Rose Marie Bravo is a legend in the fashion industry. After serving as the president of Saks Fifth Avenue from 1992-1997, she became the Chief Executive Officer of Burberry, where she is best known for her radical transformation of the Burberry brand from its conservative British roots into one of the top luxury brands in the world. Her eight year reign at Burberry resulted in an increase of nearly 2 billion in sales, and – with her appointment of Christopher Bailey as Creative Director- cemented Burberry as the hip global brand it is today. As if that weren’t enough, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of Estee Lauder Companies, Tiffany & Co., and most recently William-Sonoma Inc.

We were thrilled when she sat down to share her heirloom with us: A beautiful blue and white pottery collection (which inspired Monica, who usually shoots in black and white, to shoot in color – a first for this column) that not only reflects her passion for collecting, but the flawless taste she is famous for.

Tell us how you came to own this precious object.

My Heirloom is my blue and white pottery collection consisting of everything from teacups to pots, bowls to pitchers and plates to serving pieces.

I came to own this collection from a few treasured pieces left to me by my mother-in-law, Mary Jackey. One in particular – a pitcher with a pastoral scene – gave me much pleasure, and the desire to begin collecting. Our almost 9 years living in England and visiting Scotland, home of my husband’s ancestors, facilitated greatly this search.

From visiting Bermondsey market in London, to trips to the Cotswolds and weekends in Dornoch, Scotland; I have vivid memories of each of “the finds.” I also treasure some of the fine pieces that were given to me by my husband Bill and the few friends and family that knew of my passion.

How do you live with your heirloom?

My collection primarily resides in a newly renovated kitchen that is – you guessed it – Blue and White. I take tea often using one of the several pots and heirloom teacups, especially with my 4 granddaughters Grace, Jade, Lily and Faith (This ceremony is another relic from merry old England).

Who in your life has most influenced your personal style and taste?

I have had many people that influenced my particular style and taste, but in the career development years I have never forgotten the taste and style exhibited by Mrs. Estee Lauder.  I was always amazed at how every detail of her personal presentation was exquisite and by the graciousness she exhibited to one and all. The discipline and attention to detail that went into every public occasion was extraordinary. And I loved her Blue and White Collection exhibited in the reception hall of her office!

Fill in the blank: Whenever I look at __________ I can’t help but smile.

Whenever I look at the teacups I smile. I think of the memories of “my girls” learning how to “pour tea.”

What’s the best part of your day?

The best part of the day for me is watching the sun go down. It makes me think of my Dad and how much he loved watching sunsets in his beloved Naples, Florida.

What was the most memorable gift you’ve ever given or received?

The most memorable gift I ever received was a diamond engagement ring that Bill gave me long after we were married, after years of me telling him I didn’t want one. Especially since he discovered the stone in an antique mans gold ring and had it specially mounted. Now it is never off my finger.

What family recipe do you look forward to making every holiday season?

The family recipe that I look forward to making every holiday season is a rendition of my mothers’s famous tomato and meatball sauce. The smells of the typical Italian ingredients bring back many fond memories of Mom cooking spaghetti sauce every Sunday morning after church.

What was your last purchase that you believe will mean something to you 10 years from now?

The most recent purchase that will hopefully mean something in 10 years is the new rose bushes that were recently added to the garden. As they grow they will serve as a reminder to “take time to smell the roses”.

I found this silver at a flea market and it got me thinking about all the family meals these spoons have seen: Discussions, celebrations, heated debates, sorrows and joys. The same goes for the family china.

The lesson here is not to let your heirlooms sit in a cabinet or velvet lined drawer gathering dust. These are living testaments to history, cultural and familial. If you are lucky enough to inherit beautiful china, silverware or glassware, use it. Make a toast to the present with a special piece of the past.

For more about eating with your heirlooms, see Living With What You Love.

Tell us how you came to own this precious object.

This charming painting my grandmother, Annabelle had commissioned showing scenes from her life. Divided into nine sections, it depicts vignettes of Annabelle, her husband Jules, their children Penny, my mother, and her brother Peter. Everything from Jules and Annabelle waving as they leave their apartment on Riverside Drive in New York City, my mother in her prom dress, Annabelle and Jules vacationing in Mexico, the family reading the Sunday paper in bed together, Annabelle shopping for antiques. Growing up I never knew this painting existed. Unfortunately my mother and her mother did not always have a close relationship. It was not until my mother passed away that I found it tucked away in the attic.

How do you live with your heirloom?

Today I see it everyday as it hangs in our bedroom. I always think that it was such a charming way to capture moments in a family’s life. In a way, the idea of someone painting these miniature portraits and scenes seems very intimate and special.

Who in your life has most influenced your personal style and taste?

