I don’t usually ask readers to do anything, but it’s time. Some
of the major fashion magazines might benefit by hearing from both the jewelry
industry and the jewelry-loving public that we would like the jewelry used in
fashion shoots to be properly identified.
We see a beautifully styled fashion photograph in a magazine
and we want to know who designed not only the clothing but also the jewelry
used in the photo. Optimally, we want to know where we might purchase the
jewelry and how much it costs.
Generally an ensemble, down to the minutest detail, is
described with care and precision, either on the page containing the photograph
of the ensemble or in a compilation of styling details contained elsewhere in
the issue. Yet inexplicably, time and again, the magazines do not credit the
source of jewelry used in fashion shoots.
In this blog, I write about trends that catch my eye and I do
not focus on which magazines are the best or worst at properly crediting the
source of jewelry used in editorial content. I came across another example of
jewelry identification omissions this week as I researched an upcoming post.
Consider that, over the last three months, three times I have made note of
situations in which I was unable to pass along information about the source of
jewelry included in fashion editorials.
From my
July 28 blog post:
The August 2011 issue of Harper’s Bazaar pictures Eugenie
Niarchos posing in one of Peter Dundas’ dresses from the Fall 2011 Pucci
collection. The high collar of the dress doesn’t leave much room for dramatic
earrings, and she wears only a small stud. That
and her rings are not identified by the magazine.
From my
June 28 blog post:
“Tough It Out” is the headline of a
two-page spread in the April 2011 issue of Allure
that focuses on a motocross theme. Michael Carl explains how to wear the
look: “The key to incorporating tough elements in dressing: Play up your
femininity,” adding: “An outfit with prominent hardware or rows of metal studs
doesn’t need any jewelry. But with simpler leather pieces, try one of this
season’s industrial-style rings or a substantial studded bracelet. The article
features a “handful of chunky rings”
(unidentified) with a dark manicure, and a rhodium-plated brass ring from
Leviticus Jewelry.
From my
May 12 blog post:
Lavish floral designs are accompanied by largely unidentified jewelry
in this fashion spread in the March 2011 issue of Vogue. The John Galliano silk blouse and pants with tulle jacket
are accessorized with a striking circle-link necklace that looks to have detail
of bright colors. A Chanel smock dress is worn with what appears to be several
chunky rings. The Louis Vuitton wrap dress with sequined belt is worn with a
David Webb gold chain with a platinum, diamond and jade pendant; what appears
to be a second necklace is not identified.
I have also heard from designers and retailers that their
pieces have on occasion been unidentified or misidentified in the fashion
press. In the
June 28 blog post referenced above, I wrote:
The April 2011 issue of Marie Claire mixes things up, showing
pastel looks like the peach jacket from Rebecca Minkoff with tough style
necklace from BCBG Max Azria and bracelet from My Sister’s Art.
I have subsequently learned that the information contained
in Marie Claire was not entirely accurate: the bracelet should be credited to designer Kathleen
Nowak Tucci, an American eco-designer who creates her designs from recycled
rubber collected from the Gulf Coast.
Readers, here’s what you do:
If you see an item of jewelry not identified in a magazine, take the
time to send the magazine a letter or email, and ask them to supply the missing
information. If you see something misidentified, speak up. Jewelry designers
deserve their moment in the spotlight.
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