Gemma Redmond Vintage on Tumblr @gemmaredmondvintage - Tumblr Blog

The Collecting Bug

Before I was a dealer, I was a collector. Indeed, this seems to be the case for most of my fellow sellers in the antiques and vintage profession. It’s certainly a logical progression. Handling, examining and acquiring pieces within your chosen collecting field for long enough makes you eager to share the wonders of these objects with others whether it’s online, through a shop or at a multitude of…

View On WordPress

Red Carpet Admiration - Oscars Special

Red Carpet Admiration – Oscars Special

The fashion hits and misses from last night’s Academy Awards have doubtless been eclipsed by that historic ‘Best Picture’ debacle. Warren Beatty’s anxiety, Emma Stone’s reaction and that now infamous red envelope have been the mainstays of our news feeds today.

But, let’s turn the lights and the cameras back onto the red carpet for a moment and celebrate the looks from last night. As is becoming…

View On WordPress

Street Style Inspiration London Fashion Week has come to a close. The curtain has come down on the capital's stylish offerings for Autumn/Winter 2017.

#1900s #London Fashion Week #Necklace #Street Style

Catwalk Fascination New York Fashion Week saw the king of Athleisure, Alexander Wang, return to his favoured black on black styling.

#1920s #Alexander Wang #Flapper #Flapper Necklace

Red Carpet Admiration Whilst there may be no red carpet here. For, the floor is a chequered marble. This is nonetheless an image of a perennially stylish screen goddess at a glittering, paparazzi strewn event.

#1940s #Christian Dior #Confetti Lucite #Couture #Earrings

Street Style Inspiration Victoria Beckham has truly 'pulled it out of the bag' on the style front this week, giving both the paparazzi and street style press a colourful and chic front-door to Range Rover show.

#1930s #Bracelet #Red #Victoria Beckham

Catwalk Fascination… At the recent Paris Spring/Summer 2017 Couture shows, designers once again successfully extinguished suggestions that such incomprehensibly expensive fashions are out-dated and have no place in today's society.

#1930s #Couture #Giorgio Armani #Glass Beads #Spring/Summer 2017

Red Carpet Admiration At Gemma Redmond Vintage this week we were delighted to see some really original award season looks at Hollywood's SAG Awards.

Street Style Inspiration After a long absence from the Gemma Redmond Vintage blog, due to being so very busy developing the business, I've returned to Wordpress with what I hope will be a regular feature to illustrate how jewellery from my collection can be combined with Street Style fashions - looks which are certainly contemporary, on the pulse and representative of what we will be wearing for the coming season.

A piece of vintage costume jewellery is the perfect way to add a detailed finishing touch to a ‘big day’ totally inspired by the past; to style a dress which takes its design from another era or to accessorise a completely contemporary bridal look that requires a unique twist.

Indeed, there is no doubting that vintage costume jewellery is made for bridal style. What were already heirloom pieces can become doubly so because they were worn on your wedding day. Also, the jewellery’s craftsmanship has stood the test of time, their designs have an originality that modern day pieces can’t seem to surpass and there is always a certain romanticism and mystery that can be attributed to an object with heritage.

Deciding to wear vintage costume jewellery on your wedding day is certainly easy. Which piece to select is the hard part. Here’s a guide to identifying jewellery by decade. Each period is summarised with something to bear in mind when buying jewels for your chosen era and which designer to be inspired by when selecting your jewels.

The 1920s

During this period, jewellery was influenced by the dawn of a new era. There was a push for all things modern after the shock of the First World War – people wanted to be cleansed of the old and celebrate the new. In the world of design a pure, hard-edged style was craved. This was evident in Bauhaus architecture, cubist art and the dropped-waist, linear-cut silhouette of the Flapper Girl. Jewellery designers looked to celebrate a burgeoning, bright industrial future in their work, creating pieces that looked almost mechanical with their sharp shapes and chrome coloured highlights. Jewellery manufacturer, Theodor Fahrner utilised marcasite in his Art Deco work to create tough, yet feminine pieces – it was a strong material that could be honed into delicate forms. Indeed, the silver tones in his accessories and their detailed nature would make them an excellent choice for bridal wear.

