Bloomin’ Marvellous: A cornucopia of spring-inspired jewelleries
As cool weather gives way to warmer climes and the seductive scent of spring begins to emerge, it’s time to turn our attention once more to that most consistently alluring of seasonal trends – floral jewellery.
Indeed, Mother Earth has long inspired the leading haute joaillerie maisons of the world, leading to the creation of some truly stunning garden-themed creations – Chopard’s decadent Red Carpet Collection 2021 choker and the Manhattan Party necklace by Bulgari, to name but two.
It would be folly, however, to assume that such flower-inspired jewellery has only recently become in vogue. Indeed, such adornments date back to many ancient civilisations, and have traditionally been worn in such elaborate ceremonies as Indian weddings. More recently, this trend has been adopted by the West, with summer brides opting for veils adorned with floral headpieces in a bohemian chic style.
Today, however, the floral fad is used not just for weddings but for every imaginable occasion, great or small. What’s more, they come in a riot of hues, shapes and sizes, making them just the perfect addition be it to subtly enhance your outfit of the day or grab attention at your chosen soiree.
Style File: Spring 2022 colours you will be seeing everywhere!
Taking a peek at the hottest Spring 2022 stylings. from striking blues to not so mellow yellow, these are the Spring 2022 colours you will be seeing everywhere! See below for some colourful inspo!
Look 1
On Her: Earrings, top, trousers and boots by Giorgio Armani On Him: Handbag, scarf, watch, jacket, pants and shoes by Hermès
Look 2
On Her: Cross-body bag, dress and tie-up ankle-strap flat sandals by Chloé
Look 3
On Her: Earrings by Roger Vivier; Crop top and skirt by Moschino; Bag by Valentino Garavani; Heels by Jimmy Choo On Him: Jumpsuit, bag and shoes by Prada
Look 4
On Him: Sweater, pants, slippers and sunglasses by Loewe
Look 5
On Him: Jacket and pants by Versace; Shoes by Christian Louboutin On Her: Headband, earrings, necklace, jacket, skirt, chain belt, shoulder bag and heels by Chanel
Look 6
On Her: Dress and boots by Balenciaga On Him: Hat by Gucci; Sweater and pants by Giorgio Armani; Shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo
Look 7
On Her: Tube top, skirt, gloves, bag and heels by Gucci On Him: Vest, jacket, button-up shirt, pants and shoes by Gucci
Look 8
On Her: Necklace by Hermès; Dress by Chloé; Heels by Jimmy Choo On Him: Jacket, button-up shirt, shorts and shoes by Valentino
Look 9
On Her: Handbag by Christian Louboutin; One-shoulder stretch-knit dress by David Koma, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Heels by Loewe On Him: Top by Versace
(Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jackie Chan; Female model: Vika Savina (Synergy Model Management Limited); Male model: Gabriel (Synergy Model Management Limited); Hair and Make-up: Heti Tsang and Owen Ko)
Winter wardrobe trends to keep you warm
Temperatures have dipped to an all-time cold! Though a trip to the Big Apple’s 5th Avenue or London’s Savile Row may be far from a reality right now, we’re excited to finally throw on this season’s puffiest outerwears and warmest woolen garbs to flaunt. From a splash of popping colours to knitted poncho numbers to elevated bomber jackets, these are the bold and bright winter fashion trends worth picking up before the colder season ends. Scroll below for Gafencu‘s picks…
Chic form and comfy function are on the same team. While cooler days call for heavier and more voluptuous outerwear, moving ahead is easy in these winter-sports-inspired cover-ups, from Michael Kors’ bomber jacket to Miu Miu’s bubble-gum number.
Form-fitting or lovely and loose, from sweaters to dresses, knitted garbs like Fendi’s cropped turtleneck jumper, Valentino’s poncho number and Ports’ layered ensemble make for warm, utterly elegant styling. Pull on the wool this season …
Denim makes a fierce comeback on the runways of the highest fashion authorities. Ripped, faded or patched – no matter which way your style sways, slip into the likes of Celine jeans or Louis Vuitton denim overalls or even a Hermès denim coat for the smartest of casual ease.
Capes came back into fashion a few seasons ago and there’s no sign of them disappearing. Taking inspiration from Victorian royals, then elevating this outerwear trend with flowing elegance and flexible functionality, they are at their buoyant best on the runways of Valentino and Hermès.
Loosening the reins on traditional styling are this season’s trendiest trench coats. The likes of Versace, Louis Vuitton and Fendi set a less formal, more modish outerwear mood for fashion-forward men to follow suit.
