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Figural Accessories (And Why We LOVE Them)
Figural Accessories (And Why We LOVE Them) by Morgan Watkins
For fashion lovers across the world, accessories add a bit of joy and pizazz to everyday life. It’s not a coincidence that women adore receiving handbags and jewelry as gifts: accessories make people happy. But out of all the jewelry out there that could make a girl smile, figural jewelry is at the top of the food chain. With their cooky shapes and fun motifs, figural accessories are the perfect way to spice up any dull outfit. Keep on reading to get the lowdown on these fun fashion pieces.Although figural jewelry has been created since man first began constructing jewelry during B.C. times, it was around the 1940s that figural jewelry reached vast popularity among the masses. Accessories became a way of accessing happiness in otherwise dark times, as The Great Depression had just run its course and World War II was at its heyday. Thus as a means to inject a bit of sparkle and sunshine into the mundane, downcast nature of everyday living, figural jewelry was a great fashion escape.
(Image from https://talkingfashion.net/products/starfish-figural-sparkling-sea-hair-pin-accessory)
For those who are still a bit unsure about what figural jewelry and accessories are, they’re basically pieces that depict figures such as animals, human shapes, fruit, flowers, and more. The most common form of figural jewelry is the brooch or pin, but necklaces, bracelets, and rings are also apart of the figural family. These whimsical pieces can be fashioned with all kinds of materials, ranging from sterling silver floral pins dazzled with multicolored gems to simple copper rings topped off with beaded strawberry shapes.
(Image from https://talkingfashion.net/products/whimsical-watermelon-fruit-novel-approach-pink-gree n-figural-wooden-handcrafted)
Bringing the witty, fantastical fun of figural accessories into the modern world is notable and revered designer Betsey Johnson. Most famous for her out of this world handbags, Betsey is a vintage goddess designing for the most fearless women in fashion, including the likes of Katy Perry, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Swift. Her bags have come in a gaggle of varying shapes, colors and sizes, ranging from bright pink flamingo crossbodies to typewriter inspired shoulder bags. Johnson keeps an air of magical whimsy both in stores and on the runway, finishing off her shows with spontaneous cartwheels that are as gleeful as her designs.
(Image from https://wanelo.co/p/32633388/betsey-johnson-typewriter-satchel-dillards)
DORIAN Designs, also known for producing wild figural jewelry in the 1980s, creates animal inspired pieces that are sure to pique the interest of any animal lover. The brand’s vintage accessories are greatly detailed, hand-carved and hand-painted to perfection. Animals like horses, bears, and leopards (oh my!) swing from cord to create necklaces of novelty and amusement. As perfect conversation starters with great personality, DORIAN Designs’ necklaces have you covered for figural jewelry with a bark that’s as fierce as its bite.
(Image from https://talkingfashion.net/products/dorian-designs-whimsical-figural-horse-necklace-han dpainted-wood-large-figural-authentic-vintage-jewelry-signed-collectible-talkingfashion-1 )
With endless possibilities stemming from figural jewelry, there truly is something for everyone. You can show off your love for animals, rep your admiration for gardening, and even sport your fascination with cars: all you have to do is find your perfect piece and rock it like its 1940. For the best of the best in figural accessories, or to sell your own novelty vintage jewelry, check out talkingfashion.net!
(Image from https://talkingfashion.net/products/sailboat-sailing-sea-boat-figural-pin-brooch-whimsical -orange-large-pewter-gold)
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Amulets: Jewelry for All
Amulets: Jewelry for All by Morgan Watkins
Arguably the oldest form of jewelry known to man, the amulet is a timeless accessory that was loved and worn by many. This jewelry carries significant power and symbolism for people and cultures worldwide, and comes in just a variety of shapes and styles. Want to know just how old this jewelry is, and what it means to those around the globe? Read on to learn the qualities and characteristics of amulets, and what make them such special pieces.The first amulets are speculated to have come about in 4400 BC, and came in the forms of necklaces, bracelets, rings and more. Before the discovery of gemstones and metals, early amulets were constructed of natural materials like feathers, stones, bones, twigs and tree bark. Commonly featured within this type of jewelry were figures of animals and human forms, which were most popular around 4400 to 2000 BC. Around 2030 BC, carved gods and deities hung from the necks and wrists of amulet wearers as forms of protection.
