Hot Spring/Summer 2016 Trend: Lace Jewellery

May 18, 2016

By Katerina Perez

9 min read

What could be a more seductive than understatement? What is more attractive: the openly nude body or its veiled outline? A little translucence always leaves room for the imagination, it fascinates and attracts the gaze, lends itself to the most trivial together with femininity and romanticism. Designers have turned to various types of lace to create this effect in the spring-summer season. Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Celine, Balenciaga and other fashion houses have boldly decorated hems and necklines on flowing silk dresses with lace, and tops with netting and sheer fabric inserts.

Fashion designers can be called art folk. In handling rolls of fabric, they imagine in fine details the finished outfit, in the very same way that jewellers, having picked up only a handful of gemstones, manage to dream up a unique piece of jewellery. Many fashion gurus admit that the material sometimes becomes the source of inspiration for the entire collection. And this in vogue trend for lace inspired me to make a selection of jewels for this gallery which displays how fashion trends are reflected in the art of jewellery.

Could a subtle, almost aerial view of a fabric be encapsulated in metal? Well, to achieve the affect of a visual lightness, jewellery designers have adopted various techniques, starting with perforating the surface of gold for ornamentation, as with the Carrera Y Carrera earrings, or laser cut gold, as done by Alia Mouzannar for earrings, as well as the filigrée finishing technique that the Eleuterio brand specialises in. The Russian brand Alexander Arne launched a jewellery collection in which the pieces resemble bejewelled lace. The items are made of a variety of elements – butterflies, snowflakes and brand logos, that are linked together and all encrusted with diamonds. No matter the method used to achieve the desired effect on the jewellery, the end result of all the brands has been similar: they created delicate and romantic jewels.

Alexander Arne

Alexander Arne

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Chanel

Chanel

De Beers

De Beers

Althea

Althea

Chaumet

Chaumet

Autore

Autore

Mouzannar

Mouzannar

Buccellati

Buccellati

Carrera Y Carrera

Carrera Y Carrera

Casa reale

Casa reale

Celine

Celine

Chopard

Chopard

Dionea Orcini

Dionea Orcini

Faberge

Faberge

Lalique

Lalique

Givenchy

Givenchy

Fei Liu

Fei Liu

Garrard

Garrard

Sutra

Sutra

Jewellery Theatre

Jewellery Theatre

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

John Rubel

John Rubel

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Maria Kovadi

Maria Kovadi

Piaget

Piaget

Inbar

Inbar

Tiffany&Co

Tiffany&Co

Chaumet

Chaumet

Messica

Messica

The Cannes Film Festival: Chopard Presented Two New High Jewellery Collections

continue reading

Jewellery Manifesto: Tracing Three Pivotal Decades with Pomellato Collezione 1967

With Collezione 1967, Pomellato is presenting its ‘Jewellery Manifesto’ through 75 pieces, each inspired by one of three revolutionary decades in its creative history: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Let’s take a closer look at the Maison’s artistic signatures, reinvented for a new generation of high jewellery lovers… 

by Sarah Jordan

Pink City Style: The Best-Selling Reversible Jewels of Gyan Jaipur

I would like to tell you more about the brand, its origin story, design inspirations and its popular Jaipur and Yami collections

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Futures: Le Vian Unveils its 2026 Jewellery Trends in Las Vegas

Here's a rundown of what was included this year…

by Sarah Jordan

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Sensual Silhouettes: Jewels with Curves in All the Right Places

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just us? As jewellers swap sharp lines for shapely swirls, we look at new collections that are embracing the raw power of sensuality inspired by the female form

by Rachael Taylor

Artistic Realms: The Enchanting Natural World of Histoire D’Elle

I had the pleasure of speaking with Pascale Van Maele, the Brand Manager of Histoire d'Elle, which celebrates the deep-rooted connection between quiet femininity, elegance and natural forms. Let's explore together…

by Sarah Jordan

Spinel Stories: Celebrating the Special Allure of Spinels with the House of Gübelin 

I visited the Geneva boutique of the family-owned business to indulge my passion for this overlooked gemstone and explore some of its beautiful creations…

by Katerina Perez

Golden Hour: Cosmic Creations in the Chanel Reach for the Stars High Jewellery Collection

The Reach for the Stars collection bounces between cosmic constellations of diamonds, elaborate, almost mythological neckwear, and starbursts of coloured stones, all with the Maison’s Parisian flair

by Sarah Jordan

Ultimate Guide to Promise Rings: What They Mean, How to Wear One and Where to Buy

While the promise ring's meaning has evolved, its emotional weight remains, making it especially popular among Gen Z and millennial couples seeking the perfect, personal pre-engagement jewel

by Claire Roberts

Exquisite Escapes: The Idyllic Inspirations Behind the Diorexquis High Jewellery Collection

In early May 2025, Dior Joaillerie's Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane showcased an unprecedented high jewellery collection, Diorexquis, to more than 300 VIPs at the Château de la Colle Noire in the heart of Provence. Let's take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.