The new year sees the rise of new fashion trends, and the designers at the helm of producing 2011′s iconic pieces have already predicted what customers will be buying and wearing this year. With us all still in an economic downturn, the rise in price of gold and platinum is definately going to have an impact on the jewellery industry. We are now scrapping more gold for cash than we are producing, so the demand for gold jewellery is not as strong as once was and the economics of the UK could perhaps turn people to start buying specialist designer silver jewellery.
An array of designers have already noted this and have began designing and producing jewellery to reflect the consumer’s needs and limits. William Cheshire has began to use metal a lot more in his pieces, including black and gold plated silver. FS Augusta is experimenting with brass as a base metal, whilst Alexander Davis is producing pieces using bronze.
William Cheshire had this to say:
“Customers are responding more to plated jewellery and are not so snobby about it, because they realise it is fashionable and affordable.”
Although the trend for metals and silver is bound to rise, there are still designers catering for those that love gold jewellery. Designers such as Ana de Costa are still producing pieces in gold, these being standout pieces in collections based around silver and precious stones.
2011 also sees the charm phenomenon still chugging away in the jewellery industry. It just may be on it’s last legs now, but with the trend being refreshed by new designers, you never know. The charm bracelet is currently being re-worked by designers such as Ole Lynggaard, who has produced a series of charm bracelets using calf skin and minimalist charms.
Ole Lynggaard 'Sweet Drops'
Meanwhile brands such as Charming by Ti Sento and London Road are pushing the charm necklace which channels the mix-and-match look, as seen on A-listers like Alexa Chung and Daisy Lowe.
Ti Sento
Men’s jewellery has certainly not been overlooked too. With high street stores such as All Saints and Topman being littered with rock inspired designs, it gives a clear indication of what is en vogue within men’s fashion trends. This said, designers have started pouring out more men’s jewellery with the rock aesthetic ever present.
Designer Tomasz Donocik collection offers a romantic take on the rock theme including pieces inspired from Chesterfield sofas through to Russian military inspired gun pendants.
Tomasz Donocik
Designer Stephen Webster’s collections feature classic male references featuring pieces including Hammer Head Shark and Jaws cufflinks, crosses, bricks and ram heads and silver pieces made to resemble Stingray skin.
Stephen Webster
Jewellery designer David Webdale had this to say about the rise of men’s jewellery:
“Men are opening up a bit more and thinking outside the box. Borders are breaking down and fashion is a bigger thing for men than ever before”
Webdale’s collections offer a series of bold rings, whilst Hannah Martin also is showcasing a number of men’s cocktail rings this year.
Hannah Martin
Hannah Martin says:
“Men are becoming much braver with their jewellery choices and a lot of the men I’ve been talking to are interested in rings that make a statement.”
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