In This Together— Mental Health Guide

FASHION | SEEMA

This year, the holiday season could not come soon enough. For many of us who have been trapped inside for months, unable to see family or friends or engage in social activities we love, this festive season could be bittersweet. Many of the celebrations we love, or the parties we usually attend, have either been canceled or changed to a different format.

These online and socially distant events will hopefully pull us out of our usual routine, but they cannot replace the handshakes, hugs, and huge festivals that we previously enjoyed.

However, the change in this year’s format is no reason to ignore the positives completely. Buying gifts, making sweets, meditating, and dressing in festive clothes and jewelry are all still possible. You just have to plan your celebrations carefully, to ensure you adhere to public health guidelines.

THIS SEASON’S MOST FABULOUS JEWELRY TRENDS

One of the little joys that COVID-19 cannot take from us is jewelry. You may be wondering what styles and trends can possibly keep up with the tumultuous year we’ve had so far.

We explored some of this year’s biggest jewelry trends, and are bringing you our findings, along with tips on how to make your jewelry shine, even if you are wearing a mask.

LAYERED NECKLACES

If you’re anything like us, you have probably spent a few hours in quarantine trying out different combinations of necklaces, earrings, maang tikkas, and bangles. These layered pieces have become a major trend for 2020, with celebrities like Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Deepika Padukone, and Rihanna sporting a variety of layered necklaces.

Even if your style is more minimalist, you can still take advantage of this trend by mixing and matching dainty chains until you find a combination you love.

MULTICOLORED GEMSTONES

If you’re a fan of gorgeous, juicy gemstones, we’ve got some good news for you: You do not have to stick to just one color per outfit any more! In 2020, we are seeing many style icons wearing gemstone jewelry in multiple colors with one outfit. Jewelry pieces such as cocktail rings from Dhanvi Diamonds that feature a diversity of gemstones also celebrate the season’s riot of colors, and are a great choice for any festive celebration.

DHANVIDIAMONDS: RING FROM DHANVI DIAMONDS.

PICTURE COURTESY: DHANVI DIAMONDS Earrings from Nitaara

CONTEMPORARY SHAPES

If you have a traditional jewelry set from your wedding or even passed down to you, the holidays is a great time to break that out of storage. However, if you are buying a new piece for yourself or a family member, consider a new spin on a classic. India’s newest jewelry designers love to mold traditional materials into new and innovative designs.

One of the best examples of India’s rising design talent is Suhani Parekh, the creative director of jewelry brand Misho who recently designed a new jewelry collection for the Delhi boutique Bhaane. Plated with 22K gold, Parekh’s collection would be the perfect modern counterpoint to a traditional necklace or maang tikka.

COMPLEMENT MASKS WITH MAXIMALISM

Are you going to an in-person event where masks are required? Make sure your jewelry stands out. Choose pieces that make a statement even with a mask over your face. Think tiered earrings and distinctive maang tikkas rather than shorter necklaces your mask may obscure.

If you’re joining family or friends on Zoom, make sure your jewelry is concentrated in areas that will be visible. Otherwise, all your hard work selecting the best pieces and coordinating your outfit accordingly will go to waste.

Accessories from Foret

SUSTAINABILITY

When we’re buying new jewelry for an occasion or event, often we are under such pressure to pick something quickly that we never get to learn more about individual brands, designers, or collections.

One benefit of having more time at home is an increased opportunity to dig into these details, and really learn where your jewelry comes from. There are tons of fledgling Indian jewelry designers offering beautiful pieces, made using fair-trade, eco-friendly materials and sustainable business practices. For instance, FORET makes necklaces, earrings and much more from cork. d

SELEN BAYRAK: Creating bold jewelry in pewter

SELEN DESIGN PICTURE COURTESY:

With all the challenges of 2020, we haven’t forgotten the warmth and positive collective spirit we generate when we’re all together, so we hope to bring smiles upon as many faces as we can this year.

Since 2002, Selen Design is a boutique jewelry and accessories company specializing in bold and artisanal antiqued pewter and bronze statement pieces, and dazzling home decor. We continue to blossom with fresh and lively concepts and an array of elegant and unique materials, keeping us at the forefront of design.

Selen’s work can be found in many fine boutiques and museum shops throughout the USA and internationally. Her jewelry is often sought after for NYC’s famed Fashion Week, worn by many recognizable runway models. Additionally, numerous recording artists and celebrities are fans of her work, including most recently the Grammy-winning stars Vanessa De Mata from Brazil, and Australia’s Kylie Minogue.

Selen has designed custom pieces for nonprofit groups and special occasions. Unifem, the women’s chapter of the United Nations, commissioned Selen to design a lapel pin that is still currently worn by its members.

Her studio is located in Long Island City, NY.

The Selen Design team is extremely excited to participate in this year’s Grand Central Virtual Holiday Fair. For the past 15 years we have been honored to be part of the Holiday Fair and we’re looking forward to connecting with our many friends and fans, and the entire community of shoppers and staff we’ve come to love over the years!

https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/vendor/selen/