J
ust two short months ago, I wrote about “Mini Marvels” for this trend column. Well, that look was going strong all over the new collections at COUTURE. But the other end of the scale, giant jewels, was there in spades too. Often the huge and miniature coexisted side-by-side in one designer’s work. It felt like the Alice in Wonderland combination of teeny and humongous.
Header image courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe
Image courtesy of Marie Lichtenberg
While I had been noticing the little ones coming to the forefront of style for a while, I have to admit the super-sized designs caught me a bit off guard. Especially considering many of the colossal creations came from designers who have not ventured into the big leagues in the past.
Image courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe
Several tackled the concept of going big by using pearls, silver or alternative materials such as wood. There were also, however, immense gold jewels that felt as about luxurious as it gets with the steadily rising price of the metal.
Find out about some of the best big jewels from the COUTURE designers BEA BONGIASCA, EÉRA, MARIE LICHTENBERG and SOPHIE BILLE BRAHE.
Image courtesy of Marie Lichtenberg
Marie Lichtenberg
Parisian sensation, Marie Lichtenberg dropped some of the biggest jewels in the entire COUTURE show. She dubbed the pieces Jumbo. And they ran through many themes in her collection.
Image courtesy of Marie Lichtenberg
There were ginormous letters in a gothic kind of font. The designer’s sense of play came through in gargantuan dice pendants composed of wood and diamonds as well as gold and diamonds. The pièce de resistance, demonstrating the designer’s full commitment to an immense look, came in the transformation of her signature Baby Lockets. Versions of the little ones are all grown up and attached to bold gold ball chokers.
Image courtesy of Marie Lichtenberg
Image courtesy of Marie Lichtenberg
Image courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe
Sophie Bille Brahe
A native of Copenhagen, Sophie Bille Brahe’s jewelry collection embodies the clean, modern aesthetic Danish design is famous for. Her understated artistry, so beautifully exhibited in pearl necklaces and diamond rings, have long made her work a favorite among the coolest crowd.
Image courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe
Well, Sophie’s new jewels have pearls in an almost shockingly large gumball-size. They make the biggest statement she has created, possibly ever and are a key barometer that big is having a major moment. The collection includes bold pearl bracelets with toggle clasps and a pearl necklace that drapes down the back. There are also jewels that show off her shift in scale with just one pearl hanging off a charm ring or at the center of a torque necklace.
Image courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe
Image courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe
Image courtesy of EÉRA
EÉRA
When EÉRA designers, Chiara Capitani and Romy Blanga, found a snap hook at a Japanese vintage store they envisioned a complete collection of fine jewelry. Needless to say the look the Italian designers have embraced is utilitarian. It falls along the timeline of jewelry with roots in the hardware store, which has been part of the modern jewelry vocabulary since at least the 1970s.
Image courtesy of EÉRA
The EÉRA designers used a couple of different techniques to upsize their pieces. Silver allowed them to go uber large while maintaining a reasonable price. They also mixed metals in super luxurious pieces studded with diamonds and infused with a PVD coating of bright colors.
Image courtesy of EÉRA
Image courtesy of EÉRA
Image courtesy of Bea Bongiasca
Bea Bongiasca
Many of the jewels in Bea Bongiasca’s collection have “Baby” in the title. The colorful signature pieces are not diminutive but they are on the smaller side. To celebrate 10-years in business the Milanese super talent pumped up the volume on her jewels and they look sensational. Almost like balloons at a party to celebrate the big anniversary.
Image courtesy of Bea Bongiasca
Bea reimagined her Mini Loops into a super maximal script for earrings, rings and a polka dot loop-de-loop necklace. It all made for an exciting gigantic look.
Image courtesy of Bea Bongiasca
Image courtesy of Bea Bongiasca
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