Tagged with 'Pearl fashion'

Europe's luxury jewellers unveiled their latest collections last week at Baselworld 2012, the biggest watch and jewellery event in the world.

Baselworld started as a watch fair and, now in its 40th year, is the premier luxury show for European retailers and brands alike. Over 100,000 exhibitors, visitors and press attended this year to announce new products and discover new trends. With nine Maserati sports cars parked enviably last week in a row outside the luxury watch Hall, our expectations were set high.

For any visitor to Baselworld, the show can remain a daunting one. Cavernous halls are filled with temporary structures of glass and marble that in some instances reach three stories high. Luxury watch brands such as Patek Phillipe, Rolex, Breguet and Chopard showcase their newest timepieces alongside jewellery creations from Fabergé, De Grisogono, and Mikimoto. The atmosphere is busy, but serious and hushed too. The success of the event here sets the tone for many in the watch and jewellery calendar.

If you are interested in the latest developments in jewellery then the prestige jewellers of Hall 2 or the specialist gemstone and pearl merchants of Hall 3 should be your first stop. The UK representation was low-key, with the stand-out for us being the characteristically edgy and spectacular designs of Stephen Webster.

Amongst the displays of the specialist pearl dealers, there were the first signs of the new larger nucleated Freshwater Edison pearls that are starting to emerge from China. This new type of pearl represents a real advancement in culturing technology, with Freshwater pearls starting to reach a size of as much as 15mm in diameter. There were a number of vivid pink strands on display, an amazing natural colour that is oddly striking when first seen. We will cover this type of pearl later in our Journal, but it will be very interesting to see how they are received over the coming year, particularly as their quality improves further.

Baselworld is scheduled slightly later next year from April 25 to May 2, 2013, due to the exhibition area being expanded, and is open to luxury-loving members of the public as well as retailers.

Fashion lovers at London Fashion Week 2012 were treated this week to the Rock Vault, a celebration of some of the most inventive and eclectic jewellery design that Britain has to offer.

LFW is the vibrant setting for the launch of the new Autumn/Winter 2012 fashion collections. Somerset House was buzzing with around 5,000 visitors attending 100 shows from established and emerging designers. Alongside London debuts by Stella McCartney and McQ by Alexander McQueen, with an extravagant catwalk floor carpeted with fallen leaves, were bold colours and patterns, classic elegance and warm seasonal colours.

Rock Vault is a new initiative that has been set up to help promote the best of Britain’s fine jewellery design. Ten jewellers, selected by the British Fashion Council, curator Stephen Webster and the International Palladium Board, were offered an enviable chance to showcase their A/W 2012 jewellery collections.

The selected designers were Alexandra Jefford, Fernando Jorge, Hannah Martin, Hillier, Husam El Odeh, Jo Hayes Ward, Jordan Askill, Melanie Georgacopoulos, Sophie Bille Brahe and Tomasz Donocik. Also featured in the exhibition tent that overlooked the Thames were five bold jewellery design concepts cast in the precious metal Palladium by students from Central Saint Martins, London.

As the main events of LFW were winding down, we visited the Vault to discover its installations. It was inspiring to see the new developments in Fernando Jorge’s Fluid Diamonds collection and we love these supple pieces shown in combination with some unusual gemstones such as the apple-green Brazilian Chrysoprase.

There were also some striking jewellery designs with pearls by Melanie Georgacopoulos, playfully enclosing pearls in 18ct gold diamond and emerald cages, and Alexandra Jefford, whose modern pieces are inspired by architecture, nature and some fabulously metallic freshwater pearls.

A brilliant setting to showcase the jewellery talent in London, the Vault undoubtedly rocked this year.

The fascinating Venus of Hohle Fels is perhaps the oldest sculpture of a human figure found today. It is a six-centimeter tall figurine of a voluptuous woman, dating back to about 35,000 years ago. Carved from mammoth ivory with a delicately carved ring in place of a head, it may also be the oldest known pendant found in Europe.

Whilst experts continue to decipher the meaning of the Venus of Hohle Fels, there is no doubt that pendants have become one of the most loved forms of jewellery. Pendants are worn today by both women and men as symbols of identity, religion, love or an elegant fashion accessory.

