Mulger SS12

From the Paris Mulger Spring/summer 2012 catwalks, we see stone washed denim teamed with armoury like jewellery pieces. It reminds me a bit of The Warriors film about the New York gangs. This hard edge look is both preppy and tough at the same time. Look out for more out-there men's jewellery pieces.

MASAI JEWELLERY

Lots of African tribal jewellery is still around, but its now less in your face and much prettier, delicate and subtle. I know subtle isn't really the word to use, but it is compared with the neck breaking breast plates and massive tribal jewellery of the past seasons. I'm not an expert on jewellery or African tribal dress, but I have definitely seen a lot of fine beadwork being incorporated into the material palette of western fashion jewellery.


Whether it be strands of brightly coloured thread mixed with chunky sem-precious stones or tubular pieces decorated with patterned beads, it it a really fresh look which adds a bit of depth to the influx of high street outfits that we see everywhere.






This necklace here on Phillip Lim's catwalk in Autumn/winter 2011/12 uses wrapping techniques in a heavily stripped down and simple piece. The subtle clues like the splash of bright colour and the tubular construction make reference to this beautiful and ancient style of jewellery design originating in Africa.

WIREFRAME

Delicate, spindly jewellery is an important theme at the moment. Fine details and shapes highly contrast with all the chunky massive jewellery also an important trend.


These pieces all feature simplicity and reduction as a key design theme.


This is a bracelet by Goncalo Campos, it is made up of varying sizes of triangles, looking like a wireframe structure. Very architectural. I particularly like the matt black finish which reminds me of raw materials used in building and metal work.


These earrings look as though there is something missing, but simply consists of what most people would regard as just the fixings with the embellishment missing. They are called 'ear wires' and were found on etsy by the seller 'philagree'. I love that it is about what is not there rather than what is there.

BARBIE DECONSTRUCTION

Margeaux Lange, the New York born jewellery designer has done these wicked pieces made from the highly iconic barbie. The elements are abstracted and take on a completely different vibe from their original elements.


The pieces are nostalgic and surreal at the same time.


Both a bit creepy and fun, the details like the rings on these hands jump out and when i look at them i see detail i never really noticed before.


Just like eating meat, I love how Lange has used up all the elements of the Barbie in the different jewellery pieces, making full use of the entire Barbie corpse!


The fantastical pieces when re-contexturalised become barely recognisable as their original parts but form new shapes and pieces inspired by current fashion trends for example, this tribal necklace above made out of Barbie's left and right arms.


And quite literally ear-rings...


Its not the first time i have come across jewellery made from elements of dolls, but definitely one of the nicest executions i have seen... pardon the pun.

HISANO TAKEI

I couldn't resist posting this slightly strange, bordering on ridiculous piece which goes under the guise of jewellery. It also doubles as a in-flight neck pillow for long haul flights.



I particularly like the result when you tip it over the limit of 'stackable' with 3 for bad face days.

http://www.hisanotakei.com

COLLEEN JORDAN - WEARABLE PLANTERS

I think these little necklaces with miniscule plants inside are just adoreable. Its not often i go for cute tiny little delicate pieces, but this one in particular makes me smile.


She calls them wearable planters, featuring tiny plants such as succulents in tiny pots to wear around your neck. I personally love the concept of wearing something living on you. Sort of like being able to take your pet to work.


I think if i had a little bit of herb such as sage worn around my neck during the day it would be a real pick-me-up, like having a sniff of essential oils to get you through the day, but the real thing.




You can see some more of her work and experiments with materials on her website:
http://www.colleenjordan.com

NICOLAS KING AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

I am a big fan of Nicholas King.

I saw his new collection recently at London Fashion Week Exhibition. The resin pieces mixing a bit of vintage with a bit of mad scientist are irresistible.




This resin necklace is embedded with watch bits and pieces as well as little pearls and other treasures. It reminds me of what you find when you empty your jewellery box out onto a table.



I really love the chain on this necklace, the fan shaped pendant has a vintage shanghai feel to me. Reminds me of my grand mother's costumer jewellery from the 50s.

ERICKSON BEAMON NEON BEAUTIES

I popped down to the London Fashion Week Exhibition earlier this week and checked out some jewellery and accessories. I have to say, this was one of my favourite things to see.


Its the neon vintage collection by Detroit originated company-turned-international-superstars Erickson Beamon. Their stuff is simply exquisite.


The hand painted neon stones contast so beautifully with the vintage settting and the colours themselves are so nice.


Its like mixing a bit a 'street' with vintage which i think is a really nice combination and shows that although the brand is style encapsulated, it also knows how to have a bit of fun with this serious, yet playful collection.


Love it.

ARTECO TECHNOLOGY PENDANTS

Arteco describe their pieces as ' the eclectic fusion between art and technology', i would definitely go with that description. These piecces have an art deco look to them using lots of geometric shapes and off-beat colours with gold, you almost have to look twice to notice the electronic componentry integrated into these pieces.


See more of their stuff here: http://www.arteco.com/

JEWELLERY PIXELS

Its been ages since my last post, i know. no excuses. I just wanted to post these big chunky jewellery pieces that i came across doing research. Its no longer about precious metals, not even semi-precious metals. These pieces are about composition and combination.





Most of these are street shots taken at London fashion week last season.

LOVE BY E.M.

Penguin on an icicle, rabbit on a pearl. These are some of the little quirky pieces by Japanese jewellery designers E.M. These were snapped at Premiere Classe in Paris recently.