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OH, WHAT A PEARL! Always in style, these classic jewels add a touch of simple, lustrous elegance. By Rita Guarna Whatever oyster first dreamed of pearls had no idea the gems would shine for millennia. Pearls pop up in the Bible and the Koran; were prized
added luster beyond their accessories, wearing
by the ancient cultures of Egypt, India and China;
pearl-covered gowns for black-tie events.
and were a big reason—so the historian Suetonius
Actress Jessica Alba has been photographed
tells us—that Julius Caesar invaded Britain. The
many times wearing pearl earrings. From decid-
costly gem symbolized purity, but also wealth, as
edly modern black pearl-drop earrings to a pair
usually only royalty or nobility could afford pearls.
of hanging gold chains punctuated with small
With the advent of cultured pearls in the early
luminescent pearls to front-and-back bauble pearl
1900s, that changed.
studs, Alba proves that pearl earrings transition
Since famous French fashion designer Coco Chanel incorporated them into mainstream fashion
seamlessly from day to night. Whether you prefer the iconic five-strand
sory that makes a look—and never gets old. Today, a
pearl necklace Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Kate Middleton’s funky
new generation of celebrities and tastemakers is ap-
white pearl lariat, there are many trendy ways
propriating this timeless gem, giving pearls modern
to wear pearls now. For a preppy look, head-
meaning and edge. Far from Park Avenue, fash-
bands, hair clips and other hair accessories are
ionable women of all ages are throwing on strands
getting the spotlight. For a more avant-garde
of pearls with everything from black lace cocktail
approach, pearls are being used as accents in
dresses to blue jeans and white T-shirts.
art-inspired sculptural earrings. The unique
almost a century ago, pearls have become the acces-
From the concert stage to the red carpet, British
shapes and textures of baroque pearls make
singer Rita Ora has used a smattering of differ-
the perfect accessories for a free-spirited boho
ent-sized pearls to create youthful yet ethereal hair
style. For traditionalists looking for a twist on a
accessories. Singer-songwriter and beauty mogul
classic, the Gucci loafer received an update with
Rihanna rocks pearls with sexy multi-strand collars
pearl-studded heels.
and layers upon layers of matinee-length strands.
But perhaps the final word on pearls came,
Actresses Emma Stone and Lupita Nyong’o have
with fitting simplicity, a half-century ago from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. “Pearls,” she said, “are always appropriate.”
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