Think: Geometric – Look out for chic, linear pieces.

Be inspired by: The work of Theodor Fahrner

Theodor Fahrner Brooch – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

1920s Scrapbook:

Image: Alma Florida at Etsy.com

Image: forget-me-not.me

Image: Princess Mafalda of Savoy on her wedding day – forum.alexanderpalace.org

Image: misshonoriaglossop.tumblr.com

The 1930s

The silver screen was an incredibly popular form of indulgence at this time and style was influenced by the beautiful film stars of the day. Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth and Hedy Lamarr heralded an era of voluptuous glamour, which replaced the androgyny of the Twenties. They wore jewellery that complemented their looks to great effect and the pieces were something that women coveted the world over. One designer in particular, named Eugene Joseff, noticed that ‘ordinary’ ladies wanted to emulate their movie heroines. He had created alluring pieces worn by the likes of Ginger Rogers and Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind and decided to establish a business which manufactured celebrity endorsed jewellery for the masses. The Joseff of Hollywood company became one of the premier producers of Red Carpet calibre costume jewellery and the designs characterised the Thirties. Joseff’s stunning pieces, particularly with floral or natural themes, would undoubtedly add opulence to a bridal gown.

Think: Glamorous – Look out for pieces that remind you of old Hollywood.

Be inspired by: The designs of Joseff of Hollywood

Joseph of Hollywood Parure – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

1930s Scrapbook:

Image: Frances Dee on her wedding day – mote-historie.tumblr.com

Image: ewishmuseum.org.uk

Image: glamourdaze.com

Image: Claudette Colbert in ‘It Happened One Night’ – The Kobal Collection, Columbia

The 1940s

This was a decade during which the world was split apart at the seams by war. Shortage of metals due to requisitioning for military purposes and dwindling finances could have meant that jewellery ceased to be produced. But women still desired accessories to mark there elegance. Consequently, jewellery designers had to be creative in their use of available and affordable materials – adapting to the changing times. The Miriam Haskell company, with its chief designer Frank Hess, utilised plastics and wood. Additionally, they incorporated glass beads into their work, many in rich creams and milky whites – a beautiful choice for bridal wear.

Think: Creative – look out for pieces that utilise irregular materials.

Be inspired by: The designs of the Miriam Haskell company

Miriam Haskell Bracelet – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Miriam Haskell Parure – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

1940s Scrapbook:

Image: vintage.es

Image: vintagebrides.tumblr.com

Image: worldsfair39 on Flickr.com

The 1950s

In this decade, women placed great demands on the jewellery industry. As more and more ladies began entering the world of work, they required pieces for day as well as night. The Trifari company catered for this Fifties dilemma of versatility with great success. They developed their own form of brushed metal called ‘Trifanium’ and produced it in both gold and silver tones. The pieces made from this were subtle enough to be worn in the workplace, but often had just the right amount of rhinestone detail to make them applicable for evening wear too. Trifari’s pieces from this period would be outstanding for bridal wear, due to their incorporation of faux pearls – the perfect compliment to an ivory gown.

Think: Versatile – look out for pieces that will transition from day to night.

Be inspired by: The work of Trifari.

Trifari Necklace – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Trifari Parure – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Trifari Earrings – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

1950s Scrapbook:

Image: Charm and Poise on Flickr.com

Image: Irving Penn Vogue 1956

Image: Jacques Faith 1953 at hprints.com

Image: Life Magazine 1951 at vintagebrides.tumblr.com

The 1960s

Large scale rhinestone jewellery was immensely popular in the Sixties thanks to two main factors. Firstly, the cocktail party was enjoying a heyday and women required an affordable means of meeting the glamorous standards of the decade at regular social gatherings. Secondly, showy examples of jewellery excellently accessorised the psychedelic colour ways championed by pop artists and designers, like Warhol and Courreges. Based in New York, the Kramer company produced high quality rhinestone pieces. Their work during the 1960s was undoubtedly bold – either in colour or form. Brides should especially attempt to source Kramer bracelets, featuring multi-faceted, teardrop diamantes.

