Top 5 jewelry trends of 2015 – a compilation

As the wheel of fashion rotates, it spins offs interesting components which mutate into specific directions when they adapt to changing socio-cultural-environmental scenarios. As 2015 is coming to an end (how did it go so fast?) here is a compilation of few such directions or trends, inspirations, materials and colors that were all the rage in 2015.

Top 5 jewelry trends of 2015
1. Night Light 
Forecasted trend for Spring summer 2015
 Imagine standing at a busy road intersection at night, watching street lights, outdoor and indoor lighting of glass walled building filtering into the street and merging with vehicular light. After a point it all sort of fades in creating a soft buzz or hums that is constantly morphing into vivid colors and patterns before transcending into soft hues and painterly swirls. Such a visual illusion was a major direction in terms of color and pattern selection for jewellery in 2015. Dull emeralds and lavendars would pair up with striking yellows and grays producing an eclectic effect. Purples in various shades were seen as a continuation from 2014’s radiant orchid. Seed bead jewellery either bead woven or embroidered were seen dominating the wedding and evening wear market with coated or foiled crystals and rhinestones taking the center stage. 


2. Industrial
Forecasted trend for summer 2015
 Architecture and geometry were other strong influences especially in the precious metal segment. The pieces were bold, streamlined with emphasis on exacting standards of quality. With the jewellery brands boldly taking the stepping forward with 3D printing, piping lines, construction pillars and axis lines were key inspirations for statement making jewellery. Raw uncut gems fused with unconventional materials like piping or rubber tubing resulted in the category of Industrial chic jewellery.
The popularity of paper jewellery in the east led to origami being a big influence in the west. These simple paper folds were replicated in metal, resin, clay and other unconventional materials leading to jewellery and accessories that almost look like structural art installations.
    
Images courtesy: Rocks ‘n Beads


3. Raw Passion
Forecasted trend for Spring summer 2015
 With a steady increase in social media users who post almost their every thought on the cyberspace for all to see, the concept of wearing your heart on your sleeve will no longer remain the prerogative of a passionate few. Passion and desire to try new concepts, face new challenges and seek the forbidden brings out raw fervor that needs to be satiated. Bold yet engineered pieces that scream for attention would be the order of the day with colors like reds, crimsons and sapphires marrying into cold silver grays and matt golds. Rings will continue to grow bigger and bolder with chunkier stones and basic settings.
Mineralia Monogram Necklace: Anthropologie


On the other hand, statement making word jewellery would depart from monograms and initials to opinions, quotes and satirical takes on the world around us. As a picture speaks louder than words, accessories with glass, metal and resin incorporating images – commercial art, traditional paintings, doodles or pictures that narrate a story would make a wave. The union of designers, brands and artists now seen in the textile and apparel industry will seep into the jewellery and accessory segment with artists creating one of kind artworks to be incorporated in contemporary pieces.


4. Unwind
Forecasted trend for Summer – fall 2015(transition trend)
As the mercury rises towards the peak of summer, people will take a step back from the wild speed of life and look forward to seeking peace and quiet in tranquil surroundings. The focus would shift from screaming reds to subtle blues and cool greens imparting a soothing feeling. Turquoise in combination with minutely patterned copper and lapis lazuli set in dull gold findings would be seen dominating the market.
 
5. Materialistic
Even though this wasn’t a trend in itself, certain materials came into the limelight and provided inspiration for shapes and construction rather than the usual progression from theme to material.
 
a) Fibre and fabric
2013 and 2014 saw the usage of soft materials and fabric through the arrival of pompoms, tassels and silk ribbons on international runways. Being constantly fueled by the efforts of handmade jewellery artists, this trend continued well into 2015. The availability of exotic materials like shibori silk, sari ribbon, blended hemp , wooly wire and the ease at which color, contrasts and softness can be added to metal components could be the reason why yarn, fabric bits and ribbon became a staple elements in designs of major brands.