My mother! Penny was an over the top exuberant personality who was very stylish and loved designer fashions. As a young boy, watching her wear Sonia Rykiel and Saint Laurent mesmerized me. My first jewelry designs were always created knowing how well they would look when she wore them. She was my best ambassador!

Fill in the blank: Whenever I look at [blank], I can’t help but smile.

Old photographs of family and friends. I get somewhat nostalgic, looking back and remembering that captured moment in time.

What’s the best part of your day?

Designing the type of decorative pieces I create for the home can be a long process, sometimes taking up to year in development, with many steps along the way. But when it all comes together, and the shape, color and stoning look beautiful, there is no better feeling.

What was the most memorable gift you’ve ever given or received?

The gift my parents gave me of encouraging and nurturing my artistic endeavors all my life. First as a little boy, by taking me to art classes or art camps in the summer. Later on when I wanted to start a jewelry business they were there to help me realize my dreams.

What was your last purchase that you believe will mean something to you 10 years from now?

I have three wonderful nieces, and when each one graduated from college, I have given them a Cartier Tank watch. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for them and remembering back to their joy of receiving that gift.

Generally-speaking, men don’t appreciate accessories as much as women do. Harry Connick Jr., on the other hand, is not like most men.

The famous New Orleans native doesn’t just have an ear and voice for music (as proven by his three Grammys and an Emmy) and a heart for acting (he’s played opposite mega-stars Sandra Bullock and Will Smith), but also an eye for fashion. Style-conscious and sentimental, Connick is rumored to still own the same jacket and shirt he wore for the cover of his first album at age 19.

“The Kid”—as the late Frank Sinatra used to call the crooner—is also an avid collector of cufflinks. However, similar to singer Beyonce Knowles with some vintage Chanel pieces, Connick likes to admire his collection from afar.

“I never, never, wear them,” Connick once told InStyle magazine. “I don’t know why I collect them. My Aunt Lil in California sent me some that were my uncle’s. They’re costume jewelry. I have a case my wife gave me that sits on my dresser; it’s full of unused cufflinks.”

Seems like a shame, especially when you consider how many amazing high-end suits Connick must own that would go perfectly with this old world gentlemanly accessory. Perhaps one day the smooth singer will change his mind and show up on the red carpet with his decorative buttons?

[Photography courtesy of Facebook]

On the most basic level, brooches are simply ornamental clasps. They were introduced in the Bronze Age when functional pins made from sharpened animal bones were used to secure loose clothing. During the Byzantine Empire, these functional devices were decorated with colorful enamel and the brooch (a 10th century one is picture right), as we know it today, was born.

Throughout history, various cultures have interpreted the brooch in unique ways as both functional tools and decorative works of art. Jan Katz, curator of the Center for Southern Craft and Design at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, recently told Nola.com, “Brooches are a small sculpture, a small canvas but a big statement.” In the U.S., these charming pins caught on during the Great Depression as a versatile costume accessory that could transform plain clothes into stylish attire.

No one has done more for the brooch movement than a handful of powerful and political women. Queen Elizabeth II, for example, often wears pins and is the proud owner of a large sapphire brooch with twelve diamonds called the “Prince Albert Brooch.” She also has a 23.6-carat pink diamond showstopper named the “Williamson’s Diamond Brooch.”

Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore a Jean Schlumberger brooch of two strawberries made from rubies with diamond leaves and stems. The “berry brooch,” as she came to call this iconic work of art, was a gift from her presidential husband on their first Christmas at the White House.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright brought her brooches to D.C. and around the world. She is rarely photographed without a brooch, or three. Her collection is so vast that she wrote a book about it called Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box, which hit bookstores late last year.

In the memoir, Albright recounts peaceful meetings in which she conveyed her optimistic mood with cheerful ladybugs and soaring doves. Alternatively, she communicated her frustration with turtles to symbolize slow proceedings and crabs to depict her irritable mood. Who knew diplomacy could be so playful?

Today, First Lady Michele Obama (pictured above) modernizes the traditional brooch in her carefully curated ensembles. She is often pictured accenting her haute couture with custom designed floral brooches and her ready-to-wear outfits with thrift store finds.

With designs in every shape, size, material, and price point imaginable, we can all please tradition and trend with a single brooch.

GET THE LOOK

Splurge 18k Gold, Diamond and Ruby Eagle Brooch,  $1,200

Save Oscar de la Renta Clear Crystal Brooch, $180

Steal Antiqued Silver Tone Austrian Crystal Circle Pin,  $68

[Photography courtesy of Wikimedia and Facebook]

Gorgeous, blond, lithe and with a reputation for impeccable, elegant style, the actress—who shares on-screen DNA with Blake Lively—makes no secret of the fact that family is the center of her busy world. Here, Rutherford takes pause in front of her most treasured objets to talk motherhood and collecting for the home.

