Pearls in Vogue
And we mean both literally and figuratively
When editors at VOGUE speak, the world sits up and listens. Their covers capture the current mood, temperament and mindset of the modern world. Inside pages similarly echo the movements in fashion, design and beauty that shape our experience of style each day.
The February cover of US Vogue with US Vice President Kamala Harris was both groundbreaking as it was controversial. Creators working behind the scenes had so accurately depicted an image of power in contemporary times. A light blue suit, the distinguished flag pin and a string of pearls conveyed a brand of leadership that is inclusive, accessible and most of all, trustworthy. Since time immemorial, women on the halls of power have been known to wear pearls as adornments that are appropriate, subtle yet elegant. The way VOGUE editors declared it, pearls continue to hold its place in dignified posts like the White House.
Photos: Vogue
Style pages and trend reports by the style bible have similarly shone light on pearls as the gem du jour—and beyond. Fashion writer Daisy Shaw-Ellis begins, “There are seasonal novelty pieces then there are classics. Some of the most precious gems have the power to span generations and remain covetable for decades, and pearl jewelry fits firmly into that sartorial realm.” Ellis followed up the article with a style feature enumerating the 10 Essential Pieces of Jewelry That Are Worth The Investment. In the story, she mentions that “Pearl necklaces… will absolutely never go out of style."
Photo: Vogue
If at all, pearls continue to evolve as contemporary classics for the discerning fashion ally. Another VOGUE feature in February listed down 22 Reasons to Reconsider Pearls. The style roundup emphasizes that, “We are in the midst of a pearl renaissance… Whether baroque or freshwater, worn on a bracelet or a ring, you simply can’t go wrong with a classic pearl.” Fashion forecasters at the revered publishing house even suggested that pearls are the chic and luxe answer to friendship jewelry. Writer Willow Lindley expounds, “Classic pearls are a treat to own—quarantine or no quarantine—perfect to wear everyday and stack with other personal jewelry.”
Photo: Vogue
Coverage on men’s fashion also highlighted pearls as the essential accessory for men. We’ve all seen Harry Styles sport the look flawlessly, and so have ASAP Rocky and Nast. Runway reporter Steff Yotkaadds, “Skirts, pearls and an insouciant eclecticism are emerging as defining trends for all genders at the Fall 2021 collections.” Earlier trend reports from Vogue even announced pearls as the biggest jewelry trend for Spring Summer 2021. A report by Rachel Garrahan in early January predicted, “Pearls haven’t lost their modernist lustre.”
Photo: @arianagrande
Testament to pearls being the modernist’s choice was VOGUE’s coverage of Ariana Grande fairy tale romance. From the time she got engaged to then-fiancé Dalton Gomez, the world’s most trusted source for all things style was front and center in serving up details of her love story. Breaking news of her engagement made it to VOGUE UK’s pages in December, reporting that: “Grande also shared close up images of her ring—which features an oval shaped diamond set at an angle in an elegant platinum band. Making the ring more standout? The delicate pearl nestled alongside the megawatt sparkler. The lustrous natural stones have become increasingly popular in engagement rings over the last few years—with other celebrities including Emma Stone selecting a pearl as a feature stone.”
Photo: @davemccary
This was soon followed by another VOGUE special feature. The headline: Take Inspiration From Arianna Grande With The Prettiest Pearl Engagement Rings To Say Yes To. In the article published last January, editors wrote: “The say diamonds are a girl’s best friend—but for brides looking for an alternative to solitaire and princess cuts, the pearl engagement ring hits all the right notes. This treasure from the sea in all its polished iterations—creamy white, black and champagne—could be the answer for those seeking easy, understated elegance.”
Photo: Vogue
