Spring 2012 fashion brought a considerable variety of baubles to covet. Once we shed our winter coats, wool scarves and hats, we’ll be embracing the magical world of seashells and coral, sweet and summery florals, sculptural plastics, and embrace exotic locals. We look to Chanel, Prada, Balenciaga, Balmain, Donna Karan, and Givenchy as leaders for our six favourite upcoming jewellery trends.

Fashion accessories: Water world jewels

This spring, Chanel took inspiration from the glistening world of seashells and coral reefs for all of their accessories, including conch shell-shaped purses, and pearl-trimmed footwear. Seashells also took their place among Chanel’s signature long pearl string necklace. A gold and iridescent resin cuff mimicked coral reef exoskeleton formations, while intricately weaved chain necklaces referenced a fisherman’s net. Aside from Chanel, mollusks, starfish and sea horses appeared on Versace’s Spring 2012 runway in form of cocktail rings and oversized hoop earrings.

Fashion accessories: Sweet floral jewels

Prada’s Spring 2012 collection juxtaposes the overt masculinity of Formula One car racing culture with feminine floral trimmings. Models were accessorized with sweet and romantic rose motifs dangling from their ears, while their long necks with bright blossoms mixed with dazzling crystals. Equally sweet is Oscar de la Renta with his opulent, red coral and crystal flower chandelier earrings and bracelets, and Roberto Cavalli with his floral enamel
cocktail rings and massive floral chokers. Dolce & Gabanna made room for some unconventional vegetation with decorative vegetable shapes, like peppers and tomatoes, appearing in lieu of flowers.

Fashion accessories: Fantastic plastic jewels

Chunky resin pieces appeared on the runways of Balenciaga and Marni. At Balenciaga, plastic took a futuristic, architectural form of undulating oversized cuffs, while Marni presented a 1960s-inspired pop art take on chandelier earrings and bib necklaces with bright circular resin shapes. Fendi also embraced brights for Spring 2012, with colourful striped bangles. Jewellery designer, Fenton, took on sorbet hues with mixed media oversized chandelier earrings and lavish necklaces.

Channel your inner warrior with Viking-inpired, leather, and tibal jewellery trends on the next page…
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4. Fashion accessories: Medieval tales jewels

Opulent, ornate gold accessories stole the spotlight at Balmain’s Spring 2012 show with a fresh Viking-inspired take on rock chic. Elaborate abstract etchings recall medieval architectural décor details. Lanvin’s extravagant
jewel-encrusted, oversized cross necklaces borrowed from both Byzantine and Art Deco themes. And jewellery designer Flutter’s oxidized silver geometric amulets are worthy of a Viking warrior, while armour – like Giles & Brother necklaces are reminiscent of chain mail suiting.

5. Fashion accessories: Tribal touches jewels

Donna Karan looked to a contemporary Haitian abstract artist, Philippe Dodard, for the graphic prints in her Spring 2012 and this tribal touch inspired her jewellery as well. Her earth-toned, oversized wooden bangles and bib necklaces, made with shards of wood and plastic are exotic, yet urban. Michael Kors used bone fragments for his necklaces inspired by the indigenous culture of South Africa, while jewellery designer Dannijo took on the Day of the Dead (a colourful Mexican holiday) for their spring collection, including a felted weave necklace resembling a Mexican blanket.

6. Fashion accessories: Leather statement jewels

The minimalist collections at Céline and Givenchy put leather statement jewellery front and centre for Spring 2012. The term “statement” may be overused these days, but it’s the only way to describe Givenchy’s massive dangling leather necklaces, doubling as pouches, or the chunky leather belt-like ribbons with a suspended shark’s tooth suspended at the end. For a more elegant and, well, less intimidating, take on leather, Céline presented simple leather cuff, with a singular large circle loop, reminiscent of a watch plate.


Read more:
7 statement necklaces for this season
Cocktail rings for every occasion
The best mixed metal bracelets and cuffs