Tell us how you came to own this precious object.
I went to a Marlene Dietrich auction at Sotheby’s years ago. Everyone wanted the clothes, of course. I stayed and bid on the screen and a triangle-shape side table—a gift from Dietrich’s friend Ernest Hemingway. I’ve had the pieces ever since.

How do you live with your heirloom?
The screen is used behind the B&B Italia sofa, so we look at it everyday. I’ve been too busy to hang it on the wall!

Who in your life has most influenced your personal style and taste?
Actresses like Catherine Deneuve and Grace Kelly. Vogue magazine in all its foreign edition languages. Oh, and my mother!

[Fill in the blank] Whenever I look at _________ I can’t help but smile.
My children, Hermes and Helena.

What’s the best part of your day?
Cuddling with my children wherever we are. Hearing their voices. Hearing the word “Mama.”

What’s the most memorable gift you’ve ever received?
My children’s artwork. In fact, I’m making a whole wall of it.

What was your last purchase that you hope will mean something to you 10 years from now?
My Hermes bags. Not only are they a great investment, but my daughter will love them.

This easily recognizable jewelry made of a plastic that was originally developed to build telephone casings and electrical insulators became popular among US women when manufacturers started producing massive quantities of beads, bangles, and earrings during the early 20th century. Around WWII, however, production was largely halted due to the jewelry’s intensive and costly production process, making the era’s mass-produced synthetic accessories a highly sought-after collectible today.

Here are three vintage Bakelite beauties to consider for your jewelry collection.

$3,500

Named for its bowtie-inspired decoration, this “bowtie” bangle is an extremely rare example of Bakelite jewelry. Very few “bowtie” bangles were manufactured, and even fewer have beveled edges rather than rounded ones. Most likely made during the early 1950s, it is among the last Bakelite bracelets and is in excellent condition. The 1/2-inch-wide bracelet band has only few tiny holes that are most likely filling defects from the time of manufacture, which are common in Bakelite pieces. Available at Carousel of Jewels on Rubyplaza.com

$350

While most Bakelite jewelry is simple, this 5/8-inch-wide bangle was made with incredible detail—a sweeping leaf motif hand-carved into the plastic—making it both exceedingly beautiful and rare. Made in the ever-fashionable 1940s, the bold yet feminine design in cherry red makes it the perfect addition to any style maven’s wardrobe. Available at Vintage Fashion Inc on 1stdibs.com

$35

Simple and classic, this lovely bangle is emblematic of early Bakelite bracelets. It is believed to be made in the 1920s or 1930s, when Bakelite jewelry was first produced, typically in plain, undecorated designs. Still, the inside rim has been meticulously hand-carved, giving it a personal touch. Measuring only 3/8 inches wide, it’s delicate alone and daring stacked with other bangles. Available at Victoria’s Purrrrfect Treasures on Rubylane.com

[Photography courtesy of Carousel of Jewels (top), Vintage Fashion Inc (center), and Victoria's Purrrrfect Treasures (bottom)]

When you look at the current fashion scene, certain brands follow the trends while others continue to do what they do best. A perfect example of the latter is Lanvin.

The French label, founded by Jeanne Lanvin who dressed affluent women in the 1920s, has been putting out lavish, intricately-decorated dresses and jewelry for more than 100 years. As valuable and special as the company’s creations are today, in just a few years, these will be as sought-after as vintage Alaia or Yves Saint Laurent.

Though Lanvin is one of the oldest labels in operation today according to New York magazine, it managed to fly under the radar for most of the 20th century. Unlike her famous rival and contemporary, Coco Chanel, Lanvin (pictured left) lacked a public image. The label finally gained global recognition under the leadership of the equally-exceptional designer Alber Elbaz, who has served as the head designer since 2002.

Inspired by Lanvin’s signature techniques, Elbaz has created detailed feminine pieces worthy of its A-list clients, including Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston. His jewelry, in particular, has become somewhat of a phenomenon as he combines various materials—lace, ribbon, pearls, beads, macramé, and metal—to design one-of-a-kind accessories that can completely transform a simple outfit into an extraordinary, elegant, effeminate ensemble.

When it comes to building a fresh collection, Lanvin jewelry is a prime choice. The recent resurgence of the brand coupled with its long, humble history means that in a few years’ time, your collection will surely increase in value, both on a financial and fashionable level.

Check out Lanvin’s summer 2010 collection here.

[Photography courtesy of Facebook]

9.) SOLD… $4,727 1969 Johnny Unitas Card
This 1969 (Topps #25) Johnny Unitas Card received 19 bids before it sold on July 22, 2010.

