by Shannon Farrell
Big and bulky is the main focus in today’s accessory industry. Dressing a little more casual and classic, we can make a statement with our jewelry. At this year’s international trade show, Train New York, we saw many innovative pieces. While they were all unique, they all upheld that current “bigger is better” philosophy. 
Jules Kim
Jewelry has always accentuated certain parts of the body. Jules Kim, a jewelry designer, has designed products that accentuate traditional parts of the body as well as those forgotten spots. She’s designed bar rings for Urban Outfitters, along with the Grenade launcher – a necklace worn as a sling, and dangling cross earrings in the shape of bones. For less accentuated parts of the body, she has designed rings that wrap around the tip of the finger. Made of gold, this ring relieves the wearer of the hassle of painting her nails; it has a gold piece that sits over the nail. And Kim just sold an entire set to Beyonce!! Another innovative piece is the Gelfling ear tip in brass. It’s placed at the tip of the ear.
Treehouse
Turning away from the innovative looks of the 21st century, Treehouse, a small shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, presented homemade goods that have a vintage look. A new collection sold in the stores is a group of necklaces and rings that are created through sterling silver molds of vintage medallions. The medallions, placed on chains with adjustable lengths or silver bands, are inspired by the medieval seventies. Each medallion is decorated with a zodiac sign symbol.
Another piece that caught my eye is the pair of hand and dagger earrings. The hand appears delicate and feminine while the dagger contrasts with its masculine medieval warrior look. It’s a great mix-and-match idea that combines the lady in waiting with the chivalrous knight of the medieval time period.
Cleo & Cat
This season brooches have been all the rage, placed on jackets and bags, adding a little glitz and glam. Cleo & Cat are sister designers that create unique jewelry made out of semi precious stones, clay, silver, gold, and other natural materials. Their pieces have a Middle Eastern feel to them, which made them stand out to me. Their brooches struck me as the most unique, coming in different shapes and sizes such as the Chrysolite Flower, which is made from clay with a chrysolite stone in the center and the Green Amethyst Coil, also made out of clay, with an amethyst stone.
Tags: Accessories, Fashion
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