Glitz to Brighten the Mood

Just in time to help beat back the global financial blues, style trendsetters are serving up some of the brightest ideas seen in years. At the recent New York Fashion Week, Marc Jacobs said, "What? Is all black going to help the economy?" His fall/winter 2009 clothes made their mark with sunshine yellows, hot pinks and bright greens. Even for a usually somber season, brands ranging from Christian Dior to Alexander McQueen offered visual (if not economic) stimulus with color and shimmer. "During these times, you need fashion with longevity, but you also need inspiration," says Fiona Marin, the designer behind the luxury accessories label Kotur, whose current collection includes clutches with crystal flowers and insects on metallic snakeskin.

Real glitter is also in vogue. Louis Vuitton has been pushing its diamond jewelry line, and Chanel has been heavily promoting diamond rings, necklaces and bracelets—a line that, fittingly, first gained prominence during the Great Depression.

© 2009