Beauty & Style | Wednesday 11 March, 2015 3:39 pm |

This season focuses on the human quest for happiness, strength, hope and fulfillment, and the importance of visual representation as a way of expressing these desires. Historically imbued with perceived spiritual powers, such symbols have acquired cross-cultural meaning, exemplified by today’s emoji, which have overcome all language barriers to become accepted expressions worldwide. Four sub-themes for Spring/Summer 2016 have been identified, with their corresponding crystal innovations: The Blossoming of Happiness (Classic); The Nature of Strength (Progressive); The Mythology of Hope (Romantic); The Power of Belief (Glamour).

THE BLOSSOMING OF HAPPINESS (Classic)
Spring has long been a metaphor for renewal, with new growth appearing even after the harshest winters. This is reflected in floral pastels, with a dreamy new Blush Rose color reminiscent of fancy pink diamonds, mixed with mellow green, noble burgundy and pale primrose yellow, with cool steel blue adding an elegant twist. Classic designs are updated with geometric simplicity: origami-inspired effects are an important design component, with varied sizes of precise modular crystal shapes mirroring the complexity of floral anatomy. Providing an ideal base for nature-inspired patterns, the traditional symbolism of the new Clover Fancy Stone offers both a charming jewelry component and talisman in one.

THE NATURE OF STRENGTH (Progressive)
In uncertain times, a sense of team spirit and the need to pull together gain social importance. Little encapsulates this imperative more effectively than sport, so it is unsurprising that sportswear in creative combinations of synthetic materials and crystals should continue its ascent unabated as a symbol of social cohesion. Shapes across all design segments are pared back to basic principles to allow ease and comfort—minimalist, ergonomic and smooth crystal shapes are perfect adornments for an active lifestyle. The new rectangular Emerald Cut Bead imparts an air of modern confidence to sports-luxe looks, whether used as a standalone centerpiece or in rows for extra opulence. Included in the Progressive palette is the new powdery Crystal Pastel Pearls effect, available in five subtle contemporary tones. Of these, Crystal Pastel Green Pearl and Crystal Pastel Blue Pearl are a modern interpretation of pastels, which are combined with smooth crystals and ceramic shapes, giving a streamlined sense of movement in sports-inspired designs.

THE MYTHOLOGY OF HOPE (Romantic)
Modern yet mythological, Romantic design takes its influence from ancient Greek goddesses, folkloric winged creatures, and the soft dappled light of dawn and dusk. Designs are ethereal and playful, feminine and powerful, with understated decorative symbolism using cosmic crystal stars, crescent moons and clusters of crystal pearls. Beautifully complementing this delicate airiness, the new Pure Drop Pendant (half hole) reinterprets the iconic drop shape, epitomizing ‘less is more’ and perfectly complementing the simplicity of sculpted feminine silhouettes where shape plays the main role. The new Twisted Drop Pendant (half hole) is an edgier reinvention of the pendant, boasting a subtly complex cut that creates a sense of movement, kaleidoscopically reflecting light. Offering a modern take on pastels, the new delicate Crystal Lacquer effect comes in five shades, with Crystal Powder Gray particularly suited to the Romantic category, illustrating the trend towards washed-out opalescent effects.

THE POWER OF BELIEF (Glamour)
Sacred iconography has long been a versatile design element in the world of fashion—now it is re-imagined for a modern era. Spiritual symbols in rich jewel colors suggest prosperity, luxury and quality, captured in the burnished gold of a new effect, Crystal Metallic Sunshine. Together with the shimmering silver of the new Crystal Light Chrome effect, they create cross-cultural crystal style statements of opulence and grandeur, ideal for eclectic and individualistic jewelry and accessories. Three new Fancy Stones perfectly illustrate the trend, linking modernism with traditional beliefs: Fatima Hand Fancy Stone, based on the ‘Hamsa Hand’ of ancient Mesopotamia with five fingers said to protect against evil; Buddha Fancy Stone (and Buddha Pendant) conveying Asian values of tranquility and stability; and the complex Greek Cross Fancy Stone (and Greek Cross pendant), an ancient religious symbol with roots in ancient Hindu, Central Asian, Celtic and Mexican culture. Merging history with modernity has become an important design principle, combining chic looks with symbolic value. Now, for the first time, it is interpreted in stunning crystal.