Non Binary Finery

As society moves toward greater inclusivity and fluidity, it's time we blurred the lines between gendered accoutrements.

- Charmian Leong

High fashion delights in, and quite possibly thrives on, subverting typical conventions of style. So when celebrities like Harry Styles and Marc Jacobs show up in pearls, or when Troye Sivan, came slinking into last year's Met Gala in a Joseph Altuzarra slip dress, platform boots and a diamond Cartier necklace, it's easy to dismiss it as a matter of course. But we could be missing the bigger theme here, and that is the burgeoning movement of gender neutrality in the way we present ourselves to the world.

It generally follows that fashion takes the lead in any given trend before hard luxury gingerly catches up. But with Millennials and Gen Z customers expecting to make up 70 per cent of the global luxury market by 2025 according to a 2021 report by Bain & Company, jewellers and watchmakers are quickly catching on to the fact that their target demographic is one that's hungry for more diversity and inclusivity.

In recent years we've seen the launch of Tiffany & Co's tool inspired Hardwear collection, as seen on both Blackpink's Rose and basketball player Kyle Kuzma, as well as men's engagement rings. Louis Vuitton and Gucci now advertise their Volt and Link to Love collections as unisex. Men are even embracing high jewellery, as evidenced by American basketball player Russell Westbrook and the Greg Yuna diamond and sapphire necklace he wore to last year's Met Gala.

Although men are just now starting to embrace the traditionally female-facing world of jewellery, women have been trying to get their foot in the male-dominated realm of haute horlogerie for considerably longer.