Traditionally, when one thinks of fashion the first thing, and really the last, is the fabric oriented kind. Fashion for most people is all about the latest and greatest cut of dress, style of tuxedo, or type of shoe. Even with accessories, fabric gets top billing; handbags, ties, hats, they are all fabric oriented.
This means that jewelery, though typically thought of as the defining element in any outfit, does not always receive the link it should to other areas of the fashion world. It is unfortunate, because diamonds still are a girl's best friend, even if they are neglected for a time. And whether you're living on the salary of a factory worker making sling ropes or are a trust fund baby in luxury central Toronto real estate at 18 Yorkville, there is fashionable jewelery out there for you.
We say that the time for jewelery to regain its rightful place on the centre stage of the fashion conscious mind is now. Not only is jewelery a defining point of any outfit, it is also incredibly fun to design and more budding fashion designers are taking advantage of the dearth in this niche than ever before; and that doesn't mean you have to be scared of competition, either.
The reason? Almost everyone wants their own piece of jewelery to stand out from other pieces, to be an original. Moreover, while a valuable sequence of stones set into a chain of gold will always be a centrepiece on anyone today's jewelery fashion has seen a bit of a refocus onto pieces of jewelery that are almost homemade. This means that the fashion jewelery seem in the shops below Yonge Eglinton condos can look a lot like that seen in Cabbagetown, Toronto.
What this means for the new designer is that a fashion niche that was once expensive to get into is now a little bit easier. In a world that has seemed to move from the genuine article to a more generalized focus on appearance, there has been no better time to delve into the world of jewelery and fashion; if it shines like a ruby, it doesn't really matter if it is real or not. Don't believe us? Well, just take a look at the latest musical phenomenon to hit the stage; you don't really think that the next big R&B star could afford to add those sapphire earrings before selling one record, do you?
The point of the new focus on appearances is that while the jewelery we may see displayed so prominently and ubiquitously today is not necessarily worth what it looks like, it can't really be described as cheap either. Appearances are everything and unless you are hanging around with a group of appraisers all night (and what would be the point of dressing up for that party, anyway?) no one is going to know.
Also afoot when it comes to jewelery design is the phenomenon of jewelery with sentimental value. Now, we are not saying that that diamond Celine Dion wore way back when she sang for the Titanic soundtrack didn't have an emotional wallop, but we are betting that the Las Vegas version of Celine would prefer to wear a bead and string set put together by the chubby hands of her two year old. It's always been said that it is the thought that counts, but today in jewelery that statement has more validity than ever before. This means that you might want to look back through those pieces you've had since you were still in organic diapers.
Of course, there will always be a place in everyone's heart for the truly dazzling appearance and the even more dazzling price tag of the latest gem based affair, but Americans are certainly beginning to realize the time of indulgence may be at an end. People will still need to accessorize with jewelery, though, so the time of the less expensive piece may continue and grow stronger into the near future.
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