(Image from https://talkingfashion.net/collections/necklace/products/ethnic-necklace-warthog-camel- handmade-vintage-jewelry)
While the main purposes of amulets were style and security, every culture has their own unique symbolism attached to the jewelry. Ancient Egyptians, for example, often donned the scarab amulet. Modeled after the dung beetle for its ability to reproduce offspring by administering its eggs into waste, the scarab represents transformation and resurrection, or the ability to make something out of nothing. The scarab was also associated with the god Khepri of the rising sun, who symbolizes creation and rebirth. Scarabs gained popularity throughout all of Egypt, which carried over to ancient Mediterranean territories, inspiring Greeks to adopt amulets into their daily fashions.
(Image from http://astromic.blogspot.com/2013/02/scarab-beetle-of-ancient-egypt-mystery.html)
Along with serving as protective devices for amulet wearing individuals, this jewelry also held great significance in religious realms. Commonly sported by Christians and Catholics alike is the ever popular crucifix amulet. Most commonly worn in the form of a necklace, this jewelry piece serves to protect while also proclaiming the wearer’s unwavering faith. Another popular religious amulet worn proudly by the Jewish community is the Shield of David, or as it’s better known today, the Star of David. Middle Eastern cultures often associated triangles as possessing protective, or shielding, powers, hence the double triangles that form the well known accessory. Also widely adored among those of Judaic and Muslim faith are amulets of the Hand of Miriam, or the Hansa as it’s referred to by the Berber tribe. This symbol depicts the notorious all seeing eye, which protects the wearer from bad energy and evil spirits. On the other hand, Hindu and Islamic peoples favored the Haldili, a jeweled pendant which symbolizes the Tree of Life. This image represents all that is divine and protects the wearer from grief and heart palpitations.
(Image from https://talkingfashion.net/collections/necklace/products/copy-of-roman-catholic-rosary-pr ayer-beads-necklace-religious-jewelry-2)
Recently, these amulets have found their way back into modern fashion and onto the runway. The Met Gala’s Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination proved that angelic amulets have their place in high fashion, as revered Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour accessorized her all Chanel ensemble with a sparkling crucifix necklace. Also drawing inspiration from popular amulet symbolism, Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2018 show featured a massive tote depicting the image of the third eye, while Alessandro Michele’s models walked down the runway with a third eye painted on their foreheads for his Fall/Winter 2018 collection. Even Gigi Hadid admitted to carrying her own third eye amulet to ward off bad vibes and envy.
(Image from https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/5af0cf499a03a97c8fb8a4db/master/w_960,c_limit/A nna-MET-Gala.jpg)
Whether worn as a means of protection or for aesthetic reasons, amulets are lovely accessory staples with a rich, lengthy history, which is nothing to scoff at. So if you’re in a pinch and need to get rid of any bad juju lurking in your life, give a symbolic amulet a shot! Who knows? It could end up protecting you, and looking fabulous, of course.
Want to shop vintage accessories online or sell a dazzling amulet secondhand? Check out talkingfashion.net to browse our wide array of jewelry, accessories and selling options!
References:
Bartolucci, Marisa. “JEWELRY WHY AMULET JEWELRY HAS BEEN SPELLBINDING US FOR MILLENNIA.” 1stdibs, https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/amulets/.
Chamberlin, Corbin. “The Evil Eye Amulet Makes a Glitzy Comeback.” Vogue Arabia, 9 May 2018, https://en.vogue.me/fashion/evil-eye-spring-2018-fashion-trend/.
Craig Patch, Diana. “Egyptian Amulets.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, October 2004, https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/egam/hd_egam.htm.
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Fashion’s Favorite Gifts
Fashion’s Favorite Gifts
By Paige McKirahan
Hello TalkingFashion lovers! It is finally December; since its the season of giving, we feel that there is nothing better to give or receive than the gift of fashion! If you’re one of the elves who has made a dent in their holiday purchases with our cyber sale last week, you’ve got the right idea! But if you’re like me and haven’t even came close to formulating gift ideas for your loved ones, not to fear; the perfect holiday gift inspiration is here! We have decided looked at some of our favorite fashion fanatic’s holiday gift lists and found some great ideas for the most flamboyant to the most minimalist on your list. Read on to see our top five gift ideas from the industry's finest and how you can find similar items in our store to get that quick holiday fix!
Marina Larroude, fashion director at Barneys New York, says she looking for shine this festive season.
She would love to add more sparkles to her wardrobe for the holidays; she specifically mentioned a sparkling Sonia Rykiel bag, but you can find some shimmering pieces right in our collection!
Dion Lee, women’s ready-to-wear designer, is all about giving jewelry to her loved ones.
The talented creative claims that the only purchase she's made so far this winter is a custom jewelry piece. She finds jewelry to be one of the best gifts because of its “intimate and timeless” feel. We agree, Dion!
