Crystal beads rule fashion roost

From Christian Lacroix wedges to tube tops, crystals reinvent themselves

Oversized bags for this season, we’re told, must be neatly finished with crystal beads. Christian Lacroix has already gone into crystal overdose by launching a pair of uber-expensive crystal wedges (priced at $ 1,636.31 or Rs 72,082).

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Lebanese designer Elie Saab has made his fortune crafting crystal evening gowns for princesses in Beirut.

And nine out of 10 top Indian designers have a penchant for generously weaving crystals into their clothes (JJ Vallaya, Manish Malhotra and Tarun Tahiliani’s have all used them for their recent collections).

If you consider the fact that earlier this year, The Observer called India “the biggest market for Swarovski crystals in the world” and that late last month Swarovski unveiled their shiny Autumn-Winter 2006 collection in Shanghai, you can safely conclude crystals are becoming something of a fashion staple in India.

Only now they seem to have evolved from being plain jewellery to making glittering clutch bags, sparkling halter necks, ultradeep V- necks and even clamshell phone-covers and iPods.

That is visible in the emphasis on bold, solid colours and chunky designs. Creative director Nathalie Colin-Roblique forecasts Zen blacks and reds as the colours for the forthcoming Fall /Winter season.

And in case you’re wondering where all this extravagance figures in this age that prides itself on being minimalistic, well, jewellers at fashion houses are creating diamonds for the modern woman who doesn’t want heavy ornamentation on her clothes, but prefers simple cuts that can be lit up with dazzling accessories.