Getting Ready with Zanna Roberts Rassi

Real talk: For many, watching the Oscars champagne carpet is a fun escape into fashion fantasyland. We're all for it. But even if you never set (fancy) foot in Hollywood, there are sartorial lessons to be learned and incorporated into your life.

Enter the ultimate style guru and teacher—Zanna Roberts Rassi, host of E! Live from the Red Carpet, co-founder of Milk Makeup, Today Show fashion correspondent, and award-winning fashion and beauty editor.

There she was on Oscars Sunday, standing-slash-sitting in position, mic in hand, ever ready with her spot-on fashion commentary. As a style star in her own right, it's a surprise to no one that Zanna's look was an absolute knockout. She shines in custom couture designed by Keren Craig for NIDRA DEVI. The fine jewelry: Courtesy of Cast. (Yes, still beaming over here.)

Get the bling worn by Zanna here

We should also mention, Zanna's a total badass jetsetter. Right after the Oscars wrapped, she was en route to NYC to breaking down all the Oscars fashion with Hoda on the Today Show. No signs of jetlag, still rocking Cast. 

Before all the lights, camera action, we got to hang with the British-born beauty while she chose her bling for the Big Event. Zanna and her ultra-chic stylist Keren Craig let the NIDRA DEVI corset and tuxedo pants (with hand-embroidered antique crystal and feather beading) lead the way. "For the jewelry accessories, we definitely wanted something that kind of mirrored the gunmetal-y color of the outfit," Zanna explains.

She fell hard for our Daring Tahitian Pearl Ring, a modern take on pearl jewelry with grey pearls and reclaimed sterling silver. It fit the bill to a tee, and became the jumping off point for Zanna's entire silver-centric look, one best described as bold, edgy and, yes, glam.

"I love that the pearls bring a little bit of lightness into the silver," Zanna says.

Speaking of silver jewelry, it's definitely having a moment. "I've seen a lot of silver on the runway and that's trickled through to the red carpet," adds Zanna, a serious fan of the accessible metal. She often gets her fix with chunky chains like our Brazen Bracelet's polished silver links and the intricately woven Bombshell Stitch Bracelet.

If not evident by now, Zanna’s also a big fan of stacking. Stacking as much as possible—stacking rings, stacking wrists, and a great earstack: "It's like you're dipping your fingers in rings, and piling up the ears. With these pieces, it's like a jigsaw puzzle that kind of all works together."

And stack she did. If our math is correct, five is the number of pearl rings that ended up on Zanna's fingers as she E! Lived it. But her hands weren't the only body part grabbing the spotlight. Much attention was directed to her ears thanks to The Edged Orb Earrings and Naked Diamond Earrings that kept her many piercings company. Diamond bling asymmetrically paired with a single drop earring. Edgy and altogether, brilliant. 

Zanna's stack-layer-stack-layer jewelry approach is definitely one to steal. Because red carpet style can easily translate to glam IRL (for celebs and non-celebs alike). For both special events—think all those upcoming spring weddings, galas and date-night dinners—and for every day dressing, here’s what to do: Simply stack coordinating rings and earrings that speak to you. When using similar tones, play with placement. And to up your game further, mix and match matte and shiny pieces. Or, pop in a statement piece. There’s nothing better than silver plus sparkle à la Zanna's custom Getaway Ring with black onyx, and black and pavé diamonds.  

Another major style revelation: You don't have to be dripped and draped in gems that require their own bodyguards to make an amazing statement. Zanna shows us that pearls and silver can be luxe. Layering is magic. Scale and size matter. And creativity is your best friend.

That's a wrap. Fun hang, Zanna. Coffee soon?