Talking Tiaras
Posted on 20 April 2012 | Comments Off
Walt Disney princesses wore them for their balls and weddings, encouraging generations upon generations of little girls to grow up with a vision of the tiara as their ultimate fairytale accessory, their favourite “dressing-up” item. And so it is that over the years the tiara has become so steeped in magic and romance that when it comes to their special once-in-a-lifetime day, countless brides can contemplate nothing less as the crowning glory to their wedding dress than a well-balanced, uber-sparkling tiara.. Significantly taller and much more ostentatious are the dazzling tiaras worn - and won – at Prom Queen Awards and pageants in the USA, whilst our own prom princesses tend to choose smaller, more understated versions to express glamour, wealth and sophistication at their Prom Parties. The revival of period costume dramas on TV and in the movies has created even greater interest and fascination with this distinctive headwear.
But, historically speaking, where did the tiara come from?
Tiaras, also known as diadems, signified nobility or royalty in ancient customs, but the forms they took are so diverse that it is difficult to trace a continuous line of development.
The first known tiaras appeared in Egypt. These varied in style from the enormous headdresses which crowned Egyptian royalty and priests to the delicate tiaras worn by the courts’ pricesses, which were made from flowers in gold wire, and sometimes inlaid with precious stones. Tiaras from both the Greek and Roman Empires began as simple bands of cloth worn around the top of the head or forehead and tied in a knot at the back. Powerful men and women wore these bands, and later versions were decorated with pearls and gems. Tiaras in the shape of wreaths gained popularity too and were awarded to winners in sports, but officials also wore them for ceremonies. These natural wreaths were later copied in precious metals as craftsmen used gold, silver and plated metal to make imitation leaves embossed with natural patterns. Celtic tribes also created elaborate headwear, such as the bronze diadem excavated from Cavenham Heath in Suffolk, England, which is unique because it is adjustable.
In later times, 19th and 20th Century British monarchs, the ladies at court,the aristocracy and rich and famous all wore tiaras at state occasions, dinners, proms and balls.
Today, it is said that the tiara is more popular than ever and this is likely to continue as Crown and Coronet Specialist, Carl W. Lemke, has made jewelled reproduction tiaras for countless films and television programmes. And although a few brides may be inspired by the wedding styles of their mothers and friends, many more will want to copy the tiaras and fabulous jewels of Hollywood and the big screen. It would seem that imagination and impeccable craftsmanship will ensure a long and healthy future for tiaras of all shapes and sizes.
From Runway Fashion To Family Heirloom!
Posted on 19 April 2012 | Comments Off
Brooches, which can be traced back to the early Bronze Age, appear to have evolved from bone or wood fastenings on clothing. The Romans, Greeks, Celts and other tribes n Europe initially used them for practical purposes to hold their cloaks shut, but they also became symbols of wealth as they became more ornate and grand and were used to enhance outfits for both men and women..
Historically, brooches were made from gold, silver, bronze and other metals often coated with colourful enamels or encrusted with precious gemstones, whilst tribal cultures frequently took their inspiration from their natural surroundings or iconic elements in their folklore and this is still the case today as can be seen in the brooches designed in the Design Studio on the Navajo reservation and featured in the MAJ Native American Indian section.
A significant factor in the popularization of the brooch was the Hollywood movie. The leading female stars of the 1940s and 1950s often wore and then endorsed pieces produced by a range of designers. Stars such as Vivien Leigh, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Russell appeared in adverts for a whole range of jewellery and the availability of the collections in shops such as Woolworth made it possible for ordinary women to own and wear such jewellery.
Today high-end fashion brooches have achieved a “collectible” status and there is a substantial market market for vintage brooches, which increase dramatically in value over time – especially if they have the maker’s mark on the reverse. However, there is also a demand for good quality ‘unsigned’ pieces, especially if they are unusual. But without doubt, the most sought-after vintage brooches as far as serious collectors are concerned are the truly amazing pieces that were hand-crafted by iconic designers, such as Coco Chanel, in the mid-twentieth century. These have achieved family heirloom status, to be handed down generation after generation.
As for the antique brooches of tomorrow, MAJ’s big bold Swarovski Crystal brooches may well be a good place to start your collection.
Palladium In Paris
Posted on 17 April 2012 | Comments Off
Following the introduction at London Fashion Week of the world’s newest precious metal, Palladium, it was Paris Fashion Week’s turn to host an exciting collaboration between the International Palladium Board and designer Hussein Chalayan. A partnership made in heaven and predicted to maximise both the talents of the designer and the properties of the worlds’s most exciting precious metal.
