SOUL FOOD

Old is the New Black and the back story of how something is made will be very important to consumers moving forward.

Who, What When, Where, Why??

Diving into who made a particular piece of jewelry, what is it made out of, when was it made, how was it made, why was it made - all of these influencing factors will play-out in our purchasing decisions in the future. 

Today we explore the Swarovski Crystal CLASSIC Trend called SOUL FOOD for the Fall and Winter 2017-18 jewelry trends and jewelry design inspirations within the overall theme of "THE NATURE OF US"

"A desire for less clutter and a clearer conscience forges a new appreciation of details, materials, craftsmanship and provenance. Consumers are willing to spend more on less, but expect a longer, more meaningful connection with their purchases in return."(WGSN, Big Ideas AW 2017/18)

The new catchcry for design is "home-spun and humble," with pieces borrowing colors and details from a range of historical influences and morphing them for the modern mindset.

Designs have a pure and humble feel, with the stripped-back necessity of Scandinavian design infiltrating all segments to highlight the beauty of clean lines.

This new focus on pared-back jewelry designs sees less become even less, but mean even more.

Form follows function as we pay homage to the worker, the laborer, and the farmer, taking direct inspiration from the essential and honest elements of life on the land.

Jewelry Inspirations within the CLASSIC Trend Will Have the Following Movement

RURAL

Natural, recycled elements combined with radiant crystals create a patchwork ethos, underling the prevailing desire for zero waste.

LABOR

Industrial elements that show affinity with the land and humble beginnings appear across designs, paying homage to new heroes - the farmhand, the laborer, and the worker.

HUMBLE

Jewelry and fashion designs swings between rustic tomboy mindset and humble aesthetic in an update of the gender-neutral and slow-folk trends.

REDUCED

Design elements are stripped back to basics in a pure way, as form follows function and incorporating Swarovski crystals into working elements such as aprons, highlight the simplicity of design and a trend to blend these two aspects together.

PURE

A focus on pure designs taken from nature marries hard-wearing, sustainable materials with earthy crystal colors.

Swarovski Crystal Jewelry Design Inspiration

New materials and color combinations modernize jewelry, making it distinctive both in style and substance.

Jewelry design trends are moving towards pieces that are encrusted  with clusters of modern cut crystals, with mixed-media detailing that creates a homogeneous spirit.

This Clustered Swarovski Crystal necklace by Bijou Tre'sor Fashion Jewelry Boutique incorporates different styles of chain, a thicker and bulkier piece on top and a fringe style hanging on the bottom creates movement and decadence.

This bold Statement necklace from Style.com incorporates Swarovski Crystal Beads, Pearls, Round Fancy Stones, Triangle Sew-On-Stones mixed with natural stones, combined with different shaped chains along with Gold, Silver and Gun Metal plated chains to create a unique and stylish piece.

Modern and architectural shapes evolve, with intricately set crystals bringing a completely unique aesthetic to rings in oversized portions.

Enlarged profiles, circles  and sculptural constructions highlight the new industrial trend, offering a nod to the simplicity of pared-back design with rustic authenticity.

Bold statement pieces and crystal earrings remain a highlight, like these beautiful Swarovski Crystal dangle earrings in Blush Rose made by The Crystal Rose.

Fall and Winter Fashion Trends and Inspiration (photo credit from Petite Fashionista)

A focus on quality and craft is key in sustainable, hard-wearing designs decorated with Crystals.

The significance of the apron as a practical element taken from life on the land turns into a high-end fashion statement when combined with radiant Swarovski Crystals.

Function Meets Beauty

There will be an increasing trend towards making functional pieces, such as aprons, shoes or work boots, buckles and hats to also be embellished with crystals creating a beautiful utilitarian purpose.

Keep it Natural & Simple with Soft, Relaxed Fabrics

Oversized, heavy knits interwoven with crystal components continue to show our affiliation with all things natural and simple.

Soft, natural and relaxed fabrics will be popular, such as lambswool, felt, and angora  creating an elevated luxurious look and feel. Pockets will be incorporated into many garments, paying homage to the tomboy style.

