Vegas baby! It’s not all slot machines, theme restaurants and mega-concerts. Once a year on the last week of May it is the world capital of jewellery. Vegas plays host to the Couture Show where hundreds of jewellers show their newest collections. It is the fashion week of jewellery. This is the place trends for the year are decided and design stars emerge. As a jewellery editor, I quickly note my favourite trends and stand-out designs. Here are my top ten:
Lauren Rubinski
Lauren Rubinski, the Parisian cool-girl-jeweller is known for her thick gold chains and oversized charms (Kate Moss is a fan). The wow moment this season was her hologram medallion. It is a weighty gold medallion that reveals a 3D lucky charm motif – it’s a throwback for ’80s/early ’90s kids while being a step forward for jewellery.
Marie Lichtenberg
Marie Lichtenberg showed puffy letter charms in brushed yellow gold. The letter charm trend happened around 2021 but the new twist is the interesting font and the larger scale – it makes them more decorative than just a letter. They should be worn en masse with other necklaces and charms just as the former Elle France editor wears them.
Lalaounis
The Greek jeweller of record, Lalaounis, somehow creates pieces that are both timeless and of-the moment. Exhibit A: this hand-hammered choker dotted with citrine stones. The piece could have walked Yves Saint Laurent’s runway in the ’70s, while also being a must-have for this season.
Francesca Villa
Francesca Villa took the Victorian lover’s eye motif, and playfully twisted it. She replaced the eye paintings with cartoon lenticulars that open/close or shift directions depending on the angle you are viewing them. Then she surrounded them with traditional pearls and diamonds. It is pretty, funny and adorable.
Venyx
Eugenie Niarchos of Venyx considered her family history of shipping in her new collection. She worked with a company who reclaims plastics harvested from the ocean waters to make beads. She embedded diamonds in some of the beads, and mixed them with Murano glass and pearls. This is jewellery that looks good and does good.
Sauer
There’s just something about Sauer’s cord chokers I cannot get over. The thick silk cord, the oversized gems drops, the affordable *(for the size of the look) prices. They are undeniably cool.
Anita Ko
Anita Ko the authority on LA diamonds made the new It pendant: jewel-encrusted whistles. Whether used for Harvard-Westlake football practice, or calling your car at the valet you will see these
everywhere.
Retrouvai
Retrouvai charmed us all with gold matchbook pendants. The largest size with hard stone strikers open to reveal a stone-tipped match.
Eva Fehren
Eva Fehren, revisited her ‘X’ designs in shiny yellow gold tubing. The new look retains her tough-modern vibe while updating in the era of the Cartier Baignoire.
