F/W 2016 Trends: Haute Couture VS High Jewellery

November 14, 2016

3 min read

Last week, I visited the Haute Couture exhibition, The Vulgar. The show, which runs until February 5 at the Barbican, London, offers visitors a chance to explore a wide range of fashion trends varying from the Renaissance style lush dresses to daring and utterly reckless accessories like slippers made of hair.

The curated outfits belong to different couturiers, who were influenced by various trends; it is obvious that these dresses and accessories were created to leave no one indifferent. However, visitors have to decide for themselves on how they wish to perceive the striking outfits – are they somewhat vulgar and tasteless, or rather enchanting?

In the same way as in haute couture, in high jewellery too, it is very easy to cross the line between creating something refined and gaudy. To ensure this doesn’t happen, jewellers spend years developing their sense of aesthetic balance; they know well that even one extra detail can ruin everything. I remember during an interview with Cindy Chao – the jeweller who caters to collectors – admitted that she had, over the years, learned to strip her pieces off all unnecessary elements and this helped to make her art even more sophisticated. Incredible looks created by fashion designers during Autumn/Winter 2016 have not left me indifferent. I wanted to draw a parallel between the striking outfits seen on catwalks and beautiful jewellery associated with them. And here is what came out of it.

Emporio Armani and Giampiero Bodino Mosaico Bracelet

Lily Gabriella Czarina Ring and Gucci

Philipp Plein and NUUN Briolette Earrings from Johara Collection

David Webb Chevron Ring and Salvatore Ferragamo

Valentino and Asprey Strom Necklace

Cartier Paris Nouvelle Vague Ring and Junya Watanabe

Balmain and Piaget Diamond Earrings

Stenzhorn Mosaic Pendant and Etro

WORDS

Katerina Perez is a jewellery insider, journalist and brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience in the jewellery sector. Paris-based, Katerina has worked as a freelance journalist and content editor since 2011, writing articles for international publications. To share her jewellery knowledge and expertise, Katerina founded this website and launched her @katerina_perez Instagram in 2013.

JEWELLERY TYPE:

Trend Necklace Bracelet

BRANDS:

Stenzhorn Piaget NUUN Jewels Lily Gabriella Gucci Giampiero Bodino David Webb Cartier Asprey

MADE WITH:

Sapphire Enamel Emerald Diamonds Black Diamond

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