 

Among the wide choice of classic and contemporary pendant designs, real pearl pendants are highly versatile and can be worn on almost any occasion, from everyday wear to a wedding day. To help you choose an perfect pearl pendant for yourself or someone you love, here is a short guide.

THE PEARL

 

The pearl is typically the central focus of a pearl pendant and for this reason the highest quality grading of pearls are often selected for luxury pearl pendants. These pearls should have a strong lustre, a thick nacre, a clean surface and beautiful natural colours.

PEARL SHAPE

 

The most popular shapes of pearls that are used in pendants are round, tear drop or button shaped pearls. All of these shapes will lie elegantly around the neck and have a pleasing symmetry.

SIZE

 

The size of the pearl in a pearl pendant will impact the price of the pendant, particularly as larger Tahitian and South Sea pearls become more expensive. In a classic single pearl pendant design, the more popular pearl sizes are between 8-11mm in diameter.

GEMSTONES

 

Pearls are a beautiful match with diamonds, that might be set as a solitaire just above the pearl. For a more contemporary twist, pearls can also be matched with colourful gemstones such as sparkling blue sapphires or eye catching garnets.

THE CHAIN

 

Pearl pendants can also be hung from a necklace, called an enhancer, but today are more often worn from a simple silver or gold chain. The weight and finish of the chain should hold the pendant safely and be beautiful without distracting from the pearl and its setting. The standard length of a pearl pendant chain is typically 42 cm or 45 cm, which would be similar to a long choker or princess length necklace. For a luxury pearl pendant, 18 carat gold or platinum is a preferable choice.

 

At Winterson, our most popular pearl pendants are the single pearl pendant, perhaps with a lustrous white freshwater pearl and a sparkling solitaire diamond. More exotic Tahitian pearl pendants, with their shimmering grey, silver and black colours, or with a designer twist, Sophie Breitmeyer's colourful designer pendants with Akoya pearls are strong favourites too.

One of the classic gemstone combinations for jewellery designers is the contrast between the striking sparkle of diamonds and the soft, silky lustre of a pearl. How and when did our love of this beautiful pairing come about?

La Belle Époque from the late 19th century to the start of World War I was an era of opulence. It was a prosperous period that created wealth and the newly rich were keen to display their social status, enjoying a wave of sumptuous fashion and luxury jewellery.

 

The Edwardian trend was for slimming and elegant silhouettes with high collars that extended the neckline, corsets that showed off S-curved bodylines and tall hats with extravagant feathers. In response jewellers created delicate garland-style jewellery that appeared as if it were embroidery, with characteristic motifs of swags, ribbons, bows and flowers.

 

Before the late 19th century, European jewellers had looked to India and Brazil for their source of diamonds. Following the discovery of large diamond deposits in South Africa, however, and the set up and purchase of small mining operations by the company De Beers, the availability of diamonds changed forever. Platinum and diamonds began to be used widely by La Belle Époque jewellery designers to create intricate and gorgeous diamond necklaces with sparkling collars.

 

The grandeur of La Belle Époque ended abruptly with the dark reality of World War I.

 

Diamonds resisted the sombre times by reinventing themselves with new designs and sharing the fashion spotlight with other gems such as cultured pearls, which were new and taking the European jewellery markets by storm. Royal and society ladies matched diamond bandeaux and tiaras with long pearl necklaces. Coco Chanel created the Little Black Dress in the 1920s that she accessorised with a string of pearls. The simplicity of that dress with the elegance and beauty of pearls appealed to middle class and high society women alike throughout the 1930s and still resonates today.

 

With our lasting love of diamonds, De Beers famously grew to become the world’s largest producer of diamonds and coined the memorable slogan “diamonds are forever”. A diamond today is the traditional choice of engagement gift, a celebration present for a 10th or 60th wedding anniversary and is the birthstone for April.

 

View our jewellery collection of Diamonds and Pearls here.

Is it bad luck a for a bride to be wearing wedding pearls on her big day?

The pearl, with its pure white colour and shining lustre, is a beautiful symbol of perfection. Across many cultures, it is very popular for brides to choose to wear pearl jewellery. Historically, this tradition can be traced as far back as the beginnings of Hindu civilization when Krishna's daughter Pandia was adorned with a saltwater pearl that was drawn from the ocean.

