The state of our economy has led Tom Binns, Michelle Obama’s unofficial "First Jeweler," to make an affordable jewelry line. Binns first debuted "Faux Real," a collection of affordable costume jewelry, as an alternative to costly diamonds, rubies and emeralds. But these days, consumers are looking for something easier on the wallet than a $700 Swarovski cuff.
"Get Real" is his newest tongue-in-cheek collection debuting in Colette in Paris. The line is made from photographs of rings, necklaces, earrings and watches clipped from glossy magazines. Binns reassembles the photographs in his quirky style, then laminates them in plastic. Safety pin closures add the final touch to Binns’ creations.
Images 1-3 in the gallery show some of his non-laminated pieces, also from the Faux Real collection. Image 5 to 7 are pieces from Tom Binns Jewelry collection featured on ShopStyle.
Credit Crunch Costume Jewelry
Tom Binns 'Faux Real' Collection Is Made of Laminated Photos
Trend Themes
1. Affordable Costume Jewelry - Tom Binns' 'Faux Real' and 'Get Real' collections are examples of how low-cost, yet fashionable costume jewelry can appeal to consumers looking for affordable luxury.
2. Upcycled Jewelry - Using laminated photos and reassembled photographs in his jewelry designs, Tom Binns demonstrates how upcycling can create unique pieces that are environmentally friendly and chic.
3. Tongue-in-cheek Jewelry - Tom Binns' use of humor in his jewelry designs presents a disruption to the traditional glamorous and lavish image of fine jewelry, making it more accessible to younger audiences.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Retail - Fashion retailers can showcase Tom Binns' 'Faux Real' and 'Get Real' collections as affordable alternatives to high-end jewelry, targeting budget-conscious consumers.
2. Sustainability - Sustainable fashion brands can draw inspiration from Tom Binns' use of upcycling to create unique pieces of jewelry from materials that would otherwise be discarded.
3. Humor and Satire - Brands looking to attract younger consumers or present a more lighthearted image could draw inspiration from Tom Binns' use of tongue-in-cheek language and design in his jewelry collections.