Let's Call It The GOLD Fever.

For once, fashion and the financial market have one thing in common: they’re both thinking GOLD.  

IN the past 5 years, the financial market has seen the price of gold triple in value. Investor forecasts also maintain that 2011 will be a groundbreaking year as XAU (gold) is expected to exceed the $1,500 mark (at this writing, XAU is $1,369/ounce). As fears of dollar devaluation and EUR instability do not abate, individuals in possession of these currencies are expected to trade up to the less risky and more stable investment.  It’s a currency war and gold has come out the safest and surest alternative. 

The sentiment for gold is widespread, encompassing even fashion and style.

In the past year, gold has made a comeback and it looks like it’s bound to stay longer. The use of gold in luxe, high street, and couture fashion have been truly novel – from the red carpet ensembles of celebrities to the fall fashion looks of top designers.   

Who could ever forget Cameron Diaz's Oscar de la Renta gown? It was a divine strapless dress with gold sequins in tulle.Or the Georges Chakra cocktail dress worn by Kristen Bell and Taylor Swift? 

Balmain Fall 2010

Apart from the usual runways and events, we have also seen an influx in the use of gold in other fashion items. Model’s Own recently came out with its innovative Gold Rush Nail polish, priced at $130,000! Too expensive? Aficionados are given cheaper alternatives by Rococo’s Gold Leaf nail polish ($32) which contains 24K gold flakes suspended in a clear base!

Model's Own Gold Rush Nail Varnish comes with 1,118 diamonds encrusted in a golden lid

Rococo's Gold Leaf Nail Polish-  with real 24K gold flakes!

The year 2011 will see a new twist in the gold trend as top designers and fashion brands will continue to spur out their golden creations. For the meantime, Kirsten Stewart has continued the trend wearing a Reem Acra 2011 Spring collection for the 2011 People's Choice Awards, and Diesel is now out with its Black Gold Collection. 

The Gold Standard may be obsolete, but Gold still lives on.