But there are many superstitions associated with getting married. In some countries today it is said that the wearing of wedding pearls is an ill omen, perhaps representing the tears that a bride may later shed in married life. Is this particular myth true or just another old tale?

Before we knew more about how pearls are formed, pearls were associated in Western culture with tears. The Romans thought pearls to be the physical tears of angels or gods and, in The Odyssey, Homer describes tears as being 'reborn as pearls'.

Following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas, substantial oyster beds were found off the coast of Venezuela. The subsequent fashion for wearing natural pearls created a 'pearl rush' during the 16th and 17th centuries. European women of high rank and royalty fell in love with wearing extravagant pearl ornaments and matching sets of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches. Queen Elizabeth I of England was said to own over 3,000 pearl embroidered dresses.

Keeping up with fashion, however, had a cost, and several small European royal houses bankrupted themselves over their new love for pearls. The cultural associations between pearls and tears inevitably continued, with Milton writing in 1645 in his Epitaph to the Marchioness of Winchester that the 'pearls of dew she wears prove to be presaging tears'.

By the middle of the 18th and 19th centuries, the wearing of pearls also began to be given another symbolic meaning, being officially reserved for wear during a specific period of time following a funeral. This period of royal half-mourning was largely fashion-led, with ladies at the court of Queen Victoria being only permitted to wear pearls, diamonds or plain ornaments.

There really is no bad luck in wearing pearls at your wedding. Today's superstitious association of pearls with bad luck simply comes from our rich ancient, medieval and modern cultural history. The beauty and simplicity of a white pearl is the perfect and traditional choice of jewellery for brides and bridesmaids.

The melancholy of autumn seeps in as clouds gather over Paris, temperatures start to fall and the trees turn a rich brown. Fortunately Paris is still the most romantic city in the world, with a fashion for wearing pearls. If you are lucky enough to be in the French capital this Autumn, and are wondering where to go beyond the usual tourist spots, here is a lazy weekend walk through the 6th and 7th arrondissements.

Early Sunday morning is the best time to visit the organic food market on Boulevard Raspail, which is bursting into life. The market is located on Boulevard Raspail between Rue de Cherche-Midi and Rue de Rennes. Be sure to sample one of the galette potato pancakes at the top of the market and immerse yourself in the local Rive Gauche life. Match the fun atmosphere with one of our pearl bracelets.

 

Next turn into the Rue du Cherche-Midi, Rue Saint-Placide and Rue du Bac to discover a string of exclusive fashion boutiques and of course Le Bon Marché. The building of this grand department store was designed by Gustave Eiffel in the middle of the 19th century. Open at the weekends on Saturday only, it is now the home to luxury brands, jewellery, French designers and other essentials for the local French fashionistas. Don't miss La Grand Épicerie with its delicious selection of artisanal groceries, pastries and gifts. It's the perfect place for wearing pearls, perhaps in layers of white Freshwater pearl rope necklaces in the style of Coco Chanel?

 

The world famous Musée Rodin is only a stone's throw away at the end of Rue de Varenne. As its name suggests, the museum is home to a collection of the most significant works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Wander through the extensive grounds and stop to admire some of Rodin's most famous pieces including ‘The Kiss’ and 'The Thinker'.

 

To finish off your afternoon, amongst the landmarks of the Rive Gauche is the Café Les Deux Magots on the Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés. For centuries this café has been a cultural hotspot for writers and poets from the world of arts, fashion and literature. Wear something eye-catching like a lustrous pink Freshwater pearl necklace. On a crisp autumn afternoon, find a corner of the glassed-in terrace and sip on a reinvigorating coffee whilst enjoying Parisian life pass slowly by.

 

For dinner there is so much choice in this part of Paris, but Michelin-starred chef Guy Savoy's bistrot Les Bouquinistes is renowned for its sophisticated food and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant is named after the book-sellers that have been lining the quais of the Seine for over 150 years and today attracts a local clientele of art lovers from the antique shops and galleries nearby. Its location at Quai des Grands Augustins also has a wonderful view at night overlooking the Cathédrale Notre Dame and the Pont-Neuf, a perfect Parisian end to the day.

