Brooches Front and Center

My Sept. 3 post discussed the natural affinity between lapels and brooches. However, those attention-grabbing jeweled accents are stylistically useful in a myriad ways quite beyond placement on lapels.

The September 2012 issue of InStyle hails the style revival of bold brooches: “Ancient Romans used decorative pins to fasten their togas. Today’s (suddenly ubiquitous) versions may be less practical, but they’re practically works of art—adding instant panache to any old blazer or tired work dress. And since they run the gamut from modern to traditional, there’s bound to be one you’ll get stuck on.” Pictured, clockwise from top right, are an Anton Heunis brooch of Swarovski crystals and agate; a crystal and metal fly brooch from Hoss Intropia; a Gerald Yosca brooch of faux pearl, glass stones, and Swarovski crystals; a brooch of amethyst, Swarovski crystal, and rose-gold plate from Mawi; a Stella & Dot brooch of chains and faux stones; and an Alexis Bittar Lucite flower brooch.

“Brooches used to be for grannies, but not anymore,” writes Dodie Kazanjian in the September 2012 issue of Vogue. “This season, models on the runway and young women on the street are wearing them brazenly, sometimes singly and sometimes in clusters. To welcome all this new sparkle, Vogue asked several artists to look at some of the most spectacular pieces and use them in works of their own.” Among the offerings is the watercolor Eyes from artist Francesco Clemente, a portion of which is seen above, which incorporates Verdura aquamarine and pink tourmaline brooches and a hand-carved ebony prince pendant with snake by Wilfredo Rosado.

One stylistic usage appearing in the current fashion press sees brooches taking their place in the spotlight literally front and center.

  

The September 2012 issue of Glamour features actress Elizabeth Olsen wearing a dazzling topper: “Really, all you’re wearing here are black pants and a cardi, but it looks like an event.” The diamond brooch from Fred Leighton pinned between the lapels of the collar helps too. The ensemble is from Ralph Lauren; the booties are by Giuseppe Zanotti.

  

In the July 2012 issue of InStyle, actress Eva Amurri Martino is pictured wearing a Stella McCartney ensemble of shirt, trousers and platforms along with a silk jacquard collar from Miu Miu and the further accent of a silver brooch from Patricia von Musulin pinned front and center.

  

Here’s a variation on the brooches front and center theme, in which Mash Army & Navy provide a khaki tie and a series of star brooches to play on a military theme and bring the attention squarely center quite charmingly. All the other elements of this look are from Burberry. This styling appears in the September 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. Atten-hut!

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