The very talented actress, best known for her role as New York City sex crimes Detective Olivia Benson on the NBC television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has earned her multiple awards and nominations, including an Emmy and Golden Globe.

She has previously worn Alex Woo’s Sienna earrings in Gotham.

If you think actors locking themselves in a trailer is bad, imagine having to film them on the run. Directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield had to chase their camera-shy stars through West African forests.

Their film, Disneynature’s “Chimpanzee,” shot over four years, follows a baby chimp named Oscar and his family as they live, hunt and defend their lands in Ivory Coast’s Taï National Park. It is slated to open on about 1,500 screens nationwide Friday, in time for Earth Day on Sunday. Disneynature, a unit of Walt Disney Co., will make a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute for each moviegoer who sees the film during opening week.

Messrs. Fothergill and Linfield first pitched “Chimpanzee” to the studio as a 70-page “infinitely engaging animal comedy drama,” said Mr. Linfield. Chimpanzees share 98% of their genetic makeup with humans, their closest living relatives. Mr. Linfield believes that closeness will help engage families, Disneynature’s core audience. “Every mother is going to relate to having a baby; every kid is going to relate to being playful and adventurous,” he said.

Before making the picture, the pair created a wish list of shots and collaborated with the Franco-Swiss evolutionary biologist Christophe Boesch, who has been studying Oscar’s family for 36 years, to ensure direct and continuous access to the chimps.

“Chimpanzee,” narrated by Tim Allen, is the fourth film released under the Disneynature label. The first three releases, “Earth,” which Messrs. Fothergill and Linfield co-directed, “Oceans,” and “African Cats” are among the top 10 highest-grossing documentary films, earning $32 million, $19 million and $15 million, respectively.

“The word documentary has baggage with it, people don’t feel like paying money to get preached to,” said Don Hahn, an executive producer on all four Disneynature titles, adding, “This is entertainment.”

Messrs. Fothergill and Linfield, who are also executive producers of the new movie, consider “Chimpanzee” a nature film, avoiding the documentary label. “Cinema is now artifice with computers and [computer-generated imagery],” said Mr. Fothergill. “Our film is real—it’s about the natural world, pure and precious.”

In part to limit the number of scientific facts and figures cited in the film, the executive producers chose to do a coffee-table book about the making of “Chimpanzee,” as well as five other books targeted at kids of all ages. The books were printed by Disney Press and Disney Editions. There also is a free downloadable educator’s guide, in which teachers can find supplemental materials.

“The movie exists beyond the screen, and we wanted to make sure people could take something home,” said Mr. Hahn.

New York-based jewelry designer Alex Woo has designed two pendants inspired by “Chimpanzee,” both available in 14-carat gold or sterling silver,  a part of which will be donated to charity.

“I appeal to a different audience than the traditional Disney audience,” said Ms. Woo, who is currently designing the Carrie Bradshaw necklace for the coming television series “The Carrie Diaries,” a prequel to “Sex and the City.”

Ms. Woo collaborated with Disneynature in 2011 to design similar-style pendants for “African Cats.” She said she has raised more than $5,000 for charity from that line.

Ms. Woo’s designs for “Chimpanzee” have been posted on the movie’s Facebook page and film website.

A version of this article appeared April 16, 2012, on page B6 in some U.S. editions of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: A Chimp Family Just Being Itself Stars in Nature Film From Disney.  Link to original story.

OK! Style Week

Carrie Bradshaw’s killer style lives on in the prequel to Sex and The City, The Carrie Diaries, and part of her everyday wardrobe is completed with an Alex Woo gold “c” pendant. Would Carrie Bradshaw still be Carrie Bradshaw without her iconic nameplate necklace?

 OK! Magazine said it best, “Costume designer Eric Daman (of Gossip Girl fame), is using SATC classics with a twist, like a new take on Carrie’s iconic nameplate necklace. This time around, her signature accessory is an Alex Woo Little Letter “c” necklace!”

Alex was so excited when she was approached about using her iconic little “c” necklace as Carrie’s new signature piece. She designed this necklace to be classic and worn throughout generations – so it was perfect that it could fit the time period that the show takes place in, but also be current and on trend today.

So, what’s the story? Well, INDESIGN has the latest scoop with a pendant that says it all – the Little Signs Dragon in 14kt Yellow Gold. Don’t just tell your story; show it – that is the golden rule to crafting a good story.

This enchanting creature is most known for its appearance onthe Chinese calendar. But that shouldn’t be the only reason you wear this fire spitting pendant – allow the dragon to tell your story in a unique way.

INDESIGN goes into detail by saying, “The magical beast is the luckiest of all the zodiac signs, portending good fortune, intelligence and success in business. Tap into that power with this 14kt yellow gold dragon pendant from Alex Woo’s Star Struck Little Signs collection.”

