Accessories

                                   Vintage Charm

Charm bracelets are big news again. If you haven’t get one ask your mother to dig her gold charm bracelet our or have a root round the hand section in jewelry shops for a real vintage find. They are often a good buy as they are visual craftwork in the charms. Failing that chose a modern costume one with gem encrusted skills, hearts, tusks, coins, colours beads, chains etc. There are also charm necklaces and handbag charms.                                    

 NOTE: watch what you wear your charm bracelet with, as delicate fabrics can snag easily.

                          Brooching the subject

Pin a little gem brooch on your cardigan. Pearl, metal, gemstone and glass brooches are making a statement in bows, filigree and fleur-de-lis. One of the most bizarre trends though has to be the dead mouse brooch. Brooches featuring dead rodent are currently all the in New York and it appears the craze has reached the UK Pete Doherty presented ex-fiancée Kate moss with a dead mouse brooch to emphasize how he feels defeated crushed and broken without her. Most will find it disgusting but it is fashion’s answer to Damien Hirst-art, in its extreme sense.

                                  Armoury

Chain-mail’s seen on necklaces, with beaten metal gem-encrusted neck plates. Hammered copper with shimmering metallic and other metal textures including frosted, brushed, puffed, mesh and interwoven effect adorn catwalk necks.

                                              Back to nature

Leaves feature heavily in many collection, often the skeleton of a leaf for pave or other enhancement. Flower forms are out there too and butter-files and dragonflies are some of the popular insects this year.

                            Pendant Penchant

Diamond butterflies and other charms such as diamond shapes, starfish, hearts and snowflakes hang from pendants, as do dream catchers. Large link chains are also a mega trend.

                                            Hearts flutter

The heart struck by cupid’s arrow is a theme shown on this year’s catwalk. Aside from bejeweled examples more unusual hearts in the form of military style medals with clean, cut metal arrows were seen giving them a more modern sharp look.

                               Ring of change

Chunky, oversized and more than a little kitsch are the ring that fashionistas’ hands are dripping with this winter. Huge stone or multi mix gems used in one ring are on the up and cocktail rings with Swarovski crystal too.

                                          What your poison?

Poison Rings are de rigueur. Looking just like an ordinary ring they have a secret hidden chamber. Not recommended for actual toxic substances, but just right as a conversation starter!