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Bejewelled
Now that you know the clothes looks to investigate this spring,
it’s only right and proper that we give you a crash
course on the jewellery styles to compliment those trends.
It’s interesting to see large and bold jewellery makes
a return – not since the eighties have beads been
so big or bangles so bold.
We also give our tips on how you can create some of the
looks yourself as a means to creating some individuality
and uniqueness in your wardrobe. Read on for our
simple ‘how to get the look’ tips.
Jewellery is the simplest way of all to make a declaration that
you are clued up on this season’s trends
– buy it in the knowledge that there will be fewer ‘fit’
issues - Hey you can even buy without trying on first if you are
pushed for time!
And let’s say you don’t have time to update your wardrobe
from Autumn to Spring then a cleverly placed piece of current costume
jewellery will spice up existing clothes to give
them a fresh edge.
I am of course Queen of the ‘spice-up-old-clothes-to give-them-new-currency,’
because it’s a much more practical approach to image.
You can have fun collecting pieces of jewellery that unlike clothes
are much easier to store. Markets are by far the most exciting places
to look for unique items. Keep them in a special box end enjoy the
fact that when you wear them they will be talking pieces. You will
find you rotate them according to which trends are prominent, but
a good piece of jewellery will be with you for years and years.
On the other hand shops like River Island have designs with all
the catwalk flavour for a fraction of the price. Your challenge
however will be to add something from your own vintage (any item
of jewellery you used to wear) to give these more massed produced
trinkets some look of uniqueness.
So on with the key trends, above all have fun styling different
colours and textures and wear jewellery in the knowledge that it’s
a very effective way of adding your own statement to an outfit.
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Out
of Africa
So you’ve seen our report on the new trends,
those of in the industry have known this trend was coming any time
soon. I’ve seen stylists wearing large wooden beads for a
few seasons now, so it’s been no surprise to see them emerge
on the catwalk.
If you are used to wearing a minimalist slither of silver then
this look may take some test-driving but the key is large jumbled
strings of mismatched beads, bold chokers, large bangles and pendants
as well as any pieces with hand painted effects, feathers, leather
shapes etc.
This is the sort of look that best goes with either the bold African-inspired
prints you will start to see more of as the warmer weather comes
or currently leather, denim and suede. It’s all about balance
and a large abstract piece of jewellery needs the right weight of
graphic print or textured fabric to set it off.
Make your own look by mixing mismatched bangles
or choosing a selection of wooden beads from any haberdashers and
stringing on thin cord also from any good haberdashery to add you
own individual touch. Investigate www.tradeplusaid.co.uk for the
real thing and feel great that all your money will reach the person
who carved it.
Necklace from Freedom @ Topshop
£12.00
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Charms
Charm jewellery deserves a section all of its own
and despite making a visual presence in the last few seasons, it
is now huge for this summer. It’s all to do with our desire
for individuality. Remember those childhood bracelets where each
charm was lovingly collected over the years, well now companies
are offering the whole package without the wait, but don’t
let that stop you from adding your own charms and trinkets to a
shop bought version. This was also a look I designed for the Royal
Mint during a consultancy project – you can see and buy the
results when you return to our home page or visit www.royalmint.com.
In fact any item of jewellery such as a pendant, necklace
even earrings (careful not to load too much on to your
lobe) can be something you customise yourself by adding you own
mementos and trinkets.
No accessory item will escape the ‘charm school
of thought’ so charm belts, charm logos, even clock
lockets on bracelets or - as in the watches of Dior (chains and
trinkets adorn the strap) will be in abundance everywhere –
look out for it in your own high street but if you want something
truly original charm shoes, from top shoe designer Georgina Goodman’s
latest ready to wear collection are a must www.georginagoodman.com
Make your own charm brooch by taking an oversized
safety pin and stringing beads, buttons, old necklace chain, an
old locket or any other trinket, and use it to fasten jeans, jean
jackets, scarves cardigans and the like. Or investigate jewellery
that is especially made for jeans on www.jewelsforjeans.co.uk
Bead and Charm Bracelet from ASOS (
)
£12.00 |
Vintage
Vintage garments currently inspire much of our clothing. This
is because certain design houses (always looking for the next big
thing) sent their stylists to Portobello Market for inspiration
a few seasons back. Muccia Prada is one, who has influenced the
rest of the pack with her take on rich fabrics, nostalgic designs
and an ‘arts and crafts’ finish to her clothes
Jewellery follows suit with clothes and many designers work with
a special jewellery designer to underline the collection ideas.
We have seen many examples of coloured stones set in silvers and
golds in the shapes of bouquets, bows, and even exotic birds. There
are still some charity shop finds to be had here for the authentic
look (although I suspect London’s second hand stores have
been completely cleaned out by market stall holders and fashion
stylists). Pearls are another look you’ll see in many magazine
shoots. In ‘deep fashion’ territories, they’ve
been accessorising tweed suits right through to denim jeans with
vintage market finds but the highstreet will have lots on styles
on offer too. Pearls are formed when a particle of grit enters the
shell of a mollusc and becomes coated with layers of iridescent
nacre so they are each individually made. The most convincing dress
jewellery copies will have an indiscernible or ‘barely-there’
look or uneven shape to them.
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Natural
Raffia, wood and shells, even feathers, polished stones
and rope could all be found on the catwalks in time for
this spring’s looks. It’s a trend that will appear in
many guises to accessorise floaty chiffon dress or a funky brightly
coloured safari jacket and tie-dye skirt.
Shell bangles from Pebble, currently Matthew Williamson’s
first choice for catwalk jewellery will be copied in abundance,
a simple home made shell pendant tied with string will look just
as cutting edge.
Make your own bracelet by joining Mother of Pearl
effect buttons, your own beach finds like small beautiful pebbles,
sea smoothed coloured glass even small pieces of driftwood with
gossamer thin wire (from most hardware stores) this will give you
a unique design and what could be better than that!
Shell Bracelet from River Island
£7.99
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