Think: Bold – look out for rhinestone pieces that make a statement.

Be inspired by: The work of the Kramer company.

Kramer Earrings – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Kramer Bracelet – Recently Sold at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Kramer Necklace – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

1960s Scrapbook:

Image: colincowieweddings.com

Image: orties-fifties-sixties-love.tumblr.com

Image: Pierre Cardin in Vintage Weddings by Marnie Fogg

Image: sovintagepatterns.com

The 1970s

Jewels that shimmered under the light of a disco ball were du jour in this decade. The music of artists like Donna Summer, the making of films such as Saturday Night Fever and the opening of clubs like Studio 54 inspired designers to produce glittering examples for the new social scene. Long line and pendulous pieces were popular, as they moved with wearers when they danced. The jewellery produced by Christian Dior in the 1970s was particularly in line with the disco aesthetic. Their pave rhinestone pieces from the decade often featured cream enamel and alluded to the Deco designs of the Twenties. These would make for original and eye catching bridal accessories.

Think: Disco – look out for pieces with sparkle and movement.

Be inspired by: The Seventies jewellery of Christian Dior.

Christian Dior Earrings – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Christian Dior Parure – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Christian Dior Ring – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

1970s Scrapbook:

Image: Mick and Bianca Jagger – Express Newspapers and Getty Images

Image: Barry Gibb and Linda Grey – plumedserpentbridal.com

Image: Teenjetset on flickr.com

Image: Vogue Italia 1970 by Barry Lategan

The 1980s

As women rose to prominence in the worlds of business and politics, so their accessories evolved to reflect their developing power. Jewellery was typically produced for them in gold tone – a shade of metal that symbolised wealth and authority. The pieces of the Eighties were often super-sized and chunky too. It was a time when female consumers accessorised with excess to demonstrate success. The jewellery produced by the Monet company is particularly evocative of 1980s grandeur. They worked to make female motifs, such as flowers and bows, meet the power dressing aesthetic of the time. Indeed, these pieces would add an extravagant touch to a wedding day look.

Think: Powerful – look out for large scale jewellery with structure.

Be inspired by: The work of the Monet company.

Monet Earrings – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

Monet Brooch – Available at Gemma Redmond Vintage

1980s Scrapbook:

Image: Madonna on her wedding day to Sean Penn – bohemea.tumblr.com

Image: Cover Girl 1980s

Image: Cindy Crawford – imgkid.com

Image: Vogue Bridal Original Patterns 1987

Bridal Jewels – A Guide to Choosing Pieces by Decade A piece of vintage costume jewellery is the perfect way to add a detailed finishing touch to a 'big day' totally inspired by the past; to style a dress which takes its design from another era or to accessorise a completely contemporary bridal look that requires a unique twist.

#1920s #1930s #1940s #1950s #1960s #1970s #1980s #Christian Dior #Joseff of Hollywood #Kramer #Miriam Haskell #Monet #Theodor Fahrner #Trifari

After the New Year revellers have swept up the ticker tape and left the Piazza St Marco. Before the carnival goers arrive in their masked grandeur. Late January is the perfect time to visit Venice for those who are happy to endure cold temperatures in favour of escaping throngs of tourists.

We enjoyed instant access to the eternally fascinating Palazzo Ducale – a legendary Venetian monument, its walls ooze with historical significance. To top it all, this special place was unspoilt by queuing hoards.

The Bridge of Sighs

A view into Venice from the Bridge of Sighs

Gondolas and Sunshine

Inside the Palazzo Ducal

Outside the Palazzo Ducal

We were able to take our pick of tables at Cafe Florian. Established in 1720, it is one of the oldest cafes in the world and we had time and space to absorb its grand decor.

