As we come to the end of 2012, it’s fun to look back at some of the more unusual jewelry-related curiosities and playful jewelry stylings in the fashion press over the last year.
Ankle Strap Earrings: In the September 2012 issue of Elle, a pair of Swarovski crystal clip earrings from Mawi are worn on the ankle straps of Dior suede pumps; the earrings of diamond, amethyst, pink sapphire, yellow beryl, rubellite, and tanzanite from Dior Fine Jewelry are placed in more traditional fashion on the model’s ears. Her diamond, tsavorite garnet, and rubellite ring is also by Dior Fine Jewelry, and her ensemble is by Dior.
Two Sets of Earrings in an Odd Coupling: The May 2012 issue of Marie Claire included this photo of a model wearing a cream-colored flower earring from Annette Ferdinandsen dangling from a diamond earring by Van Cleef & Arpels.
One Necklace Right on Top of Another: Apparently wanting more depth and volume, the October 2012 issue of Marie Claire stacked one necklace literally right on top of the other. Both the spike necklace and the stone collar are from Dannijo. The blazer by Just Cavalli is worn over a bikini by Roberto Cavalli—yet another odd pairing.
Temporary Tattoos Made With Gold: The December 2012 issue of InStyle touts “Dior’s Midas-Touch Tats.” Christian Dior has introduced a line of temporary tattoos in the form of a bangle, charm, or ring, made “with real 24k gold particles.” They last up to a week.
Nailing Matchy-Matchy on a New Level: The December 2012 issue of Marie Claire announces that nail polish maven Essie and jewelry site BaubleBar.com pair six new hues of nail polish with matching bangles, purchased in sets. Now all you need is the perfect clutch!
What to Do With a Tiara After the Big Party: The September 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar presents an option for wearing a tiara—using it as a necklace (seen on the model to the left in the photo bottom right). The tiara is by Shourouk. The model to the right below wears earrings also by Shourouk. The model above right wears earrings by Lulu Frost.
Big Bejeweled Buttons Are Back: Speaking of tiaras, in the August 2012 issue of Vogue Lynn Yaeger calls them “unfairly stereotyped accessories” like elbow-length gloves “that seem to look good only if you are 20 or 80.” Then she goes on to say: “But try telling Marc Jacobs that the jeweled button is a fussy, fusty vestige of the dowdy dowager, and he will beg to differ.… [T]he jeweled button, not seen for more than 20 years, is enjoying a rollicking second childhood.”… ‘We wanted buttons the size of brooches!’ Jacobs says of the disks he floated on pockets and pant legs in the Downton Abbey-worthy collection he offered at Louis Vuitton.”
Other labels including Chanel, Erdem, Thakoon, and Kenzo have revived the embellished button. Yaeger queries: “Will women who have spent seasons in unadorned Céline-esque ensembles embrace a shirtfront jangling with orbs the size of demitasse saucers?” and answers her own question: “They very well may, if they can be persuaded to consider this innovation as playful costume jewelry, a punctuation mark to a classic silhouette.”
Tapping into the beauty, versatility, and playful uses of jewelry can inspire all manner of fresh creativity.
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