"Don't let anyone dim your light." 

A few blog posts back I started discussing style bullies, which in my opinion is one of the top reasons why we don't see people wearing what they really want and/or love every day. Style bullies are everywhere... some of their comments can be more passive than aggressive, but nonetheless , it's still bullying. For instance, have you ever heard something like this: "Where are you going all dressed up like that?"

When you speak fashion, you do not only become fluent in a new language (which as with any language, expands your brain capacity); you realize its communication superpower. We could go even further and make an argument around compassion. But we will discuss that another day.

Why do people bully? They might feel powerless, they might feel insecure, they might be surrounded by bullies, etc... When you wear what you love, you not only show #confidence and #self-esteem, you show intention and effort to be your true self. When you are legitimate and real, you invite and encourage others to do the same. I don't know about you, but I want everyone to shine their own light and live their best life.

My dream for #Columbus is that our #community feels the power of fashion and experiences the freedom that comes from it!

#FashionColumbus #ColumbusFashion 

#ExperienceColumbus #614fashion #614leadership #WednesdayWisdom

Fashion Week Accessories and Jewelry review by James Hagerman

We were hit with New York Fashion Week. Then London, then Milan, and then Paris. Many designs were particularly eco-conscious this season. Across the board, collections showed more global awareness, whether it was based on high levels of diversity and inclusion on the runway, like Prabal Gurung’s “Who Gets to Be American?” show, or celebration of traditional cultures, like Niu Niu’s collection that highlights his Chinese heritage. Trends in jewelry and accessories also followed these artistic visions.

At talkingfashion, we love baubles, whimsical bijoux, and all things accessories. Many New York Fashion Week trends, like chain links, shells (again), oversized eyeglasses, boxy patterns, bags, and shoes arose as equally-trendy on the other side of the Atlantic. Here are some widespread designers who embodied trendy themes that definitely caught our eye!

Nature in the Streets

As we noted in our last blog post, designers at New York Fashion week flaunted shells, bright colors, and flower crowns in their pieces. On Valentino’s Parisian runway, feathers were tasseled onto shoe heels, belts, and bags, and attached to frilly dresses and loose tops, lifting models to new heights, and allowing them to look as if they were gliding across the runway. While many fabrics were angelically white, others were monochromatic, bright, and lush, featuring prints of various flora and fauna. On the more brightly colored pieces, gold earrings also featured colorful stones and some models donned tinted shades, creating a whirlwind of color and mystique. With a few of the brighter ensembles, longer necklaces and earrings included animal figurines.

(source: Vogue/Valentino show)

Nature was also placed on the forefront from the contrast it drew against streetwear fabrics in many shows, a notable one being Prada at Milan Fashion Week. Prada featured models clad in “Timeless hipness” according to Vogue; this “hipness” was accentuated by snakeskin and bucket bags (and hats), and gigantic shell necklaces and earrings. Vogue quotes Miuccia Prada herself, who completely represents our motto at talkingfashion when she stipulates that “personal style is more important than clothes.” Or, as whimsical fahion icon Iris Apfel says, “What’s my style is not your style.” The Prada designs this season looked affordable, more DIY, and mix-and-matched. There was an element of individuality that was brought out by the contrasting fabrics and the eccentricities in the accessories.

(Source: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2020-ready-to-wear/prada/slideshow/collection#25 )

Outdoorsy bucket hats were also present in Dior’s Paris Fashion Week show, which was the most nature-infused runway this season. According to an Elle article on Dior’s sustainable, eco-friendly show, real trees from European nurseries bound for urban sustainability projects in Paris lined the runway. Dior’s show featured rope-tied sandals and belts, large beaded necklaces of wood and pearl, wicker hats, and foliated gold necklaces, chains, earrings, and brooches. The foliated gold added a level of leafy luster to the otherwise earth-tone outfits.

(Source: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2020-ready-to-wear/christian-dior/slideshow/collection#10)

Stay Gold, Stay Metallic

There was so much gold on the runway this season!

