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THE UPDATES
Celebrity stylist and jewelry expert
Michael O’Connor, cites an interest in
past eras (Mad Men, anybody?) as driving pearl demand, which in turn translates into vintage inspirations on the runways and
in top fashion houses. But today’s look is more “in-your-face” he says.
Girl With A Pearl’s Bohemian line work pearls into leather and suede for looks that can be dressed up or down. Pearl blogger India Rows says chainmail styles with pearls are another look retailers should look for when searching for new products.
For example, Deniz Zizzi of Accessory Drawer sees designers such as Beth
Greenberg mixing pearls with sterling silver chains.
"We think the pearl is the perfect touch to our handmade jewelry, taking something vintage and turning it into something new and fresh," says Laurel George of
The Vintage Pearl.
These fresh perspectives make pearls
more attractive to women who used to dismiss them strictly as old-fashioned jewelry. And while pearls can be expensive, pieces with single pearls or freshwater options worked into leather lariats or sterling silver can be surprisingly affordable as well as fashionable.
“Women wear pearls with T-shirts, flowy blouses and cocktail dresses from brunch and work to an evening event,” Zizzi says,
“Nowadays pearls are an everyday basic that fit effortlessly in the jewelry closet.”
For more information: Accessory Drawer, accessorydrawer.com, 888.209.8432;
Girl With a Pearl, girlwithapearl.com, 615.767.1972; India Rows, 706.850.5296; Kinzig Design, kinzigdesign.com, 650.952.6006; Michael O’Connor, styleandsubstance.com;
The Vintage Pearl, 918.935.3254; thevintagepearl.com
Images courtesy of Accessory Drawer, Girl With A Pearl, Kinzig Design, Liza Kim, and The Vintage Pearl
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