Perhaps it’s because the summer is the season for travel that looking to inspiration from distant lands seems just the ticket. This summer, one of fashion’s key trends is a touch of the exotic in jewelry and other accessories. This trend is apparently largely driven by the fashion stylings of Chanel.
“Bombay Dreams” is the caption of a fashion spread in the June 2012 issue of Marie Claire that reads: “Make like a maharaja in embroidered separates, gilded embellishments, and sumptuous jewels.” In jewelry, “More is more—choose bold earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. For special events, try a maang tikka in the part of your hair.” The jewelry featured consists of earrings and a necklace, both from Chanel. The photo of the model to the left is a runway shot from Chanel.
Singer Florence Welch appears in the June 2012 issue of Marie Claire in a sequence of exotic styles. In the above photo, she wears a necklace and earrings from Pebble London and “handpieces” from Lynn Ban. Her jacket and top are from Stella McCartney.
In the above photo from Marie Claire, Welch wears a long very chunky bead necklace and wide cuff from Pebble London with a top and skirt from Emilio Pucci and an ornate Chanel belt.
Singer Jessie J appears in the May 2012 issue of Elle wearing “gold hand adornments with pearl detailing” from Alexander McQueen and a gold-plated crystal necklace from Tony Duquette for Coach. Her jeweled bodysuit is from Dolce & Gabbana.
The May 2012 issue of Elle included a fashion spread entitled “Gypsy Rose”: “The chicer side of boho: Step it up in luxe satins, touchable textures, and hints of old-world gold.” The drop earrings featured are from Fendi. The model to the right wears “pearl earrings” from Isharya and a pair of bracelets: a crystal bracelet from Stella & Dot, and a beaded bracelet from Rachel Leigh.
A current ad for Loree Rodkin jewelry features an eye-catching hand bracelet and nothing but a pair of low-cut jeans.
A current two-page ad for Chanel running in the June 2012 issue of Vogue styles exotic looks with jewelry piled on.
Here’s the second page from the Chanel ad.
An ad for Neiman Marcus appearing in the June–July 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar presents the retailer’s take on styling the Chanel look, showing a maang tikka and long drop earrings, but swapping out necklaces for a rather short crossbody purse.
Chanel’s attempt to introduce the maang tikka to Western buyers reminds me of Prada’s attempt back in 2007 to popularize the turban. It remains to be seen if this exotic hair jewel will catch on.
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