Fall 2008 Jewelry Trends

Last winter, South Florida was unseasonable warm which led without much ado to the transition into another warm summer. Ducky (my pool temperature gauge) marked the start of swimming weather at the end of April (normally the end of May) through today (so far) (the water is a mild 80 degrees) and will probably run through the end of October. I didn't realize it was Fall until I saw the CBS Early Morning Show folks shivering as they stood outside of the studio. It dawn on me that I have done nothing as far so for to 1) review the fall fashion lines, 2) download the Fall 2008 Pantone Color Chart 3) reviewed Fall 2008 Jewelry Trends.

Net-A-Porter, one of my favorite shopping/trend guides had their top 10 accessories listed on their website:

According to the PANTONE® Fashioncolor Report Fall 2008:

A Season of Change
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK,FEBRUARY 1– 8, 2008
Best described as a season of change, fall ’08 is defined by rich, elegant hues that offer a vibrant selection. New York’s fashion designers emphasize cooler blues, greens and purples in the top five tones used in their collections, followed by variations of warm red, orange and yellow. “Fall is traditionally a time for subdued, quiet colors, but this season we are seeing a shift toward cool hues with bright, exciting undertones,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Conventional tones such as warm autumn hues, chocolate browns and steel grays are also among the fall color choices. Blue and purple tones have become staples, as illustrated by Blue Iris, one of the top 10 colors chosen by designers this season, and Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2008.” Blue Iris, a beautifully balanced blue with an undertone of purple, is a favorite among designers, as it combines the calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple. Dramatic Royal Lilac brings purple to the forefront of fashion, and generates a bit of heat with its exciting red undertones. Serene, sophisticated Caribbean Blue is another popular hue this fall, especially in jewelry and accessories. But it can add a colorful intensity wherever it is used in the wardrobe. Twilight Blue, a twist on a classic navy, shows the transitional aspect of spring segueing into fall. Serving as a wonderful base color, Shady Glade delivers a natural elegance to the fall palette. Taking green in an interesting direction with its true green characteristics, this hue is a departure from greens of seasons past, which have had distinctively yellow undertones. Reds are a steadfast favorite for fall and Aurora Red is no exception. Versatile and universally appealing, this true red adds a splash of energy to the palette. Soft, dusky Withered Rose, with its pinkish qualities and brown undertones, is a versatile hue that blends with every shade. Ochre, a beautifully mellow yellow with a hint of mustard, adds a touch of lightness and spice. Orange has had a long run, and now, more than ever, consumers are gravitating toward intense shades like Burnt Orange, bringing this once steady background color to the foreground. The complex yet modest Shitake is an intriguingly understated shade, especially when teamed with the robust colors of fall ‘08.
Blue Iris PANTONE® 18-3943
Royal Lilac PANTONE 18-3531
Shady Glade PANTONE 18-5624
Caribbean Sea PANTONE 18-4525
Aurora Red PANTONE 18-1550
Shitake PANTONE 18-1015
Withered Rose PANTONE 18-1435
Twilight Blue PANTONE 19-3938
Burnt Orange PANTONE 16-1448
Ochre PANTONE 14-1036
http://www.pantone.com/

In the article: The Fall/Winter 2008 Fashion and Color Forecast for Jewelry Artists, they list the following as trends for Jewelry this fall and winter:

Jewelry is big this season – literally! Big necklaces, big rings, big collections of bangles… Read on and you’ll see what I mean. Here’s an overview of the most important trends in jewelry for Fall/Winter 2008:

• Make a statement! – Over and over, research on this season’s trends keeps revealing that the “statement necklace” is the defining piece to own this season. And it’s just the thing to help you shine amidst a sea of boots and sweaters! Fortunately, there’s more than one way to make a statement with your neckwear. You can do it with multi-strand necklaces, bib necklaces or something long, bold and decidedly asymmetrical!

• Arm candy – Whether you prefer cuffs, bangles, charm bracelets, woven metal, beadwork, fiber or chain maille, (whew!) bracelets continue to be a sweet treat, especially when stacked! Cuffs really take the cake – or rather, the sweet spot on the wrist – this year, though. Make sure you whip up at least one!

• Lay it on thick! – In addition to sporting a stack of bangles, necklace layering is still in vogue. The latest variation on this theme is the layering of chains with beaded necklaces. Pendant layering is still hot, as well. For the sequential folks among us, that might mean wearing several similar pieces (all hearts, for example) or complementary ones, such as a group of all silver pendants of a similar size, or even pieces on a theme, like a grouping of suns, moons and stars. For the more abstract souls, layering means anything goes! Knock yourself out!

• In one a-cord – Speaking of pendants, cords are still the hot way to wear your pretty dangles. Create your favorite version dangling from leather, silk, ribbon, microfiber, suede, rubber or waxed linen.

• Knuckle busters – Big bold rings are everywhere this season. Reeeeeally big
rings! Some sport a single giant stone and others are covered with a pavé of itty bitty gemstones or crystals.

• Metal mania – Silver is back this season, but so are bronze, copper, gold and even chocolate gold! Textured metals are hot, as are those with a smooth matte finish. You’ll also find blackened metals in every hue, as well as pieces polished to a bright shine.

• Feminine filigree – Girly girls, rejoice! Filigree is hanging in there again this winter, along with delicate dangles of crystals and gemstones. If you’re a confirmed romantic, chances are you’ll love these feminine trends!

• One-of-a-kind keepsakes – A return to artisan-crafted jewelry has been happening for several years now and shows no signs of slowing down. Jewelry has become a mode of self-expression for many and there’s no better way to express yourself than by wearing a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted piece that you created yourself!