A favourite of women for centuries, the pearl necklace holds a key place in any jewellery box. There are so many different occasions to wear pearl jewellery and many styles of pearl necklace lengths to choose from. Depending on the look that is desired, whether it is fine jewellery for a formal occasion, wedding jewellery, the office or casually at the weekend, here is a short guide on how to choose the best length for a pearl necklace.

THE COLLAR NECKLACE

The collar necklace is about 30 to 33cm in length and is typically made of smaller 5mm diameter pearls that are worn in three or four strands. This elegant necklace sits snugly around the neck. The pearl collar is typically worn as evening or bridal jewellery and can be matched with a multi-strand bracelet. A pearl collar necklace with lustrous white pearls will look amazing with an off-the-shoulder black dress.

THE CHOKER NECKLACE

A choker is about 35 to 42cm in length and is often made with slightly larger pearls that are more than 9mm in diameter. The pearl choker lies just over the collarbone, complementing the neckline and can be worn in the evening or in the office for an eye-catching contemporary appearance.

THE PRINCESS NECKLACE

A princess necklace, of about 43 to 49cm in length, is the classic and most popular length for a pearl necklace. Pearls of all sizes, shapes and colours work well with the princess necklace length, which lies about two centimetres below the collarbone. This everyday necklace is incredibly versatile, being perfect for an evening out or it can be worn simply with jeans. It can be made with Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian or South Sea pearls.

THE OPERA NECKLACE

An opera necklace is about 65 to 90cm in length, with the extra length over the princess necklace giving a more casual and modern style. As a single strand it lies about halfway towards the waist or, if looped over the head, it can resemble a pearl choker.

THE SAUTOIR

The sautoir necklace, also known as a long rope necklace, is 95 cm in length or more. Worn as a single strand, the pearl sautoir can reach the waist and has a style reminiscent of the 1920s. The sautoir is also one of the most versatile pearl necklaces as it can be looped around the neck up to three times or can be worn knotted at the front. With the current fashion for layering jewellery, the pearl sautoir is one of our most popular items.

There are many ways to wear pearls. Read more about Buying a Pearl Necklace here.

Lake Geneva is calm, reflecting the rich colours of Autumn trees, and the mood is peaceful and beautiful. If you are visiting Geneva, here is a short walk through this international centre of luxury.

Begin the day at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues on the corner of Lake Geneva. This hotel has been a city landmark since 1834 with its affluent setting and breathtaking views. Breakfast is a rich and creamy croissant, dipped in a frothy cappuccino. To match the quiet and sophisticated atmosphere, wear a pearl necklace, perhaps white freshwater pearls with a diamond clasp.

If you are visiting on November 11 or 12th, do not miss a once in a lifetime opportunity to see one of the world's most famous pearls La Peregrina, which is on display at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues as part of the international tour celebrating Elizabeth Taylor's  life and collections.

The oldest part of the town is a short promenade away over the Pont des Bergues to the South Bank, also known as the Rive Gauche. The Rue du Marché and its adjacent streets are filled with the most famous and luxurious jewellers and watchmakers in the world. Stop to browse at the latest jewellery and watch trends from Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Bulgari, de Grisogono and Adler. Wear an Akoya pearl necklace as pearl jewellery stays in style beyond a season's trends.

For lunch, climb up to Brasserie LIPP, just off the main shopping street. This buzzing restaurant is renowned in the city for its seafood menu and Autumn is ideal for eating oysters. If the Autumn sun is kind, climb further into the heart of the old town. Coffee on the terrace of the Café du Bourg de Four is a relaxing way to absorb the historical charm of Geneva.

From the heights of the old town, drop down towards Place Neuve for a short walk to the Patek Phillippe Museum. The museum is located in a beautifully renovated building, dating from the early 20th century, and here you discover the history and craftsmanship of this prestigious watchmaker.

Finally, finish the day by booking a table at the Café des Bains, a contemporary restaurant and bar. The cosy and simple design is a reminder of the ‘bistrot de quartier’ that this neighbourhood favourite used to be. To enjoy with a delicious dinner, wear our modern Tahitian pearl earrings.