In this, his first dalliance with Palladium, Hussein Chalayan showcased the metal’s principal attributes – lightness and strength – in his Domisilent Collection, where it took pride of place built into the necklines of two floor-sweeping evening dresses. Designed specifically to challenge conventional red carpet outfits, Chalayan is quoted as saying, “Often red carpet dressing is, in my view, very predictable. I thought it was quite a nice take on how you can have something a bit technical looking, but on an evening dress”
The use of Palladium in Chalayan’s Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection is tipped to be just the starting point for this gifted designer and darling of the fashion world, whose career since he graduated from Central St.Martins almost two decades ago, boasts a partnership with Comme des Garçons, the role of creative director at Asprey and Puma, an MBE in 2006 and winner of The Outstanding Lifetime Achievement to Design at the FX International Interior Design Awards, London in 2009. Indeed, following the rapturous response to the use of Palladium in his Domisilent collection Chalayan is rumoured to be working on using this new precious metal in his Ready to Wear Collection.
More Precious Than Gold And Stronger Than Steel!
Posted on 16 April 2012 | Comments Off
Back in 1803 a new and very exciting metal was discovered by the British chemist William Hyde Wollaston. It was named “Palladium” from the Greek name ‘Pallas’, Goddess of Wisdom.
Palladium, which gets its whiteness and lustre from nature, has unique features that are destined to make it the most sought-after precious metal of the century. It is rare. It is light. It is incredibly strong. It is hypoallergenic and it will not tarnish. A rare platinum group metal, Palladium is the most recent precious metal to be hallmarked in 2009 and its special properties allow designers to create intricate jewellery capable of holding even larger stones.
The International Palladium Board, set up to market this very special metal, is dedicated to establishing Palladium as the contemporary precious metal of the future. and bringing its luxurious properties and unrivalled potential to the attention of a discerning target audience., Wth this in mind, they have set up Palladium Visions, a pioneering and innovative series of partnerships with some of the world’s most inspirational and visionary artists who have been tasked with creating jewellery that will highlight the ‘lightness and strength’ of this exceptional precious metal.
The first Palladium Visions projects were launched during London Fashion Week in February 2012 via The Palladium Jewellery Design Competition, a unique collaboration between the International Palladium Board and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Students from the MA Design and Jewellery course were briefed to design jewellery that would demonstrate Palladium’s unique properties of lightness and strength. Five exceptional finalists’ pieces were on display at the BFC Rock Vault during London Fashion Week and more exciting partneships are in the pipeline for 2012 and beyond.
Everything You Need To Know About Costume Jewellery. The Facts
Posted on 16 April 2012 | Comments Off
COSTUME JEWELLERY. THE FACTS
Costume jewellery, sometimes referred to as fashion jewellery, is the term used to describe jewelry made from non-precious metals and stones. The most typical materials used are crystal, glass, pearls, cubic zirconia, acrylics, diamante or rhinestones. These will normally be set in rhodium, or base metal with a gold or silver-plating..Fine Jewelry, on the other hand, is the term used to describe jewellery made from precious metals such as gold, silver, titanium, platinum and the new palladium, which are often encrusted with equally expensive diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and so on.
Costume jewellery is popular among both designers and shoppers as it allows designers to create big, bold, statement pieces to go with the fashion trends of the season, at prices shoppers can afford. And since fashion is constantly changing, costume jewellery is the ideal choice for creating interesting, fun and playful designs, that allow the wearer to mix and match to create their own personal style, but swftly move on as the fashion trends change.
Will costume jewelry cause skin irritation?
In the past many people had a reaction to nickel, which used to be one of the common base metals used in making costume jewellery. For this reason, industry restrictions have been placed on the amount of nickel allowed in the making of costume jewellery and many companies do not have any nickel at all in their jewellery. Indeed all MAJ jcostume ewellery is nickel-free and mostly uses silver, gold or rhodium as a plating. Rhodium, in particular, is a hard, durabe metal, which is shiney silver in colour and can be worn by the vast majority of skin types. Sterling Silver is often plated with rhodium to stop it tarnishing.
Will costume jewelry change colour?
Good quality costume jewellery does not usually change color unless it comes into contact with moisture. So remember to take off your costume jewelry when you are in the shower or swimming. This will also prevent stones from falling out.
Why does Sterling Silver Jewelry change colour?
Sterling Silver Jewelry “oxidizes” when it comes into contact with oxygen or water. This process is called “tarnishing” and it causes the silver to turn black. The extent and speed with which silver jewelry tarnishes is also affected by climate. In high humidity areas, it is likely to tarnish much faster. This is a temporary problem that can easily be fixed.. Just rub it with a silver cloth and your Sterlig Silver jewelery will look as good as new again.
How do I store my costume jewelry?
To keep costume jewellery in good condition you will need to prevent it being exposed to the air, because air contains moisture and this will cause the base metals to rust.The ideal way is to store it in a jewellery box or zip lock bag. This is also a good idea for Sterling Silver Jewelry as this will minimise oxidation. In an ideal world, you should separate every single piece of costume jewelry by wrapping it in tissue or storing it in its own bag to prevent the individual jewellery pieces from tangling and scratching each other. Most importantly, If you have a tendency to sweat, you will need to wipe your costume jewellery with a jewellery cloth before you put it away for any amount of time.
Dapper Flapper!
