Reflecting a style trend almost as reliably perennial as animal-print fabric, snakes have returned this season as a significant design motif.
“Slink around town in coiling serpentine prints and beg-to-be-touched exotic-skin accessories,” suggests the April 2012 issue of Elle. Along with a gold-plated brass cuff depicting a nest of snakes from Tom Binns Design, jewelry featured on the model at right consists of a set of snake-print bangles from Kenneth Jay Lane, wood earrings by Alexis Bittar, and the combination of a fringe necklace (reminiscent of a nest of snakes) and crystal collar by Auden, a variation on the collar and pendant necklace look I’ve previously highlighted.
Elle magazine identifies the trend, but the editorial staff at Marie Claire is especially enamored of serpentine influences on fashion—snakes appear on four separate pages inside the April 2012 issue and merit a glimpse on the Contents page as well. In the first of two pages entitled “Jungle to Jungle: Under a canopy of palm fronds or concrete, wild-mannered extras cause a stir,” Marie Claire features an ensemble by Lanvin also seen in Elle plus an extraordinary statement necklace from Stephen Dweck. Since apparently one wristwatch or ring isn’t enough to balance the look, the model wears on her right arm and hand a pair of watches from Chanel Fine Jewelry and a pair of rings from Loree Rodkin. On her left arm and hand the model wears a watch from Hublot, a bracelet from Chanel, and rings from Jacob & Co. and Loree Rodkin.
The second page of the Marie Claire jungle-themed spread features earrings (interestingly priced singly) from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci; a shark’s tooth style pendant necklace from Tom Ford, and a pair of elaborate pearl-accented earrings from Lydia Courteille.
In the first of two pages entitled “Epic Scales: No one is safe as snakeskin charms its way onto every surface, from sunglasses to satchels,” the April 2012 issue of Marie Claire loads up the bags and the jewels as accessories shown with an ensemble by Michael Kors. The model wears a pair of necklaces stacked one on top of the other, a claw necklace from Tiffany & Co., and a two-tone necklace from Bulgari. Her earrings are by Vhernier. On her right arm and hand she wears a cuff from Vhernier and a wrap watch from Bulgari plus a trio of rings from H.Stern, Macklowe Gallery, and Diane von Furstenberg by H.Stern. On her left arm and hand the model wears a pair of wristwatches: the larger one from Dior Timepieces and the thin wrap watch from Bulgari plus a bangle from Vhernier and a trio of rings from Verdura, Jack Vartanian, and a large snake design from Loree Rodkin.
The second page of the Marie Claire snakeskin spread pictures a bib necklace from BCBG Max Azria, a pair of snakeskin adorned cuffs from Michael Kors, and a version of the large snake ring from Loree Rodkin.
The April 2012 issue of InStyle chooses snakes as its theme for the month’s “Jewelry Deals”: “Sparkling serpentine extras that are all bling, no bite.” Pictured are a sterling silver-plated necklace from Alisa Michelle; bracelets from Sequin, Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry, Boy NYC, and Adina Reyter; earrings from Rachel Rachel Roy and GirlProps.com; and rings from Melinda Maria and Katrina LaPenne.
An ad for Equipment that appears in the April 2012 issue of Vogue features a delicate snake pendant.
Whether in large, coiling statement pieces or delicate yet immediately recognizable motifs, snake jewelry can be alarming yet charming.
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