Dior was not the only prominent designer to accessorize with gold this season. Gold accessories, such as gilded, bejeweled brows and asymmetrical dangling gold earrings, as well as chain-link lariats and figurines attached to gold hoops, evoked the sense of foliated leafiness that Dior’s designs created. Models walked with an ethereal, yet natural aura on Valentino’s runway. This kept perfectly in-line with the eco-conscious theme of Spring 2020 designs. 

(Source: https://www.crfashionbook.com/fashion/g28964083/best-accessories-springsummer-2020-fashion-week/?slide=18 )

Chloé at Paris Fashion Week also endowed their pieces with thick gold and metallic bands, chokers, and earrings. These designs oozed professional sophistication. Accessories were just enough to complete pieces and alter them with an imaginative pop without detracting from the rest of the ensemble. The rest of the pieces were quite simple, which allowed jewelry to stand out without taking on an overtly flashy presence. 

(Source: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2020-ready-to-wear/chloe/slideshow/collection#25 )

A few of the chokers at Chloé’s show were chain-link, and this was a widespread trend for the 2020 Spring season. Sacai, Alyx, Chanel, and Rick Owens also mastered the chain-link look in chokers and other pieces of jewelry, like earrings.

(Source: https://www.vogue.com/article/the-top-jewelry-trends-of-spring-2020)

In Milan, Moschino’s thick gold-colored bracelets, earrings, and chain-link necklaces and belts added an effervescent shine to all of the colorful floral and Picasso-inspired printed fabrics. Many accessories were also inlaid with colorful jewels that matched the color of fabrics, turning models into literal works of art.

(Source: https://whoworewhatjewels.com/jewelry-details-from-moschino-and-prada-ss20-rtw-collections-from-milan-fashion-week/ )

Geometric Patterns

Chain link aside, there were many other shape-centric looks this season when it came to accessories. Polka dots and squares pervaded the runway, and in the case of Christopher Kane, accessories were actually part of the fabric! His “Eco-Sexual” collection is themed around “Making love in nature” and being “in touch with the earth” according to Vogue’s coverage. Metal spheres were embedded into the fabric of most of his pieces, and also attached elongated glass earrings. The industrial aspect of the geometric accessories contrasted with patterns on fabric to idealize coexistence between humanity and nature. 

(Source: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2020-ready-to-wear/christopher-kane/slideshow/collection#18 )

Lanvin’s Paris show was also full of geometric patterns in its free-flowing, baggy fabrics. Some of these fabrics were brought back to earth with gold dangling, cubic necklaces and earrings, along with the occasional choker. Rigid jewelry pieces also allowed materials to flow even more, as large hoop earrings actually carried attachments of colorful patterned fabric. Hoops were another prevalent trend this season, finding their way into other collections, like Balmain, Marni, and Missoni.

(Source: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2020-ready-to-wear/lanvin/slideshow/collection#9 )

Embracing Differences

Across many of these collections, a massively prevalent theme was contrast and juxtaposition. Christopher Kane’s “Eco-Sexual” collection is completely built around the concept of two different ideals converging (nature and human), as is Prada, which mixes and mismatches styles, fabrics, and accessory choices for each piece. Another collection that zeroed in on especially intricate juxtaposition was the designer Area, whose New York collection featured over-the-top strings of crystals on the face, shoulders, and ears, creating an opulent shell-like covering around models that encased frilly dresses in soft, pale hues. 

(Source: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2020-ready-to-wear/area/slideshow/collection#7 )

What might be the biggest takeaway from this spring season is the idea that none of us need to conform (or match) with any patterns, structures, or ideas—we just need to embrace our own intuition! Every day is a chance to walk outside and become the person that you want to become by wearing what makes you feel brave, fearless, and completely yourself. We love seeing how designers are using fashion to create their own artistic vision, and we use this as inspiration for our own visions.

Established in 1986, talkingfashion Inc. is the umbrella company for luxboheme and artedellamoda brands. Our online store (www.talkingfashion.net) offers contemporary and vintage art and costume bijoux, statement pieces, and quality accessories. In addition to our online shop, we also provide personal styling, pop-up parties, and consignment. Our motto is “Wear what you love, every day,” and this is reflected through our eccentric, whimsical pieces that endure beyond typical trends and fast fashion. We believe in designs that encourage individuality and beauty through self-expression. 

