Alicia Keys is launching a jewelry collection

Alicia Keys is dipping her toes into the design pool.

But before you start groaning about yet ANOTHER celebrity trying to get into fashion, give Keys a chance. Her venture actually looks quite promising.

The 12-time Grammy Award-winning songstress is launching a jewelry collection with Canadian jewelry designer Gisèle Theriault.

The collection, called The Barber's Daughter, will be introduced at a temporary shop at Collette Blanchard Gallery on 26 Clinton Street in Lower Manhattan. The store will open only on Monday and Tuesday to generate buzz for the brand’s fall 2010 launch.

The Barber's Daughter is comprised of sterling silver and gemstone pieces, each inscribed with poetry and prayers of Masaru Emoto, the author of “The Hidden Messages in the Water.” The line will retail from $85 to $2,500 and will also be sold on thebarbersdaughter.com.

Keys apparently met Theriault through her bandmembers, who were buying Theriault's pieces backstage at Keys' shows. Having always been interested in designing accessories, Keys was intrigued.

“I fell in love with the individuality of the pieces, but more than that, the words that were written on them really resonated with the songwriter in me,” said Keys. “I knew at that moment for the first time, that through a whole other medium I would be able to spread inspiration and that’s what got me started.”

Her mission is to “give people beautiful, unique pieces with messages that ignite them to find the best within.”

The name of the line was inspired by Theriault’s childhood in the small town of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

“A name meant nothing,” said Theriault. “Whose child you were was everything.”

On her partnership with Keys, Theriault said, “When it comes to creating, whatever the medium, around issues of the heart and living a life that aims to give back, we found a beautiful harmony with each other.”

Check out some of the pieces below.

What do you think of the collection?

Tweet me your thoughts @TheChicSpot.

Images via wwd.com

MTV VMAs 2009 - Photos

MTV VMAs 2009 - Recap!

Last night's MTV VMAs did not fail to shock, surprise and impress.

Highlights from the night included Madonna's speech in memory of the late Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson's tribute performance, Lady Gaga's outrageous "Paparazzi" number, Pink's circus acts, Beyonce's "Single Ladies" anthem, and Lil' Mama jumping onstage during Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' closing number.

But the most memorable moment of the night was when Taylor Swift won the award for "Best Female Video." As the 19-year-old was making her acceptance speech, Kanye West ran up on stage, grabbed the microphone from her, and said, "Now Taylor, I'm really happy for you, Ima let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time."

Later in the evening, Beyonce was awarded "Video of the Year," and called Swift up to the stage to "have her moment."

"I remember being 17 years old up for my first MTV award with Destiny's Child, and it was one of the most exciting moments in my life. So I'd like for Taylor to come out and have her moment," said the "Single Ladies" singer.

Swift came out from backstage and said, "Maybe we can try this again. I would really like to thank Roman White, who directed the video, and Lucas Till for being in it," Swift said. "I would like to thank all the fans on Twitter and MySpace and everyone that came out to my shows this summer. And I would like to thank my little brother's high school for letting us shoot there."


Since then, Kanye has spoken out about the incident on his official blog:

"I'M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM. I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD'VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED! I LIKE THE LYRICS ABOUT BEING A CHEERLEADER AND SHE'S IN THE BLEACHERS! …………………… I'M IN THE WRONG FOR GOING ON STAGE AND TAKING AWAY FROM HER MOMENT!…………….. BEYONCE'S VIDEO WAS THE BEST OF THIS DECADE!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FANS IF I LET YOU GUYS DOWN!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FRIENDS AT MTV. I WILL APOLOGIZE TO TAYLOR 2MRW. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!! EVERYBODY WANNA BOOOOO ME BUT I'M A FAN OF REAL POP CULTURE!!! NO DISRESPECT BUT WE WATCHIN' THE SHOW AT THE CRIB RIGHT NOW CAUSE … WELL YOU KNOW!!!! I'M STILL HAPPY FOR TAYLOR!!!! BOOOYAAAWWWW!!!! YOU ARE VERY VERY TALENTED!!! I GAVE MY AWARDS TO OUTKAST WHEN THEY DESERVED IT OVER ME… THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!!!!!! I'M NOT CRAZY YALL, I'M JUST REAL. SORRY FOR THAT!!! I REALLY FEEL BAD FOR TAYLOR AND I'M SINCERELY SORRY!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!!

Swift also spoke out, saying,

"Well, I was standing on stage because I was really excited because I had just won the award. And then I was really excited because Kanye West was on stage. And then I wasn't so excited anymore after that.

"I've been getting so many text messages and everybody's been really nice. So I've had a really, really fun night. It's been interesting definitely. It's definitely been an interesting night.

"I don't know him, and I've never met him, so… I don't want to start anything because I had a great night tonight."

Many other artists have sided with Swift including Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Donald Trump, Spencer Pratt and Heid Montag.

Check out the two clips below!

Alicia Keys plays Michelle Obama

...and she does a much better job than Tyra!

As part of Glamour magazine's "American Icons" feature, the 28 year-old singer portrays First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Dressed in a blue dress, with two young girls, and of course, a puppy by her side, Alicia Keys embodies the First Lady's best traits, looking poised, elegant, and chic.

“She has worked hard for everything she’s accomplished, and done so with grace and humility. So many women and girls can identify with her story,” Keys told the magazine.

Other female celebrities taking part in this feature include Hayden Panettiere as Amelia Earhart, Emma Roberts as Audrey Hepburn, and Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert as Brandi Chastain. Lindsay Lohan is also photographed as Madonna and America Ferrera as Dolores Huerta.

Click here to see the rest of the photos.