Florian Decor

Old World Charm

Afternoon Tea Selfie

We could walk peacefully amongst art works within Venice’s famed museums. In the Academia, it was easy to examine up close the perfect folds on a skirt in a Bellini painting. At the Peggy Guggenheim collection, we could we could appreciate the elegant simplicity of an Alexander Calder mobile from all angles.

The Peggy Guggenheim Cafe

Outside the Academia

Most importantly, our apartment was a great price due to our off season jaunt. Booked through AirBnB, the accommodation was typically Venetian and beautiful. In a one thousand year old building, it featured furniture and doors hand-painted with Italian landscapes, plush marble bathrooms and quaint balconies overlooking sleepy canals. It was well located for exploring Venice’s must see enclaves and yet still felt ‘off the beaten track’ due to its position away from signposted tourist routes between St Mark’s and the Rialto.

Our 1000 year old building!

The courtyard entrance to our apartment.

Hand painted doors

Beautifully furnished

Old Venetian ceilings

Charmingly decorated

Just around the corner from our apartment, the Antico Gatoleto Ristorante provided an enticing mix of Venetian specialities, such as Cuttlefish and Liver, and reliable Italian favourites, like gnocchi in four cheese sauce. It was as equally frequented by locals, as it was by visitors from afar – popularity with the harshest critics is always a good sign. Again, thanks to our low season cunning, it was unnecessary to wait for a table.

Enjoying the cuttlefish!

I’ve referred in this blog before to shopping on holiday, as being a means by which one can absorb the local culture. In Venice, I worked hard to acquire knowledge through boutiques. Often, I prefer to explore as many buying options I can before delving into my budget abroad. However, on our first day I was lured into MaxMara by their ingenious ‘Cube’ collections. The idea of personalising their jewel coloured parkas with my own combination of accessories was all too enticing. I was particularly drawn to a beautiful green taffeta piece to which one could add feathered cuffs. Yet, I was pulled towards the beautiful store’s upper floor by an iconic shade of beige. Upstairs, I became surrounded by MaxMara’s signature camel coats in numerous styles, to suit various tastes and satisfy many ages. Instantly, I was drawn to a belted, sleeveless jacket. With a pure silk lining and in a wool and cashmere blend, it was a masterpiece in camel that I couldn’t resist. This was especially because the delightfully attentive sales associate, Chiara, showed me the endless styling possibilities of the piece. Never before have I felt so taken care of, but not fussed over, in a boutique. Chiara made my time in MaxMara memorable and satisfying, which is important when you are about to be parting with a far from insignificant amount. In a truly excellent sales pitch, I learned so much about belt and scarf tying techniques that day too. I am now also the proud owner of a large, square leopard MaxMara print scarf, which is testimony to this.

My MaxMara haul and artwork in our apartment

About the town with my purchases!

By the time our final full day of sightseeing arrived, I was feeling pretty pleased with myself, having only succumbed to the sartorial delights of MaxMara. However, after viewing the moving and captivating sculpture and tombs in the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frai, we found ourselves winding along the Calle Vallaresso in the fading light and stumbled across Venice’s new Celine store. Unusually (and perhaps this was another pleasantry due to our off-peak visiting) the boutique seemed to have every style and colourway of the brand’s elegant accessories in stock. In most Celine retailers in most major cities, one virtually has to fight just to sniff their iconic pieces. It therefore seemed right to enjoy handling and examining the merchandise. Early last year, I had been tempted by a leather and suede orange ‘Trapeze’ but the time was wrong. Now, in a tranquil setting and being given champagne in honour of a potential first purchase, the time was right. I decided to take the ‘Trapeze’ in a colbolt blue – practical, yet eye-catching. It is a bag that doesn’t shout, but whispers to those who know. Furthermore, it is one of my favourite pieces of contemporary design in my possession – not only because of its prestige, but because it is representative of a memory. Every time I use my Celine, in addition to sighing with satisfaction at my fashion kudos, I’ll remember a happy holiday freely exploring Venice with my parents.

