Design Art and Photography

Fashion designer Monique Lhuillier chose pieces from John Hardy to accessorize her Spring 2009 collection. By Catherine Dayrit

New York—Jewelry has had a fine showing on the runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City so far this week, with fashion designers accessorizing their Spring 2009 collections with chunky, stacked bangles, statement necklaces and yellow gold designs.

Everyone from uptown designer Oscar de la Renta to downtown denizen Anna Sui is helping to keep the fire kindled under the statement-necklace trend. The former showed a massive coral necklace that swung all the way down to a model’s waist, while the latter showed bib-like beaded necklaces made up of a mélange of vibrant, earthy beads.

Rather than smooth, fine bracelets, designers such as 3.1 Phillip Lim and Marc Jacobs showed a penchant for chunky, stacked bangles.

But those with more streamlined tastes need not worry. Simple bracelets in yellow gold complemented chic, girl-about-town looks on the Tory Burch runway, and diamond drops and classic necklace and bracelet styles from Leviev brought major sparkle to Pamella Roland‘s spring collection. It marked the third time that the diamond brand had partnered with Roland, with more than 750 carats on display at the Sept. 10 show.

This Leviev platinum and diamond necklace, featuring 320 round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 127.91 carats, brought major bling to a Pamella Roland white ensemble during her Spring 2009 runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.Another designer jewelry brand on the runway was John Hardy, whose one-of-a-kind “Cinta” collection was handpicked by Monique Lhuillier to accessorize her spring collection of sweet chiffons and airy tulles. The John Hardy pieces she chose were seashell rings, pendants and cuffs handcrafted from vintage shells, sculpted in gold and set with colorful gems.