Taking place over four days every February in Munich, Inhorgenta is one of the most important dates in the jewellery industry calendar. As usual, the event was full of ideas and inspirations for what’s going to be big in 2020, so I thought I'd share with you some of the key trends from this year’s show…
The only way is ethics…
Sustainably sourced metals and gemstones continue to be at the forefront of consumers’ minds and I’ve really noticed an increase in people wanting to know more about the provenance of their jewellery.
Last year I switched to using recycled silver100% recycled alternative to Sterling silver (like these Nova Hoop earrings above, made from gold plated recycled silver) and have had a great response from customers. I also met a number of buyers at Inhorgenta who were specifically interested in working with ethical jewellery brands which was interesting. With lots of seminars and panel discussions on the topic of sustainability within the jewellery industry, let’s hope this is more than just a passing trend…
Too pearly pearly
The pearl trend shows no signs of slowing down and this most prized of jewels appeared on everything from statement earrings to minimal cocktail rings. I particularly loved these pared back hoop earrings, ring and necklace with pops of pearls by Yana Nesper (see photo above)
Botanical beauties
The natural world is always a rich source of inspiration for many jewellers and there was plenty of organically themed inspo again this year with delicate florals, leaves, tendrils and insects all featuring on a range of designs.
Hoop dreams
Hoops are still the go to earrings of choice, but this season they’re even bigger and better than before. The SS20 catwalk showcased lots of larger than life hoops from the chunky to the more delicate. I’ve long been a fan of big hoops like my Gold Twisted Hoop earrings and Large Parallel Hoop earrings, both handcrafted from recycled silver. Big hoops aren't for the faint hearted, but you definitely can't beat a pair of oversized earrings for maximum impact!
Blue is the warmest colour…
With ‘Classic Blue’ as Pantone’s colour of the year so it’s no surprise that blue is set to be a major trend for 2020. There’s something beautifully bold and positive about this uplifting colour, it’s no wonder lots of designers chose to incorporate it into their designs. The classic maritime colour combination of blue and gold was popular too with motifs such as anchors, sailboats and shells appeared on everything from necklaces and earrings to bangles and watches.
It's always interesting to see how different fashions play out across the jewellery industry although I firmly believe that falling in love with something is the best reason to buy it, regardless of whether it's on trend or not. I'd much rather have my jewellery box filled with timeless, elegant well chosen pieces than items that will be worn a few times and then discarded for the latest thing. I'd love to know what you think about this too....do you tend to shop the trends or go for something more classic?
Elin Horgan designs and creates handmade jewellery in her Bristol studio. Elin’s beautifully simple handmade jewellery is carefully crafted and designed to be worn every day. You can read more about Elin’s work and the ethos behind her understated jewellery brand on her About Elin Horgan Jewellery page.
If you’d like to enquire about a specific product or discuss a custom piece of jewellery, please have a look at the Bespoke Handmade Jewellery page or email info@elinhorgan.com