This Vera Wang look is completed with a statement-making tiara
The year 2019 sees a new bridal trend: punk. Give your wedding an extra edge with our selection of punk-inspired jewellery.

(Related: The Wedding Of Rachel Wee & Ken Chen)

This article first appeared on hk,asiatatler.com.
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Photo 1 of 14 This Vera Wang look is completed with a statement-making tiara
Photo 2 of 14 Carlotta tiara by Buccellati
Photo 3 of 14 Salon de L’abondance diamond ring from Dior à Versailles collection
Photo 4 of 14 Vanite Indigolite ring from Dior à Versailles collection
Photo 5 of 14 Cour de Marbre necklace and ring from Dior à Versailles collection
Photo 6 of 14 Pyramid bracelets by Pia Hallstorm
Photo 7 of 14 Anger Forest eagle head ring in enamel by Gucci
Photo 8 of 14 Gigliola blade bracelet and earrings by Vivienne Westwood
Photo 9 of 14 Red Carpet collection necklace by Chopard
Photo 10 of 14 Sputnik Eclipse earrings, ring and bangle from the Cosmic collection
Photo 11 of 14 Porté Couture brooch and Floco earrings by Boucheron
Photo 12 of 14 Marqueterie bracelet and ring by Boucheron
Photo 13 of 14 Beatrice and Bradamante rings by Buccellati
Photo 14 of 14 Legends Naga shield pendant necklace by John Hardy

“It’s a nice day for a white wedding,” snarled British punk singer Billy Idol in 1982 in a music video that featured anything but a traditional tying of the knot. But perhaps the performer was way ahead of his time as, more than 35 years later, punk-inspired looks have finally infiltrated the bride’s historically innocent wardrobe. Ahead of the new season, mohawks have been spotted on bridal catwalks and designer Rime Arodaky has used heavy eye make-up to emphasise his anarchic style. Accessories with an edge are beginning to gate-crash nuptials.

Hard rocks

Dame Vivienne Westwood is a designer synonymous with punk, and her current jewellery collection is intended for the “elegant rebel,” complementing her label’s highly original spring 2019 bridalwear collection that featured red veils, by her husband Andreas Kronthaler. The Gigliola blade collection features an orb silhouette in the centre of each solid metal pendant, earring and bangle. The overall effect is delicate with an edgy aftertaste. Westwood’s long-standing mantra is “buy less, choose well, make it last,” encouraging fashion followers to choose quality over quantity, so her jewellery should be worn long after your wedding day.

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Carlotta tiara by Buccellati
Above Photo: Courtesy of Buccellati

Skulls juxtaposed with diamonds, indigolite and pink gold give Dior’s new à Versailles high jewellery collection a surprising bite. Designed by Victoire de Castellane and inspired by the darker places hidden in Paris’ Palace of Versailles, the peekaboo style of the drop dead gorgeous Vanité Diamant necklace means edgier motifs can be hidden or revealed, depending on the mood of the wearer. Matching Indigolite and Miroir rings compliment the rock-’n’-roll-luxe look. The collection is an offbeat take on the minute details of the Versailles interior, such as a single crystal tassel from a chandelier, a fragment of the Hall of Mirrors, a piece of gothic candelabra and a glimpse of rococo-style furniture.

See also: 5 Ultra-luxe Valentine's Day Staycations In Hong Kong

Punk princesses

Scandinavian jeweller Pia Hallstrom was inspired by Valentino’s Rockstud shoe to create her signature Pyramid Bracelet. “I believe that modern brides want to show individuality and independence,” says Hallstrom, echoing the punk ethos. “The Pyramid range from my brand sends just that message. Paired with a stunning traditional wedding gown, the collection gives that bit of edge.” Hallstrom says the ancient Egyptians believed that the pyramid symbolises the idea of “climb for the sky and live forever—very much like the modern bride in love.”

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This Vera Wang look is completed with a statement-making tiara
Above Photo: Courtesy of Vera Wang

Punk is all about anarchy, and this season tradition has been thrown out of the wedding carriage with diadems, tiaras and coronets in fabulous metallic hues. Hair is either tightly fashioned into a high updo or loose on the shoulders, so the focus is on the heirloom and not the hair. Keren Wolf’s Venus Crown is a magnificent mixture of silver metallics. For a lower-key look, choose the delicate rose-gold Emilya Crown or Nadia Head-Wrap. 

Haute and hot

Gowns of gold have been marched down the bridal catwalks as wedding dresses move away from traditional white, with metallic hues shimmering instead. Rose gold, silver, pewter and champagne brighten 2019’s gorgeous gowns, favoured by designers including Vera Wang, Jenny Packham, Mira Zwillinger, Ines Di Santo, Naeem Khan, Galia Lahav and Sabina Motasem. Nude fabric is decorated with metallic gold embellishment and, for instance, hundreds of tiny mirrors refract the light on Khan’s mirrored gown.

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Red Carpet collection necklace by Chopard
Above Chopard Red Carpet collection necklace

Paired with a bright dress, the darkened silver of Dior’s Salon D’Apollon necklace will create a unique punky look. Designer Victoire de Castellane adopts the metallic trend to magnificent effect in a medley of 18 karat white, pink and yellow gold, spectacularly finished with a cushion-cut yellow diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. It was inspired by 19th-century jewellery-making techniques, with the oxidised silver giving depth to the piece.

See also: 5 Hong Kong Florists Who'll Deliver This Valentine's Day

Should you want an extravagantly bold look that’s both punk and culture vulture, go for one of the stars of Chopard’s 2018 Red Carpet collection: a stunning necklace of real feathers that’s been inspired by the costumes and people of the Mongolian Plateau. The striking piece, made with rooster, grey heron, ostrich and black pheasant feathers, boasts a sculpted gold cameo adorned with volutes of blue apatite, violet garnets and red jasper.

manza Collection make them another winning embodiment of the metallic trend. The collection of engagement rings, including the Antiope Macri, Lavinia Macri and Bradamante Macri, cleverly blend the sparkle of huge flawless diamonds with slightly textured ring bands. Each ring is embellished with distinctive engravings, taking many hours to create. The collection blends traditional techniques used during the Renaissance with ravishing, unique jewels.

Heavy metal

When looking for jewellery to compliment a metallic gown, the trick is to aim for boldness rather than bling. Think matt metallics instead of shine. If you’re a blonde bride, warm-toned jewellery should work particularly well with your skin tone. Transform yourself into a golden girl with Asprey’s new matt 18 karat gold Cosmic Collection. The Ausum Sputnik pendant and matching drop earrings feature tourmaline, topaz and citrine. Brunette brides should choose the lighter look of the Sputnik Eclipse bangle with hand-carved onyx set in 18 karat white gold.

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Photo 1 of 3 Dior Salon de L’abondance diamond ring from the Dior à Versailles collection
Photo 2 of 3 Dior Vanite Indigolite ring from the Dior à Versailles collection
Photo 3 of 3 Gucci ring

The oversized bridal bow trend has also transfigured itself into jewellery, with metallic ribbon-inspired pieces such as Miu Miu’s hairbands and huge statement necklaces. On the catwalk, shimmering dresses have been overlaid with diamond-and-black necklaces woven into fascinating shapes to give interest to necklines. Solid, curved metallics have turned chokers into bangles for the neck and ears.

See also: Hong Kong's Most Eligible Bachelors: 2019 Edition

By juxtaposing metallics and punk-inspired looks with traditional wedding details, you’ll make your day a unique one. As Vivienne Westwood once said: “Fashion is about eventually being naked.” Which seems appropriate to bear in mind when you’re buying a bridal gown to be worn before your wedding night. 

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