Using crystal as a cost effective way to emulate diamonds dates back
to the late 19th century. Daniel Swarovski is credited with inventing
a machine to create precision-cut, premium-quality lead glass crystals
using a composition of sand, quartz, and other minerals. Lucite
jewelry is made from acrylic resin and was created by DuPont in 1937.
Today, Lucite has become a general term for all forms of plastic
jewelry. During the FW22 runway season several designers used costume
jewelry made from crystal, diamante and Lucite to accessorize their
looks. Here are the ten best looks from the recent collections.
Bora Aksu
The London designer juxtaposed a tailored daytime outfit that included
a houndstooth coat dress with a plaid duster and diamond patterned
tights and gloves with shoulder duster crystal earrings.
Vetements
Guram Gvasalia used an oversized crystal necklace and crystal earrings
to contrast with an activewear look that included a white puffer coat
over a neon pink mock turtleneck, black pants and red shoes.
Miu Miu
Shown on the last day of Paris Fashion Week, the Miu Miu collection
included some sheer dresses embellished with sequins and crystals.
They were accessorized with leather and crystal chokers and cuffs, leg
warmers and ballet slippers.
Moschino
Jeremy Scott’s inspiration was the bedroom scene from Stanley
Kubrick’s film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. According to Vogue.com the
designer explained “I was thinking about the furniture you’d find in a
mansion: the Chesterfield dresser, grandfather clocks, picture frames,
Persian rugs, birdcages”.
The show included Mariacarla Boscono in a black satin gown with
eighties shoulders embellished with a a crystal chandelier print and
matching shoulder duster earrings. Boscono carried a clutch in the
shape of a mantelpiece clock.
Tia Adeola
New York designer Tia Adeola showed a crystal and lucite necklace with
a sheer bra and pants embellished with feathers and a lamé diamond
pattern.
Off-White
In a posthumous show designed by Virgil Abloh, Naomi Campbell wore a
large bib necklace made from Lucite drops and carried a matching
minaudière clutch bag. The legendary supermodel wore a black floor
length coat with blue velvet pants and a tall bucket hat.
Bronx & Banco
Australian brand Bronx & Banco showed crystal body jewelry under a
sequined two-piece suit, accessorized with platform sandals and a
whimsical ‘lipstick’ minaudière.
Simone Rocha
The London designer Simone Rocha showed a sheer shift dress
embroidered with swans over a gray knit bodysuit with opera length
gloves and thigh high stockings. The neckline of the dress was
decorated with green crystal with earrings to match. The make up
included eyes outlined with crystal and pearls.
Carolina Herrera
In New York, Wes Gordon kept things classic at Carolina Herrera.
Rachel Marx wore a strappy black dress with a fitted bodice and a
ruffle. It was accessorized with a gold and crystal necklace and
matching earrings.
Burberry
Showing in London off-season, Riccardo Tisci presented three looks
featuring diamante face framing jewelry applied by storied makeup
artist Pat McGrath. A cream satin column dress was embellished with
diamante brooches under a matching jacket.
