Many designers have drawn inspiration from the style of the sixties for their jewellery and watches collections of the autumn and winter season.
Then as now, fashion-forward women and men rely on gold – whether for jewellery or watches; and, as is true for love: opposites attract.
Statement necklaces are just as popular as filigree delicate pieces of jewellery, and a wealth of colours encounters the trend colour black.
Irmie Schüch-Schamburek, trend and style expert and owner of the Trendvision trend consulting agency, describes the forthcoming watches and jewellery trend as a season of extreme opposites: “On the one hand, a tendency towards timeless classic pieces of jewellery can be recognized; on the other hand, eccentric statement pieces are also in demand.”
According to Irmie Schüch-Schamburek, a refined mix of both, unified in one piece of jewellery, is looked upon as particularly innovative. “For example, a pearl necklace which presents itself in a symbiosis with different large links and coloured gems instead of being tied in a classic way.”
Regarding style, the current collections of the designers are characterized by art deco and antique creations as well as futuristic models in extraordinary shapes and materials.
Similar rules apply to men’s jewellery: the interaction of opposite elements. Men wear classic timeless jewellery such as cufflinks, unpretentious leather bracelets and watches or accessories. This autumn, they are guided by hard rock, steam punk or ethno styles.
Opposites prevail in the watches segment, too: XL size versus XXS models, round housings versus angular shapes, fascinating complications contrasting with simple three-handed watches.
For the retailers, the great variety of trends implies that they have to be able to provide good customer advice. In doing so, it is not only important to make the customer familiar with the philosophy of a piece of jewellery or a watch in a competent way but also to examine which trend is best suited to enhance the customer’s personal look so that she or he will enjoy wearing it for a long time.
Inspiration from the sixties: In the world of fashion, the collections for autumn and winter 2014/2015 are inspired by past decades. This includes knee-high boots with platform heels, leather skirts, and coats, luxuriant prints just like ruffle details and shrill colour schemes.
This is also reflected in the trends for jewellery and watches: the then popular gold jewellery is very much in keeping with the current trend. Whether gold bracelets, gold necklaces, or gold earrings – the warm shade is an eye-catcher for the cold season.
This look is rounded off by flashy gemstones such as topaz, opal, peridot, smoky quartz, moonstone, but also classic brilliants. Gold-plated animal motifs such as leopard, tiger or insects are important accessories on necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Flower power and hippie look: The beginnings of the flower power and hippie cultures were in the late sixties. This zeitgeist is taken up in the jewellery collections of the coming season. Especially necklaces play a big role in connection with this look: whether short or long, thin or thick, double or simple. Necklaces take the centre stage again in 2014.
Pieces of jewellery with flowers, leaves or other references to nature are omnipresent as well. “This is in contrast with pieces of jewellery made of plastics or recycled materials,” explains Irmie Schüch-Schamburek, “in bright and cheerful colours and often combined with a tongue-in-cheek, ironic message on society.”
Fashion jewellery: In the sixties, fashion jewellery became socially more and more acceptable and wearable on every occasion. A variety of designers began to specialize in this segment, and the quality of the collections steadily increased in terms of material and workmanship over the course of the years.
The opulent statement necklaces are an eye-catcher also in the cold season and an enhancement for sober turtleneck pullovers and woollen capes. As in the spring and summer months, the trend is: the flashier the better.
In the colder season, flashy colours give way to silent and more decent shades. The vintage look in earth tones, in particular, has conquered the catwalks, and the jewellery worn by the models is often inspired by nature: colourful feathers, shining glass pearls, wooden elements and special stones decorate the wearers.
Filigree symbolism: Besides statement necklaces, also the filigree necklaces with symbols remain a trend. The delicate necklaces become especially unique in combination with the infinity symbol, love or peace or playful charms. These gem-studded symbols glitter on the wrist, too, and are unpretentiously worn in rose gold, gold, or silver.
When it comes to rings, everything is allowed: the delicate jewellery for the fingers, with symbolic signs or classically fine, suits the wearer just like the large gems that sparkle in intensive colours.
Black and white are trend colours: Statement jewellery in all variants takes up black and white as a trend colour.
Especially in combination with the ‘Berry Colours’ shade which characterizes the current collections of well-known fashion designers, black and white jewellery looks particularly expressive and elegant.
Whether for rings, necklaces, or earrings – the intense black and white sets clear signs. Here, too, the sixties during which optical art characterized the colour schemes are used as a source for inspiration: black and white contrasts determine the visual effect, especially of pieces of jewellery with surfaces in different levels, circles, and spirals.
