RAPAPORT...
September kicks off a whirlwind of fashion and runway shows,
starting in New York then moving to Europe, previewing what we will be wearing
in the spring and summer of 2012. Some of these events will feature jewelry and
others will not. And the usual question — Is jewelry fashion? — will arise
once again. Some in the industry say, “Yes, jewelry is fashion,” while some
say, “No, it is not; jewelry ‘transcends’ fashion.” Still others say that
jewelry is fashion that must span many years. Looking back historically, it is
easy to see that jewelry is indeed fashion and that there have been distinct
changes in style through the decades. Start by looking at the light, lacy
styles of the Edwardian era, which then transition into Art Deco’s more streamlined
geometric shapes. The 1940s saw a shift to big colored stones and bold gold
pieces. The 1950s were all about diamond clusters and cocktail rings. The 1960s
turned to gold once again, with whimsical designs. The 1980s saw large gold
pieces dominating the scene and in the 1990s, beads made the chicest statements
of the decade. Today, opaque diamonds and diamond slices, blackened metals and
movement are some of the hottest fashion looks in jewelry. Fashion changes, so
does jewelry. Even engagement ring mountings change. One can almost guess the
decade in which someone was married just by looking at the engagement ring —
the heavy, architectural shapes of the 1980s and early 1990s gave way to the
vintage micropavé and halo setting that has been so popular for the past decade
or so. Now the move is toward simpler, lighter settings. It only takes a peek
into one’s jewelry box to notice that some
pieces are not as fashionable as when they were purchased. Other pieces — those
with a strong design voice — hold up across time. While jewelry may not be on
the same fast fashion track as much of the apparel world, it still holds a
place as a fashionable part of a stylish person’s wardrobe.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - September 2011. To subscribe click here.