I did it! (With champagne of course!)

Outside the Celine store.

Heading back to the apartment…

Taking my new ‘Trapeze’ out into the cold!

Gemma x

More Venetian highlights:

More Venetian highlights…

Venetian Look Book (or a closer look at the vintage costume jewellery I wore):

Day One

Dress: Baum und Pferdgarten at Atterley Road Parure: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Hat: Silver Spoon Attire Gloves: Marks and Spencer Perfume: Balenciaga Rosabotanica

Ring: Topaz Rhinestone, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Day One – Evening

Dress: 1960s, Susan Hayward Vintage Earrings: Mitchel Maer for Christian Dior, 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Dress: 1960s, Susan Hayward Vintage Earrings: Mitchel Maer for Christian Dior, 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Shoes: Topshop Jacket: Sandro Bag: Balenciaga

Dress: 1960s, Susan Hayward Vintage Earrings: Mitchel Maer for Christian Dior, 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Ring: Grosse, 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Day Two

Dress: Levis Jacket: MaxMara Hat: Oberwalder and Co Parure: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Necklace: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Earrings: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Jacket: MaxMara

Jacket and Scarf: MaxMara

Scarf: MaxMara

Dress: Levis Jacket: MaxMara Parure: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Necklace: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Dress: Levis Jacket: MaxMara Parure: Renoir Matisse,

Dress: Levis Jacket: MaxMara Hat: Oberwalder and Co Parure: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Jacket: Sandro Sneakers: Nike Bag: Balenciaga Scarf: Maxmara

Day Three

Hat: Vintage, 1940s Jumper: French Connection

Scarf: Zara Jumper: French Connection

Ring: 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Bracelet: Trifari, 1940s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Earrings: Joseff of Hollywood, 1940s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Jeans: Rag and Bone

Bracelet: Trifari, 1940s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Earrings: Joseff of Hollywood, 1940s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Ring: 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Day Three – Evening

Bracelet: Givenchy, 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Ring: 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Ring: 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Brooch: Mitchel Maer for Christian Dior, 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Brooch: Mitchel Maer for Christian Dior, 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Jacket: Sandro Dress: & Other Stories

Day Four

Sneakers: Nike

Belt: & Other Stories Jeans: All Saints

Jumper: Tommy Hilfiger Shirt: & Other Stories Hat: Silver Spoon Attire

Earrings: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Bracelet: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Parure: Renoir Matisse, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Venezia 2015 After the New Year revellers have swept up the ticker tape and left the Piazza St Marco.

Imagine... Gemma Redmond Vintage at the Golden Globes

Imagine… Gemma Redmond Vintage at the Golden Globes

Today’s post is the beginning of a series, which aims to hypothesise what various well-knowns and followeds might wear from the Gemma Redmond Vintage collection.

On Sunday 11th January, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association held their annual Golden Globes. The first event in the awards calendar which sees unbridled glamour unleashed. This year’s ceremony was no exception, with the film and…

View On WordPress

A new year and, finally, a new blog post!

I must apologise for my absence of late. I’ve missed regularly musing on all things style related. But, it has been with good reason. Over the past two months, I’ve been focusing solely upon the launch of Gemma Redmond Vintage. Click on the ‘Shop’ link at the top of this blog and you’ll find the fruits of my labour (or should that be the ‘jewels’ of my labour). My online boutique is now ‘live’.

As regular blog visitors might be aware, encouraging others to celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of vintage costume jewellery by wearing it anytime and anywhere, is something that I am passionate about. It’s wonderful to now officially own a store which promotes this manifesto. I hope that many of you will enjoy browsing, buying and wearing pieces from Gemma Redmond Vintage as time unfolds. The objective now is to promote and develop my business, with this blog both complimenting and shaping the Gemma Redmond Vintage brand identity. So, let’s kick start 2015’s blogging with an obligatory look back. Here’s a few looks from the past couple of months that I had zero time to write about. The vintage costume jewellery in them deserves to be shared!

