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Rhinestones

All over the Spring 2009 runways, rhinestones leave their tacky, bedazzled history behind.

I typically avoid rhinestones. Really, anything shiny or embellished does not enter my closet. Lately, however, that has become unavoidable. After all, rhinestones have left their Bedazzler behind and set for the greener pastures of a more modern sensibility. Still glamorous, they are best reserved for evening, unless you want to look like an intentional Walk of Shame.

Allessandra Facchinetti's last collection with Valentino, Spring/Summer 2009 was bittersweet: It was incredibly beautiful and an interesting, new direction for a brand that had become increasingly known for mature, almost staid beauty.

Still remaining true to the easy, regal elegance Valentino is known for, Facchinetti updated the brand with embellished flats and looser, younger silhouette. The rhinestones did not contribute to overindulgent fashions, but . And the metallic peep-toe shoes with the lavender dress was a gorgeous tribute to the Valentino archives while remaining modern for new, younger customers.

Alexander McQueen also did rhinestones, with Moulin Rouge-style crystals encrusting exaggerated, hourglass silhouette minidresses.

And the shoes followed a similar more-is-more philosophy on the rhinestone front, but managed to be admirably restrained. The Lucite heel was a smart wink to the light-reflecting effect of the rhinestones:

Donatella Versace for Versace used micro-crystals for her super-fancy minidresses:

Viktor & Rolf did a digital, re-calibrated interpretation of rhinestones:

And Balmain, of course, showed Christophe Decarnin's genius for making ridicously bedizened clothes ridiculously cool:

To make rhinestones a part of 2009, pair rhinestones with deconstructed materials and casual silhouettes (like Balmain's ripped, falling-apart dresses or Valentino's sweatshirts) or Indian-inspired flats (like Valentino or Alexander McQueen).

Always do shorts or minis with rhinestones -- it's Spring 2009. You are not attending a winter ball in the 80s, dress accordingly.

And of course, have fun. You are wearing rhinestones -- wear them with a wink.

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Photos courtesy style.com