plastic surgery. Rey will be on air Sunday.

Celebrity hairstylist Gibson will debut his hair care line on ShopNBC Oct. 27. Based on Wild Orchid extract as its key ingredient, his product line will be featured during self-titled show hours throughout the day.

Following a strong reception by ShopNBC viewers at its launch in late August 2009, Sensa Weight-Loss System will appear this Sunday during eight self-titled show hours to educate viewers on how to use their simple approach to weight loss.

Also returning to ShopNBC is Vapour Organic Beauty. Eric Sakas, beauty expert and co-founder, will be the on-air guest this next Tuesday.

Beauty & Style Week is not only premiering new brands, but new shows. “Beauty Confidential” will make its debut next Tuesday. It will feature nothing but beauty insiders themselves, like Gibson, who will share their first hand knowledge with viewers.

Shoe expert Meghan Cleary will make her world-wide debut on ShopNBC next Wednesday. Meghan will premiere her new collection exclusively at ShopNBC during “Beauty & Style Week Party” at 9 pm ET.

The hot fashion brand Laundry by Shelli Segal will premiere next Thursday during shows titled after the line.

And the style program “Geneology Fashion DNA” will debut during a show titled after the line Oct. 30. Only at ShopNBC, this modern lifestyle apparel collection offers contemporary and casual looks with attitude that are ready for workday to weekend.

ShopNBC will also introduce Hope Brick — founder of RADARinsights and fashion industry veteran — as trend expert for the shopping network. She will appear in style-focused segments throughout Beauty & Style Week that educate viewers about the latest trends while providing fashion advice that translates the hottest styles into any wardrobe.

QVC Honcho Predicts Isaac Mizrahi’s Line Could Be The Home Shopping Network’s Biggest Ever

QVC has very high hopes for fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi’s new lifestyle line for the network, according to QVC president and CEO Mike George. But Mizrahi better not mess with Joan Rivers.

George was touting Mizrahi Friday during a presentation at the Liberty Media Investor Day in New York. Liberty is QVC’s parent.

He called QVC’s recent deal with Mizrahi one of most exciting announcements of the last year and maybe the most exciting ever for the home shoppng channel.

“We believe it will be one of our five largest brands, perhaps our largest brand, in a short period of time,” George said.

Mizrahi, who we interviewed years ago for a story that won us a Gerald Loeb Award, was one of the first luxury designers to make the move to a mass retailer, Target, George pointed out. That was a huge success. as Mizrahi positioned Target “as a design and trend retailer,” according to George.

“He can have the similar kind of transformational impact on QVC,” the CEO said.

Mizrahi went from Target to Liz Claiborne as its creative director, where he is now.

Some of Mizrahi’s QVC shows will be done live at his studios in Manhattan, George said, with the debut set for December.

The crowd of analysts and press (we listened to the Webcast) were then show a video clip of Mizrahi, who said, “You’re going to see some incredible things for QVC that I’ve been working on. I’m really excited about it.”

Then Rivers apparently appeared in the video (we only heard the audio), and told Mizrahi, “Welcome to QVC, we’re thrilled to have you. But don’t park in my parking spot. I’m not kidding you, Isaac.”

Mizrahi already has a TV presence. He has a reality show on Bravo now, “The Fashion Show.”

We were confused by, and maybe we misunderstood, one part of George’s presentation. He said QVC will be the exclusive retailer of Liz Claiborne New York, which is Mizrahi’s apparel line.

The announcement about the Mizrahi-QVC deal, we thought, said that JCPenney was going to be the exclusive retailer for Liz Claiborne’s other clothing lines, and QVC for Liz Claiborne New York. But George’s comments almost made it sound like QVC has an exclusive on all of Liz Claiborne’s lines. Whatever.