New Swarovski Lacquer Coatings Express a Sophisticated Shine

The new Swarovski Crystal Lacquer colors perfectly resonate with the current consumer mood, where sophistication shine meets refined sparkle. Highlighting a strong new direction for crystal, the on-trend hues of Ivory Cream and Dark Red convey a sense of timelessness in a subtle, reduced color palette speaking of heritage and authenticity.

As a perfect match to the new Iridescent Red Pearl, these new effects continue the allure of Crystal Lacquer Powder effects and present a completely new complement to the Swarovski color and effect assortment.

Swarovski's Newest Fall and Winter Pearl Innovation: Crystal Iridescent Red

With people exploring a cultural mash-up of styles and designs, colors no longer simply feature a single hue, but cleverly merge multiple tones together, reflecting a reestablished love of eccentricity and individuality.

The Crystal Iridescent Red Pearl unites seemingly impossible extremes, oscillating between rich reds and airy gray tones.  It serves as a perfect match for the new Crystal Dark Grey and Crystal Dark Red Laqcuer effects, creating very elegant jewelry designs.

Swarovski's New Crystal Oval Rivoli Fancy Stone

Reflecting versatility and individuality, the 4122 Oval Rivoli Fancy Stone features a modern, softly rounded shape that marries unconventional edges with streamlined directional faceting. Based on the all-time favorite Rivolii cut, itt crosses boarders and boundaries while its unparalleled versatility ensures that it is able to cater to a variety of style directions - from rock'n'roll glamour, refined simplicity, and cross-culture mash-ups through to futuristic design directions.

Rivoli Crystals are very popular in the seed-beading community, as they bead around the edges of the stone, creating gorgeous jewelry designs with a brilliant center. Lending new edge to a timeless classic, the Oval Rivoli Fancy Stone is bound to be a new essential for affordable jewelry pieces.

Swarovski's New Framed Flatbacks Crystal Rhinestones

Millennials and Gen Z are reinventing their work-life balance, moving between a rediscovered love of handcraft and continued fascination with the digital world. Easy, comfortable shapes, functionality and clever material mixing are today's heroes, and the Framed Flat Back captures them all perfectly.

Cabochons meet metal in a fusion of pearl and flat rivet for a new industrial-inspired looks and sci-fi work-wear directions, referencing a new breed of bright young things. The Framed Flatback Rhinestones bring both functionality of a cost- and time saving Hotfix rivet and the elegant look of a timeless piece.

Swarovski Crystal Product Inspiration

Classic Round and Pear shapes reflect a more humble and pared-back approach to embellishment.

Geometric crystal patterns and metal elements create an industrial-inspired style, celebrating a revived love of the rough and rustic.

Iridescent Crystal Pearls and Framed Cabochons alternate with the new shiny Lacquer crystals, highlighting the current desire for reduced shine in authentic and humble design directions.

Swarovski Crystal Color Combinations and Inspiration

This overall color blend inspiration begins with deeper and natural reddish tones, which pair well with both the red and blue purple hues, that compliment organic shades of green, which look very nice with the softer tan and saturated brownish influences.

Rich wine and Bordeaux colors such as Burgundy, Crystal Iridescent Red Pearl, Crystal Antique Pink, Crystal Lilac Shadow and Light Rose Satin, blend exceptionally well with the deeper and lighter reddish purple tones of Amethyst and Light Amethyst.

The Bluer purple tones, such as Provence Lavender, Violet and Tanzanite, add a refreshing infusion of buoyant optimism as we move into the more earth-bound, organic colors.

Erinite is as lovely medium toned greenish color that unites the purples with organic green tones such as Olivine, Light Olivine, Lime and Crystal Iridescen Green Pearl, which all look nice with the very Light hues of Crystal Luminous Green. All of these natural green tones always  match well with the lighter tan colors of Ivory Lacquer, Crystal Golden Shadow,  and Light Colorado Topaz. The darker brown to grayish influences include Crystal Bronze Shade, Colorado Topaz, Smoked Topaz, and Greige.