Autumn in Geneva is wonderful, but our next stop is Paris...

Which item of jewellery should be on your wishlist to accessorise with the new Autumn/Winter 2011 fashions?

The pearl choker is set to become one of this season's hottest jewellery accessories. Pearl chokers first became fashionable in the second half of 1800s with the influence of Alexandra, Princess of Wales who wore short necklaces and high necklines to disguise a small scar on her neck.

But this year Chanel, Valentino, Donna Karan, YSL, Bottega Veneta, Hermes, Emilio Pucci and Alexander McQueen… are just a few of the designers and brands that reference the choker with the season’s trend for a revival of Forties fashion.

A pearl choker necklace is a 14 to 16 inch (35-40 cm) necklace that nestles in the hollow of the neck or just above it. There are many variations of this short necklace with materials that include fabrics, gold and diamonds, feathers and pearls. A torsade can be a short necklace, made with twisted strands of white or multi-coloured cultured pearls.

The look of a choker can also be created by wrapping a long pearl rope necklace around the neck in layers.

Among the A/W 2011 season's collections, Donna Karan’s Pearls of Wisdom collection stands out. Its colours are pale, grey, silver and sand, the materials used are tweed, silk, fur and wool, the lines are fitted, luxurious and feminine.

We also love the look of Erickson Beamon’s chokers of matching faux pearls that complement and finish Donna Karan’s glamorous designs, sometimes using large pearls over 1cm in diameter. These are worn in single strands or in torsades and are accessorized with discreet matching earrings.

If you prefer the natural silver and grey colour of Tahitian pearls or the natural lavender colour of Freshwater pearls to the colour of faux pearls, then a real pearl choker will be the accessory to have for this winter.  The complexity of a real pearl's natural lustre, its warmth next to the skin and silky surface would add beautiful detail to the 1940s styling.

There are as many types of pearl earrings as there are candies in a sweet shop: round, oval or baroque pearls, white, pink, silver or black pearls, studs and drops, diamonds or precious stones.

 

Pearls have a unique characteristic of capturing and reflecting light, which means they will match with almost any colour or look. Choosing which pearl earrings to wear on which occasion might give you a sugar rush, so here is a simple guide to choosing and wearing pearl earrings.

PEARL EARRINGS FOR EVERY DAY

 

Amongst all the earrings in a women’s jewellery box, the simple yet elegant white Akoya pearl earring is the earring of choice for everyday wear. Stud earrings are also so comfortable that you can almost forget that you are wearing them.

 

For a relaxed style we would recommend choosing a pearl that is not too large for your ear. If you have more petite features, consider a stud with a 6-7mm diameter pearl or if you have more pronounced features consider an 8-9mm diameter pearl. If you prefer a bolder look, why not try larger button shaped pearl earrings? Button pearl studs can be easily worn in sizes over 9mm for a more contemporary style, without pulling on the ear.

 

One of our preferred pearl earrings is the pink pearl earring stud, which is a fun alternative to white. Pink Freshwater pearl earrings look absolutely amazing if you are wearing red, pink or purple clothes or accessories.

PEARL EARRINGS FOR AN EVENING OUT

 

If you are looking for the ultimate evening pearl earrings to wear with a little black dress, consider South Sea pearls. These pearls have an ice-white or golden silky shine and are typically found in larger sizes of over 10mm diameter. A simple South Sea pearl earring is quite beautiful, and even more so when matched with diamonds. Diamonds and pearls have long been a girl’s best friends as the sharp sparkle of diamonds works beautifully with the soft warm lustre of pearls.

 

If you are looking for a more contemporary evening style, consider wearing Tahitian pearl earrings with their dark and more exotic colours. Their baroque shapes and peacock colours will also make unique and envied pearl earrings.

PEARL EARRINGS FOR THE OFFICE

 

Powerful political and business women are frequently seen wearing pearls. The classic white pearl will bring a discreet, yet polished touch to any suit or business attire. We would recommend Akoya pearl earrings for the office as these pearls are more often perfectly round and are known for their strong lustre and quality.

 

Finally, if you are looking for that difficult corporate casual look, why not try a drop earring? These retain their tasteful discretion whilst still catching the eye with a gentle movement.