History of Fashion Jewellery
Since the masses could not afford the same grade of fine stones and precious metals as the nobility, jewelers began to make pieces out of glass and other less expensive materials. With the start of the 20th Century and the Industrial Revolution, came a new “middle” class. People worked and wanted to enjoy some of the finer things in life. With the onset of manufacturin
g came mass-produced stylish pieces. This truly created the term “fashion accessory,” and new manufacturers sprung up all over the world, creating the industry we know today. Hollywood stars, known for wearing signature pieces of jewellery on screen and off created even more demand for replicas. As it became obvious that these mass-produced accessories were a growing trend, designers such as Chanel, Dior, Monet and Napier began to design specific lines of fashion jewellery just for the masses. They began to hire movie stars to model them in advertisements and then sell them in low-end department stores. One of Coco Chanel’s most famous pieces is the faux pearl necklace, which became a status symbol in the 60s, worn by such icons as Jackie O, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn. Barbara Bush even wore her famous three strand faux pearls to her husband’s inauguration. And with this evolution of fashion jewellery from the less expensive copycat to fashionable must-haves, the current trend is for designers to create original lines that are neither inexpensive or a knock-off. Many are inspired by color, fashion trends, and extensions of a clothing line, while others gain inspiration from spiritual beliefs. For instance, Katie Scott Design offers religious pieces that are uniquely designed and sold in higher end department stores and boutiques. The pieces are constructed to make a statement that indicates that the wearer is high-fashion, but the price point is such that one can layer a multitude of bangles, cuffs or rings, each with a variety of crosses, rosaries and other symbols. It is also not unusual for consumers to shop online for Fashion jewellery, since the issue of grade in a stone, or concern over safe shipping of expensive pieces is replaced by finding the right look to go with an outfit. Designers who want to provide line extensions can offer specialty lines at discount prices without compromising their higher end collections. As the Fashion jewellery industry evolves, it is clear that what was once something called “junk” or “Grandma’s old stuff” has moved front and center as a fashion staple.
