Tough Girl, Bejeweled

Think of it as tough chic—a counterbalance to all that sweetness. Consider some of this season’s hottest trends: Flowers. Butterflies. Colorful stripes. The woman who lives in black shudders.

For those who choose black for its edginess, there are plenty of options in jewelry that contribute to whatever statement the wearer wants to make. Whether the inspiration is punk, Goth, vampire, industrial, motocross, kink, or rock ’n’ roll, the fashion press has been replete with photos of eye-catching designs and noteworthy stylings. Notice the mix of metals: Designers go beyond the expected white metals in many of these designs. Here are some of the most interesting tough designs over the last several months:

The April 2011 issue of Elle plays with a kinky theme in describing the trend: “Dominate! Indulge your riskier impulses in vertiginous leather heels and Goth-punk jewelry.” The bracelet is by Eddie Borgo; the footwear is from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci.

Here’s another full page of fetish-themed looks from the April issue of Elle, including a silver-and-gold-plate necklace with multiple dangling rings from Eddie Borgo, a whip necklace by Betony Vernon from Coco de Mer, and a leather cuff with O ring from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci.

Also in the April 2011 issue of Elle, actress Emma Roberts appears in a studded leather jacket from Burberry Prorsum and silk tunic from Derek Lam worn with sterling silver safety pin earrings from Tom Binns Design and silver rings from Eddie Borgo, Gregg Wolf and Mark Walsh Leslie Chin.

“Tough It Out” is the headline of a two-page spread in the April 2011 issue of Allure that focuses on a motocross theme. Michael Carl explains how to wear the look: “The key to incorporating tough elements in dressing: Play up your femininity,” adding: “An outfit with prominent hardware or rows of metal studs doesn’t need any jewelry. But with simpler leather pieces, try one of this season’s industrial-style rings or a substantial studded bracelet. The article features a “handful of chunky rings” (unidentified) with a dark manicure, and a rhodium-plated brass ring from Leviticus Jewelry.

The April 2011 issue of Marie Claire mixes things up, showing pastel looks like the peach jacket from Rebecca Minkoff with tough style necklace from BCBG Max Azria and bracelet from My Sister’s Art.

The March 2011 issue of Vogue included a 10-page spread on punk-influenced looks: “Pierced, studded, and shredded, the most anarchic looks of the season rock an unexpected polish.” Among the featured looks is an androgynous orange pant suit from Max Mara worn with a Balmain cotton top with safety pins and Tom Binns Design spiked cuffs.

Another look from the March issue of Vogue is this ensemble from Miu Miu. Notice the styling of the rings, which are from Ann Demeulemeester and Pamela Love. The barbed wire hoop earrings, sadly, are not identified.

Eight pages in the March 2011 issue of Marie Claire are dedicated to fashion rocking the “postmodern world of punk,” adding: “Safety pinks, studs, jagged edges—this is hard core.” This is a fashion spread worth studying in its entirety for the creative stylings of fashion editor Isabel Dupre. Among the stylings is this look, starting with a dress from Alexander Wang, tights from Falke, gloves from Urstadt.Swan and blazer from Theyskens’ Theory. The model wears a skull necklace from Atelier Minyon, knot necklace from A.Z. by Azature, cuffs from Janis by Janis Savitt, and a medley of rings: arrowhead and skull rings from Charles Albert, pave Pegasus ring from Noir Jewelry, and orchid ring from Cartier. She also wears black mask earrings from Aurelie Bidermann and black feather earrings from Love Rocks NY, not readily discernible in the magazine photo.

Here’s a second punk look from the March issue of Marie Claire built upon a dress from Calvin Klein Collection, shirt from Dsquared2, tie from Dior Homme, red belt from Toneka, black belt from Bess, Falke tights, and Converse shoes. She wears drop earrings from Flutter by Jill Golden along with stud earrings from Alexis Bittar. On the model’s right arm and hand she wears a studded cuff from Fallon, fingerless glove from Alexandre Herchcovitch, and gold spine ring from Bjorg. On her left arm and hand she wears a spike cuff from Joomi Lim and a lizard ring from Irit Design.

The March 2011 issue of Elle features substantial cuffs that “take the edge off heavy metal.” The bracelets pictured are from Salvatore Ferragamo, Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta, and Celine.

Here’s a focus on industrial design-inspired jewelry that was pictured in the February 2011 issue of Allure magazine. These interesting pieces are all rings. The designs pictured are from Basile & Pape, Burberry, Vita Fede, Reed Krakoff, CBD by Charlotte Bjorlin d’Elia, Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, Robert Anthony Design, and Lia Sophia.

The February issue of Allure also featured this look, with punk-style hair, almost black lipstick, and a T-shirt and pair of necklaces, one leather and silver, the other a “rope necklace,” from Reed Krakoff.

The trend continues as we head into summer. In the July 2011 issue of Lucky, the magazine’s accessories director, Julia Kalachnikoff, selects for “What I Want Now” a “tough cookie” look—“It’s about taking girly staples and adding some grit.” The jewelry pictured consists of 18k gold and diamond safety pin earrings from Genevieve Jones and a Swarovski “pearl spike necklace,” about which she writes: “If this necklace made a sound, it would be growling.”

It would indeed.

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