More of these to come as we find our way through plenty of features at TIFF!

There’s more ET Canada party sightings coming up!

(Oh, and in case you were wondering, Cheryl’s wearing these MMCrystal beauties… )

I was so happy to see Sean again, since I worked with him in my days as a makeup artist.  As the head of Buck Productions, he’s excited about exec producing Defendor and his ongoing involvement with Darius Films.

Sean also produces and directs a television show called “Rich Bride Poor Bride”. And since Maureen and I were live models for MMCrystal jewelry (along with most of the girls of ET Canada ), Sean was thrilled at the idea of using MMCrystal on the show. “Oh Michelle, that’s so great,” he said. “Your stuff is perfect for some of our brides!”

Sean also has the ultimate wedding planner available – for all you brides in the throes of planning, it’s an invaluable tool.

I’ll have more great stuff later – off to bed now!

While we were chatting with Rosey and Kim D’Eon, she introduced Marianne Wisenthal, the Montreal-based editor for Vitamin Daily. Marianne wanted to  know  if MMCrystal is available in Quebec for her upcoming wedding to ET Canada’s exec producer. We don’t have a distributor in Quebec yet, so I told her to contact me directly and I’d hook her up with whatever she likes for herself and her bridesmaids.

I got the chance to talk with Dina Pugliese, the stunning co-host of Breakfast Television. You know, as good as she looks on the screen, she’s even more beautiful in person. Literally sparkling with personality as well as her great smile.

By this time the party was really starting to heat up, my sister was standing at the bar beside Woody Harrelson. Cute, she said. Yeah, I said, I just met Jian Ghomeshi from CBC”s “Q”. Double cute.

We saw Anne-Marie Mediwake from Global News  by the bar and had to tell her how sorry we were to hear that she’s leaving Global News. She lives in Oakville too, not far from Maureen’s current home. We  will miss her on the show,  but with triplets at home…..a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

But we weren’t leaving the party yet… more TIFF news and pics coming tomorrow!

the PARTIES!!

So I took my sister Maureen and went out to the Defendor party at ET Canada’s Festival Central, a glamorous “pop up club” on the very top of an industrial building in downtown Toronto. It was an amazing setting that looked totally like Miami, even though it was staged on the upper level of a parking garage in Yorkville.

Really… the folks at ET Canada sure know how to put on a party!

Fortunately, the place wasn’t too busy when we arrived at about 9pm, so I got to chat with Cheryl Hickey as soon as we walked in. She is the most beautiful pregnant lady ever.. and is ready to explode  right now!  Thank God  her baby’s due in just a few more weeks.

It was such a beautiful night, we stayed near the entrance to Festival Central . The perfect spot to catch people as they came in. That  meant we were close to the action, but far from the bathroom!

When Rosey Edeh came up wearing a stunning black pearl bracelet, she was thrilled to find out it was an MMCrystal piece. And she was smiling triumphantly, telling me that all the other girls were fighting over the bracelet, but she won the chance to wear it tonight for the gala!

That’s music to my ears… women fighting for the chance to wear my jewelry.

I’ll have more news about the TIFF party in my next post. Stay tuned!

Rosey Edeh, Cheryl Hickey and Kim D’Eon at the Defendor after-party
(September 11, 2009 – Photo by Jag Gundu/Getty Images North America)

so he sent me a message saying that our jewelry is just PERFECT for TIFF!

I think Brian’s ideas are SO fresh. That’s what makes his shop World one of Toronto’s top salons. Check out how he creates instant glamour to head out to the Festival… (and makes it look soooooooooo easy!)

And of course, a little MMCrystal bling on her ears!

As on-camera interviewers Tanya Kim and Lainey Lui meet and greet celebrities arriving for the star-studded red carpet show, they’ll be wearing fine crystal creations from the MMCrystal collection of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. And their selections will come from the same designs showcased on MMCrystal’s website at http://mmcrystal.com

Since 2003, when etalk pioneered the Canadian Red Carpet Show, the popular television and entertainment show has been producing and hosting the red carpet arrivals for The JUNO Awards in Ottawa. Showcased with impressive production, etalk was recruited by Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2005 to produce and host their annual Red Carpet Event as well. etalk now produces the entertainment pre-shows for The JUNO Awards and Canada’s Walk of Fame every year.

So selecting jewelry fashions to adorn etalk’s hosts makes an important statement of a different kind. Jessa Bissett, the show’s stylist, says she “loves choosing pieces from the whole MMCrystal collection, because they’re so bold and elegant. And they’re always in style.”

Ms. Merizzi describes her crystal jewelry designs as luxurious, sexy and unapologetically glamorous.

