This Week's Obsession: Fashion Month Jewellery
Fashion Month is an exciting time for lovers of fashion everywhere; they are also often thrilling for jewellery lovers, and this year was no exception. The return of Haute Couture in Paris brought more than just the show-stopping gowns parading down the catwalks, historic jewellery houses displayed an abundance of craftsmanship, beauty and elegance in their haute joaillerie presentations. From Boucheron’s magnificent archive-inspired collection to Chaumet’s diamond-adorned creations, there was more than a touch of decadence to the latest high jewellery collections.
Jewellery aficionados certainly weren’t left wanting. While it’s true that Van Cleef & Arpels, Chanel and Bulgari held off presenting their one-of-a-kind confections until July’s couture schedule, there was plenty of sparkle to be had at many of the city’s other storied jewellers. And given that January high jewellery presentations are traditionally smaller and more heritage-focused than their summery counterparts, there were still plenty of show-stopping pieces and surprising world-firsts on display.
From intensely vibrant gemstones at Louis Vuitton and Cartier (not to mention an eye-popping 6,225-carat rough Zambian emerald revealed by Chopard), to innovative materials at De Beers and Cindy Chao, and infinitely versatile new jewels at Boucheron and Chaumet, jewellery designers this season exhibited incredible flights of creative fancy, despite (or perhaps because of) the challenges of the last two years.
Here are the awe-inspiring jewels of Fashion Month 2022:
Now more than ever, the style set are looking for ways they can easily amp up their looks, and as proven by the latest and greatest from fashion month, over-the-top accessories are the way to go. Brands of all sizes are offering their fair share of outfit additions that are meant to take a good outfit to a really great one with ease. From ultra-feminine hair clips and retro-inspired hats to long opera gloves and eye-catching jewellery sets in exaggerated proportions, it’s clear that everyone missed getting dressed over the last year or so and is making up for lost time with the most outrageous pieces they can find.
Here are the Fashion Jewellery & Accessory trends from the catwalk:
- Not Your Grandmother's Jewells - Powerhouse brands like Chanel and Versace are just a few of the designers extending the current penchant for all things vintage to their collections of accessories. From necklaces with rows of pearls to brooches and gold-tone drop earrings with ornate enamel details, jewels that look like they came from your favourite consignment store are all the rage.
- Chain Belts - With all the other Y2K trends currently in rotation, it was only a matter of time before chain belts would be added into the mix. Early-aughts darling Blumarine sent a chunky butterfly belt down the catwalk, while Acne Studios opted for a gunmetal chain-link style as an edgy contrast. Whether you're wearing it looped through a pair of pants or cinched around an oversized sweater to create a tempered fit, the delicate piece of hardware is a quick and easy way to elevate your look.
- Bubblegum and Bauble Rings - Between Swarovski's new, modern look and Maria Grazia Chiuri's latest collection of fashion jewellery at Dior, it's clear that colourful bauble rings are here to stay. The standout style showed up on the spring '22 runways in the form of Lucite bubblegum rings, some with embellishments, others with illusive, 3D silhouettes, or both. When it comes to styling the eye-catching finger candy, there are quite literally no rules—except the more the better.
- Logomania - Everything in fashion comes back in style eventually, and the ongoing obsession with designer logos is all the proof you need. Since the monogrammed motifs came (back) into style a few years ago, the flashy trend has been everywhere. —more recently, in the spring '22 collections of brands like Fendi, Balmain, and Valentino.
- Colourful Gems - As reported several weeks ago in our trends for 2022, this season is all about adding a pop of colour to your ensemble, and what better way to do that than with a handful of colourful gems? Trending in oversized proportions and bright hues, the clear-cut designs have popped up on the runway at Saint Laurent in vintage-inspired settings that are reminiscent of bold baubles of the last century.
- Novelty Jewellery - Taking the industry's penchant for nostalgia to the next level, the likes of Moschino and Balenciaga are just a few of the names that have mastered the art of novelty jewellery. Jeremy Scott churned out enamel earrings and chunky charm bracelets in his baby-inspired lineup, while we have Demna to thank for reintroducing the idea of beaded friendship necklaces in a grown-up way.
Sources:
The most spectacular new-season couture jewellery
Shop Jewelry Trends from the Spring 2022 Runways
The most spectacular high jewellery collections from Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2022