Bold Colours
This winter is in need of a much needed splash of colour to the traditionally earthy cool tones of winter garments. From hot pink and sharp yellow to a illuminating glorious green – brilliant neon hues paint the runways with a much-needed vibrancy. Take, for example, Burberry’s cape-sleeved dress, Gucci’s Aria ensemble and Salvatore Ferragamo’s over sized number. Bold, bright and beautiful.
Step out in your finest winterwear with these soirée stylings
Hitting the mark on all levels of glam, edgy and irresistibly modern, these fashion winter styles will inspire your next party look and ensure you step out into your next big soirée with styles to turn heads and a wardrobe to impress.
Look 1
Earrings, bracelet, long jacket and boots by Loewe
Look 2
Earrings, and dress by Shiatzy Chen; Cross-body bag by Jimmy Choo; Heels by Dolce & Gabbana
Look 3
Ring and belt accessory by Roger Vivier; + NET SUSTAIN Beneventotie Together one-shoulder cutout maxi dress by ARTCLUB, Courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Heels by Jimmy Choo
Look 4
Earrings, necklace, gloves, fur wrap, corset, skirt, heels and bag by Gucci
Look 5
Turtleneck and pants by Dolce & Gabbana; Heels by Christian Louboutin
Look 6
Dress by Shiatzy Chen; Handbag by Christian Louboutin; Heels by Jimmy Choo
Look 7
Earrings, top, shirt and heels by Miu Miu
(Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Kes Lei and Jackie Chan; Model: Liza M (A1M Management Limited) Hair and Make Up: Owen Ko)
Retro Fashion: Timeless ensemble for a classic vintage look
Nothing really goes out of style in fashion — they only turn vintage.
Take for example a 80s inspired dress suit with an edgy side slit by Miu Miu for the power-forward modern woman or a classy yet snazzy disco- flashy jacket and trousers by Gucci… These snapshot-ready fashion styling ideas will jazz up your Instagram feed any time of the day.
Look 1
On Her
Earrings, cropped jacket, long skirt, handbag, thigh-high socks and heels by Miu Miu
On Him
Sweater, long jacket, trousers and shoes by Dolce & Gabbana
Look 2
On Her
Earrings by Gucci; Ruffled mesh-paneled mini dress by David Koma, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Bag by Miu Miu; Boots by Jimmy Choo
On Him
Sweater, pants, shoes by Loewe
Look 3
On Her
iPhone 13 in pink by Apple; Button-up shirt, jacket, trousers, handbag and heels by Gucci
On Him
iPhone 13 in white by Apple; Button-up shirt, jacket, pants and loafers by Gucci
Look 4
On Her
Jacket and trousers by Prada; Heels by Christian Louboutin
On Him
Button-up shirt, jacket, pants and shoes by Prada
Look 5
Jacket, pants and loafers by Gucci
Look 6
On Her
Dress by Gucci; Headband and handbag by Roger Vivier; Heels by Jimmy Choo
On Him
Jacket, long jacket, trousers and boots by Hermès;
Look 7
Long dress, chain belt and knee-high boots by Shiatzy Chen
Look 8
On Her
Cropped button-up shirt, cropped jacket and pants by Prada; Heels by Jimmy Choo
On Him
Turtleneck, long coat, trousers and shoes by Hermès
Featuring: iPhone 13 and iPad Pro by Apple (#ShotoniPhone13ProMax)
Look 9
On Her
iPhone 13 in red by Apple; Jacket and trousers by Shiatzy Chen; Heels by Jimmy Choo
On Him
iPhone 13 in blue by Apple; Turtleneck, vest, pants and shoes by Prada
Men’s jewellery is back in style – Top trends here!
The men’s jewellery renaissance is gaining momentum. The creative sartorial pursuits of fashion sensations like Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet (Cartier’s new friend), Joe Jonas (Chopard’s bud) are to be thanked but back home, all credit goes to the champions of Mirror boy band for fueling the rage in Hong Kong circles.
From the past few seasons, we’re seeing boys in bling on fashion runways but the Spring 2022 collection of luxury houses, from Prada, Gucci, Versace to Ferrari and others, were all gleaming with gems… Below is our edit of the most fashionable men’s jewellery trends of the year. Notice the bling and the ring are getting voluminous in size.
In the photo: Fred Force 10 Collection; Bulgari B.Zero1 ring and Cartier bracelet; Tiffany & Co. T True ring and Maker’s narrow chain necklace; Gucci yellow-gold bracelet and ring with interlocking G
Adding stylish sartorial details to the typically minimalist gold ring and necklace, fine jewellery houses such as Fred, Chautmet, Gucci and Tiffany & Co. these classy collections elegant lines and a rich characteristic to accentuate the hands and wrists.
