Green-eyed: Luxury accessories with an enviably natural look

It’s no secret that choosing the perfect luxury accessories can make or break your overall look. If you’re a loss for just which jewellery pieces to choose, fear not. The Gafencu style team has carefully curated a selection of the latest accessories that will surely have your friends green-eyed with envy.

Beautiful luxury accessories from Chanel

From left – Cactus de Cartier 18K yellow gold rings, necklace and earrings with precious and semi–precious gemstones and diamonds, all by Cartier

Hermes and Chopard serve up some beautiful luxury accessories

From top – Cape Cod steel watch with diamonds, Kelly Chaine yellow gold tie necklace and double tour bracelet, all by Hermes; Happy Hearts 18K rose gold rings with moving diamonds and precious stones, Happy Sport stainless steel watch with moving diamonds, all by Chopard

Necklaces and open bangles from Piaget

From left: Possession 18K pink gold necklaces and open bangles with diamonds and cabochons, all by Piaget

Watches by Piaget and accessories from Chopard

From left: Possession 18K pink gold watches with diamonds by Piaget; Happy Hearts 18K rose gold long necklace, bracelet and earrings with moving diamonds, Happy Diamonds 18K rose gold pendant with moving diamonds, all by Chopard

Van Cleef & Arpels presents an arresting array of luxury accessories

From Left: Bouton d’Or yellow gold necklace, rings and earrings; Vintage Alhambra 20-motif long necklace and 2-motif earrings, all by Van Cleef & Arpels

Photos: Neville Lee
Art Direction & Styling: San Wong

Top five watches that would make perfect gifts this season

We’re simply in love with these top five watches that would make a perfect gift this season.

 Slender Splendour

top five watches

Piaget, the ever-innovative Swiss luxury watchmaker, has marked the 60th anniversary of its invention of the truly iconic Calibre 9P movement – a historic, ultra-thin hand-wound

watch mechanism – with the launch of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept. With a thickness of just 2mm, the company claims it is the world’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound watch. Fashioned from a cobalt-derived high-tech alloy, the timepiece also boasts a 0.2mm thick crystal cover, a 1.1mm alligator leather strap and a super-slender pin buckle. www.piaget.com

Rado Active

top five watches

Taking inspiration from the very finest – Mother Nature’s endless bounty – Rado, the Swiss watchmaker that famously produced the world’s first truly scratchproof timepiece, has incorporated water, earth and leaf motifs into its recently launched True Thinline collection. With individual watches dedicated to one of the three natural elements, buyers can choose between blue-hued Water, green-liveried Leaf and russetty metallic Earth, as their slimline wrist adornment of choice. Each watch comes with a quartz movement and a high-tech ceramic/stainless steel case and bezel. www.rado.com

Rolex Roll-outs

top five watches

Rolex’s much-loved GMT Master II collection has expanded somewhat with the addition of three classically-styled chronometers to its elegant ranks. These include the first two 18-carat rose gold incarnations of this most timeless of timepieces, as well as a model rendered in Oystersteel, complete with a rotatable bezel fittingly emblazoned with the brand’s iconic 24-hour graduated red-and-blue Cerachrom design. All three boast in-house calibre 3285 movements, and are clearly set to be fine additions to the collection of any true haute horology enthusiast. www.rolex.com

Pyramid Selling

top five watches

While pyramids will always first bring to mind the long-dead pharaohs of long-lost Egyptian dynasties, nuzzling into second place, in terms of three-dimensional triangle association, is surely Hermès, the Paris-headquartered high-end, high fashion brand. Not only were these pointy promontories a recurring motif in the marque’s truly memorable Fall/Winter 2018 collection, they are now the defining element of its newly-released and elegantly eye-catching Médor Rock collection of watches, with each model boasting a distinctly pyramidesque dial-mounted gem. www.hermes.com

Sign of the Time

top five watches

Maintaining its commitment to creating truly luxurious accessories, Harry Winston, the New York-headquartered haute joaillerie house, has unveiled The Precious Signature, the dual offering of a programmable automatic signature writing system (an automaton) and desk clock, all finely crafted in 18-carat white gold and zirconium alloy. For its part, the automaton can churn out pretty convincing takes on the signature of marque-founder Harry Winston or be reprogrammed to sign its owner’s name. Best to keep your cheque book in a different drawer maybe. www.harrywinston.com

One thing’s certain though – with these top five watches, you can woo anyone with a perfect gift!

Hermès bags: How much is too much for a clutch?

With handbags now just as valued for their aesthetic appeal and investment value as for their durability and capacity, it should be no surprise that at the very forefront of this trend are two of the very finest examples of lady luggage ever produced by Hermès, the Paris-headquartered high-fashion luxury goods manufacturer – the Birkin and the Kelly.