Rickie De Sole, fashion director at W, is hoping for a new timekeeping piece this Christmas.
He claims that classic watches that go with everything are essential to ones outfit; this is proven by the fact that he's worn the same watch since college! He loves the Chanel Boyfriend style, and it has been the only piece that have prompted him to consider breaking his longstanding devotion to his current watch! Check out a similar style below!
Michelle Cordeiro Grant, founder and CEO of Lively, is all about vintage pieces with a story.
Number one on this boss woman’s list is vintage scarves or other vintage accessories from secondhand stores! She loves when her gifts have a story and a well known history as it adds new depth to any classic piece.
Tanya Taylor, Toronto-born designer, is in the market for beach-inspired fashions!
This colorful designer loves all things tropical; this ocean affintity stems from her son's name, which is palmer! Palm themed accessories and earrings are a sure to be a success under the tree this year!
To shop any of the items you see above, click on the image to buy with ease! For other gift options, head over to our collections and start checking off those items on your list!
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History of the Watch: A Timeless Timekeeping Accessory
The Watch: A Timeless Timekeeping Accessory
By Paige McKirahan
The neverending passage of time is what that we base all of our daily schedules on; from sleep to work to the next fun party, everything runs on the basis of time. But, what is time without a timekeeping device? Without them, we would never be quite sure if were truly on time, and for chronically late people (like myself), this would create quite a problem. People found this to be increasingly troublesome and started looking for a solution; yes, clocks on the wall tell us all we needed to know, but how would we have this knowledge if we were out and about or a clock wasnt near? This question was answered with the creation of the wristwatch in the early 1800s for the Queen of Naples.
A replica of the first wristwatch
(photo credits to monochromewatches.com)
Despite the fact that arm watches were actually created in the 1570s, they were not worn on the wrist and weren't particularly popular with the public until this updated 17th century design. Arm watches were more so worn by women on account of the fact that they were prone to damage; men wore pocket watches and the first was created in 1574. Wristwatches changed this dynamic on account of the fact that men in the military advocated for the accessory as it allowed them to keep track of time with ease. Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian aviator, reached out to his friend Louis Cartier to come up with a style that of watch that would allow him to keep both hands on his controls while still being able to properly time flights. Cartier collaborated with watchmaker Edmond Jaeger to develop the Santos wristwatch, which is one of their brands cornerstone pieces.
Military watch ad from WWI
(photo credits to wornandwound.com)
As we progressed towards the first World War, the popularization of watches for those in the military grew; the wristwatches they were given were referred to as “trench watches” and they established themselves as part of the Officers Kit for the war front. After this time, this accessory began to truly evolve as industrial advancements allowed for the production of wristwatches with automatic winding. John Harwood, a watch repairer, claimed patents for this ingenuity in 1923 after he was the first who managed to use the kinetic power garnered from the watches' hand movement to changing mechanisms. He then started producing these watches in a factory in Switzerland in 1928, which gave the public a chance to purchase one of his timekeeping pieces that could work for 12 hours on a full charge. In the 1950s, fully electric watches were introduced, with the balance wheel being powered by a solenoid, which is a thin wire trapped around a metallic core that procures electric currents.
This new electric watch allowed for the birth of the quartz watch, which removed all moving parts in mechanical watches; this 1969 invention instead used a battery, allowing them to be more shock absorbent and accurate without constant cleaning or oiling. Quartz watches are still manufactured today, but some luxury Swiss brands choose to create non-quartz options by hand. Today, watches can be made of stainless steel, silver, gold, titanium, carbon fibre, platinum, and aluminum. Some manufacturers even use more high tech silicons and ceramics in experimental design. Aside from regular watches, though, smart watches have made waves in wearable timepieces in the past five years and can be seen on the wrists of millions. Apple, Samsung, and Google have all created their own smart technology, opening the door for other new watches that can be connected to smart devices. Whether you are a fan of the classics or are going all digital, read on to see where your preference falls in the top 5 most iconic watches of all time!
The Cartier Santos
As we learned, this watch was one of the first of its kind and was created to help Alberto Santos keep time while flying his plane. Today, it is an iconic style who’s elegance and history lures in all types of buyers.
Jaeger- LeCoultre Reverso
This Art Deco piece made it debut in 1931 as a watch for Britian's elite polo society. It featured a casing that was on a swivel, which ultimately protected the watch from cracks caused by force. Its classic, angular style sets it apart from the rest, appealing to collectors everywhere.