In the photo: Dior chain necklace; Givenchy chain necklace and lock bracelet; David Yurman chain bracelet
For a flashy number, chain necklaces take on a pared back and more sophisticated appeal than its longer, oscillating iterations. Whether you’re putting together a minimalist look or a modish ensemble, chains offer the perfect accent to any outfit.
In the photo: Vintage Cartier brooch and pin; Etro brooch; Maison Margiela brooch
Extravagant brooches and pins are making a fierce comeback. Fashioned on the red carpet by the likes of Timothée Chalamet and Regé-Jean Page, among many other A-listers are owning their softer sides and turning these traditionally feminine accessories into a unique statement piece for any black tie event.
In the photo: Pearl necklace by Éliou; Afternoon at the Ritz Pearl Story-ring by JLG
The preferred jewel of kings and pop-stars alike, are back in swag for men to don on any occasion. If a chain of pearls, de rigour for men in the 16th and 17th century feels a tad extra, the contemporary male can go the Harry Styles way – wearing minimalist, finest quality solitaire pearls for a subdued layer of style.
In the photo: Solitaire pearl on a gold chain; string of pearls Paradox collection by Arao
These natural wonders are often worn by the highest in royalty and if you’re looking for a place to start shopping – Mirabel Rosar’s sustainable and ethical jewellery outlet, Arao, curates modern yet timeless, gender fluid pieces. Her latest Paradox collection introduces two awe-inspiring lines – Sinag, a stunning single Keishi pearl in a 14k gold strand, and –Sikat, a classic string of pearls are a good place to start if you’re looking to make a statement.
In the photo: John Hardy black jade ring and beaded bracelets; Northern Sky rings by JLG; Messika titanium ring and bracelet; Harry Winston cuff-links and pendant necklace
Luxury jewellers the world over are pushing out sartorial creations that oozes style, character and the essence of joie de vivre. The Northern Sky Story-ring in elongated ice blue spinel by JLG and John Hardy’s dual black jade in sterling silver ring and beaded bracelets among other standouts by Messika and Harry Winston are case in point.
Going for Gold: Dazzling aureate accessories for the festive season
Go for gold this winter as you celebrate the festive season with a sparkling jeweled flair, courtesy of these aureate accessories just oozing with luxury and glamour. From Hermès Rouge lipstick collection to a brass mini bag with GG Supreme motif by Gucci and Jimmy Choo’s Avri 90 heels to a the elegant pair of Chainlink earrings by Loewe. Check out these sumptuous fashion accessories below…
Look 1
Rouge lipsticks by Hermès
Look 2
The One eau de Parfum by Dolce & Gabbana; Velvet Exotic Leather fragrance by Dolce & Gabbana; The One Gold perfume by Dolce & Gabbana
Look 3
Oversized Portobello tote by Mulberry; East West Amberley shoulder bag by Mulberry
Look 4
Brass mini bag with GG Supreme motif by Gucci; Rings in metal with gold finish and crystals by Gucci; Necklace with white and emerald crystals by Gucci
Look 5
Bon Bon mini bag by Jimmy Choo; Avri 90 heels by Jimmy Choo
Look 6
Chainlink earrings by Loewe; Shiny Endura Gold/Sand sunglasses by Loewe
(Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma;Videographer: Kes Lai)
Winter is Coming: Stylish pieces for mens winter fashion
Plummeting temperatures and December soirées call for crystals and embellishments, sharp tailoring, volume drama, oversized coats and monochromatic looks. Combing through the top trends this winter, here’s your tight edit of the warmest numbers – scroll below for some wearable style inspo…
Look 1
Trench coat, jacket, trousers and shoes by Bottega Veneta
Look 2
Sweater, shorts and high-cut sneakers by Loewe
Look 3
Button-up shirt, pants, layered balloon pants and white boots by DEMO
Look 4
Jacket, tank top, belt and trousers by Dolce & Gabbana; Shoes by Prada
Look 5
Turtleneck by Prada; Trench coat by Loewe; Cross-body bag by Balenciaga
Look 6
Jacket, necklace with pouch, cross-body bag and pants by Prada
Look 7
Button-up shirt, necklace, jacket, trousers and loafers by Gucci
Hue Dunnit: Colourful statement pieces for the cooler season
Serving up bold and bright shades to add a splash of colour for the cooler season are the highest in high fashion, from an emerald green ensemble by Gucci to a cobalt blue floral dress by Balenciaga to an electric purple turtleneck and long skirt by Stella McCartney — the true hues of winter are all shades of fierce, contrasting tones. Don’t believe us, just see for yourself…
Look 1