“I don’t create designs to follow trends,” the designer says. “ My clients want classic, contemporary looks that aren’t defined by a certain season. Only a certain type of woman can wear my collection without it wearing her.”

And with Canadian musical stars like Jully Black and Tamia being spotted wearing MMCrystal’s Swarovski crystal-studded earrings in their popular videos and publicity engagements, it’s clear that the designer’s eye for spotlight-arresting style is growing in popularity among the fashion and entertainment elite.

MMCrystal jewelry is sold by authorized dealers in North America. For more information about the company’s products and dealer locations, please visit the Web site http://www.mmcrystal.com. The site has pictures of their classic and latest designs for wedding and bridesmaid jewelry, and showcases video, television and print media appearances.

Contact: Michelle Merizzi at MMCrystal (416.550.7600)

Cheryl Hickey at Grammys 2009

Fashion-forward dazzle and real-world budgets came together in Los Angeles, as a Toronto jewelry designer outfitted celebrities and “red carpet stars” during the most important awards shows of the year. TV and music celebrities wore MMCrystal’s high-fashion statement jewelry throughout the television broadcast, showing that they didn’t need a megabucks wardrobe budget to hang with the stars.

ET Canada host Cheryl Hickey featured the Toronto jewelry designer’s earrings at this year’s Grammy and Oscar pre-shows, broadcast just before presenters started handing out statues. Ms. Hickey has worn selections from the luxury costume jewelry line at the Grammys, Emmys and Academy Awards shows for 2007, 2008 and 2009, attracting the spotlight during the industry’s biggest star-fests.

She has also chosen Michelle Merizzi, MMCrystal’s principal designer, to outfit her entire bridal party with MMCrystal’s Swarovski crystal fashions later this year.

Recording artists Jully Black and Tamia have also featured MMCrystal’s luxurious designs in their chart-topping videos, and choreographer Tre Armstrong featured a dazzling assortment of necklaces and earrings on the top-rated first-season finale for So You Think You Can Dance Canada.

After a 16 year career as a sought-after makeup artist, Michelle Merizzi is back driving her energies towards her first love, jewelry design. The MMCrystal collection is luxurious, sexy and unapologetically glamorous.
 
“I don’t create designs that follow the trends,” the designer says. “ I want classic, contemporary looks that aren’t defined by a certain season, and so do my clients. It’s not for everyone. Only a certain type of woman can wear my collection without it wearing her.”

Michelle’s  previous successful jewelry venture, Merizzi Designs, created free form crystal jewelry that retailed at luxury purveyors including Holt Renfrew Toronto, Yu Fashions,Trump Tower in Chicago and as far away as Kings Road, Hong Kong. Merizzi counted Cher, Candice Bergen and Mila Mulroney in her varied celebrity fan base.

From shoulder-dusting Swarovski chandeliers to 4-inch wide stone-set cuffs and organic shaped pendants, MMCrystal’s statement pieces project confident, sensual femininity. The line features state-of-the-art rhodium and 22 karat gold plating, is nickel and lead-free and uses only titanium earring posts, suitable for wearers with sensitive skin.

MMCrystal jewelry is sold by authorized dealers in North America. For more information about MMCrystal products and dealer locations, please visit the Web site http://www.mmcrystal.com. The site has pictures of their classic and latest designs, and showcases video, television and print media appearances.

Jean-Marc & Tre on the show's finale

Tre Armstrong is playing a major part in spotlighting Canada’s newest dance superstars.

Ms. Armstrong, the celebrity judge from the popular CTV television show “So You Think You Can Dance Canada”, knows what it takes to make a splash in the entertainment world.

Especially since performers on the show are being watched closely for their poise, fashions and creativity as well as their breathtaking dance talents and choreography. 

For a quick look behind the scenes, Tre shares this insight on her blog:

“The Top 4 have a schedule unlike any other! And not only are they dancing, they have interviews and fittings and so many behind the scenes stuff to do. I congratulate each of them.”

At the same time, the judges on the show are under the same watchful eye, with millions of viewers watching as the competition progresses. The audience gets to vote on their favorites with each show… and as a celebrity judge, Tre speaks for many viewers with her critiques as she analyses each performance.

When she’s onscreen, Tre is under the same scrutiny. Her role as a judge – even as a guiding mentor to the contestants - mirrors the audience’s reliance on her professional credibility. And her good taste.

Who stands out in the crowd?

After all, when she’s telling someone how to look good on stage, you believe her a whole lot more when she looks good herself, right?

Nice jewelry too, wouldn’t you say?