Fur in Fashion: Faux Pas or Fabulous?

By Paige McKirahan

One material that has been on trial in fashion court for decades is one that was, for a large portion of its life, associated with high status and class. Fur accessories and clothing have been in circulation for 170,000 years and were used as a status symbol in as early as the 11^th century. European royalty sported fur coats, capes, and accessories commonly made from mink, sable, and chinchilla fur. This increase in fur wearing prompted the creation of laws that regulated which social classes were permitted to wear specific furs. Prior to this, furs were more so used out of utility; the real pelts offered warmth and comfort to people in primitive cultures, starkly contrasting their new popularized purpose.

As the desire for luxury furs increased over the next five centuries, so did the development of fur farms. In the Victorian era, we saw a rise in popularity with both genders as the use of furs in movies put a spotlight on the wild textile. Coats worn by men tended to be lined with fur with other materials covering the outside of the piece. Women’s coats boasted fur accents throughout at the collar, wrists, and hems. We also saw the popularity of dress and shoe clips begin to inflate in the same period; these accessories were either adorned with fur details or accessorized the fur pieces themselves.

Victorian Era Furs

(photo credits to grandladies.com)

Other accessories that loved fur fun were scarves, shawls, and hats. Looking back at their basic use surrounding warmth, people used fur to accessorize cold weather outfits in style. These small hints of luxury could elevate any look and were sure to illustrate the wearers high status.

The 1900s brought big change to the fur industry as imitation furs began to take over the market. Real furs were expensive and many fashionistas, especially animal rights activists, associated them with cruelty. As technology improved, so did the quality of fake furs created from silk and synthetic pile fabrics. Designers began to create more casual looks using fur, moving away from glamour and more towards department store chic. The ’50s and ‘60s saw fur be more affordable than ever, with faux fur options being front and center on account of Old Hollywood influence.

1950s Fur Ad

(photo credits to vintagedancer.com)

Now, fur is still one of the most widely debated fabrics in the industry and and increased amount of high profile brands are declaring themselves as fur free. The ‘90s pushed the faux v. real fur debate and used iconic supermodels as spearheads for the movement away from a fur-filled future. Fendi seems to be at the center of this debate as their haute couture counterparts seem to be ahead in the faux fur conversation; Gucci and Versace have vowed to ditch the real thing, while Fendi continues to unapologetically create pieces with real animal fur. Whatever style you prefer, we encourage you to research furs and the benefits of both styles before deciding on a side! Remember to wear what you love, and find fur items you love in our collection!

The Benefits of Consigning Your Jewelry and Vintage Accessories

By Paige McKirahan 

Looking to get rid of any pieces collecting dust in your closet? Look no further! Here at TalkingFashion, we are always looking for fun, fresh inventory to join our collection. We accept high quality women’s and men’s vintage or antique jewelry, as well as bijoux accessories. If you don’t see the designer of your piece on our A-Z Designers List, not to worry; if you have an unmarked or unknown piece that is unique or valuable, we would be happy to take a look at it! Wondering how you can consign? You can take your pick of our three easy methods below:

1. Schedule a free in-home pick up with a team member. (Columbus, Ohio residents only!)
2. Ship your items to our office directly
3. Come into our office for a free valuation and drop-off.

Once we receive your piece, one of team members will carefully evaluate your item to ensure it is properly identified, authenticated, photographed, and priced. We will then market and ship your piece once it is sold, and you can be paid by online cash transfer, direct deposit, or site credit (which earns you an extra 20%!). Our commission rates vary by item price, and you can view our commission structure here.

Consigning in general has great benefits as it is a sustainable practice that extends the life of pieces, putting their beauty back on the map. When you consign with us, the list of benefits only seems to grow; our high commission rates makes us the obvious choice for all your vintage and bijoux consignment needs! Have more questions? Email use at consign@talkingfashion.net and we would be happy to help!