Where is jewelry trend going? And do men wear more than a watch and wedding ring? Inhorgenta europe asked prominent people about their personal preferences.

Prominent Germans are currently showing the way. Regardless of whether armlets with bells, valuable pieces or shell necklaces, everything is fashionable that is shimmers and is exotic. This is the conclusion of a current survey conducted by inhorgenta europe, the leading trade fair for jewelry and timepieces in the EU. "I like lots of color!" Beate Igel said, for example. The show host wears earrings in all colors and shapes. She also loves opulent gold jewelry. Verena Kerth swears by jewelry "with beautiful, colorful stones." And TV host Alexandra Polzin has the right motto for the upcoming jewelry season: "Regardless of whether silver or gold, the main thing is that is should stand out!"

But does this new joy in color carry over to the men's world too? Boris Entrup, jury member on the show "Germany’s Next Top Model“, only admits to a weakness for high-quality watches. And Sybille Beckenbauer warms them to keep it simple. "Men, dare to do something different!" the actress Michaela Merten demands on the other hand; conspicuous men's jewelry has been in vogue for a long time in other cultures. Beate Igel agrees and also encourages men to find more pleasure in experimenting. It seems as if the prominent people are divided into classic-exclusive and fashionable-avant-garde camps in matters of men's jewelry.

Sybille Beckenbauer, Author
“I like white stones best, in other words, diamonds! I usually select jewelry, which fits to my clothing style. My taste conforms more to a rather classic and purist style. This means not too fanciful. The trend is clearly going in the direction of color stones, set in yellow or even red gold. The rings are set with oversized solitary stones. I recently saw a rose quartz in a red-gold setting, which I also liked. Men and jewelry – that's nothing for me. I find a chic watch on men totally sufficient."

Doreen Dietel, Actress
"I like somewhat coarser silver jewelry. My favorites are old heirlooms. I always wear them. On the whole, I have a very special relation to my jewelry and specific memories, which I connect with it. But in the end, jewelry also has to fit the outfit and the occasion. I find a great watch or plain bracelet very beautiful on men too. On the other hand, men with earrings or men's chests with necklaces hanging in front of them turn me off."

Boris Entrup, Hair & Make-Up Artist at "Germany's Next Top Model"
"I have a great weakness for high-quality watches, but also like to wear stylish cufflinks. For watches, the trend is to high-quality second or third watches. They are combined in a targeted manner as a fashionable accessory for the respective outfit. Big dial faces are trendy, including for women, who often wear big men's watches and consequently dare to try out an incongruous style. Whether men should wear more jewelry depends above all on their age and fashion style. In general, men should emphasize quality more than quantity."

Beate Igel, Show Host (photo: SuccoMedia)
"I like lots of color!" I often wear earrings in all colors, shapes and sizes. In addition to opulent armlets, I above all love luxuriant gold jewelry patterned after historical models. Long necklaces are currently very fashionable, regardless of which material they are made from. But big stones such as aquamarine, amethyst and topaz of all kinds are becoming increasingly popular. Men should also dare to do more in matters of jewelry. I find necklaces in all lengths with expressive pendants very beautiful, for example. Above all, a watch of the right type in line with the occasion is mandatory."

Silvia Incardona, Show Host
"My favorite is plain ring made of platinum with a fine gold trimming. This ring is something very special for me. In principle, I prefer high-quality materials, but mix them now and then with costume jewelry. But it always has to fit to the occasion and the outfit: a shell necklace from the Caribbean with linen pants, and a fantastic necklace or striking earrings when I put on an evening gown. Not every man can wear jewelry, and especially not with every outfit! A shark-tooth chain with a business suit is an absolute no-go. A request to the men: when your surfer mane gets thinner, please no shell chains or fiber armlets! Replace them with a plain pair of cufflinks, a beautiful watch and a wedding ring!"

Andrea Kempter, Show Host
"My motto for jewelry is 'less is more'. When I wear jewelry, then only genuine precious metals. I especially like white gold or silver jewelry. I also like a simpler style on men. A stylish men's watch underlines personality in my opinion. When men wear too much jewelry, it soon produces an overladen effect."

Verena Kerth, Show Host
"I currently wear a lot of gold jewelry or valuable pieces with pretty, colorful stones.
I also like thin strips of material from the beach with little bells or bags with pendants very much. The trend is clearly going in a golden, rustic retro direction and away from crosses and necklaces. Earrings and armlets are en vogue now. Anklets are also becoming popular again. A ring and a watch on men are totally sufficient for me!"

Michaela Merten, Actress and Author
"I love jewelry! I consider jewelry the perfect expression of beauty. I select individual, precious materials very carefully to underline my style. But I love pearls best. I think that men should also wear jewelry more often. In earlier times, it was normal for men to wear a lot of jewelry, and that is still the case in other cultures. Unfortunately, this has fallen a bit into oblivion here. I personally like jewelry in unisex style on men."

Alexandra Polzin, Show Host and Photo Model
"My jewelry always has to be something very special. I like individual pieces from all corners of the world best. When I travel, I always bring back jewelry. Sometimes I have gold jewelry custom-made. In addition to silver, I like jewelry set with colorful stones best. I believe the current jewelry tend is also going in this direction. Jewelry is becoming really colorful with lots and especially with big stones. Freely according to the motto "regardless of whether silver or gold, the main thing is that it has to stand out." On the other hand, men should wear more subdued jewelry. I find an armlet or a ring here and there very sexy. But please, no gold chains around your necks."

Corinna Wohlfeil, TV Host
"I prefer plainer jewelry in platinum, white gold or silver. But it can be supplement by pretty and clear shimmering stones in white, pink, blue or brown. The general jewelry trend is going more in the directly of lustrous colors and striking shapes. Big necklaces are especially indispensable for a fashionable outfit. Cufflinks are obligatory with a business outfit for men. On the other hand, I like simple armlets on men in private life."

inhorgenta europe 2008 will take place on the grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 15 to 18 February 2008.


You can find picture material for this press release at www.inhorgenta.com under Press Service / Picture Archives.

Contact:

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Leo Schmidt. PR Consulting
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l.schmidt@waechter-waechter.de

Messe München GmbH
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Susanne Fischer
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Tel.: +49 (0)89 949 - 20870
Fax: +49 (0)89 949 - 97 20870
susanne.fischer@messe-muenchen.de


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