This season's hottest accessory, the ear cuff is leading the trend for showpiece jewellery. First seen on the Chanel spring/summer 2012 catwalk and, more recently, at the Rodarte and Roberto Cavalli couture shows, these exaggerated adornments have since infiltrated high-end and independent jewellers around the world.
Bigger, bolder and more dramatic than their 90s counterparts, this year you can adorn your ears with diamonds, spikes and the occasional animal. Their punky nature can inject a subversive, rebellious spirit into just about any outfit, perhaps why so many celebrities wore them to the punk-themed Met Ball in May. Sienna Miller chose a pavé diamond Genevieve Jones ear cuff, while Cara Delevingne rocked her usual grungy vibe with a smaller white gold cuff from the same jeweller. Even Jessica Alba got into the spirit of things in a pair of snake-like Jack Vartanian cuffs.
From the ears of Jessica Alba to those of Emma Watson, ear cuffs have become a celebrity favourite. The 'Harry Potter' star was spotted accessorising her Chanel mini dress with a pair of diamond Wave ear cuffs by Brazilian designer Graziela Gems. Worn at the premiere of her latest film, 'The Bling Ring', during the Cannes Film Festival, Emma looked chic and cool in summer's cult ear wear.
Elsewhere in the world, similar styles are also becoming popular. Greek designer Nikos Koulis knows a thing or two about beautiful ear wear - his latest collection, Phaedra's Box, features a simple gold cuff with chain detailing that delicately frames the ear. His previous collection, Fontana, also included two unusual diamond ear jewels. Meanwhile, Brazillian designer Fernando Jorge has designed his own take on the ear cuff - wing-like beauties, adorned with opals, sapphires and blue topaz, that swirl up the lobe in a trail of precious stones - and Azza Fahmy has put an exotic spin on this must-have piece of jewellery with her pretty lotus flower design.