8.) SOLD… $5,342 Cheyenne Warrior Shirt
This Antique Native American Cheyenne Warriors Shirt (1870′s-80′s) received 8 bids before it sold on July 27, 2010.

7.) SOLD… $7,100 Antique Jumeau Doll
This Antique Jumeau Doll dated 1877 received 20 bids before it sold on July 19, 2010.

6.) SOLD… $7,520 Captain America Comic Book
This 1st Silver Age appearance of Captain America Comic Book received 39 bids before it sold  on July 28, 2010.

5.) SOLD… $16,988 Chinese Kangxi Vase
This Antique (18″) Chinese Vase from the Kangxi period (1662 – 1722) received 40 bids before it sold  on July 4, 2010.

4.) SOLD… $30,302 Vintage Elgin Bicycle
This 1938 Elgin Robin Shaft Drive Bicycle (Prototype) received 50 bids before it sold on July 7, 2010.

3.) SOLD… $48,000 1940 Indian Four
This 1940 Indian Four owned by tuning legend Lee “Pop” Standley received 10 bids before it sold on July 21, 2010.

2.) SOLD… $48,600 1915 Fifty Dollar Gold Coin
This 1915-S $50 Commemorative Gold Coin (Panama Pacific Exposition) had 40 bids before it sold on July 18, 2010.

1.) SOLD…$60,101 Antique Chinese Photo Album
This Chinese Photo Album with (95) rare antique photos (1890′s to 1900′s) received 38 bids before it sold on July 28, 2010.

See more photos and details at WhatSellsBest.com, a website which tracks the Best Selling eBay items on a monthly basis, in eBay’s most popular auction categories. Copyright 2009 whatsellsbest.com used with permission

Fashion trends are far from the only topics at the forefront of Leive’s mind. The mother of two is also a champion of women’s issues. In 2008, she received a White House Project EPIC Award for an article about ordinary woman changing the world in extraordinary ways. She also annually honors incredible females at Glamour‘s Women of the Year Awards, which in 2005 shed the spotlight on Mukhtar Mai—the brave Pakistani woman who used her compensation from a terrible tragedy to open a small school. In 2006, Leive won an award for her activism in bringing this heroine to the United States.

Here, Leive shares with us her precious family heirloom and childhood dreams of becoming a glamorous reporter.

Tell us how you came to own this precious object.

“My heirloom is a Knabe piano—from Germany, probably made around the turn of the last century—that belonged to my grandmother Clara Leive. It had been given to her by her husband, my grandfather, when they lived in the Bronx without a lot of room or money; I think it was one of their few luxuries.

I love it for lots of reasons. First, because Granny gave it to my father and mother, and after they divorced, it was one of the few objects from “my father’s side” that stayed in my mom’s house. I liked it because it, like me, had roots in both sides. Then, it was in storage for years while I lived in apartments too tiny to house it, and when I finally landed a place large enough for the piano, I felt like I was actually a grownup. Today it’s the centerpiece of our house, and my kids play it obsessively.”

How do you live with your heirloom?

“I live in a townhouse, and the piano sits in the middle of the parlor floor, which means it is smack in the epicenter of the house. It gets played every day by someone, though usually not by me!”

Who in your life has most influenced your personal style and taste?

“I could never pin it down to just one person. My mother influenced my style even though she didn’t care about fashion in the least; she cultivated a kind of mad-scientist aesthetic (glasses, crazy curly hair) that I think taught me that loving how you look is more important than looking perfect.

As a kid and wannabe reporter I cut out Brenda Starr comic strips and hung them on my wall: I thought her long wavy red hair, crisp shoulder-padded suits and reporter’s notebook were the most glamorous combination in the world.”

[Fill in the blank] Whenever I look at ___“My two kids”___I can’t help but smile. “Duh! Because I love them, but also because they’re funny.”

What’s the best part of your day?

“I like the moment in the morning when I’ve come back from a run, and am having a cup of coffee with a kid on my lap. I don’t love the actual exercising; but I really like it when it’s over! ”

What was the most memorable gift you’ve ever given or received?

“My uncle, father and stepmother recently found an old recording of me goofing around playing piano with my grandmother (the same one) when I was 10 and made it into a CD. In the recording, we are cracking up, completely hysterical, singing a Gilbert & Sullivan song. I listened to it and felt like I was in the room again—amazing.”

What was your last purchase that you believe (or hope) will mean something to you 10 years from now?

“Well, much as I love my iPad, I’m pretty sure it won’t be the latest greatest thing in 10 years! I’m going to go with my house. My husband and I moved our family to Brooklyn three years ago and spent a lot of time thinking about what our dream house would look like. I still feel really happy when I walk through the door at night.”