 “Rose Gold is hot for baubles right now, and it’s not hard to see why. The rosy metal complements almost any skin tone, plus you’ll get quality and durability similar to white or yellow gold, only with a more feminine finish.”

 What a lot of us who love this metaldon’t realize is that the meaning of this metal is a bit more sentimental: It means love. The color of these pieces adds just the right touch to their delicate designs.

On the new show — a prequel to the wildly popular Sex and the City — Robb wears Alex Woo’s “little letter C” 14-karat gold necklace. The piece sits on a diamond-cut 14-karat yellow-gold chain.

Set during Carrie Bradshaw’s high school years, The Carrie Diaries (based on author Candice Bushnell’s 2010 novel) details the budding fashionista’s early relationships, how she began as a writer, and her very first love: the wealthy Sebastian Kydd, on whom she’s had a crush since she was 12. The series just started filming in N.Y.C., and also calls on the talents of Gossip Girl costumer (and former SATC assistant costumer) Eric Daman.

“It’s an ‘honor’ to see fellow moms like Jessica wear my ‘little h’ necklace,” Woo tells PEOPLE. “I hope one day her daughters will be fighting to be the next one to wear it.”

Woo’s line — also worn by stars like Rachel Bilson, Zooey Deschanel, Kelly Ripa and Kellan Lutz — includes several series of similarly small charms, plus earrings, bracelets and rings. Tell us: Do you wear jewelry that reminds you of your children?

Many people wonder who they’ll kiss at stroke of midnight at New Year’s Eve and prior to countdown  Jenny McCarthy was asked “Do you have an idea as to who will be your kiss after the countdown to the new year?”

I don’t know. I might just represent single women that love themselves and give myself a hug. I will squeeze, squeeze myself.

Fortunately, for one New York City police officer, he found himself locking lips with her when the ball dropped in Times Square.  Afterwards, she tweeted “Hope u guys enjoyed it! FYI. I was wearing fake fur & the cop was a G-rated kiss. (except for my hand squeezing his butt).  Happy new year!”

Alex Woo also hopes everyone’s night was filled with lots of sparkle and fun as we welcomed 2012.  Best wishes in the New Year! xoxo

Everyone looked great, especially Abigail Breslin who was rockin’ the Little Rock Star Double Note 2! Alex was able to catch up with her, since the last time they saw each other at Super Saturday 14, as they both smiled for the cameras on the red carpet. The event lasted three days and saw 7,000 people total from 40 different states! I think it’s safe to say that everyone shopped til’ they dropped at the 8^th annual Lucky Shops.

In their 6th Episode “Meet Alex” they introduce everyone to their fifth contestant, Alex Woo, founder of the Alex Woo jewelry line.  For the competition, Alex decides to use her travels as inspiration for her design.  Will technical difficulties and working with unfamiliar stones prevent her from creating the winning piece?  Watch and find out.

The winning piece will be featured in an original photo shoot in our June 2012 issue and will be showcased at the next JCK Las Vegas show.

Created by The OC and Gossip Girl team, the show definitely has some of the same witty one-liners and eye-candy that helped propel the other shows to success. In the “Faith & Infidelity” episode, Rachel wears Alex Woo’s Sienna earrings.

For more details, visit the official website for Hart of Dixie.

Rachel Bilson Background
Rachel Bilson is enjoying a successful and continually developing acting career on both big and small screens. In addition to her new television series, she also recently wrapped the independent film “L!fe Happens,” with Kate Bosworth, as well as the independent comedy “The To Do List,” opposite Bill Hader and Scott Porter.

Other past film credits include starring as the female lead in “Waiting for Forever” as well as in “Jumper” for 20th Century Fox Studios, “The Last Kiss,” with Zach Braff and directed by Tony Goldwyn for Paramount, and opposite Andy Garcia in a film comprised of a series of shorts called “New York, I Love You.”  Bilson currently lives in Los Angeles, where she was also raised.

“Things that used to bother me, like getting my hair wet in the rain, now make me laugh. I don’t sweat the small stuff.” Robin’s life has changed drastically but it has helped her to see life in a whole new perspective and we admire her for that!

This month’s cover radiates with Robin’s contagious smile and Alex Woo’s Zhuli Earrings! Inside are some more shots of her wearing this unique piece which has convinced everyone at Alex Woo that the Zhuli Collection was made for her – wouldn’t you agree?

Be sure to check out Ladies Home Journal to learn more about Robin’s struggles and how she overcame them – she’ll be sure to inspire you as she has inspired us!

As the co-host of the QVC-sponsored OCRF bash in Water Mill, N.Y., the star stands out in a dramatic asymmetrical zebra-print dress, sky-high wedges, Alex Woo necklace and an armful of golden bangles.

What do you think of her look?  At the last count, 68% of the viewers on People thought this was a hit!