The flowers blooming on all manner of jewelry and fashions this season seem to send a clarion call to the small creatures that frequent garden habitats. Jewelry designers have responded with an exquisite variety of birds, bees, beetles and bugs.
While oversized Lanvin designs have made an appearance in just about all the major fashion magazines, the vast majority of designs are less chunky but no less eye-catching. The March 2011 issue of Elle reported early on spring’s bounty of flora and fauna with a delightful montage recommending “Adorn yourself with the season’s most buzzed-about gems.” The article, seen above, features, yes, the huge Lanvin Plexiglas and crystal butterfly pendant necklace as well as a “metal insect cuff” by Lanvin; a blackberry gold ring with black and blue diamonds featuring the design of an ant by Le Vian; a white gold grasshopper ring set with gemstones from Chopard; a platinum and gold bee brooch with diamonds and enamel from Tiffany & Co.; and a pair of insect brooches studded with multi-color gemstones from Iradj Moini.
Glamour magazine’s April 2011 issue makes note of the ubiquitousness of the “geek-chic, bug-accented bracelets” from Lanvin and suggests that reader might obtain a similar look by pinning a glittery insect brooch on a one- or two-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon to wrap and tie around the wrist. The Princess Amanda pin shown is from hsn.com.
The April 2011 issue of Lucky highlights bee and ladybug rings from Kenneth Jay Lane.
The May 2011 issue of Elle features this exquisite white gold and diamond bracelet watch with lapis lazuli, onyx and emeralds from Boucheron. The watch face hides beneath the lapis wings of the beetle.
Also from Boucheron pictured in Elle is this ring of white and blackened gold with diamonds, black sapphires and rubies depicting a pair of entangled swans.
The May 2011 issue of Elle additionally features peach sapphire flamingo earrings by Lorenz Baumer, which also incorporate morganite, coral, onyx and white diamonds.
In the April 2011 issue of InStyle, soul singer Adele wears Van Cleef & Arpels earrings of sapphires, diamonds and emeralds in white gold depicting birds sitting on perches.
Speaking of that design house, among the ads for the exhibition “The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels” at the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (extended to July 4) is this photo of an elaborate gem-encrusted bird that appeared in the May 30, 2011 issue of New York magazine.
The May 2011 issue of Elle features a “hip avian-theme collection” from designer Wilfredo Rosado, including a turquoise feather bird pendant, a diamond bird ring, and a feather cuff.
Adapting the Victorians’ love of natural materials into a modern design, designer Bjorg offers this unusual butterfly-wing necklace that is pictured in the June 2011 issue of Marie Claire. This season offers birds, and bugs, of many a different feather.
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