Hermès

Indeed, these two collections alone account for 90% of all the haute couture handbags that ever come up for auction. Their auctionability, though, is down to much more than just their desirability, with availability also playing a huge role. Typically, even those fortunate enough to get on a waiting list will have to endure a two-year interval before their very own Hermès materialises.

Hermès

Inevitably then, this has inspired a bristling resale market, with many haute couture hankerers only too happy to pay well over the odds to secure their preferred choice of Hermès clutch. Even against such a backdrop, though, it is still somewhat remarkable that a joint lot of two 2010 Birkins went for a massive US$330,000 at the recent Handbags and Accessories Sale held by Christie’s Hong Kong.

Who dares twins: Winning twinning trends this season

There’s no doubt about it…twinning is in, be it wearing matching T-shirts with your other half or dressing your little tot in a mini-you version. This season we give twinning a sophisticated spin, as we take you through the hottest twinning looks this season. Make it a double, ladies! 

Look 1

From left:
On Ana
Printed dress, Mirror Heel long boots, Gancino Vela top-handle bag, all by Salvatore Ferragamo, Magda pierced earrings by Swarovski
On Diana
Twillaine sweater-dress, pleated culottes, over-the-knee boots in goatskin, 24/24 bag, all by Hermès
Magnetic Hoop pierced earrings by Swarovski

Look 2

From left:
On Ana
Jacket with mink cuffs, trousers, shirt with embroidered collar, Peekaboo top-handle bag, by Fendi, ankle booties by Loewe
On Diana
Coat with mink cuffs, pleated skirt, sequined shirt, Peekaboo top-handle mini bag, all by Fendi, buckled booties by Miu Miu

Look 3

From left:
On Diana
Dress, scarf and The Clash tartan print shoulder bag, all by Versace, Mandarin Bamboo pierced earrings by Swarovski
On Ana
One-piece dress with scarf, The Clash tartan print top-handle bag, all by Versace
Magnetic pierced earrings by Swarovski

Look 4

From left:
On Ana
Dress by Etro, Gate mini bag by Loewe, Heeled sandals by Givenchy, Magnetic Hoop pierced earring by Swarovski
On Diana
Dress by Etro, Gate mini bag by Loewe, Heeled sandals by Givenchy, Magnetic Hoop pierced earring by Swarovski

Look 5

From left:
On Diana
Moleskin coat, mohair sweater, denim shirt, buckled booties, sequined and jewelled shoulder bag, all by Miu Miu
On Ana
Checked coat and shoulder-bag, both by Miu Miu, ankle booties by Loewe

Look 6

From left:
On Diana
Belted long coat with shearling, GV3 small bag, all by Givenchy, booties with buckle by Miu Miu
On Ana
Blouson jacket with shearling, panel skirt, GV3 small bag, all by Givenchy, ankle booties by Loewe

Look 7

From left:
On Ana
Long-sleeved jacket and pants with piping, shield earring, all by Loewe, heeled sandals by Givenchy
On Diana
Long-sleeved jacket and pants with piping, stitched earring, all by Loewe, heeled sandals by Givenchy

These were our top seven twinsome looks to guide you. So just go and nail the perfect twinning trend already!

 

           

Eternal knot: Favoured by high fashion and high street fashion, scarves are here to stay

As any fashionista would vouch for, scarves are the true chameleon among accessories. Made iconic by yesteryear Tinseltown divas like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, this most versatile of accessories seems to have stood the test of time and fickle fashion trends much better than others.

scarves
Audrey Hepburn immortalised the humble scarf for posterity. Img courtesy: abposters

Inevitably adding to its appeal is the fact that scarves are truly for all seasons – whether you wrap a cashmere one around your neck during winters or throw a sheer chiffon one over your dress for a summer’s day date. Bestowed with a beguiling versatility, a scarf can glam up an otherwise plain dress or can even act as a sarong on a beach day. Even the dapper gentlemen are not blind to the allure of this humble piece of clothing, with everyone from football star Cristiano Ronaldo to silver-screen heartthrobs like Johnny Depp and Benedict Cumberbatch jauntily sporting the scarf. Not surprisingly then, for the Fall Winter 2018 season, the runways have been awash with this particular accessory, with each brand trying to beat the next in the game of one-upmanship with a plethora of unique styles and combinations, highlighting the scarf. Check out the gallery below for the best scarf looks from this season.

P.S. Just one secret tip from the fashion pundits – lose the infinity scarf already, before it is winter.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Top 10 quirky cufflinks from our favourite luxury brands

Top 10 quirky cufflinks

Freshly polished shoes? Check! Perfectly tailored suite? Check! Quirky cufflinks? …

Much like the matching of shoes can help to elevate an outfit, or a coordinated pocket square adds a special touch to a suite, cufflinks, are an essential accessory of any well-groomed man’s wardrobe.