Gemma x

In November 2014, I went to watch the magnificent Lady Gaga in her ArtRave Tour. I think I entered into the spirit of things with my chosen look, paradoxically wearing vintage to a rave!

Kramer Parure (Earrings and bracelet), 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Kramer Parure (Earrings and bracelet), 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage & Rhinestone Bangle, The V&A Shop

Gianni Versace Ring, 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Jewellery in Close Up…

I chose a green wig for the ArtRave theme!

My lipstick was ‘Palest Lavender’ by Barry M

Bag, Zara

Kramer Parure (Earrings and bracelet), 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

My false lashes were by getLashed and my eye jewels were from Topshop.

Dress, Nelly and boots, & Other Stories

Also, in November 2014 I embraced a mostly vintage look for the ‘Swing Patrol Ball’, Manchester.

Jacket: Forever 21 Dress: 1950s, Bowler Vintage Shoes: Aldo Bag: Andrew Geller, 1950s, Incogneeto Vintage

I customised this Forever 21 varsity jacket with my own initials found on Ebay.

Dress: 1950s, Bowler Vintage

Bracelet: 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Ring: 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Earrings: Lisner, 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

I customised this Forever 21 varsity jacket with my own initials found on Ebay.

I wore plenty of Gemma Redmond Vintage pieces when out and about in late November 2014.

Parure: Lisner, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Glasses: Versace

Dress: Zara Boots: Acne

Jacket: Zara

Bag: Balenciaga

Lipstick: Chanel Coromandel

Jacket: Sandro Bag: Givenchy Boots: Zara

Jumper: Warehouse Skirt: Zara Tights: Calvin Klein

Necklace: French jet Beads, 1940s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Hat: 1980s, Vintage Fair

At the beginning of December 2014, I celebrated the launch of Gemma Redmond Vintage with a party.

Necklace: Mitchel Maer for Christian Dior, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Top: Zara Skirt: Topshop Shoes: Topshop

One of my (many) New Year’s resolutions has been to become more active on Instagram. I’m loving using it to extoll the virtues of vintage costume jewellery and parade some of the pieces I wear on a day-to-day basis. Here’s some images from my account earlier this month…

Necklace: Butler and Wilson, 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Earrings: Monet, 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana Scarf: Zara

Earrings: Monet, 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Earrings: Christian Dior, 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Necklace: Edwardian, Gemma Redmond Vintage Top: Marks and Spencer, 1970s, Vintage Fair

Earrings: 1940s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Hat: 1940S, Vintage Fair Jacket: 1960s, The Vintage Fur Company Jumper: Zara

Earrings: 1940s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Necklace: 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Top: Zara

Necklace: 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Bracelet: 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Shirt: Zara Glasses: Versace

Bracelet: 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Necklace: 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Hat: Dickens and Jones Kimono: Topshop T-shirt: Asos

Necklace: 1950s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Kimono: Topshop T-shirt: Asos

Necklace: Sphinx, 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Jacket: 1960s, Vintage Fair Jumper: Zara Hat: Silver Spoon Attire

The Wanderer Returns… A new year and, finally, a new blog post! I must apologise for my absence of late.

Image of the Month… Tim Walker, September 2013 Kristen McMenamy for the editorial 'Beautifully Strange' in the Sunday Times Style Magazine…

#Chanel #Christian Dior #Fendi #John Galliano #Kristen McMenamy #Moschino #Sophia Webster #Tim Walker

It works so well on her. A single pearl earring glistening brightly. Why wear two, when one has such impact?Paired with the deep blue turban, the olive green cloak, the slightly parted rose pink lips and that wistful over-the-shoulder glance – she has a look that street style photographers would clamour to snap. Sadly for the image makers, hers is a portrait that cannot be caught through a mechanical lens.

The ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ was painted by Johannes Vermeer in 1665. Despite being created at a time when ‘cavalier’ style was in vogue, the aesthetic of Vermeer’s girl is pertinent to the fashion world this season…because the single earring is trending.

We don’t have to look further than celebrities for inspiration as to how to work a lone earring. For the Red Carpet, Emma Watson has championed the jewellery trend on several occasions wearing both cuffs and drop earrings. She is particularly lauded for pairing Delfina Delettrez’s pendulous piece with Valentino lace at fashion week. Whilst, Jennifer Lawrence is also an advocate of lone earringdom, having been spotted in Christian Dior favourites the ‘Mise en Dior’ and the ‘Dior Tee Shirt’ earrings. Sold in pairs, the Dior’s are so versitile – they can be worn together or alone and come in a number of designs and colours of the rainbow.

Emma Watson wearing Delfina Delettrez Image: Wireimage

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Image: Splash

The ‘Mise en Dior’ by Dior Image: Julia Noni for Dior

Lonely earrings also featured prominently on the Autumn/Winter 2014 catwalks. They added an edgey glamour to Nicholas Ghesquiere’s premier collection for Louis Vuitton. Single, shoulder grazing, drop earrings made looks, that might have been too much of an homage to the Sevenites for some, contemporary again. In jewel coloured enamels and gold tone metals, Vuitton’s earrings have the look of a car key that has been lost, found again and adapted into jewellery. They complimented perfectly Ghesquiere’s girls, who were fashioned like sidekicks to Starsky and Hutch. One can easily imagine them hooking the Gran Torino keys onto their ears, whilst their partners solve a crime! Over at Celine, Phoebe Philo’s girl wore her single earring with ostentation and pride. The jewels appeared to have been constructed by piecing together trinkets collected on global travels – earrings that make a statement about one’s style and one’s passions. Again, the earrings were chandelier length and incorporated both silver and gold tone together. Some featured rhinestones in bright hues, touching Celine’s normcore knits with interest and originality.

Louis Vuitton Image: Style.com/Gianni Pucci/Indigitalimages

Celine Image: Style.com/Gianni Pucci/Indigitalimages

So… the trend has been put out there. Designers and starlets have conspired to create a look we aspire to achieve. But how can we make this unique take on jewellery styling function in the real world?

If you are an ‘ordinary’ member of the public, it is certainly problematic to choose to leave one lobe bare. Models and stars have the support of world-renowned stylists and the bonus of being in the context of a fashion show or glossy magazine. We do not. A lone earring illicits reactions of horror from friends – “Oh no! You’ve lost one!” Whilst passers by on the street give you sympathetic ‘Manhattan Once Overs’ because they suspect you’ve miss-placed a piece of hierloom jewellery. The best option for us ‘normal folk’ to work a single earring everyday is to pair a statement piece with a stud on the opposite ear. This will enable all to see that you have purposely mismatched! Not that it matters what people think, but it avoids the trauma of being repeatedly interrogated about your jewellery.

You can buy individual earrings to allow you to work this trend, but the most logical choice is to choose a pair and have the option of wearing one or two. After all, it’s safe to say that the single earring is a micro-trend that won’t last forever. Invest in a good pair for the future. I have selected a few pieces from the Gemma Redmond Vintage collection that are true statement earrings. Paired with faux pearl studs in pink and grey hues or fine diamond studs, they do justice to the trend. I styled these ‘lone stars’ with a basic grey knit from Zara and my hair in a high-ponytail – such avante garde jewellery styling requires everything else to be minimal. Unfortunately, my blue turban and olive green cloak were at the dry cleaners.

Enjoy the trend.

