By Kelli Catana
When you think of the question ‘Who Are You Wearing?' only one night comes to mind! It's the night where months of planning and sizing and fitting culminate in the biggest and best red carpet event in the world. And one Ottawa woman was in the middle of it all. Forget Chopard, Cartier and Harry Winston, there's a new player in the Hollywood jewellery scene and she's one of Ottawa's own!
Karen McClintock isn't getting much sleep lately. The local jewellery designer, who has seen huge successes with her handmade jewellery business here in Canada, took a big leap Oscar week and attempted to break into the lucrative US market by offering up her necklaces and earrings to the celebrity crowd. McClintock went to LA where she participated in The Academy Award Show Gifting Suites, where celebrities ranging from A to Z listers get to walk the floor and take their pick of whatever product they like, and McClintock went hoping they would pick hers.
Getting the celebrity seal of approval can mean big business - especially for an up and coming designer, which means that Karen was all too happy to work the long hours required to set up for an event as huge as this. Her booth was one of the most popular in the gifting suites, proving that everyone loves a little bit of bling. Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden raved over Karen's designs and left with a pair of earrings, as did actress Penelope Ann Miller. Meet The Focker's star Teri Polo loved her Karen McClintock earrings so much she wore them immediately for press interviews.
While rubbing elbows with celebrities might sound like a lot of fun, it's also tiring. Karen and her marketing director Carrie Irvine worked around the clock in hopes that the gifting lounge would be just the break into the US market that Karen has been looking for. After all, we live in a celebrity culture where we take our fashion cues from celebrities more than anything else. Having her designs seen on a star or better yet, on the red carpet, could mean more publicity than money could buy. And if her twitter stream is any indication, everyone is loving Karen McClintock's designs. Irvine's phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from agents and the media - all trying to find out more about the Ottawa designer. Not bad for someone who only started her business a few short years ago.
So if you want to get your hands on the same jewellery that the celebrities will soon be wearing you can check out Karen's website for local stores that carry her creations. I have a feeling that they'll be in hot demand soon!
Follow Kelli on twitter: @kellidaisy