So what is the history behind this form of jewellery? The cufflink originally appeared in the early 1500s when prominent figures began wearing their shirts with ruffled wristbands tied together with strings. While this style remained popular until the 1800s, the early 1700s saw the introduction of gold and silver linked chains.

Legend says that the modern day cuff link was born through a character in the pages of Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, who wore large diamonds on his shirt cuffs. These sparked great envy and tailors quickly realised how important the details of a gentleman’s clothing could be.

It has become apparent through time that cufflinks carry more significance then their size would indicate. They represent a rare opportunity for men to display their personality through the use of accessories. While classic cufflinks represent elegance and refinement, quirky cufflinks embody an ability to stand out from the crowd.

For some added inspiration, we have rounded up a collection of the top ten quirky cufflinks from our favourite luxury brands.

Text: Hira Desai 

Images courtesy of:

Alexander McQueen
Cartier
Dior
Burberry
Gucci
Hermes
Louis Vuitton
Montblanc
Salvatore Ferragamo
Versace

Duo Tones: For couples that like to mix and match

Looking for the perfect pairings for the perfectly paired? From floral prints to knitted numbers, these duo tones will have you mix and matching in no time. 

 

For more details, check out the full version of this feature on Gafencu Magazine’s March 2018 print issue. You can download the free app for digital editions of the magazine.

Tetris treats: Have you sorted your spring accessories yet?

The high fashion houses are already heralding the approach of spring with their latest Spring Summer 2018 collections (check out our coverage here), and one thing’s common in all of them, and that’s an eye-popping explosion of colours. So get your season’s dose of fashion fix with these spring accessories that you can’t afford to be seen without!

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Vocabulary LOVE Pouch by Fendi, Card case with chain by Dolce & Gabbana, Cardholder by Bottega Veneta, Loafer by Hermès, Nana Tote by Strathberry X Mademoiselle Maurice, Mini Sicily bag key-ring by Dolce & Gabbana, Leather card case with Double G by Gucci, Leather key-ring by Bottega Veneta, Patent leather wallet-bag by Prada, Stars cardholder by Dior

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Mailbox bag by Kate Spade Holiday collection, Earring with crystals by Giorgio Armani, Mini Pixie bag by Chloé, Leather charm with flowers by Salvatore Ferragamo, Le Mutin belt-bag by Delvaux, Cheery charm in leather with fur by Fendi, Leather bracelet by Bottega Veneta, Choker with handmade fabric bows by Giorgio Armani, Leather bracelet by Bottega Veneta, Miu Doo keychain in mink and shearling by Miu Miu, Swan coin case by Kate Spade

(Clockwise from above) Mini Strap You shoulder strap by Fendi, Clutch in velvet with Swarovski by Miu Miu, Mini Piazza bag by Bottega Veneta, Dioraddict Flap bag with shoulder strap by Dior Cruise 2018, Leather key-holder by Hermès, Panthère de Cartier evening bag with Panthère pixel embroidered by Cartier

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Finley leather cross-body mini bag with heart embellished by Jimmy Choo, Arsina 105 wedge sandal by Salvatore Ferragamo, Leather keychain trick by Prada, Leather smartphone case by Prada, Ice-cream charm in leather with fox fur by Fendi, Leather chain-bag by Dolce & Gabbana, Lace-up by Giorgio Armani

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Palazzo leather pouch by Versace, Printed leather card case by Prada, Duetto pouch by Givenchy, Finley leather cross-body mini bag with star charms by Jimmy Choo, Starts French zipped wallet by Dior, Verrou clutch by Hermès, Pandora card case by Givenchy, C de Cartier card holder in crocodile leather by Cartier

Hermès Spring-Summer 2018 Mens collection

Hermès Spring-Summer 2018 men's collection

Artistic Director of Hermès’ Men’s Universe, Véronique Nichanian, described the feeling of this years collection as “sophisticated letting go”. On first impressions, the cool, laid-back selections appears to call upon a younger audience, showcasing oversized hoodies and track pants in technical fabrics. However, a man of any generation could feel well-dressed and relaxed in one of Nichanian’s cotton suits, paired with plain monk sandals or trainers to give it a youthful touch. Jumping on the streetwear bandwagon, this French ensemble feels special, yet surprisingly normal. 

Get the casual, laid-back look with hooded blousons, pullovers and crew necks. 

 

For a sophisticated yet casual affair, pair a three-button suit with a funnel neck pullover or straight blouson with contrasted stitching.

 

For a closer look, check out the Hermès runway show…

 

Text: Hira Desai 

Fashion for the great outdoors

Outdoor haute couture for men and women from Salvatore Ferragamo, Hermes, Gieves & Hawkes, Bottega Veneta Cruise collection, Burberry and many more.

Click here to watch the fashion shoot