--- title: "Dark Colors and Symbolic Motifs Take Center Stage in Spring Fashion" url: https://newscentral.site/dark-colors-and-symbolic-motifs-take-center-stage-in-spring-fashion/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Style" published: 2026-10-26T17:59:30.000Z updated: 2026-10-26T19:43:34.079Z id: 997878ee-3492-43c5-8b1a-7d55d850be7c source: "Harper's Bazaar https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a73714794/dont-let-disco-the-opening-fine-jewelry-collection/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/dark-colors-and-symbolic-motifs-take-center-stage-in-spring-fashion/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Dark Colors and Symbolic Motifs Take Center Stage in Spring Fashion Designers are incorporating elements like dark colors and symbolic motifs into their collections for the upcoming season. Designers are signaling a mystical vibe for spring, incorporating elements like dark colors and symbolic motifs into their collections. This trend is reflected in jewelry designer Ashley Moubayed's latest creations for Don't Let Disco, which aim to tap into the spiritual essence of the season. Moubayed's own background is steeped in mysticism - she claims a family history of witches - and this heritage informs her design approach. In her studio, a salvaged apothecary cabinet from the Bowery Hotel renovation serves as a treasure trove for vibrant stones and antique trinkets. Her silver Totem chain necklace features an eclectic assortment of charms, including amorphous pearls, an antique cigarette canister, and rock crystals known as "pools of light in the jewelry world. These latter elements have a rich history, with Victorian-era jewelers believing them to possess magical properties due to their ability to refract and reflect light. The quartz bangle-pendant, which Moubayed is currently experimenting with, holds significant symbolic value for her. Moubayed's approach to design emphasizes layering and building upon previous creations, reflecting the way she views the craft as a whole. Moubayed's approach to design is characterized by its eclectic mix of shapes and textures, which she brings together in a harmonious whole through her background in art and design. This ability to create order from chaos is reflected in her statement that certain eras of design were marked by a sense of conviction and intentionality, with every element carefully considered and proportioned. Her designs often blend Art Deco and midcentury influences with modern sensibilities, resulting in mixed-media pieces that are both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Moubayed's love of rocks is evident in her use of semiprecious stones to create pendants that evoke a sense of otherworldliness, such as the universe pendants featuring vibrant discs shaped like distant planets. Moubayed's childhood home was a treasure trove of natural wonders, where she would secretly stash rocks she found in various rooms. This habit led to an unexpected discovery when her mom opened a kitchen drawer and out spilled a mountain of rocks that Moubayed had accumulated over time. As the story goes, Moubayed's solution to this predicament was not to give up her love for collecting rocks but rather to bring home fewer of them in future. This compromise was necessary due to the sheer volume of items she would often accumulate. Her tendency to fall deeply in love with objects is an occupational hazard that comes with being a Libra. Moubayed's collector's gene has its roots in her maternal bloodline, particularly in her grandfather who carefully curated his own archive of treasured possessions. Interestingly, Moubayed's grandmother had a unique talent for spotting potential in unusual materials and turning them into something beautiful. Her grandmother's ability to see beyond the ordinary is a trait that Moubayed shares. Moubayed spent much of her teenage years scouring thrift stores for second-hand jewelry, disassembling it, and then reconfiguring the pieces into new and interesting designs. Her fascination with literature seeps into every aspect of her design process. When creating one-of-a-kind pieces in her studio, she often finds herself drawing inspiration from classic novels like Great Expectations. The characters and their distinct personalities seem to influence the way she approaches each piece, as if trying to capture a specific essence or mood. For instance, when designing a new necklace, she might ask herself whether it's reminiscent of Miss Havisham's whimsical and eccentric nature, Pip's practicality, or Estella's elusive charm. This mindset guides her creative decisions at every stage of the design process, ensuring that each piece has its own unique character. Her visits to lapidaries have also had a profound impact on her work. During one such visit to a 47th Street lapidary, she was captivated by a bin full of discarded rings that had been damaged at the jeweler's bench. What initially seemed like imperfections, misshapen edges and dings, ultimately became a defining feature of her designs. She often incorporates these imperfect pieces into her work, stringing them together to create longer strands that are imbued with a sense of personality and individuality. Some of these unique necklaces have become fan favorites among her clients, with one particular piece standing out as the most coveted, its quartz component is said to possess metaphysical properties associated with magnetism. A client brought a damaged necklace to Ashley's studio for repair, having given it to her friend four years ago as a gift. In the meantime, she provided a replacement necklace for him to wear. The friend was thrilled with the new necklace and attributed his good fortune to wearing the original one. He had found his dream apartment and landed his ideal job while wearing the first necklace. The original necklace features a unique combination of quartz, baroque pearls, and a ceramic evil eye charm. This blend of materials is just one example of the diverse range of stone modalities that Ashley has in her studio. Her collection includes lapis for healing, citrine for abundance, onyx for grounding, and more, each with its own specific properties. Ashley's own experience with beading has a profound impact on her well-being. She reveals that she has struggled to meditate in the past due to feelings of insecurity. However, when engaged in activities like beading or crafting, she feels a deep sense of peace and connection to the world around her. The new collection is a celebration of self-expression and individuality, as embodied by Ashley's own artistic haven. The Totem Chain takes center stage, offering a versatile design that can be tailored to suit personal style. With its slender paperclip links and charm holder, customers can customize their necklace to reflect their unique personality. The minimalist aesthetic can be paired with charm holders for a more personalized look, as seen in this necklace's slender paperclip links. The collection also includes Jewell lighters, inspired by the creator's mother, who was a jewelry collector and introduced her to Victorian-era decorative elements featuring pools of light. These lighters are encased in polished silver and feature multicolored stones and pearls at their base. The overall design encourages individuals to express themselves authentically through their fashion choices. The collection promotes self-expression and individuality, as explained by the creator: We're now in this space where everyone's telling you how to cultivate your own taste, how to dress, what to wear." This sentiment is reflected in the necklace's ability to accommodate unique charm combinations. --- Source: [Harper's Bazaar](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a73714794/dont-let-disco-the-opening-fine-jewelry-collection/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/dark-colors-and-symbolic-motifs-take-center-stage-in-spring-fashion/