Gemma x

Balenciaga Le Dix Earrings, 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Turquoise Bead Earrings, 1970s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Tribal Style Drop Earrings, 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Art Deco Style Earrings, 1970s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Yves Saint Laurent Earrings, 1980s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Trend Study – The Single Earring It works so well on her. A single pearl earring glistening brightly. Why wear two, when one has such impact?Paired with the deep blue turban, the olive green cloak, the slightly parted rose pink lips and that wistful over-the-shoulder glance - she has a look that street style photographers would clamour to snap.

#1970s #1980s #1990s #Art Deco #Balenciaga #Celine #Christian Dior #Emma Watson #Jennifer Lawrence #Louis Vuitton #Tribal #Turquoise #Yve #Yves Saint Laurent

Sixties vibes seemed to permeate the vast majority of collections during the Autumn/Winter 2014 shows. It is only natural, I suppose, that I have therefore been drawn to 1960s pieces in my vintage shopping of late – both for items for my store and clothing for me.

The monochromatic colourways advocated at Saint Laurent paired with cat-eye liner flicks and block heels have been particularly influential and I promise to move forth to sporting a fedora as the weather turns. Also, my outer wear choices, as we well and truly move into autumn temperatures, have been dictated a little by Prada. I have attempted to pay homage to the structure and texture of their much coveted shearling ‘car coats’ with a vintage Persian lamb and mink creation. The colours may not be as bold, but the silhouette is similar.

My 1960s costume jewellery pieces by Trifari and Jorgen Jensen in brushed silver and modernist designs seem to complement the pieces inspired by their decade of manufacture that I have paired them with.

I hope you enjoy these looks.

Gemma x

Inspired Look 1:

Jacket: Monsoon Dress: 1960s, Susan Hayward Vintage Shoes: Chanel

Bag: 1940s, Vintage Fair Earrings: Unsigned, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage Ring: Unsigned, 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Inspired Look 2:

Jacket: Pepe Shirt: Zara Jeans: Zara Shoes: Topshop Bag: Balenciaga

Earrings & Necklace: Fine Jewellery Rings: Jorgen Jenson, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Reference Library:

Saint Laurent – Autumn/Winter 2014

Image: Style.com

Inspired Look 3:

Jacket: 1960s, Vintage Stall at The Goodwood Revival Dress: Asos Boots: H by Hudson

Bag: Chanel Parure (Bracelet & Earrings): Trifari, 1960s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Ring: Unsigned, 1990s, Gemma Redmond Vintage

Reference Library:

Prada – Autumn/Winter 2014

Image: Style.com

Influenced by the Sixties… Sixties vibes seemed to permeate the vast majority of collections during the Autumn/Winter 2014 shows. It is only natural, I suppose, that I have therefore been drawn to 1960s pieces in my vintage shopping of late - both for items for my store and clothing for me.

Joan Rivers was a remarkable comedian. She had the power to make opinions that were so wrong seem so right. It was hard not to see the humour in her controversy and not to find her ability to ‘tell it like it is’ endearing. Yet, Joan was not just a comic. She was a highly skilled business woman too. In the late 1980s, she decided to establish her own costume jewellery company. Joan was renowned for her style and it seemed logical for her to found a business which made her aesthetic accessible to all. She made a bold choice to sell her jewellery on the QVC shopping network and it proved to be the perfect outlet. On the TV she could use her great charisma to convey the beauty of her pieces and share her enthusiasm for costume jewellery over time.

In a tribute to Joan, after she sadly passed away in September, I decided to wear a couple of pieces from her collection to an afternoon tea with friends. Despite her outspokenness and VERY rude humour, Joan was known for her elegance too. Everyone who knew her has commented on her ladylike qualities, which often those who saw her through a screen appeared not to appreciate. In my opinion, Joan River’s jewellery reflects her personality – it’s quirky, but with class. Paradoxically, delicate and madcap at the same time. I hope you enjoy this ‘inspired by Joan’ look that I put together. Vintage pieces of Joan Rivers jewellery are available to buy from Gemma Redmond Vintage.

Gemma x