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On Trend
Listed under: Trend Report
Published: Friday, August 29, 2008
Hot on the heels of launching a new range of kits, designer Claire Aristides explains why jewellery is fashion dynamite
Why is jewellery in the fashion spotlight?
I think jewellery is a really economical way of changing your look and also making something a bit more dressy. If you are wearing a white shirt and jeans, really bright accessories change the whole look. Sparkly crystals and diamanté are particularly good – if you pop some big earrings on you can go straight from work to a party. Jewellery, handbags and shoes that make all the difference to a little black dress that doesn't have to have cost hundreds of pounds. I think that Gok Wan [presenter of C4's Gok's Fashion Fix] is right – jewellery is really important in people's wardrobes now and as part of their outfits.
Are trends quick to change?
I think with jewellery it does move quite fast but you can look at it from a different angle. Pearls , for example, are quite classic and, whilst maybe they aren't in for this winter, in a year or two they probably will be back. I think that all fashion has a cycle which sees things come back into trend and that definitely happens with jewellery. Cuffs were in and then out, the same with big rings; things do move quite quick. The internet and magazines – especially now there are so many fashion weeklies – are having a big impact. They're speeding things up.
What's hot right now?
Big stones. Swarovski do big stones that sit in clasps. You're seeing these on shoes, bags and jewellery, really big solid stones in pinks, purples and oranges. They're not all crystal – there are glass and acrylic versions as well – but I think that big jewelled look – which is very much about costume jewellery – is big right now. I think people have moved away from Tiffany lockets and sterling silver to something a bit more experimental.
Why do kits work for fashion jewellery?
I find a lot of people love jewellery but don't know where to start. A kit gives them a framework to work within – they know they're going to make something they're proud of and they will learn new skills doing it. In terms of my kits, I put a lot of thought into designing the piece that the components make to ensure customers can create something that's on trend. They offer value for money too because buying something similar in a department store costs a lot more.
Claire Aristides kits are now stocked in John Lewis and Liberty of London.
I think jewellery is a really economical way of changing your look and also making something a bit more dressy. If you are wearing a white shirt and jeans, really bright accessories change the whole look. Sparkly crystals and diamanté are particularly good – if you pop some big earrings on you can go straight from work to a party. Jewellery, handbags and shoes that make all the difference to a little black dress that doesn't have to have cost hundreds of pounds. I think that Gok Wan [presenter of C4's Gok's Fashion Fix] is right – jewellery is really important in people's wardrobes now and as part of their outfits.
Are trends quick to change?
I think with jewellery it does move quite fast but you can look at it from a different angle. Pearls , for example, are quite classic and, whilst maybe they aren't in for this winter, in a year or two they probably will be back. I think that all fashion has a cycle which sees things come back into trend and that definitely happens with jewellery. Cuffs were in and then out, the same with big rings; things do move quite quick. The internet and magazines – especially now there are so many fashion weeklies – are having a big impact. They're speeding things up.
What's hot right now?
Big stones. Swarovski do big stones that sit in clasps. You're seeing these on shoes, bags and jewellery, really big solid stones in pinks, purples and oranges. They're not all crystal – there are glass and acrylic versions as well – but I think that big jewelled look – which is very much about costume jewellery – is big right now. I think people have moved away from Tiffany lockets and sterling silver to something a bit more experimental.
Why do kits work for fashion jewellery?
I find a lot of people love jewellery but don't know where to start. A kit gives them a framework to work within – they know they're going to make something they're proud of and they will learn new skills doing it. In terms of my kits, I put a lot of thought into designing the piece that the components make to ensure customers can create something that's on trend. They offer value for money too because buying something similar in a department store costs a lot more.
Claire Aristides kits are now stocked in John Lewis and Liberty of London.
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