Posted on 29 March 2012 | Comments Off
The Great Gatsby film may not be out until December, but that didn’t stop the world’s top designers from showcasing the famous Deco style and elegant Twenties silhouettes several months early. Indeed, the runways were positiviely awash with flirty drop-waist dresses for the daytime hours and lavish gowns with tassels, heavy beading and a mist of ostrich feathers to take one through to the wee small hours.Time to invest in a Cloche Hat, silky separates with watercolour florals and a glossy, glamorous flapper dress. And for the finishing touch, add a long, lean crystal rope or pearls – and a shimmering brooch to your cloche or headband.
Brooches Are Now And Wow!
Posted on 22 March 2012 | Comments Off
Brooches are back in fashion and the bigger the better. On the runways they were pinned at the base of models’ throats, on scarves and capes.And they also featured large on headbands in models’ hair. So opulence is alive and well and can be seen in the size and spectacular dazzle of the pieces! MAJ specialise in Swarovski crystal and diamante brooches that are so big and bold and beautiful the’re destined to be tomorrow’s family heirlooms. And the beauty is that many of them are exclusive to MAJ. Time to shop now!
The Girl Done You Proud, De Beers!
Posted on 24 February 2012 | Comments Off
When DeBeers loaned Adele jewellery for her night at the Brits they must have been fairly sure that the stunning Solitaire Ring with its a 7.41-carat Yellow Diamond and two rare 1.58-carat Trillant Diamonds stacked alongside the twin Eternity Bands, stood a good chance of grabbing major media attention as she lifted the odd award or two!
They might even have guessed that the ring would spark frenzied rumours – and grab even more media attention – as people speculated that she had become engaged to boyfriend Simon Konecki!
But what no-one could have foreseen was the glorious non-stop, breathtakingly enviable publicity and column inches that Adele – and the jewellery – would attract over the next 24 hours after Adele was cut off in her prime in her acceptance speech!
Oh, to have been De Beers for a day!
Who Says You Have To Be A Beauty To Be Original?
Posted on 23 February 2012 | Comments Off
Dear Fellow Fashionistas,
Last night the almost unthinkable happened after I settled down to check my emails. My eye was caught by a news article on something I never thought could ever happen in my lifetime! You may want to sit down and take a deep breath, but….Vivienne Westwood, yes the queen of fashion herself has completely slated current British fashion trends at London Fashion Week, apparently “People have never looked so ugly”, she goes on to say “…Conformist shoppers and cheap clothes have given society a ‘generic look’”
A bold statement! However if anyone has the right to point this out to us it’s the lady herself!
Maybe she knows something that we don’t? Fashion and Accessories is a route that anyone can take when it comes to standing out and making a statement about themselves. At its very core what a person has decided to wear that morning is a reflection of how they were feeling. For example ‘Is today a lazy day?…Yes I will wear my comfortable slouchy top with boho wooden beaded necklace’ or ‘Today is my interview for that promotion I’ve been after forever, I want to look the business! I will go for the blouse, fitted pencil skirt no matter how tight it is! The dainty diamante necklace with matching studs’
Are we the great British public in danger of ‘blending into the background’ when it comes to fashion? The gregariousness on some of the catwalks is not always transferred onto the high streets, how can we achieve the individuality that we crave?
I have always though for those who really want to make a noise, Statement Jewellery is the way to go, deciding to wear that something different which is not considered the norm is the first step to attaining fashion nirvana. Shopping from independent and exclusive Jewellery Boutiques like madaboutjewellery.com means that you will pick up designs that are original and that not everyone in the world will have and that will look great with absolutely anything in your wardrobe!
Why not try out that pair of glamorous Swarovski Paparazzi Princess Earrings with your work outfit to give it that extra ‘wow’ factor that impresses the boss or slide that ditsy Retro style Silver Nouveau Side Tiara with that little black number on your next night out? Heck! Why not take it out with you the next time you are at the supermarket picking up your weekly groceries?
An item that I have fallen in love with is madaboutjewellery.com’s hand bands!
You cannot get more original when it comes to jewellery! I’m thinking about taking the Gold Star Hand Band for a trial run the next time I’m on my fortnightly lunch date with the girls in town. I know for a fact that it will add a much needed extra dollop of extravagance.
I’ll leave you with a quote by Bernadette Peters an American actress:
“You’ve gotta be original, because if you’re like someone else, what do they need you for?”
The Latest Trend Went Out Of Fashion Years Ago!
Posted on 14 February 2012 | Comments Off
They always say fashion goes around in circles. And never was that more true than in the case of the humble pocket watch, which is back with a vengeance – and a fashionable new twist!
No longer tucked away in pockets. Today’s versions of full and half hunter glory are largely for us girls, so.they come with neck chains and – certainly as far as MAJ is concerned – they feature some pretty nifty new designs. Everything from flowers, angels and hearts, to dark Ed-Hardy-style skulls.
There’s even one for anyone who’s lucky enough to have tickets for the Olympics – a colourful, patriotic Union Jack so they can check those vital times, whilst they’re also flying the flag! Come on you Brits!
Specialists in Jewellery made with Swarovski Crystals
