Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
Dispatch from Vicenza: Opening Day
For the last few weeks, I've been looking forward to the Vicenzaoro First show, the first major show on the trade show circuit, and the show generally considered to be a bellweather of trends for the upcoming year. After arriving...
For the last few weeks, I've been looking forward to the Vicenzaoro First show, the first major show on the trade show circuit, and the show generally considered to be a bellweather of trends for the upcoming year.
After arriving at the Vicenza Fair on Saturday, opening day, I spent the morning purusing the pavilions and getting a feel for any major trends. Last year, some of the big themes that popped up included pieces with black-and-white motifs rendered in onyx and white agate, three-dimensional openwork designs and lots and lots of pave.
This year, the black-and-white theme isn't nearly as prevalent, but the latter two themes continue to be everywhere. The interesting thing, actually, is that a lot of themes we've seen over the last year--or years--continue to hold sway. Check out these two below, for example.
Blackened Gold
Above left: Bracelet from Talento Italiano, TalentoGioielli.it; Above right: Earrings from Garavelli Aldo, GaravelliAldo.com
We've seen blackened gold motifs for some time now, but I thought these two pieces from Talento and Garavelli were especially notable and beautifully done. Both also display geometric motifs, another prominent theme at the show.
Above: Ring and necklace from Annamaria Cammilli Gioielli, AnnamariaCammilli.com
As for the nature motif, celestial themes and butterflies are prevalent here in Italy, but you won't be able to skip by more than a handful of booths before coming upon a flower design rendered in macro form-- with the petals of flower rings and pendants crafted of sinuously curving metal or studded with a flurry of colored gems, portraying nature in all its glory.
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