Summary: In This EpisodeYou’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky (https://www.jckonline.com/writer/victoria-gomelsky/) and news director Rob Bates (https://www.jckonline.com/writer/rob-bates/) discuss Signet's acquisition of Blue Nile, what it means for the brand and how they might evolve as a result. Victoria reports on her research into fall's biggest fashion trends, which include animal motifs and a resurgence of the power-dressing era of the 80s and 90s. Show Notes03:00 Signet is acquiring Blue Nile12:00 Victoria reports on the latest in fall fashion19:00 80s and 90s jewelry styles are on trendEpisode CreditsHosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com (jckonline.com), @jckmagazine (https://www.instagram.com/jckmagazine/)Show RecapSignet to Acquire Blue NileBig news in the dog days of August: Signet is acquiring Blue Nile. This is part of Signet's pattern: they keep acquiring the competition. One of the things current management is focused on is growing market shares. And this is the easiest way to accomplish that. However, there are high customer acquisition costs that have to be paid to Google and Facebook. Google, Facebook and other companies like them have gotten so large, it places a burden on other competition because of the high expensive to advertise online. Rob sees this as a troubling sign on a higher level.The deal will likely contribute to the long-term sustainability of Blue Nile's brand. But people worry how many businesses are all consolidated under one large umbrella. Victoria wonders how Blue Nile might evolve under Signet. It's not clear where the brand will fit among the other jewelry brands under Signet now.Victoria recalls the interesting things that Blue Nile has done in recent years: Their 10 by 10 collaboration with De Beers and designers of color, for example. They want to be a brand that speaks to people, not "the Amazon of jewelry."Themes in Fall FashionVictoria has been doing research into the latest fall fashion trends and reporting on them in the JCK Special Report newsletters. Here are a few themes she's been noticing, to help inform what jewelers may want to stock. A surprising but endearing trend gaining steam is animal-inspired jewelry. Though this has been going on for thousands of years, there are times when the motif gains steam. Victoria spoke to an expert on this category: Marion Fasel, jewelry historian and founder and editorial director of The Adventurine (https://theadventurine.com/). She worked on the Beautiful Creatures (https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/beautiful-creatures) exhibit at The American Museum of Natural History. The two animals that come up over and over again, according to Fasel? Snakes and butterflies.Snakes have a beautiful shape that lend themselves to jewelry, which can symbolize wisdom and eternal love. The butterfly has emerged in many jewelry collections this year. Symbolizing rebirth and transformation, it's particularly resonant to people right now as we begin to emerge from the pandemic. Victoria describes some collections she's seen that feature interesting creatures as pendants. In the vintage space, sales of animal-inspired pieces are soaring, as well. The zodiac trend also contributes to the popularity of the animal theme, since many of the symbols of the zodiac are animals as well.80s Jewelry Makes a ComebackThough it might be surprising, jewelry from as recent as the 90s can now technically be considered vintage. And,
