New York, the first stop on the international ready-to-wear runway circuit is where we get a glimpse of the jewelry trends that we most likely will be seeing as we head off to London, Milan and Paris. Although fashion designers are showing what you will be wearing for spring 2020, the jewelry worn on the runway is often an exaggeration and an extension of what jewelry journalists and retailers see during Las Vegas Jewelry Week. This year is no exception and many of the jewels on the catwalk have been evolving as key directions since last spring. New York Fashion Week also featured some alluring fashion creators collaborating with independent jewelry designers that are on point or ahead of the curve. The fact that the jewelry we are talking about continues to go forward and have a strong presence on both the runways and in the jewelry studios suggests that these are pieces that you might want to invest in and wear now or put on your list for the holidays.
Coloring Outside The Lines:
Vibrant shades and intriguing juxtapositions of gemstones were out in full force and the Brandon Maxwell Show played them to the hilt. Whether the runway pieces were real or faux doesn’t matter. The look was right on target with what creative jewelers are combining and contrasting in bold, eye-catching looks.
Linked Together
Brandon Maxwell also hit on another major trend that has been strong for a number of seasons–bold statement chains. While they can be heavy and exaggerated for a stroll down the catwalk, in real life, they need to stand out without throwing your neck out or weighing down your wrist or your lobe. Carolina Bucci’s links for necklaces and bracelets offer a lighter weight version with tactile interest in yellow, white and rose gold or two colores combined.
Bohemian Rapsody
Mix flowing print dress, and jewelry that references Victorian times with a dash of whimsy and edgy femininity thrown it and you get a modern bohemian feeling in both the clothes and the jewelry. Cameos and intaglios have both hit the current jewelry scene and Julie Wolfe’s combination of elements creates a contemporary twist while Amedeo offers up their usual irreverent styles
Again, The Hoopla
Just when it looked like hoops were running their course again (the go in and out of style more than any other style of jewelry)–they make a huge showing on the runway and both established and independent designers are still creating new incarnations.
By The Seashore
Spring/summer 2020 looks to the sea and sand for inspiration with found objects mixed together in charm necklaces and braclet and linear earrings. Ulla Johnson collaborated with London-based designer Grainne Morton for some of her oceanic looks.
Pearly Whites;
Pearls that are are anything but conventional are becoming the new norm for designers who work with these magical elements from the sea. In another collaboration between designer and jeweler, Jason Wu teamed up with Mizuki and the result was streamlined with a twist on tradition in both the clothes and the jewelry, signaling the trend towards pearl designs that range from sculptural to natural forms.
Part of The Tribe
A sophisticated sensual take on organic tribal influences permeated the ready-t0-wear and jewelry at the 3.1 Phillip Lim show, which featured the work of jewelry designer Ariana Boussard-Reifel. Both designers are committed to ethical practices and sustainability. Sophie Hughes is another jewelry designer whose work features these same strong inspirations.