If there's a defining jewellery moment for spring/summer 2012 it has to be earrings. Here, AnOther considers the trend and presents a selection of unique earring arrangements...
If there's a defining jewellery moment for spring/summer 2012 it has to be earrings. The season has seen a variety of interesting clip-on ear propositions including Jil Sander's paisley-shaped crystals, worn by Jessica Chastain on the current issue of AnOther Magazine. Clip-ons date back to Victorian times, yet what makes this season's offerings so unique is their size and shape. Repossi's gold ear cuff fits snugly around the edge of the ear and Chanel's pearl "ear jewel" hooks around the back of the ear.
Ear piercing can be traced back to ancient times – mummified bodies with pierced ears have been discovered, and biblical writings discuss figures of authority and power wearing earrings. Historically, pierced ears have primarily been used as a form of adornment, and as a form of displaying wealth such as among nomadic tribes like the Fulani of West Africa, the Tuareg of the Sahara, and the Bedouins of the Sinai Peninsula. During the 19th century, earrings were popular, especially as women wore their hair back, but the Victorians deemed piercings uncouth. Whilst multiple piercings are associated with the late 21st century, particularly the 1970s during the punk movement, this brilliant photograph was taken by fashion photographer Martin Munkácsi in 1929.
"Whilst the 90s promoted heavy industrial-looking jewellery, the latest look relies on elegant, intricate designs or an arrangement of complimentary pieces"
The past year has seen a number of interesting piercing moments: notably the septum rings at Givenchy S/S12 couture, which subsequently featured on musician Grimes on a striking Dazed & Confused cover in April. But for now, let us focus on the ear: a body part with multiple piercing opportunity. In Western culture, most girls have their lobes pierced during their early teens – as a rite of passage. Occassionally they will have a second lobe piercing after, possibly a helix. Then, give it 10 years or so, and many women decide to have an unusual piercing including the daith, which sits neatly and elegantly, passing through the ear's most innermost cartilage fold, above the ear canal. Models Abby Lee and Kolfinna Kristófersdóttir both sport lobe piercings and rings in their helix and Guinevere Van Seenus has a striking scaffold piercing and a daith. What makes the look modern is its elegance and simplicity. Whilst the 90s promoted heavy, industrial-looking jewellery, the latest look relies on elegant, intricate designs or an arrangement of complimentery pieces.
Here, AnOther brings together a selection of women with various piercings, demonstrating their unique piercing arrangements alongside key pieces from the spring/summer 2012 collections.
From left to right: Lauren wears earring by Zoe & Morgan; Nancy wears Poisonous earrings in white gold with diamonds by Dior Joaillerie and studded mini hoop earring by Hannah Martin; Elizabeth wears Rock 'n' Roll earring by Hannah Martin, earring by Zoe & Morgan; Laura wears her own gold earrings; Agata wears crystal paisley clip-on by Jil Sander and vintage clip-on.
AnOther recommends specialist piercing shop, Into You, located in London and Brighton. Explore inspirational jewellery and piercing heroes on AnOther's Pinterest board here.
Text by Laura Bradley
Co-ordination by Mhairi Graham
