From upcycling everyday objects into sustainable accesories to going gender-neutral, 2018 will witness it all, says Divya Batra
Jewels have always been a statement of power, prosperity and prestige. The Golconda diamonds, sapphires from Kashmir and pearls from Gulf of Munnar have been coveted treasures but quirky accesories will be one of the dominating trends in the forthcoming year.
Indigenous Ideas
We have observed globalisation and now we are looking for what’s good back home, to inspire us. Many innovative ideas are present in our own country in the form of regional weaves, prints and fabrics. While 2017 saw continued revival of fabrics like Ikat, Kalamkari printing or the usage of Devanagari script in fashion as the trends, they will be more refined in the forthcomming year. The Kundan, Jadau, Karanphool Jhumkas, Navratna, lac and pachchikam jewellery are making a comeback with celebrities endorsing these trends at weddings.
Earcuffs
The trend came in the 1990s and has already been around for two years. It will replace the traditional ear chains in 2018. Earcuffs add a good doze of drama to any ensemble. Celebrities like Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone too have sported the look at international festivals and photoshoots.
Pom Pom Jewellery
With an array of bright colours flooding the market, this trend with its usage of vibrant tassels and pom pom garnered a lot of interest which will continue in the New Year. This style adds weight to your simply look making you look chic and classy.
This year saw few short-lived trends as well. Use of mooch motif was one such element that seems to have taken well in fabrics. However, in jewellery it rather proved to be a dud. Dream catchers made their way from cosy rooms to necklaces, earrings and bracelets and were seen flooding the market. Youngsters made fashion statements with them, pairing the feathered circle with the bohemian outfits.
The trend of nail art got its extension in the form of nail rings. Several fashionistas were seen flaunting quirky rings on their nail bed instead of fingers. While bejeweled ones with faux diamantes, coloured stones and small pearls can make a statement, those in solid gold are also a hot favourite.This trend was weird and thus short-lived
Gender-neutral jewellery
In a world that is stepping into the feeling of being a human first and a man or a woman second, jewellery has and shall evolve accordingly. We shall see the distance between gender typical jewellery reducing. The way today’s world is providing a progressive perception, we would see a reflection of this in jewellery as well. Unisex brooches, pins that double up as hair accessories for women and collar pin/tie pins for men are some examples of unisex accessories that would soon find their way in a full-fledged manner.
Multi-usable accessories
In a fickle world where we are left with very small attention span for things, we crave constant change. The trend of changeability, multi- usability and wear ability goes hand in hand with this mindset. We would see a lot of creativity in this trend. It could be dress up and dress down accessories that easily transform dull attire.
Sustainable accessories
We have played with Mother Nature enough in the past years and are seeing signs of her anger now. Hence, the youth is trying to create a future which is more sustainable. In order to move towards it, we are seeing more and more brands and designers coming up with real sustainable accessories like the use of old coins, powder and recycled stones instead of real ones will see an increased customers.
Reliving the Arabic era
Almost a died language, it is now picking up slowly and gradually in the form of art. The Arabic words are less spoken in the Middle East but when it comes to art, the language brings the best of creativity. The use of Urdu and Arabic words in jewellery is fast picking up and can become a rage in the forthcoming year. Rings or bracelets with caption ‘freedom’ written are some quirky trends. The fashion enthusiasts love wearing such artful pieces as they consider it to be a part of their persona that speaks their mind.
(The author is the co-founder and design head at Quirksmith)