“The ’80s are coming back with a vengeance,” says Dominick Gabriel, co-owner and chief designer of Gabriel & Co. “The pear shape in bridal, the marquise in fashion, the baguettes—they’re all coming back.”
Gabriel is convinced that of all the eras that jewelers look to for inspiration, the decade of Dallas and Wall Street, Duran Duran, “We Are the World,” Reaganomics, and perestroika is ripe for reinvention. So don’t be surprised when you see Gabriel & Co.’s new collection of high-polished gold jewelry, which reimagines the era’s “ruffle” style in a series of pieces featuring “diamond-cut surfaces.”
“For jewelers who’ve been around for a long time, the ruffle or the diamond cut isn’t something new, but young women are seeing these pieces with fresh eyes,” Gabriel says. “And I figured how could we do it in a little different way?”
The range features medallions, shield-shape pendants, bracelets, and rings with a bold gold look that Gabriel believes is resonant today.
“That era had a sense of freedom; people wanted to be bold, people wanted to show off,” he says. “Versace was very popular. I think today’s generation could relate to that. They want that freedom.”
The whole point, says Gabriel is that “jewelry is hip again,” and that jewelers must seize the moment, even if that means raiding design ideas from the past.
“I believe if there is a wave, you need to ride that wave,” he says. “There is demand. We have a lot of new looks that are very exciting. You’ll see the opera necklace, a bold 32-inch look. You remember the show Dallas? They used to wear those long gold necklaces. What was popular in the ’80s, the shows? What is cool? What is hip? What is popular to bring back? There is a ton. I don’t know where to start.”
Top: 24-inch diamond-cut necklace with diamond-cut leaf pendant in 14k yellow gold, $2,225
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