Photo Credit: Marcus Tondo / indigital.tv
With lockdown in its final stages, we can finally say that the loungewear era is dying down to make way for the re-entry of glamourous day dressing. While a loose top and joggers are nice for the odd day off, we think its time to bring some drama and excitement back to the ol’ wardrobe. A much-needed ‘sparkle’, you could say.
The most recent run of Fashion Weeks has shown that both creatives and consumers have been craving more extravagant staple pieces for their outfits, with more designers than ever opting for elaborate jewellery to match their looks. Earrings in particular have seen a renaissance; the bigger, the bolder, the better. From beads and pearls to abstract shapes and curves, earrings are continually reimagined to match the pace of the current moment – and this one says that making a statement through detail is the way forward.
Still not convinced? Check out some of the key earring trends from AW21 Fashion Week below to see for yourself.
Quirky Shapes and Colours
Jewellery should be anything but boring. It should add to the visual landscape of an outfit and make a designer stand out for their creative vision. Many designers from Fashion Week opted for fun – and sometimes whacky – shapes when it came to picking out earrings for their looks. We’re not just talking about your standard circles and squares, either.
OSMAN, for example, displayed eye-shaped dangling earrings in their AW21 Collection, which was a direct reference to the multicoloured patches that featured prominently on the clothing itself. The result was a cohesive look that played on the rich colours and shapes of the clothing, while highlighting the playfulness of the collection.
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The Monogram Treatment
Brands have labelled their creations with a monogram for decades now, but that doesn’t mean it will be going out of fashion anytime soon. While classic brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton remain frontrunners in the trend, Fashion Week allowed us to see a whole new host of designers re-interpret the use of monograms and letters in jewellery.
C+PLUS can be seen putting their own spin on the brand monogram in their AW21 Collection, layering the letters of their brand name in a haphazard stack of curves and angles. From afar the earring resembles an abstract shape, and its only upon closer inspection that the details become apparent – offering an optical illusion that makes the look even more exciting.
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For the Love of Pearls
Pearls are a classic staple in fashion, and with the rise of more timeless looks on the runway it is making a comeback. While perhaps the more understated of the earring styles on this list, pearls should never be underestimated for the ability to refine and polish an outfit.
Designers like Simone Rocha, Sandy Liang, and Sara Wong are great examples of how the pearl earring can push traditional boundaries; oversized, multiplied, or layered with other materials, the possibilities for drama are seemingly endless. In the case of Rocha, pairing pearls with rougher textures like leather create the appearance of textural variety and layers within her looks.
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Beads and Clusters
The incorporation of multiple textures in an outfit has increasingly come into practice during Fashion Week. In terms of jewellery, this can be seen through the use of roughly hammered metals, fabrics, and beads. The latter, in particular, appears to be a major upcoming trend for the year.
In her AW21 Collection, Claudia Li debuted a series of beaded headbands and earrings in collaboration with Fruta. Using fine beads to build volume and textural depth, the custom-made pieces elevated the outfit they were paired with by creating a greater visual dimension. The earrings, appearing similar to pompoms, gave a fun bounciness to the look that was best captured during movement.
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The Y2K Hoop
With 90s and Y2K fashion still growing in popularity across the globe, it should be no surprise that we’re seeing more hoop earrings on the runway. From oversized hoops to tiny cuffs, the minimalist staple is flexible enough to work with practically any outfit. And while rose gold is still popular, classic colours like gold seem to be the more popular option today.
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Words By Charlie Colville