On Her: Turtleneck and long skirt by Stella McCartney; Handbag by Jimmy Choo; Heels by Versace On Him Jacket, pants, handbag and shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo
Look 2
On Her: Jacket, pants, boot heels by Hermès On Him Jacket, pants, watch and shoes by Hermès
Look 3
Button-up shirt, shorts and shoes by Prada
Look 4
On Her:
Earrings, dress and thigh-high boots by Bottega Veneta On Him:
Necklace, ring, jacket, button-up shirt, pants and shoes by Hermès
Look 5
On Her:
Jacket, necklace, cross-body bag, trousers and loafers by Gucci On Him:
Jacket, rings, handbag, pants and loafers by Gucci
Look 6
Dress and high-knee boots by Balenciaga
Look 7
On Her:
Earrings, dress and ankle boots by Loewe On Him:
Vest by Dunhill; Pants by Hermès; Shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo
Look 8
On Her: Earrings, jacket and skirt by Versace; Heels by Jimmy Choo On Him:
Sleeveless long shirt by Loewe; Pants by Prada; Shoes by Dunhill
Look 9
On Her:
Dress and high-knee boots by Balenciaga On Him:
Jacket, necklace, cross-body bag, pants and shoes by Prada
Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Kes Lei; Jackie Chan Female model: Ka Wai (Elite Model Management Hong Kong Limited); Male model: Ling Kai (Elite Model Management Hong Kong Limited); Hair and Make-up: Heti Tsang and Owen Ko
Fall-Winter 2021 runway shows: The standout collections
The 2021 woman is a self-made queen. Far from traditional, she adapts without rules or restrictions, reinvents herself in the pandemic, rejoices in a party, runs across a room in smocking couture and sturdy shoes, dances in the femininity of frills and stuns in a tailored suit. Impressive and impeccable, she’s the fashion inspiration for several designers who showcased their autumn/winter collections virtually for second year in a row. Though laptop viewings are nowhere close to the wild thrill of live runways – the key message here is re-invention. As the runway collections adjust to mirror our times, they embrace the vibrance, warmth, drama and authenticity of the strong woman that isn’t afraid to show her skin or cover it up.
Balenciaga
Demna Gvasalia is a past master at extraordinary dress-making. Balenciaga’s artistic director has managed to branch into the pinnacle of exclusive craftsmanship – haute couture – for the first time since its founder stepped down in 1968. The silhouettes and structure of Gvasalia’s pieces are nothing short of magical. Tailoring is intentionally creased and silhouette-hiding, and the appeal is equal parts timeless and casual.
Burberry The pandemic has been a great leveller for Burberry’s creative director, Riccardo Tisci. Unlike his previous expansive collection which had something to please everyone – he presents a focussed, tighter edit in 2021 – an ode to the strength and femininity of the modern. The series of reconstructed trench coats which open the show, the cinched shimmering gold against Burberry’s iconic beige, the studded and the shredded looks are a perfect amalgamation of the Italian designers sensuality and brand’s iconic heritage.
Chanel
The opulence of Chanel’s iconic catwalks of yesteryears was amiss but the strong, wearable fall-winter collection makes up for the magic. The line – a mix of masculine cuts and feminine silhouettes – oozes joy and warmth. Muted clothes with new logo prints, pastel shades of pink, vibrant tweeds, mashups of sequins resembling paint strokes, metallic party dresses with knee-high boots made for a whimsical viewing, because what is Chanel if not exaggerated fantasy?
Dior Layers of tulles, shimmering lamé, flowy gowns washed in oceanic shades, harlequins, mermaids, debutante’s and a closed catwalk held at the magnificent Château de Versailles – the Dior collection was quite literally a fairy-tale for grown women. Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri set out to explore the world of fantasy not as a “means of escape” but to “challenge and revisit stereotypes and archetypes”. Ethereal yet somehow suited for a walk in the park, the collection is set in a territory where craftsmanship reigns supreme, dimensions of time and space are erased, delicately woven dresses in tweed, plaid or feathered trim interspersed in dark palettes give form and contours to a modern interpretation of femininity.
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana’s catwalk – replete with cyber punk-inspired models and artificial intelligence-controlled runways – is as futuristic as it gets in the world of luxury fashion. Loud and proud, the line packs quite a punch – dripping with technicolour fabrics, rainbow wigs and eye-popping accessories.
