Trends come and go.
A stylish woman pays attention but is never a slave to them. This summer is all about vibrant, bold, saturated colors! From electric neons to vivid jewel box to feminine pale florals to the color of Summer 2009 yellow...the palette is all over the map. Looks ranging from ethnic-inspired and tribal patterns, bold florals, strong geometrics, long fringe, butterfly accents, 80s era
silhouettes, harem pants and fairy tale inspired designs made for one of the most diverse runway seasons in years.
Mixing and matching styles is de rigueur and it appears that the standard fashion rules have been set aside at least through 2009. Short shorts pair with structured jackets and platform sandals; sheer, ruched, one-shoulder goddess dresses are worn with chunky jewels and gladiator sandals; tribal-influenced fabrics and shapes are mixed and matched with abandon...it’s a free-for-all and it may be making more than a few of us wonder...what jewelry goes with that?!
The haute couture designers are defying the rules of jewelry too. Big, bold, outrageous looks were all over the runways and the fashion magazines.
Lacroix explored skeletal forms making huge laser cut open jet black acrylic cuffs and collars. Pucci and Cavalli showed larger than life focal pendants on long chains. Ana Sui and Christian Dior explored African tribal looks in woven beads and oversized metal fetish dolls. Dolce and Gabbana took a cue from cutting edge designer Tom Binns 1999 calamity chains collection and showed chaotic layers of chains twisted and bundled into chunky collars. Valentino featured large layered bib style necklaces and used thick roping to add accents to shoulders and form large, intricately-woven neck pieces and bracelets. The cage effect made popular by the now iconic cage boot created by Stephan Pilati for Yves St. Laurent is being reinterpreted endlessly in jewelry and accessories.
How does the designer interpret these trends into his or her own work?
Remember that runway design is usually larger than life and you can scale it down to suit your style. Don’t be afraid to use materials you’d usually overlook this season. Large and light weight acrylic and plastic beads are no longer being snubbed as inferior. Mixing ‘high’ and ‘low’ materials is the norm. Bits and pieces of old rhinestone jewelry are being integrated into new designs. Take apart some old pieces you find at yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores and repurpose them into something fresh and new!
Beadalon has a huge variety of foundations and accents that are the perfect starting point for bold and beautiful designs. QuickLinks™ make easy work of multiple layers of bold chains and can be used as accents for other creations. Memory wire is a strong and stiff foundation for bigger, bolder beads and retains its shape even when you add layers of cascading chain, charms and beads to the center, attach a clasp to the ends if your piece gets heavy.
Use a 49 strand .018 or larger Beadalon wire to fill the holes of your bolder beads and keep your more substantial pieces sturdy. Make your own caged wired creations using ColourCraft and German Style Wire. Use the Beadalon knotter tool and silk to created wispy, layered fantasy looks.
Whatever your style, look to Beadalon for a vast arsenal of professional quality jewelry making products to help you express it.
All images and designs are copyrighted by Margot Potter and are intended for inspiration only. Not for reproduction or resale.
- Margot Potter for Beadalon
The Impatient Crafter™
Key Words: Beadalon, Jewelry Making, Beading, Summer Jewelry Trends 2009
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