What Happened To The Art Of Bling?

Whatever happened to gold-chains and trainers, low-slung denim and diamond watches, and earrings so sparkly you could comb your hair in their reflection? Has the art of bling gone lacklustre and dull? The leading players of planet bling were music stars such as Missy Elliott, Puff daddy, and Jennifer Lopez. According to Paul McKenzie from The Times T2 "it proved hypnotic to see young black men and women from the ghetto drinking Cristal champagne, being photographed in the VIP lounges of the world's coolest clubs wearing thousands of pounds of jewellery and street-style jeans and Timberlands."

Perhaps we are bored with Essex-girls; the Victoria Beckhams and Jordans of this world, having seen too much of their fake tans, the showing of their assets and indulgence of lavish lifestyles? Like the days of the gangster, their credibility has become too mainstream and the boys in the hood are being replaced by the boys in the Hamptons, St Tropez and London. Artists such as Andre 3000 and Jay Z are moving in on 50 Cent and Busta rhymes, who are traditionally associated with gangsta-rap and bling society.

But bling wasn't only fronted by the hip-hop scene, as it came to dominate popular culture also. The word even found its way into the Oxford Dictionary and every race and class seemed to partake in their own bling moment. So what has replaced bling if it is indeed over? Is it English tailoring over Italian luxury, is it beautiful dresses over track suits? The diamonds are being replaced by cashmere blazers and leather-handled umbrellas. The Timberlands have been sent to storage in favour of Gucci loafers and the customised BMW is now an Aston Martin or Bentley.

Perhaps it is the desire to stand out of the bling crowd. Wearing a multitude of layered jewellery doesn't cut it anymore. People want a fresh look and designer labels and customised cars are less credible with the urban audience. Maybe, too, the realisation that a bit of a sparkle can go a long way. Or maybe it's just being fashion forward.