Fashion & Jewelry: Is It Time To Re-Think 'Fast Fashion'?

 

I confess, I've been mesmerized by the 2000 year-old earring recently unearthed by archeologists in Jerusalem. First, I'm struck with how 'contemporary' it looks even today. A pair of these beauties would have complemented many of the ethnic-inspired (for lack of a better term) fashions and accessories abundantly on display during the Spring/Summer 2009 shows. Perhaps more importantly, it has me wondering whether our passionate embrace of fast fashion (including cheap costume jewelry) is a mistake. Maybe we should be spending less on cheap 'throw-away' H&M creations and saving up for a few statement pieces that can be passed on to our children and grandchildren. My maternal grandmother wore lovely pieces of jewelry she treasured her entire life. She didn't have an extensive collection (to my great chagrin) but the pieces she did have were exquisite and because she wore them often, they became her signature.  These pieces are therefore that much more meaningful for my mother and her sisters who inherited her collection.  Centuries from now when archeologists unearth our generation's treasures, what conclusions will they draw about how we lived? What does fast, cheap, throw away fashion say about us?

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[Helene]

Thank you John for your thoughtful comments on this post and others. I agree that if any good is to come of the current economic crisis, it will be to force us to reassess how we live and what we value. Good design is timeless and should be treasured not cast aside each season in favor of the whatever is new and trendy.

Helene

[John Agee]

As a luxury jewelry designer myself, I completely agree with having a less amount of "things", but each thing you have being well made and fabulous. If there's anything good to come of this economic downturn, it may be a reevaluation of more is more.

[sarahelizabeth]

I agree--and these earrings are stunning!