Fendi Minimalist and elegant, Designer Kim Jones takes a spot at fashion’s highest table with this collection. His latest line-up of supermodels and ball gowns in neutral palettes – beiges, browns, blacks and greys – is a tribute to timeless codes of the house and the powerful women of the Fendi dynasty. Grounded in the Roman era, the stellar casting of the catwalk sees famous faces like Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, and Amber Valletta waft around in fine, glamorous couture.
Giorgio Armani Rich in elongated, flowy, feminine silhouettes, exuding shimmering ocean hues, abstract prints and playful spiral ruffles – styles which could be worn decades before and decades later from now. That’s the timeless appeal of Armani. Comfort is paramount in 2021 and reflected in the relaxed yet elegant line-up – unstructured jackets with raglan sleeves, flat shoes and geometric design bags – all form a unifying feature of the show.
Givenchy
For its latest seasonal collection, Givenchy has embraced a riot of textures, fabrics, cuts and prints. Here, rigidly-structured coats and baggy trousers war with flowy skirts and flirtatiously see-through gowns for attention, with each design meant to be “sensual, elegant and show female empowerment.”
Gucci
The French label’s 100th anniversary show, titled Gucci x Balenciaga, was expected to be an ambitious crossover in fashion, but creative director Alessandro Michele’s vision brings the collaboration to another level in a powerful explosion of crystals, glitter, unabashed glamour and sleek tailoring.
Hermès
French designer Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski’s classic, trans-seasonal line is less about the whims of trends and more about highlighting supreme atelier skills. In keeping with tradition, the pants are straight, sharply tailored and almost androgynous, while the dresses are easy and relaxed. Chunky chains and silver studs add to the affair without overwhelming the assemblage.
Loewe A bright feast for the eyes, the Spanish fashion major unboxes creativity and flips over the traditional minimalist lines which defines Loewe. Creative director Jonathan Anderson embraces the optimism of “colour therapy” and presents a dazzling line of avant-garde cuts, eccentric zigzag shapes, technicolour splashes and playful accessories.
Louis Vuitton Nicolas Ghesquière presented his Louis Vuitton collection at the Louvre in Paris in an extraordinary journey into the past reminiscent of Golden Age. An impactful, remarkable line with graphic-print tunics, colour-blocked outerwear, sack-shaped jackets which echo the Roman era, tailoring which has sometimes been deliberately left undone, voluminous skirts with layers of gilded lamé.
Prada
There’s a space between the elegant and the practical, between the contrasts of simplicity and complexity – Prada’s current line falls somewhere in that range. Cracks of colour peak out of layered sober clothing, work wear formals get a chic uplift, the drop-shoulder coat in yellow particularly stands out and long fluffy fur coats are one for keeps
Salvatore Ferragamo
For its FW2021 line, the house of Ferragamo takes a conceptual leap into the future, courtesy of creative director Paul Andrew. Revisiting the tropes of uniforms – business, military and sportwear – the structured lines have been given a youthful flourish through dashes of shimmer and flashes of fluorescent colours.
Stella McCartney Full of energy, psychedelic patterns, dramatic silhouettes, Stella McCartney’s new collection brings the party back! The designer shuns the stay-at-home clothing, infuses her line with joy and extravaganza where colours, skin and glitter are paraded. When it comes to sustainability, the fashion house is a trailblazer – 77% of the collection is made with sustainable materials.
Valentino Creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli sets an example of true subdued decadence and a return to simplicity in this show. Staged at the famous Piccolo Theatre in Milan, the designer went for a quiet runway. Monochromatic looks interspersed with gold, sharp tailoring was uniformly reflected in the long gowns as well as the modern work wear. Piccioli’s love for the white shirt continues, he has a very 70s take on it with mid-length fittings and large collars.
Versace “I have realised that this is the future, the new way of communicating collections,” Donatella Versace remarked after the autumn winter show. The fashion house flipped the narrative for the Fall 2021 line trading the signature baroque and medusa prints for a newly reinvented Greca motif and splashed it on everything. A VIP roster of Gigi and Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk and others carry the strong collection with unrestrained Italian glamour that is a part of Versace’s DNA.
YSL Shaking the bourgeois code, hanging in glitzy imperfections of the classic structure of the 60s wardrobe with the colours of 80s, set against the backdrop of gloom, creative director Anthony Vaccarello’s jaw-dropping collection is like a surreal odyssey. He recreates the ultimate post-pandemic party line with tiny leather miniskirts and under tailoring, ultra-long boots, metallic stretch leotards with glossy chandelier earrings and chokers.
