In this Episode
You will hear JCK Editor-in-Chief Victoria Gomelsky and News Director Rob Bates discuss Signet’s acquisition of Blue Nile, what it means for the brand and how it might evolve as a result. Victoria reports on her research into fall’s biggest fashion trends, which include animal motifs and a revival of the ’80s and ’90s power dressing era.
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Show notes
03:00 Signet is buying Blue Nile
12:00 Victoria reports on the latest fall fashion
19:00 Jewelry styles from the 1980s and 1990s are on trend
Episode credits
Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky
Manufacturer and Engineer: Natalie Chomet
Plug: @jckmagazine
Show Summary
Sign to buy Blue Nile
Big news in the dog days of August: Signet is buying Blue Nile. That’s part of Signet’s model: It keeps beating the competition. One of the things the current management is focused on is increasing market share. And shopping e-tailer is the easiest way to achieve this. However, there are high customer acquisition costs that must be paid to Google and Facebook. Google, Facebook and other companies like them have become so large that they burden the competition with high online advertising costs. Rob sees this as a troubling sign on a higher level.
The deal is likely to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Blue Nile brand. But people worry when so many businesses are consolidated under one big umbrella. Victoria wonders how the Blue Nile can evolve under Signet. It’s not clear right now where the brand will fit among the other jewelry brands that Signet owns.
Victoria recalls the interesting things Blue Nile has done in recent years – its 10 x 10 collaboration with De Beers and color designers, for example. It wants to be a brand that speaks to people, not the “Amazon of jewelry.”
Topics in autumn fashion
Victoria has been researching the latest fall fashion trends and reporting on them in JCK Special Report newsletters. Here are some themes she’s noticed, to help inform what jewelers might want to stock. A surprising yet attractive trend that is gaining steam is animal-inspired jewelry. Although this has been going on for thousands of years, there are times when the motif is revived. Victoria spoke to an expert in this category: Marion Fasel, jewelry historian and founder and editorial director of The Adventurine. She worked in Beautiful creatures exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The two animals that go out without a break, according to Fasel? Snakes and butterflies.
Snakes, which can symbolize eternal wisdom and love, have a beautiful shape that lends itself to jewelry. The butterfly has appeared in many jewelry collections this year. Symbolizing rebirth and transformation, it is especially resonant now, as we begin to emerge from the pandemic. Victoria describes some collections she has seen that feature interesting creatures as pendants. In the vintage space, sales of animal-inspired pieces are on the rise. The zodiac trend also contributes to the popularity of the animal theme, as many zodiac symbols are animals.
1980s jewelry is back
Although it may be surprising, jewelry from the 90s can now technically be considered vintage. And, according to many estate jewelers, the ’80s and ’90s aesthetic of jewelry is making a comeback. Part of the reason is because these parts are coming to market. But it is more than that. Victoria explains the “40-year golden rule”. A wave of nostalgia washes over the pop culture and fashion creators of their childhood as they age. As a result, fashion eras return after a certain time.
The vibe of power dressing is making a comeback, complemented by big, glamorous and bold jewellery. Although it may not keep pace with the economy, the trend still exists in our current environment. How does it translate to jewelry? Big chains (think Madonna’s collection phase), big dramatic hoops and other big, bold styles. Even though Gen Z doesn’t remember the 80s, they can still be drawn to these looks. The thing about jewelry trends is that they always come back.
Other motifs and trends that are coming into their own are turquoise, the evil eye and other protective symbols. A single “wow” piece can start to take the place of delicious layers. When prices rise, mixed metals tend to gain more popularity as well. There’s a fascinating mix of cool jewelry out there right now, and Victoria hopes people take advantage of it.
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