Hot Spring/Summer 2016 Trend: Lace Jewellery

May 18, 2016

By Katerina Perez

8 min read

What could be a more seductive than understatement? What is more attractive: the openly nude body or its veiled outline? A little translucence always leaves room for the imagination, it fascinates and attracts the gaze, lends itself to the most trivial together with femininity and romanticism. Designers have turned to various types of lace to create this effect in the spring-summer season. Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Celine, Balenciaga and other fashion houses have boldly decorated hems and necklines on flowing silk dresses with lace, and tops with netting and sheer fabric inserts.

Fashion designers can be called art folk. In handling rolls of fabric, they imagine in fine details the finished outfit, in the very same way that jewellers, having picked up only a handful of gemstones, manage to dream up a unique piece of jewellery. Many fashion gurus admit that the material sometimes becomes the source of inspiration for the entire collection. And this in vogue trend for lace inspired me to make a selection of jewels for this gallery which displays how fashion trends are reflected in the art of jewellery.

Could a subtle, almost aerial view of a fabric be encapsulated in metal? Well, to achieve the affect of a visual lightness, jewellery designers have adopted various techniques, starting with perforating the surface of gold for ornamentation, as with the Carrera Y Carrera earrings, or laser cut gold, as done by Alia Mouzannar for earrings, as well as the filigrée finishing technique that the Eleuterio brand specialises in. The Russian brand Alexander Arne launched a jewellery collection in which the pieces resemble bejewelled lace. The items are made of a variety of elements – butterflies, snowflakes and brand logos, that are linked together and all encrusted with diamonds. No matter the method used to achieve the desired effect on the jewellery, the end result of all the brands has been similar: they created delicate and romantic jewels.

Alexander Arne

Alexander Arne

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Chanel

Chanel

Jewellery Theatre

Jewellery Theatre

De Beers

De Beers

Althea

Althea

Chaumet

Chaumet

Autore

Autore

Mouzannar

Mouzannar

Buccellati

Buccellati

Carrera Y Carrera

Carrera Y Carrera

Casa reale

Casa reale

Celine

Celine

Chopard

Chopard

Dionea Orcini

Dionea Orcini

Faberge

Faberge

Lalique

Lalique

Givenchy

Givenchy

Fei Liu

Fei Liu

Garrard

Garrard

Sutra

Sutra

Jewellery Theatre

Jewellery Theatre

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

John Rubel

John Rubel

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Maria Kovadi

Maria Kovadi

Piaget

Piaget

Inbar

Inbar

Tiffany&Co

Tiffany&Co

Chaumet

Chaumet

Messica

Messica

Chopard Presented Two New High Jewellery Collections at the Cannes Festival:

continue reading

Black Tie Affair: The Best Jewellery Looks of the BAFTAs Red Carpet 2025

Let's look at some of the best jewellery of the BAFTAs 2025…

by Sarah Jordan

In Conversation at GemGenève: What Constitutes Exceptional Design?

Can you pinpoint exactly the combination of factors that make you stop and do a double-take when shopping for jewellery? Could you write a list? It’s incredibly difficult to do so, which is why it was a great way to kick off this GemGenève session! Vivienne said she responds to a jewel that “captures its […]

by Katerina Perez

Rule-Breakers: The Most Iconic British Jewellers of the 1960s

Bored of the reproductions of Victorian and Art Deco jewellery, John Donald entered London’s jewellery scene in the early 1960s looking to disrupt. Being confined by what he could afford at the time, Donald created pieces with gold rods, which were less expensive than gold bars. This decision would lead to his signature geometric motif. Having […]

by Rachael Taylor

Immortalising Memories: The Deeply Personal Creations of Kyan Jewelry 

“Jewellery is an emotional carrier that connects you with your essence and your true self,” - Kyan Jewelry Founder Amal Sanad

by Sarah Jordan

Bezel Beauties: Get to Know Bezel-Set Diamond Jewellery

Let's take a closer look at the practical appeal of this great setting style…

by Aliki Barnes

Nature’s Miracles: Capturing the Magic of Natural Pearls with Pearl Biography 

I spoke to Ahmed Mattar, the Founder of Bahraini brands Pearl Biography and Yka Pearls, to discover the allure of natural pearls and their unique place in Bahrain's culture

by Sarah Jordan

Love Stories: Jewellers Share Their Most Romantic Commissions

For Valentine’s Day, I asked six designers what the most romantic commission they ever received

by Rachael Taylor

Jewel of the Month: Taking Flight with The Gift of Love Necklace by Graff 

Let’s examine this feat of jewellery artisanship and celebrate its status as our ‘Jewel of the Month’ for February 2025

by Sarah Jordan

Nature’s Folio: The Boucheron Untamed Nature High Jewellery Collection

Be prepared to feel transported to the French countryside, somewhere in the 19th century, armed with only a graphite pencil and the very earliest monochrome camera…

by Sarah Jordan

Galentine Gifts: Jewels to Celebrate Female Friendships this Valentine’s Day

If you are searching for the perfect present to spoil the hero BFFs in your universe, start with this shopping guide by Rachael Taylor

by Rachael Taylor

Ready for Love: Heart-Shaped Jewels for the Perfect Valentine’s Day

Find the perfect heart for your lover with Rachael Taylor’s guide to the latest designs, from chubby diamonds to gold embroidery and magical opals

by Rachael Taylor

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Jewel of the Month: Taking Flight with The Gift of Love Necklace by Graff

Let’s examine this feat of jewellery artisanship and celebrate its status as our ‘Jewel of the Month’ for February 2025

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.