b) Clay
The Handmade jewellery sector is going through a major revival as hobbyists are taking their game very seriously. In an attempt to fight off the competition and to create something truly original, more and more artists are now turning to clay as they primary material. The presence of clay in its various forms like polymer clay, crystal, synthetic and air dry clay has taken eased the process of handling clay thereby transferring it out of the traditional kilns of ceramic or stoneware artists to the kitchen ovens of hobbyists. The ability to mould, sculpt, color, stamp or emboss virtually any design fashioned clay into a strong contender. Soon major brands would be seen adapting to this trend making their designs more cost effective yet truly unique.
Images courtesy: Mitti Designs

c) Mixed media
International influences, travel and a growing need for consumerism results in a void for eclectic designs that cannot be satisfied by a single medium alone. Mixed media came into play with individual designers and brands exploring a cross section of medium like metal work, resin, fibre inducements in their collections. Resulting designs were exotic, multitasking, statement making yet subtle when needed to be – something that would continue well into the next year.
 
 

These are some of the jewelry trends of 2015; did you use any of them in your work? If so which ones, and how did it work for you; tell me in the comments. 


References:
Preciosa Trends
WGSN tumblr
Pantone trends
 

I hope you found it interesting.
 Cheers

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  1. bairozan avatar

    Thank you for this summary, Divya! Frankly, I like to know about new trends but I do not base my entire work on them. This year I pursued learning and practicing wire weaving but also made a couple of custom orders in other styles. I think that the market gets flooded with high end and imitation fashion-of-the-year items and we have to use the new trends as guidelines only.

  2. Divya N avatar

    Yes, availability of items online and sales throughout the year have thrown the fashion cycle in a toss so we cant rely on forecasted trends anymore. But it gives us a guideline to buy materials and work on a certain direction, saving us time and energy

  3. Little Treasures avatar

    I have to agree with bairozan above – I like to know the trends but never actually try to fallow trend or make trendy pieces – I keep to the style I am best recognized for. On the other hand your line of work requires that you always know the colors and materials in trend and I love how you use them to make your collections!

  4. Karin G avatar

    What a great way to simply state the trends! I like seeing your collection again too, as for me I don't know that I follow trends, I guess I'm influenced by what I see, I'm curious and like to try many things, so mixed media and fabric quite appeal to me , as for colors I follow my moods and tastes. I quite like playing with colors but I'm not really influenced by the ones in fashion.

  5. Vijay Devarajan avatar

    Hi Divya, want to take this opportunity to wish you all success in the new year 2016, have a wonderful new year with wonderful creative designs !

  6. Divya N avatar

    Being a design educator, I am expected to know about current and upcoming trends and It does seep into my work knowingly or unknowingly. There have been years when I consciously stayed away from trends

  7. Divya N avatar

    Thank You Vijay, Wishing you and your family a wonderful New year too

  8. Divya N avatar

    When you look at any forecast magazine say Promostly or WGSN it is arranged in a way similar to what you said – Influences of what is happening around us, materials that have growing appeal and colors to suit different mindsets and cultures. Forecasts in that way are as much about the past and present as they are about the future

  9. Neena Shilvock avatar

    I believe there's a piece of jewellery for every outfit – just as you wouldn't wear a wildly modern steel and feathers piece with a Kanjeevaram saree with an addigai with your jeans and T shirt – but it might easily be the same woman who wears both in two different avatars. I have been well into espousing the modern 'boho' look this last year, with the coupling of traditional tribal jewellery and casual Western wear, and of course the jewellery can be worn with traditional clothes. I've tried to make a lot of the beads for these pieces myself, out of polymer clay which allows one to mould colour and is such a pleasure to play with – serious polymeristas consider themselves artists and I would tend to agree with that rather than hobbyists, which I concede a lot of us are. I use it because I love the juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern which is how I want my pieces to be worn. Fabulous blogpost, BTW 🙂

  10. Divya N avatar

    Yes Neena, the juxtaposition of traditional tribal jewelry with casual clothing or with traditional clothing of an opposing nature was the biggest trend followed by people this year. It was something that was not forecasted per se, but one that emerged as a strong "Street style" trend. In design (forecasting) language this trend should trickle up and influence designer collections in 2016, lets wait and watch. I love your clay work, your gold beads in particular – I would wear tehm with a black Tshirt as well as a silk saree 🙂

  11. Diana Hansen avatar

    Thanks for sharing at Best of 2015!

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