Bohemian, The Me Decade, Jet Set, Women’s Rights, Watergate, Eastern Influences, Ethnic, Oversized, Bell Bottoms, Disco, Environmentalism, Earth Day all defined the 1970s.
The 1970s started out with the Vietnam war at the forefront of the news as protesters continued to fill the streets with antiwar demonstrations, until it ended in 1975. The Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Nixon. Pop psychology directed people to explore feelings and relationships. Rock remained popular with the Rolling Stones, Elton John, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Queen leading the pack. In the second half of the decade disco hustled in to take over clubs and music radio spawning a whole new fashion story and cultural touchpoint. The movie “Saturday Night Fever” crystallized the disco scene along with music by the Bee Gees, Donna Summer and the Village People among others.
Large and Layered Jewelry
The early 1970s were an extension of the 1960s with bellbottoms and frayed jeans, prairie dresses and floral prints remaining a core style. Towards the middle of the decade, miniskirts headed south and the mid-calf length midi took hold. “What’s your sign?” was the question on everyone’s mind and the interest in astrology spawned a constellation of zodiac jewelry. During the 1970s large, intricately designed gold medallions — sometimes with gemstones or hardstones — on long chunky link chains were popular. The large scale of the pieces held up well to the highly patterned fabrics that were everywhere in clothes. Layering was back in style and chain link and/or colored gemstone bead necklaces were piled gleefully around the neck, while multiple bangles jingled on the wrist and large hoop or drop earrings completed the look. Jewelry was fun, colorful and becoming more casual to fit new lifestyles.
The Disco Scene
In 1975 the Vietnam war ended; hippies and the peace movement began to fade into the background as the counter culture turned mainstream and disco took hold. As the decade progressed, clothes and jewelry changed and the look became much more streamlined.
Daytime was easy dressing, the Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress was ubiquitous. Nighttime brought out all the glitter and glam of the club scene — sequins and rhinestones sizzled unapologetically. The look was sleek and clothes with stretchy fabrics were made for easy movement. Patterns were replaced with shiny fabrics and monochromatic pieces. Studio 54 was famous for its dancing and decadence and many of the decade’s most influential artists and designers were regulars, including jewelry designer Elsa Peretti who joined Tiffany & Co. in 1974. Her sensual silver designs gave the white metal a new glamour and her Diamonds by the Yard made it simple to wear diamonds during the day with more casual clothes – even jeans. The Cartier Love Bracelet designed by Aldo Cipullo was a huge 1970s hit that continues to entice couples today.
Multicultural Influences
The jetsetters — a term that had been around for a number of years, but saw a resurgence with the introduction of the Concorde Jet in 1976 — were jetting off to the world’s most glamourous playgrounds inspiring a more multicultural style that borrowed motifs from other countries, especially Morocco and India. Morocco made its way into fashion through Yves Saint Laurent. The fashion designer had homes there where he hosted his jetsetting friends and clients as his fame was rising during the 1970s. Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier were both leaders in jewelry that drew upon the East for inspiration, creating oversized pieces with colorful gemstones generally set in gold. Another very popular motif in the 1970s was coin jewelry. Bulgari introduced its Monte Collection of jewelry made with ancient coins in the mid 1960s and by the 1970s it was everywhere, gaining in popularity as the 1980s took hold and everything big – hair, shoulders, jewelry and life in general was on a grand scale.
Top of page: Malachite, diamond, emerald and 18-karat gold Van Cleef & Arpels Aries zodiac pendant, circa 1970s; Diamond and 18-karat gold “Spinner Ring” signed Norman Teufel, circa 1972; Carnelian and 18-karat gold earrings, signed Tiffany & Co., circa 1970s; Diamond, turquoise and platinum brooch, circa 1970s; Diamond, turquoise and 18-karat gold bracelet, French, circa 1970s.
Authored by Amber Michelle