Gemme Couture: Style secrets for dressing all body types with the perfect jewellery

• Gemme Couture showcase key sartorial pointers for choosing jewellery and accessories to match your body type;
• Body type is focal and should determine every facet of your wardrobe decision; from shoes to jewellery, colour to textures and length to size;
• Revitalise your little-black-dress (LBD) with accessories for this year’s sartorial event.

While you can’t go wrong with the quintessential little black dress, you can make the most of your attributes by selecting outfits that enhance your figure, strategically detracting the eye from your weak spots, and drawing attention to your assets. “This is where jewellery can become your best friend” say Ivana Okereke and Dejana Cvetkovic, designer and owners of Gemme Couture, a new bespoke and ready-to-wear jewellery company based in the UAE. “Jewellery is fabulous in that it is so versatile and can completely change the mood of an outfit and draw the eye to, or away from a particular area depending on the colour, tone, size, length and volume.”

To start, it is imperative to establish which of the 5 body types you fall under, which will then determine your jewellery choice.

1. Pear Shape:

Attributes include a slender and often elongated torso, small bust, with hips and thighs proportionally larger than the torso and waist. To combat the disproportion in the width of your body, choose bulky short-length necklaces and earrings to create the illusion of a fuller top half. This will help balance out the pear shape and give you more of a classic hour-glass feel.

1. Hour Glass:

Attributes include a small bone structure and waistline with bust and hips proportionally larger than the waist: in a word, voluptuous. To tone down the curviness of your upper body, opt for necklaces that sit very high on the neckline, as this will draw the eye up and away from the bust line. Darker colours or monotone generally complement a curvier shape as it does not draw the eye to any one particular focal point. You can add a splash of colour with bracelets and earrings.

1. Straight:

Attributes include a boy-shaped figure, with few visible curves from the shoulders through the hips. Opt for long necklaces with bursts of colour and detail which will help create the illusion of a curvier form, avoid wearing short-length necklaces as this will elongate your curve-less form.

1. Round:

Attributes include a larger-than-average overall ample appearance, except that lower legs may be slender. Emphasize the bust with a v-neck and draw attention to the face and neckline with delicate jewellery. If your lower legs are shapely, wear bold shoes crusted with interesting jewels and colours. This will help keep the eye away from the middle trouble area.

1. Inverted Triangle:

Attributes include broad shoulders with a narrow waistline and hips. Opt for small stud earrings that don’t create too much attention to your upper body. Try and avoid wearing big and bold necklaces, but do feel compelled to over do the bracelets with big, bright and chunky. By having a multitude of bracelets in bold colours and shapes, it will draw attention away from your uneven shape and create the illusion of proportioned shape.

General accessory tips and tricks for all shapes and sizes:

• Use jewellery and interesting necklines to emphasise the upper body and draw attention away from the lower body;
• Don’t over-do your jewellery. As a general rule of thumb, if you are wearing a necklace choose between either a pair of earrings or bracelet. Never wear all three together as your accessories will become overwhelming;
• Always add at least one piece of jewellery to complement your outfit. Jewellery is the one addition to your outfit that is a true reflection of your personality despite the trends of the time;
• Try and mix it up with gold, bronze and silver trimmings. It’s no longer fashionable to just wear one coloured metal at a time: ‘eclectic’ is the new 2010-jewellery buzz word.

What is Gemme Couture?

Gemme Couture is a new and exclusive jewellery line launches in the UAE with its range of gems, pearls, precious metals and leather;

The exquisitely designed range includes bracelets, earrings and necklaces, with a variation of settings in leather and metal, with prices ranging from $300 – $5000.

The two designers; Ivana Okereke and Dejana Cvetkovic, trained in New York and Belgrade, respectively, have recently joined forces in the UAE to create this new brand of Gemme Couture, offering both ready to wear and bespoke design services to the market.