Illusions of grandeur: live a lush life in sumptuous fabrics that show your style and substance

Shape, Sept, 2004

Glamour Girl

Embellish a picture-perfect look with jewels that glitter. D & G lace and satin camisole, $880. Chanel "So Baroque" earrings, $495, and "Shiny Ghost" necklace, $2,150. Opposite: Escada silk gown with beaded detail, $4,300. Agatha pearl necklace (worn as bracelet), $28. Kate Spade "Hedy" calf-hair heel, $295. On previous page: Vivienne Tam metallic tweed coat, $795. Ghost "Godet" lace tulle evening dress, $693. MaxMara faux-fur cuffs, $430. Mariana Designs at Fragments.com blue Swarovski crystal and silver-plated earrings, $40. Marc Jacobs suede heel, $545.

Beauty note Play up your peepers with Estee Lauder Artist's Mechanical Eye Pencil, $23, in Double Forest. This dual-ended tool has both a silky-smooth shadow and a coordinating waterproof liner to create a sultry look.

Black Magic

Mirror a Jazz Age look in a stunning sequin top or a gutsy flapper-inspired dress. Nicole Farhi black sequin sleeveless top with sash, $375. Mariana Designs at Fragments white freshwater-pearl and rose-gold-plated earrings, $70. Opposite: H & M Empire-waist black polyester dress with deep-plunge neckline, $30. Sage Czech glass medallion on faceted freshwater-pearl necklace, $875. Boucher "Mini Opera" freshwater-pearl necklace (worn as bracelet), $430. Claudia Ciuti snake-print sandal with metal chain, $235.

Beauty note Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Lifting Formula, $72, has an immediate skin-tightening effect, while light-diffusing powders create the illusion of a smooth complexion.

Lounge Act

Unwind gracefully in a gossamer-light chiffon blouse paired with a glittery wool skirt. Marc Jacobs wool-cashmere deep V-neck sweater, $480. Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti chiffon tank with floral "scarf" detail (worn underneath sweater), $558. Charlotte Corday Italian-wool with glitter-thread saddle skirt, $210. Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti grosgrain pointy ankle-strap shoe with jewel-bug detail, $411. Opposite: Badgley Mischka satin beaded camisole, $3,200, and herringbone wool trouser, $845. Chanel "So Baroque" multistrand necklace, $1,950. Dara at Fragments vintage silver and rhinestone pendant on sterling-silver, rainbow moonstone and blue chalcedony necklace, $488. Lara Bohinc 107 14-karat rose-gold butterfly ring, $260.

Beauty note Put healthy skin on display with Origins Let It Show Bare Body Skin Enhancer, $20. This cooling moisturizer gives you a subtle hint of a tan, while walnut, birch, oak and mimosa extracts tighten and tone.

All That Jazz

Steal the spotlight in a daring back-baring dress dripping with beads. Cynthia Rowley silk jersey dress with strand of beads, $480. Mark by Avon chunky chain bracelet in gold tone, $10. Opposite: MaxMara black silk chiffon dress with beaded detail, $2,260. Agatha rhinestone earrings, $110. GirlProps.com faux-pearl necklace (worn as bracelet), $4. Enzo Angiolini black beaded leather-upper T-strap sandal, $99.

Beauty note Keep your skin spotless with Aveeno's Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads, $7, which can be used on face and body. These premoistened, multitasking pads are rich in soy, to even out skin tone, and salicylic acid, to help keep blemishes at bay.

A Long Night's Journey

The right body-skimming silhouette travels easily from dusk to dawn. Luca Luca black silk dress with ruched front, $818. Sue Wong faux-mink stole with tassels, $175. Agatha long glass-bead necklace, $35. MaxMara satin stiletto with beaded detail, $450. Opposite: Yeohlee black and putty silk strapless gown, $3,300. H & M double-drop rhinestone earrings, $5. Jewelry.com 14-karat white-gold necklace, $400. Agatha rhinestone watch, $320, and pearl single-strand bracelet, $45. Lara Bohinc 107 sterling-silver oval ring, $187.

Beauty note The avocado and apricot kernel oils in Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Weightless Anti-Frizz Serum, $6, soften and smooth strands and fight the effects of humidity.

Nouveau Riche

Old meets new when a cashmere sweater pairs up with a multilayered mini. Chanel cashmere short-sleeved pullover with beading, $3,710. Diane von Furstenberg "Chain Mail" metallic jersey kilt, $450. Patricia Underwood fur-felt hat with wavy brim and double-ribbon trim, $450. H & M rhinestone stud earrings, $2, and matching bracelet, $5. Kate Spade satin "Amanda" bag with rhinestone handle, $425. Opposite: Y & Kei wool coat with attached bow-tie collar, $1,247. United Colors of Benetton sheer V-neck tank top with beaded detail, $69. Burberry patterned knee-length wool-cashmere-blend skirt, $345. Patricia Underwood velour-felt cloche with chain, $450. Nine West patent-leather snake-print T-strap heel, $79.

Beauty note Nothing envelops the senses like a luxurious fragrance. Donna Karan Pure Cashmere Eau de Parfum Spray, $55 for 1.7 ounces, combines the essences of Moroccan jasmine, sandalwood and amber to create the ultimate seductive scent. See Buyer's Guide, page 262, for retail information.

Photography by Nicola Majocchi