Oversized, colourful and a bit quirky, the spring/summer 2022 runways have been full of striking accessories, inviting fashionistas to have a bit of fun. It’s rather a mixed bag as far as trends go, with fine jewellery featuring alongside plasticky, playful pieces and natural elements. This is good news for jewellers as there’s sure to at least one emerging theme that suits your signature style:
Everyday fine jewellery
The work from home wave started by the pandemic in 2020 inspired a new style of office attire that seems to be hanging around. Various luxury outlets reported an increase in fine jewellery sales since online meetings became the norm, with professionals investing in pieces that elevate their more casual home-office looks. Particularly popular have been chic necklaces and earrings that look great on Zoom. With successive waves of infections still predicted, combined with the boom in digital nomads, it’s a safe bet that this will continue into 2022.
Go big or go home
Oversized everything is definitely a major theme of the 2022 lines. The ultra-light chandelier earrings we saw in 2021 have been upgraded to decidedly huge, and used to dress up simple outfits as well as to compliment much more detailed couture.
Necklaces too are getting the supersized treatment, with statement pieces spotted on Alberta Ferretti and Carolina Herrera runways. Cocktail rings are officially back, joined by signet rings worn on the little finger. The bulkier, the better for 2022 it seems, and cuffs, chains, and hoops are no exception. Chunky cuff bracelets have been spotted on the runways of Blumarine, Fendi, and Salvatore Ferragamo, and cuffs worn specifically on the biceps are big this season at Prada, Tory Burch and Fendi. Designers are similarly using large stones set into large rings or pendants, and generally playing with bolder designs and bigger statement pieces.
Go big or go home! From left to right: Versace, Saint Laurent, Etro
Childlike and whimsical
2021 gave us candy-coloured earrings and friendship bracelets, bold resin pieces and mood rings, and pastel hues reminiscent of kids’ sweetie necklaces. This childlike nostalgia looks set to continue in the form of beaded accessories and playful materials and shapes, as seen specifically in the lines of Brandon Maxwell, Coach, and Missoni. Look out too for a proliferation of 70’s charm bracelets, building on that decade’s influence over the last few seasons as well as the popularity of kitschy charms from last year. Marie Claire is adamant that bright and light hoop-shaped necklaces will be the beach accessory of the well-heeled in 2022, and given the proliferation of statement chokers as seen at Saint Laurent, Ports 1961 and Chanel, they may just be spot-on.
Childlike and whimsical ~ From left to right: Missoni, Coach, Brandon Maxwell
Personalisation
Global shopping platform Lyst reports that demand for letter and nameplate necklaces has increased 36% recently, and that zodiac jewellery is also up in demand by 29%, with necklaces being the most popular. Valentino’s chunky chain necklaces, which featured monograms, mirror this and also reflect the move towards oversized pieces.
Personalisation
Au Naturel
Contrasting heavily with the trend towards synthetic materials, earthy elements like turquoise, seashells, and agate were the main attraction on the runways at Chloé, Ulla Johnson, and Gabriela Hearst. Pearls in varying shapes, sizes, and textures are also making a splash, continuing the very modern upgrade they’ve received over the past few years.
Au Naturel – From left to right Chloé, Mateo, Anna Beck, Gabriela
Layering
Great news for jewellers is that a move towards stacking and mixing and matching is predicted for the upcoming 2022 season. Take advantage of the opportunity to sell multiple items and design ranges that are complimentary while still exploring a variety of styles and conceptual executions that suit your brand and your audiences’ taste.
If the predictions of trend spotters at Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and various UK fashion sites are correct, 2022’s eclecticism and emphasis on oversized and statement pieces should bring any jeweller welcome opportunities to capitalise.