IWC Pilot’s Watch
This Special Pilot's watch was the first of its kind at the time of its release by IWC in 1936; it prompted a collection of other military grade watches that captured the praise of the public for decades. This timepieces features a stainless steel waterproof casing that surrounds a softer inner cage, protecting the movement from magnetic fields.
Patek Phillippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
This timepiece was one of the first of its kind as it was able to keep track of the date for 200 years without adjustment. Patek released this watch in 1941 and it took the timekeeping community by storm as it was also able to measure small increments of time. Today, it is still widely sought out by collectors and leisure wearers alike.
Rolex Datejust
As one of the most iconic watch brands of all time, Rolex released the Datejust in 1945 and it was distinguished by its date indicator. This designs trademark was the Cyclops lense, and its original design has been nearly unchanged. A symbol of strength and intelligence, this timepiece has been worn by the likes of Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
(all above photo credits to chronext.com)
If you're looking for a way to avoid being fashionably late while still being chic, check out our collection of timekeeping accessories!
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Pedal to the Metal
Pedal to the Metal by Morgan Watkins
Fashion is all about standing out from the crowd, and the metallics trend sits at the height of this sentiment. Shiny style statements made across the world’s catwalks serve as sci-fi thrillers of fashion – they get your adrenaline pumping, catching your eye and dragging it quickly down the runway, as if you’re in an alien driven spacecraft flying through a solar system of beaming moons and glowing meteors. If you want to take a rocketship ride into our favorite metallic looks, keep on reading.Driving into some of the most dazzling shows from Fashion Week SS19, our first stop is Rodarte. While metallics are commonly associated with edgy vibes and sleek, futuristic designs, Rodarte took a softer approach. Using voluminous metallic ruffles that glistened alongside romantic floral hair arrangements and picturesque earrings, Kate and Laura Mulleawy were able to take the metallic trend and turn it into a shiny, breathtaking dream.
(Image fromhttps://www.vogue.co.uk/shows/spring-summer-2019-ready-to-wear/rodarte)
Waking up from the dreamy show of Rodarte, we now find ourselves zooming through a galaxy full of sparkling stars at Roland Mouret. The feminine SS19 collection featured glistening fabrics in a variety of flattering forms, ranging from casual drawstring trousers to chic button ups. An exuberant foiled gown dressed smartly with lace up flats and a mesh insert. Fellow London Fashion Week stunner Simone Rocha also took to the metallics trend, showcasing textured taffeta midi dresses in hues of copper, black and ivory.
(Image from https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0004/9184/7739/files/RM-SS19-LOOK35_1500x2400px -500Kb_720x.jpg?v=1537112700)
This intergalactic journey would not be complete without taking a stop at the edgy Balmain SS19 show. Models fitted with metallic over-the-knee boots, sculpted silver belts and sexy casted bodices married with asymmetric, reconstructed denim brought a fiery fierceness to the Parisian catwalk. Olivier Rousteing’s contemporary couture silhouettes were styled to perfection with sleek handbags and chunky metal bangles so divine that Cara Delevingne returned to runway, opening the show in a chrome crop top paired with heavenly white trousers and a matching long line jacket, with shoulder pads fit for an 80s queen.
(Image from https://www.crfashionbook.com/fashion/g23511537/every-look-from-balmain-springsum mer-2019/?slide=28)
In the accessories sector of our space travel, Milan Fashion Week produced stunning shoes that were out of this world. Attico’s Spring 2019 collection was nothing short of spectacular. Golden cowboy boots, accented stilettos, and metallic platforms round out just a few of our favorite glossy styles from the Italian line. And we couldn’t possibly forget about Chanel’s chic metal chain belts at Paris Fashion Week, contrasted by girly drop earrings spelling out the brand’s notorious name.
(Image from https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2019-ready-to-wear/attico/slideshow/collection#9)
Looking to style this trend, but don’t know where to begin? Don’t fret or fear – talkingfashion is here with some street style inspo to kickstart your voyage into the metallics universe. If you’d like to start small, the easiest way to dive into a new trend is with jewelry and accessories. Try out some layered silver necklaces, or belts with metal hardware to test the waters. If you’re looking to make a bit more of a splash, highlight a basic outfit with a pair of metallic booties or an eye catching clutch.
(Image from https://talkingfashion.net/products/copy-of-link-chain-golden-metal-belt-vintage-accessories)
And this concludes our expedition from Earth to the cosmos of one of fashion’s most gleaming trends. Looking to add a bit of shine to your everyday look? Check out talkingfashion.net to browse our sleekest vintage favs!
