ネタ | ザ★美人堂道場 | ファッション | まにあ道

What with the nation’s current obsession with all things under-the-sea thanks to Blue Planet II, it seems somewhat apt that pearls are having yet another moment in the fashion spotlight.

The iridescent gem - which is officially the oldest gemstone in the world - has long been a symbol of sophistication, favoured by Hollywood royalty and actual royalty alike; Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Diana, Princess of Wales all made the pearl necklace a part of their signature style. But they were late to the party; the earliest evidence of pearls being worn as adornment in fact dates back to 520 BC and a Persian princess who was laid to rest with her pearl jewellery - the fragments of which are now on display at the Louvre.

In more recent history, pearls have come to represent polish and poise. Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel made them synonymous with her fashion house by wearing multiple strands constantly, even famously stating “a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls”. To this day they remain a key feature of the brand, appearing in some form in every ready-to-wear and couture collection presented by current Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld.

“Pearls are always appropriate,” Jackie Kennedy said - and she was so right for now. On the AW17 catwalks, aptly-named British brand Mother of Pearl dotted them along the shoulder seams of oversized woolen outerwear, while Altuzarra edged a dramatic grey cape with them, as well as studding them up knee-high boots and along velvet alice bands to create a serene halo effect. Cult label Ellery used them sparingly but beautifully as buttons on double-breasted blazers, neat pencil skirts and slit-hem trousers. As such, you’ll find them sprinkled plentifully along the high street, on everything from denim to hats.

If you're lucky enough to have any real pearl jewellery, now is the time to wear it with pride, and with anything - from a plain tee and jeans to your smartest get-up. Even your athleisure can benefit from a little pearly magic - at Topshop Unique, silky running shorts and a zip-up sports top was accessorised with a pearl dangling from the zip and worn with chunky pearl-and-gem earrings. Freshen a real pearl necklace by having it professionally restrung - opt for a shorter length that skims your collar bones - or if you’ve got a tired faux version get crafty, deconstruct it and sew individual pearls onto shirts and sweaters, or thread through the laces of your favourite shoes.

Coco Chanel was well known for her love of pearls, wearing strand upon strand daily, bringing the pearl necklace into the fashion mainstream. She was known to mix faux with cultured pearls, much to the dismay of pearl purists.

Pearls were favoured by the silver screen sirens of Hollywood’s golden age, among them Elizabeth Taylor, who owned the La Peregrina pearl, one of the most famous pearls in history. A gift from Richard Burton in, she commissioned Cartier to re-design the necklace, setting it with more pearls, as well as diamonds and rubies.

The pearl is enjoying a resurgence thanks to designers including Gucci, Miu Miu and Ellery using them to stud clothes and accessories for AW17. Fashion editor Natasha Goldenberg is pictured wearing a delicate pearl necklace at Paris Fashion Week in October.Read more at:vintage evening dresses | mermaid prom dresses